Page:Portland, Oregon, its History and Builders volume 1.djvu/816

586 officially and appropriated $485,000 for its participation, and built its beautiful palace on the peninsula in Guild's lake, facing the constellation of all the exposition palaces, connecting by a grand bridge, all of which formed a beautiful and unique setting. We quote from the report of the president and board of directors by Col. Henry E. Dosch, director of exhibits:

"Your intimate relationship to all vital questions renders it unnecessary for me to advise you of the difficulties that had to be overcome to bring the main feature, viz: the exhibits to such a successful termination. I desire, however, to emphasize the fact that my division performed in four months the same work that was done at other expositions in six months' time; also the gratifying fact, that this is the first time that an exposition has closed without a single lawsuit pending in connection with the division of exhibits. I managed this division with the closest economy, the same as I had my own large business, which is evidenced by the fact that the whole division staff consisted of less persons than were employed at other expositions in single departments. The heaviest expenditures were incurred by the fine arts and the live stock department, which, however, produced gratifying results."

The most difficult and tedious task occurred when, three weeks before opening day, twenty-three Oregon firms who were promised, and had large spaces allotted to them, withdrew after two hundred and fourteen eastern exhibitors had been refused space. As difficult and vexatious as the refilling of these spaces with desirable and live exhibits was, it was nevertheless so carried out that all the domestic exhibit palaces looked to every visitor complete, and no one went away with the off told tale of previous expositions, that the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition was not ready on opening day.

The 7,036 diplomas granted by the juries were all signed, sealed and delivered within sixty days after the exposition closed; thus establishing a new record, one not attained by any previous exposition. Judging from the many letters received, breathing the kindest expressions, congratulations and good wishes, proves conclusively that all these exhibitors were happy and satisfied.

"The first active step taken to make this an international exposition," says Mr. Dosch, "was when, on January 24, 1902, I presented to the directors the fact that Japan was about to hold an exposition, and that if we hoped to have this rising and progressive nation to take part with us we must show our good will toward them. After due consideration I was empowered to visit Japan for the purpose of consulting with the officials, which I did, sailing early in September, 1902. Baron Yasukiro, minister of commerce and agriculture, under whose auspices the Osaka Exposition was held, was highly gratified, and every courtesy was shown me in accomplishing my purpose, and I was offered my choice of space in the foreign building. Upon my return to Portland in December, 1902, and report, I was further empowered to secure a representative exhibit from our merchants and manufacturers, which I shipped and installed in the foreign building, Oregon being the only American state represented. After the close of the Osaka Exposition, I organized a mercantile company to whom I sold the entire Oregon exhibit, and returned the cash proceeds to the fifty-one concerns that had furnished exhibits; a large and lucrative business being kept up ever since."

Mr. Dosch's commission to the Japanese Exposition was most fortunate for Portland and its exposition. For while in Japan he was brought in contact with the representatives of all the foreign nations making exhibits at Osaka; and by his presentment of the claims of Portland the representative of Pacific coast interests, he was successful in securing exhibits from fourteen foreign nations for the Lewis and Clark Exposition, all of which were placed under his sole charge. And in addition to this Mr. Dosch so conducted the business of Oregon at the Osaka Exposition, and so assisted to make it successful, as to win the friendship of the Japanese government and the favor of the Emperor to the extent that he was by the Emperor, decorated with the insignia and order of the sacred treasure; and finally to secure for the Portland Exposition the splendid