Fourth Cincinnati Industrial Exposition, Munson Lightning Rod

The Fourth Cincinnati Industrial Exposition.

BY A VISITOR.

THE Fourth Cincinnati Industrial Exhibiiton [sic] Exhibition was opened on the second of September and closed on the third of October. The arrangement of the building and the articles exhibited a decided improvement on either of those which have preceded it. The total number of entries, as compared with last year, showed an increase of about one third. There was a noticeable tendency towards a display of finer and more costly articles, exhibited in elegant glass cases with handsome and expensive surroundings, which added greatly to the attractiveness of the Exposition as a whole. The display of electrical goods was, in the aggregate, a good one. The Western Electric Manufacturing Co., of Chicago, Ill.; L. G. Tillotson & Co., of New York; E. Holmes, of New York; Eugene F. Phillips, of Providence, R. I.; David Brooks of Philadelphia, and others were represented by H. D. Rogers & Co. of Cincinnati: George H. Bliss & Co. of Chicago, Ill.; Watts & Co., of Baltimore, Md.; Partrick, Bunnell Co., of Philadelphia, Pa.; and the Telegraph Supply and Manufacturing Co. of Cleveland, Ohio., by E. C. Armstrong, of Cincinnati.

The fact is that while the display as a whole was good there was not a single manufacturer or dealer in electric goods worthily represented. That there was any exhibition of such article was chiefly due to Messrs. Armstrong and Rogers, who were indefatigable in their efforts to have the list of premiums extended and amended so as to draw out, if possible, a full representation of all manufacturers of and dealers in electrical and telegraphic apparatus, yet these gentlemen, and McCullough, with his Fire Alarm Apparatus were the only exhibitors in this department, so far as the greater part of the visitors know.

Mr. Rogers has suceeeded [sic] succeeded in advertising his concern, and Mr. Armstrong has made the City and Suburban Telegraph Association better known, if possible, but there has been but little substantial gain to anybody else. To give proper effect and secure the full advantage of the exhibition every exhibitor should make himself individually known, and not have his contributions congregated in one space with a number of others, and entered in the name of one person. In the main hall there was a rectangular tower, neatly gotten up, some 725 feet in height, arranged with shelves around the four sides, containing about 1,500 packages of what are known as fancy groceries. As it was one of the most conspicuous objects in the Exposition no one could fail to see it, and it naturally attracted a great deal of attention, but out of the million people who have seen and admired that collection and the enterprise of the exhibitors how many of them recollect definitely anything but the name of the exhibitor and the business he is engaged in? It is the tout ensemble which invites inspection, and makes the lasting impression. Why should not the manufacturers of electrical and telegraphic goods follow a similar plan, each person or firm maintaining his or its individuality? I would advise that next year, and at the Centennial, that all who cannot or will not "hang their banner on the outer walls," so to speak, should save their time and money.

It is gratifying to notice the great improvement made in the design and finish of telegraphic goods, as shown at this exhibition. There were some articles exhibited worthy of special mention for their excellence. Messrs. Pearce & Jones, of New York, by Mr. Armstrong, exhibited a police and private line dial telegraph instrument, in use on the city and suburban wires, which attracted much attention. It was nickel plated, and beautifully proportioned and mounted. Scott's Annunciator, which is manufactured by Watts & Co., of Baltimore; and the new Annunciator Burglar Alarm and Bell Call, of the Telegraph Supply and Manufacturing Co., of Cleveland, Ohio; all in one case, which represented on one side a private residence from the outside, and on the other the annunciator, etc., were beautiful specimens of work. Messrs. Partrick, Bunnell & Co., of Philadelphia, also exhibited some very fine instruments. The case of goods from Geo. H. Bliss & Co., of Chicago, taken from the stock of E. T. Gillilaud, of this city, embraced a full line of very handsome combination seta, box relays, students' sets, etc. This case doubtless secured the premium for best display for Mr. Armstrong. Mr. Rogers thought that Justly he was entitled to this premium, and if he had had a larger space in which to arrange the many articles which he exhibited from the Western Electric Manufacturing Co. of Chicago, L. G. Tillotson & Co., of New York, and others, he might have been.

The display of goods from the Western Electric Manufacturing Co. was very beautiful. Messrs. L. G. Tillotson Co's display was also a very good one, and their manufactures attracted attention, especially from telegraphers and those interested in telegraphic matters, by the excellence of the workmanship and finish they exhibited.

Mr. Frank Shaw's Morse Transmitter received special honor in being the only article selected and purchased at the Exposition by Baron Schwarz-Senborn, Director General of the Vienna Exposition.

L. C. Honore, of Cincinnati, exhibited a student's instrument, which consists of a wheel with the Morse letters in brass types on its periphery. Turning the wheel operates the key, which in turn operates the sounder. The correct sound of the letter thus produced is easily imitated with the hand. Another short cut to telegraphic learning. In other days the student's course was toilsome, rough and slow; but it is getting easier with modern inventions and appliances.

Mr. Henderson, one of the Commissioners, had a wire running from the main hall to the office of the United States Express Co., on Fourth street, to the railroad depots and his residence, enabling him, while devoting his time and labors to the cause of industry and science, to at the same time direct and regulate his business and social affairs. He and his, wife and children, and all their men and maid servants are expert telegraphists, using the dot alphabet introduced by Mr. Armstrong. This is mentioned as an instance of what may be done by others using or needing private lines.

Doubtless every exhibitor would desire special mention of his or their show, but neither the available space in THE TELEGRAPHER or time of the writer will permit going into further details.

The Fourth Exposition has proved a great success and reflects honor and credit upon the public spirited gentlemen who have devoted so much time and labor to make it the Exposition of the year. Every year this Exposition grows in importance, value and completeness, and nothing is left undone, regardless of cost, which will toad to make it worthy of the city, State and country.

Already the plans are being arranged for the Exposition of 1875, when every effort will be made to excel the splendid results already attained; and on that occasion Cincinnati will welcome all who may be able to visit her with every effort to make it pleasant and profitable far them, and maintain her reputation as the Great Exposition City.

The following are the awards of premiums for electrical and telegraphic articles, apparatus, etc., in full. Jurors-Messrs. L. C. Weir and E. T. Gillilaud:

CLASS 60.

571. Best system of fire alarm telegraph, in operation, gold medal, National Fire Alarm Company.

574. Best fire alarm signal box, silver medal, National Fire Alarm Company. Best telegraph battery, for force, durability and economy, silver medal, National Fire Alarm Telegraph Company.

578. Best electric light, silver medal, J. H. Wesling.

580. Best hotel annunciator, operated by electricity, silver medal, Telegraph Supply Manufacturing Company, of Cleveland.

586. Best switch for from four to twenty wires, bronze medal, Western Electric Manufacturing Company.

591. Best dial telegraph instrument, bronze medal, E. C. Armstrong.

592. Best lightning rod, bronze medal, David Munson, of Indianapolis.

760. Best general display of telegraph instruments and supplies, gold medal, to City and Suburban Telegraph Company.

761. Best type writer, silver medal, to the Western Electric Telegraph Manufacturing Company.

762. Best amateur telegraph instrument, bronze medal, to Charles Williams, Jr., Boston,

763. Best electric bell, bronze medal, to H. D. Rogers & Co.

765. Best electric medical apparatus, bronze medal, to the Western Electric Manufacturing Company.

766. Best insulator, bronze medal, David Brooks, Philadelphia.

767. Best electric clock, bronze medal, Howard Watch and Clock Company, New York.

768. Best insulated covered wire, for office use, bronze medal, E. F. Phillips, Providence, