236 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



ture. At the last World's Fair held in Paris there was a colossal 

 figure of George Washington in chocolate exhibited by an Ameri- 

 can manufacturer of that article. While it might be considered 

 as a laudable attempt to make known to the French nation the 

 features of the " Father of his Country," and from that point of view 

 worthy of recognition, still it was no evidence of the superiority of 

 the chocolate, and therefore could not be considered in connection 

 with the giving of an award. This condition of affairs prevails at 

 every exposition, and too frequently an exhibit of a meritorious article 

 is made in such a modest manner that its claims are overshadowed by 

 the pretentious display of something quite inferior. 



Two conditions thus present themselves — namely, the lack of 

 proper exhibits and the improper presentation of certain exhibits. 

 The first condition may be overcome by a more perfect canvass of the 

 industries of the country. In nearly every one of these there is a 

 national organization, and it should be the duty of that body to con- 

 sider the matter. By the appointment of committees and working 

 among the representatives of the industry, either a good exhibit from 

 the leading firms could be secured, or else a collective exhibit of the 

 best from many firms could be obtained. Typical of the last named 

 was the exhibit made by the potters of the country at the World's Fair 

 in Chicago. By the adoption of such a method of displaying the 

 products of manufacturers the possibility of the second condition 

 would be entirely eliminated. 



After all, the value of these expositions is chiefly educational, and 

 surely no more perfect way of educating the visitor or sightseer could 

 be found than by placing before him a historical series of products, 

 beginning with the one made first in point of time, continuing with 

 better specimens, showing the improvements that have resulted from 

 increased experience and knowledge, and culminating with the finest 

 product now made. The contrast between the first and the last 

 would be indeed most striking. 



It must not be thought from the foregoing remarks that these 

 interstate expositions have been lacking in the presentation of the 

 products of their own home industries. Far from it. In San Fran- 

 cisco, in Atlanta, in I^ashville, and in Omaha the local manufacturers 

 did themselves great credit by the admirable way in which their 

 goods were shown, but it was just in this particular feature that the 

 weak point indicated previously made itself most conspicuous. A 

 local silversmith could hardly be expected to compete with the more 

 famous manufacturers in the same line in larger cities, and yet in 

 the absence of an exhibit by the better known firm an award would 

 naturally be given to the smaller manufacturer, thus creating a 

 false impression to the world at large. 



