Final Report of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission Part 56

There was also a large collection of tropical and European vegetable seeds, together with seeds of various kinds of pumpkins, squash, calabash, and cuc.u.mbers grown in the islands. The collection of oil and oil-producing seeds consisted of samples of sesame, peanut, castor, pili, palo, maria, tangan-tangan, tuba-tuba, copra, or dried cocoanut, etc.

The collection of wild and cultivated fruits, vegetables, and tubers preserved in formaldehyde was a very interesting one, and undoubtedly the first collection of its kind seen in America. Samples of unrefined sugar of different grades, together with the preserved cane, were also displayed, with the crude native machinery used in the extraction of the sugar.

Samples of alcohol, wines, and vinegar produced from the various palm saps or grain and sugar were well represented. The collection of fibers and textiles was very complete. It consisted of several varieties of shrub cotton in white, yellow, and brown, together with the cloth made of this cotton by the natives on crude hand looms, and the tree cotton variety, which is princ.i.p.ally used by the natives for filling pillows.

In the fiber exhibit were samples of hemp, maguey pina, and textile barks of all kinds, together with samples of cloth and rope manufactured from them.

A conservatory built in the center of the building on the south side contained a very interesting collection of orchids, cycas, and some tree ferns from the Philippines.

Exhibits were cared for in 93 show cases, 40 inches wide, 7 feet high, and 1 foot deep; 4 show cases 6 feet wide, 7 feet high, and 6 feet deep.

Other exhibits too large to be placed in show cases were cared for on 420 feet of double shelving and on tables 80 feet long and 12 feet wide.

The exhibits in this building numbered over 20,000 individual pieces, the duplicates being exhibited under the same number. The following number of awards was granted in the department of agriculture:

Nine grand prizes, 4 gold medals, 179 silver medals, 145 bronze medals, and 463 honorable mentions.

The Fish and Game Building was situated in the extreme northern part of the exposition grounds and overlooked Arrowhead Lake. The structure was in the shape of the letter "T," and had a floor s.p.a.ce of 4,400 square feet and represented a "camarian," or Philippine warehouse.

The building was divided into two sections; the first, containing a floor s.p.a.ce of 1,700 square feet, was devoted to the game exhibit, while the second, containing a floor s.p.a.ce of 3,200 square feet, was devoted to fish, fis.h.i.+ng apparatus, sh.e.l.ls, etc.

At the entrance was a fine specimen of the Tamarao, a species of wild buffalo (_Bubalus mindorensis_ Heude); to the left a complete collection of birds, well mounted and scientifically labeled, and to the right a fine collection of the enormous fruit bats and some of the skins of these bats, which are of great commercial value. Large collections of birds' eggs, attractively displayed; numerous specimens of stuffed wild boars and deer were displayed. Fine specimens of python, 21 feet long and 1 foot in diameter, and a collection of crocodiles, large iguanas, and lizards were prominent features in the collection of reptiles.

A numerous collection of nets for fis.h.i.+ng and hunting of deer and wild boar, with some of the snares, game traps, bows, and arrows completely covered and festooned the ceiling and walls.

There was also a collection of corals, gorgonias or sponge corals, having a spread of about 5 feet.

The awards in this department, as approved by the superior jury, were as follows:

Fish and game: Grand prizes, 2; gold medals, 5; silver medals, 10; bronze medals, 38; honorable mentions, 201. Water transportation: Grand prizes, 2; gold medals, 3; silver medals, 3; bronze medals, 2; honorable mentions, 33.

A most interesting exhibit of the numerous mineral resources of the archipelago was displayed for the inspection of the public in the mines and mining exhibit.

The most important exhibits were, first, the cases of iron ores, those from Bulacan, Luzon, receiving a grand prize, 3 silver medals, and 2 bronze medals. Second, a complete coal exhibit, that from Cebu and Bataan Island each receiving a gold medal. Third, an exhibit of gold and gold quartz, which filled five wall cases and two small table cases, and which received three gold medals, six silver medals, and four bronze medals. Gold medals were also given the exhibit of basalt for heavy foundations and heavy construction, marble from Romblon Island, a geological and mineralogical collection exhibited by the mining bureau and Isuan mineral water from Los Banos, Laguna, Luzon.

