California. Alaska-Yukon-Pacific exposition commission

“ The tons of literature on this State carried away by visitors to supplement and strengthen their impressions, both impressions and literature to be disseminated among their neighbors, will have an effect that cannot be estimated, but which must inevitably bear fruit for California for many years to come. Then again, the seeing of our splendid products naturally excites a desire to try them, and the increased demand for our fruits, oil, wines, etc., growing out of such a display, is far-reaching. ”

“ In an exhibit of products, quantity can be reduced without material detriment, but if one sample of an educational exhibit is left out, the work perhaps of some fond son or daughter whose parents may come looking for it, there is likely to be trouble. Nearly all portions of California contributed to this Department, making the display representative in every sense. ”

“ Our studied efforts were continually directed toward trying to get the greatest results at the least cost, for, though handling a generous appropriation, we never lost sight of the fact that it was the people’s money, and consequently we consented to the expenditure of a dollar only where in our judgement a dollar’s worth or more benefit would accrue to California ”

“ The statuary and ornaments in fruits and nuts surpasses anything that the eye of man ever beheld. For instance; the representation of carvings over the finished woods are created of various kinds of fruits; at the entrance to the center-piece within the main building, are two life-size mountain lions made of peaches; a black knight mounted on a black horse, are made of California prunes; an elephant, full size, is made of California walnuts; a life-size cow is created of California almonds; a large black bear has California raisins for a robe ”

“ To producers, manufacturers and packers, to lumbermen and miners, who responded to our request for samples of their output we owe a debt which we tried to pay in part by caring for their goods as they would have cared for them, and by looking out for their interests in the matter of awards as carefully as they could have done had they been there. ”

“ This center-piece or palace was admitted to be not only the most beautiful feature of the California Building, but the most original, elaborate and artistic feature of the entire Exposition. The editor of Illustrated Northwest Farm and Home visited the California [Pg 5] Building during the early part of the Fair, and returning home gave expression to his impressions through the columns of his paper in these words:
“In the California Building there is everything to delight the eye and the entertainers can talk English. ”

“ This totals a heritage to the State from the Seattle Exposition of $3,500.00. This will be available and worth even more than the sum stated whenever the State desires to make another exhibition.
BENEFITS TO CALIFORNIA.
Summing up the benefits of an exhibit is a good deal like a merchant trying to estimate the good derived from a sign over his door. Occasionally a patron may say, “I saw your sign and came in,” and occasionally a party may say, “I saw your exhibit and it prompted me to come to California.” ”

“ In this connection we wish to express our obligation to the Niles-Pease Furniture Company for the generous loan of the finest art mission furniture for our reception room, to Byron Mauzy of San Francisco, the Star Piano Company and Salyer-Baumeister of Los Angeles, for the loan of pianos for the use of our guests, and to the Eilers Piano Company for the free use of a pianola for our lecture room. ”

“ Striving to obtain the best exhibit possible with the means available, your Representatives early solicited the co-operation of all the counties of California, offering in return for their efforts such distinctive representation as the merits of their respective products would warrant, consistent with a general harmonious plan of installation. ”