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MARINE REVIEW. 0 Opinions on the Proposed World's Fair Display. It was suggested in the Review last week that a parade or display of lake vessels be given next summer in connection with the World's Columbian Expo- sition. Before proposing any definite plans for such an undertaking, it was first decided to gain an expression of opinion from vessel owners and others in different parts of the lakes. Following are some of the letters received : FROM MR. B. L. PENNINGTON. Eprror Marine Reyirw: I believe such an exhibition of our finest lake steamers, off Chicago, during some day or days of the World's Columbian Exposition, would be advantageous in advertising our peerless ship building industries and in dignifying our magnificent lake com- merce in the eyes of the people of all lands assembled there. However, I fear it would not be practicable; that not enough owners of such vessels would be willing to make the sacrifice to make a creditable exhibition. Steamers trad- ing to Chicago and South Chicago might be assembled there on the day or days appointed, without much expense or sacrifice of time, but not in sufficient numbers for a creditable display ; and in my opinion not enough traffic could be prearranged to those points at that time for anything like sufficient tonnage for the show. Steamers running light from Lake Erie to Escanaba could run on up and exhibit themselves without great sacrifice. Steamers trading between Lake Superior and Lake Erie ports would lose more time, not only from their remoteness, but many of them being obliged to lose the time of part of a trip (perhaps nearly the whole of a trip,) as an additional one can not be made before it is necessary for the steamer to leave for the exposition. The scattered vessels thus brought together at Chicago and going at once into employment after the exhibition, all being fast steamers, would huddle at the docks and more delay ensue. Furthermore, if the weather should be stormy or foggy during the time of such exhibition, accidents would likely result. As I have stated, it would be a fine sight, and the result of such display ad- vantageous to our lake interests, but the cost should be fully considered. A promise to enter into it and a violation, when, near the time, it is discovered the sacrifice will be greater than anticipated, would render the display a fail- ure after it had been advertised, and no display were better than a failure in my opinion. B. L. PENnIneTon. Cleveland, O., Oct. 30, 1892. FROM SECRETARY THOMPSON, DULUTH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Eprror Marine Revirw: A review of lake vessels in eonnection with the World's Columbian Exposition would be from every point of view one of the most interesting and valuable features Few of the people of the United States, wherever their homes, have any adequate idea of the magnitude and importance of the vessel interests and commerce of the lakes, and I am very sure that even if they should see a dozen or twenty lake vessels, one after the other, that it would not make anywhere the impression that would be mude if the same dozen or twenty should pass one after the other in a review, and if the same dozen or twenty could be augmented to one or two hundred the im- pression would be so much the more deep and lasting. Of course, the question is whether vessel owners can be led to see that the effect would be of value as affecting future legislation in regard to vessels, lake channels, harbors, ete., or rather whether it would be of sufficient value to pay them for the direct ex- pense and loss of time inyolved. I believe myself that it would be worth while and hope that the marine papers and the daily papers throughout the whole length of the Jakes will agitate the matter, so that, if possible, we can haye a grand marine review as one of the crowning features of the coming exposition. Duluth, Minn., Oct. 31, 1892. S. A. THomPson. FROM J. 8S- DUNHAM OF CHICAGO. Epirok Marine Review: I think it would be impossible to get the mer- chant marine of the lakes to give a parade or review at the coming World's Columbian Exposition, for the reason in the first place that there is no way of raising money to charter vessels for such a purpose and it would have to be done by owners voluntarily giving the use of their vessels. In such a case there would be no way of equalizing the expense, for in concentrating a lot of steamers here for the purpose some of them would be delayed here a week or two, while others might be here at the proper day and would be able to give their services without any expense. My opinion is that it would be impossible to get up anything of the kind with the merchant marine of the lakes. Chicago. Ill., Oct. 30, 1892. J.S. Donnam. FROM O. M. POE, COL. CORPS OF ENGINEERS, BRVT. BRIG. GEN. U.S. A. Epiror MARINE Revirw: Replying to yours of the 28th inst., request- ing from me an expression of opinion in regard to a proposed review of lake vessels to be given in connection with the coming World's Columbian Exposi- tion at Chicago, I have to say that the proposition has my heartiest endorse- ment. I cannot conceive a more valuable object