The ethnological collection was displayed in the ethnology building, constructed around three sides of a square open court; the building was 119 feet long and 88 feet wide. It consisted of two long halls, one 88 by 37, and one 88 by 39 feet long. Over one of these long halls were two chambers about 30 feet square each. The building contained about 4,500 square feet of surface behind gla.s.s cases, and about 9,400 square feet of open wall and ceiling s.p.a.ce covered with museum specimens, or a total of about 14,000 square feet, where about 1,800 specimens were displayed.

Some of the specimens exhibited were: Bontoc Igorrote head-axes, Bontoc Igorotte basket work utensils used in the domestic and field activities; Benguet and Banawi Igorrote carved wooden food bowls and spoons; Benguet Igorrote baskets; wooden clay and metal pipes from northern Luzon; and a collection of Benguet Igorrote copper pots and copper mining outfit.

Also Bontoc Igorotte spears, s.h.i.+elds, and carved wooden human figures, men's basket hats, women's headdress beads, men's boar tusk armlets, and the earrings and ear plugs worn by both men and women.

The ceilings and walls of the hall in which the exhibits were located were covered with bark and cotton clothing made by the various Igorrote people, such clothing as women's skirts and jackets, men's breechcloths and s.h.i.+rts, and the various burial garments used by both men and women.

There was also a very large collection of s.h.i.+elds and spears of the various Igorrote people, a very exhaustive collection of Negrito materials, and some excellent Kalinga, Ibilao, Tinguian, and Mangiyan materials.

One case contained a collection of Bagobo, Man.o.bo, and Mandaya materials and a collection of materials from the Tagakola, the Bilan, the Tiruray, and the Subano.

A good collection of materials from the little-known Tagabanua people of the island of Paragua was displayed.

The third hall contained, almost exclusively, materials from the various Mohammedan people of the archipelago, commonly called "Moros," such as Moro mats, saddles, and bridles made and used by the "Moros," crude string and wind instruments gathered from many places in the archipelago, and curious gongs used by the Moros as musical instruments and for beating sound messages from place to place.

A typical manial house attracted much attention. The building represented a house of the wealthy cla.s.s, with sh.e.l.l windows. The exhibit contained therein consisted in the main of handsome handwoven fabrics and embroideries, prominent among which are the famed jusi and pina cloths and sinamy fabrics. There were, besides, many pieces of hand-carved furniture and works of art.

There were artificial flowers, cotton goods, fancy goods, embroidery, jusi cloth, sinamay cloth, pina cloth, and silks.

Besides the above, the walls, ceilings, and show cases were decorated with hats, baskets, mattings, and pottery. In the rooms were 50 pieces of carved furniture. A number of paintings was also on exhibition here.

Following is the list of awards as approved by the superior jury:

Grand prizes, 1; gold medals, 16; silver medals, 62; bronze medals, 213; honorable mention, 1,200; total number of awards 1,492.

PORTO RICO.

In the Agricultural Building, not far from the main entrance, was found the Porto Rico section. It was in the nature of a paG.o.da of two floors.

The lower one was dedicated to agriculture, mines, forestry, and a few of the manufactures exhibits. On the second floor were the liberal arts and manufactures exhibits and the offices of the commission; also the needlework display, which was collected and exhibited by the Women's Aid Society, San Juan, and the Benevolent Society, Ponce.

The commission that represented Porto Rico at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition was composed of the following:

Mr. Jaime Annexy, president; Mr. Gutsavo Preston, commissioner; Mr.

Antonio Mariani, commissioner; Mr. L.A. Castro, a.s.sistant secretary; Mrs. R.A. Miller, honorary commissioner; Mrs. Hortensia Y. de Annexy, honorary commissioner; Miss Maria Stahl, representative Women's Aid Society of San Juan; Mrs. David A. Skinner, representative of Benevolent Society of Ponce; Miss Pearl Magehan, superintendent of education; Mr.