lesson, and think it would go far towards educating the people of the country generally to the great import- ance of our lake marine, and carry conyiction as to the policy of fostering it in every possible way, particularly in regard to riyer and harbor improvements and ample aids to navigation in the way of light-houses, fog signals and buoys. I therefore trust that the matter will be agitated with a view to carrying the proposition into effect. With full co-operation on the part of vessel owners such a parade could be made one of the most notable features of the exposi- tion. Of course, the cost would be great, but the public spirit of our vessel interests is such that they would undertake a good deal. O. M. Por, Colonel Corps of Engineers, Detroit, Mich., Oct. 28, 1892. Bvt. Brig. General, U.S. A. FROM ALEXANDER MC VITTIE, DETROIT DRY DOCK CO. EpitoR MARINE REVIEW: Doubtless a parade or review of one hundred or more of our largest wooden, composite and metal ships at the Columbian fair would be a very handsome sight for the multitude of visitors that will be there, but I cannot see what benefit our ship builders or ship owners could derive from such a.display. We don't need any of the foreigners' gold to build nor own ships for our lake trade, for our own people have the funds, and a boom in freights causes them to freely invest in tonnage. If, however, it were possible to inspire our people, and especially our legislators, with an ambition to extend the 20-foot water way to the seaboard, any outlay in way of a display at the world's fair, or otherwise, no matter so much about the cost, would be money well spent. A. McoVirTrTiE. Detroit, Mich., Oct. 30, 1892, FROM C. E. KREMER, PROCTOR IN ADMIRALTY. Eprror Marine Review: While a parade or review of lake vessels would, no doubt, be a very interesting, enjoyable and instructive feature of the fair, I fear it would be entirely impracticable beyond a few of such vessels as might happen to be in port or near this port on the day of the demonstra- tion. I doubt whether sufficient enthusiasm exists among vessel owners to put themselves out and to expense for the purpose of exhibiting their craft. The interest also which the public would manifest, it seems to me, would not be as great as many would anticipate, for at Chicago we have comparatively few vessel owners and the marine interests are of slight importance as com- pared with many others. I should be glad, of course, to aid in securing a re- view of this kind should sufficient interest be awakened to make it a success. Chicago, Ill., Oct. 29, 1892. C. E. Kremer, FROM GENERAL MANAGER GORDON, NORTHERN STEAMSHIP COMPANY. Epitor Marine Revirw: The suggestion that "on some given day a grand parade and review of lake steam vessels be given in connection with the great attractions attending the World's Columbian Expositition at Chica- go," has certainly a very attractive sound, but I agree with you that the un- dertaking is hardly practicable, not only from its great cost, but for many other reasons equally as good. -Such a parade if limited to one each of differ- ent types of steam vessels would make a very creditable display, and in my opinion could be materialized by proper effort. I shall always be glad to as- sist any movement looking to the advancement of lake interests. ButalOy IN: Nos, Oct 20, Lous JOHN GORDON. -FROM SECRETARY GEORGE W. LANE, DETROIT BOARD OF TRADE. Epitor MARINE Review: The suggestion of a review of the lake ma- rine at some time during the World's Columbian Exposition is certainly an excellent one and worthy of serious consideration. If it could be made suc- cessful, it would, without doubt, be one of the marked features of the whole exposition. The really serious difficulty connected with the project would be the doubt about collecting, at one date, a sufficient number of our great steel steamers and of our sailing vessels to make a creditable exhibition of the mag« nitude of our lake marine. If vessel owners could be induced to ineur the expense and loss of tirffe attending such a review it would doubtless be a great event. Of this, however, there would be much doubt. 'The question of un- dertaking it would rest wholly with vessel owners. Should the managers of the exposition have sufficient means to bear this expense, or even a portion of it, that would make it quite possible, and would ensure success if undertaken, Such a suggestion could be considered only by the board. Detroit, Mich., Oct. 28, 1892. GEORGE W. LANE, FROM SECRETARY MC MILLAN, DETROIT DRY DOCK COMPANY, Epitor MARINE Review:. I think it would be very desirable indeed could a marine display be made at the World's Columbian Exposition, and would gladly do anything that I might be-able to towards helping the same. I hope that you will be successful in getting up enough public interest to bring about a suitable display. Detroit, Mich., Oct. 28, 1892. GILBERT N. McMILuAn. ANY ONE SENDING T'WO ADDRESSES AND $4 TO THE MARINE REVIEW, 516 PERRY-PAYNE BUILDING, CLEVELAND, WILL, IN ADDITION TO HAVING THE BEST MARINE PAPER SENT TO THEM FOR A YEAR, RECEIVE A COPY OF WASHINGTON IRVING'S LIFE AND VOYAGES OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. se ch