Nicolas Hernandez, attache.

The president of the commission was for some months in personal charge of everything concerning the exhibit. To his efforts the credit for the Porto Rico exhibit is due. Mr. Annexy is an industrial engineer and occupies a prominent position in his native country. Porto Rican coffee was considered the most extensive exhibit and was awarded the highest honors. The coffee produced in Porto Rico is almost all exported to Europe. In the year 1902 to 1903 coffee was exported to European countries to the value of $3,252,043, and the export to the United States was only $718,531. The total exports of the same year to foreign countries was $3,956,893 and to the United States $10,909,147. The exhibition of coffee was the most important aim of the Porto Rico commission, and it was distributed free in the Porto Rico PaG.o.da. It was also given away green, roasted, and powdered, in bags of different sizes.

Sugar was the next most extensive display and was awarded a gold medal.

The export of sugar to the United States in the year 1902 to 1903 was $376,757 and to foreign countries $2,543. Many millions of dollars have been spent to import the latest machinery for the manufacture of sugar and all modern improvements in transportation are rapidly being adopted.

Tobacco leaf and manufactured tobacco comprised an excellent display.

Different American concerns have undertaken in the last seven years the introduction of Porto Rican cigars and cigarettes into the United States, and there are few places in America where they can not be found.

Porto Rican cigars and cigarettes are said to rank with those of Cuba.

Porto Rican cotton was said to be of superior quality and attracted attention. Cotton growers in Porto Rico are adopting the best machinery that is made in the United States. The liquor exhibit also was noticeable. Porto Rico received highest awards in straw hats, needlework, rice, beans, pharmaceutical products, etc.

In the Educational Building was the Porto Rican public school exhibit.

The development of this branch of the Porto Rico administration in the last seven years was remarkable. The total number of schools is more than twice the number maintained under the Spanish Government, although it is said that the public schools are able to accommodate less than one-fourth of the pupils, in spite of the fact that more than 25 per cent of the revenues of the island, both insular and munic.i.p.al, are expended for educational purposes. In addition to the elementary schools there are now established four high schools. Teachers are both natives and Americans.

An appropriation of $30,000 was made by the Porto Rican legislature for the purpose of representation at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. The Porto Rican PaG.o.do was designed by a native architect, Mr. Armando Morales, and cost $5,000.

RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.

_Members of commission_.--Robert B. Treat, president; William F.

Gleason, vice-president; Edwin F. Penniman, treasurer; George E. Ball, secretary; George N. Kingsbury, executive commissioner; Col. Patrick E.

Hayes, Frank L. Budlong, and George L. Shepley.

The Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Building was beautifully situated on an eminence on Colonial avenue, facing north, and adjoining Indiana and Nevada. The design for the building was selected in open compet.i.tion by Rhode Island architects. The building in its general form was a reproduction of the Stephen H. Smith mansion in the town of Lincoln--a model distinguished among types of colonial architecture in old New England.

A distinctive feature of the design was the ogee gable, of which but one other example is believed to exist in Rhode Island colonial architecture. The Rhode Island Building imitated in cement the material of which the old Smith mansion is constructed--seam-faced granite--taken from the quarry on the estate. This material is curiously finished by nature's handiwork in many colorings. The irregularity of the pieces and the variety of the colorings in peculiar combinations gave a quaint appearance to the building, and added much to its attractiveness.

From the broad front piazza through an entrance the visitor was introduced to State hall. The hall was set with lofty columns in colonial style. A writing room was on the east and a reading room on the west; between, a broad stairway led to the upper stories. The suite was in Doric detail. Opening from the southerly section of the hallway were the ladies' parlor, the smoking room, and information bureau. The stairway was a reproduction of a notably beautiful construction in old Providence Bank Building and the Brown-Gammell house. A curious feature of its design were the bal.u.s.ters, which were fas.h.i.+oned in nine different patterns.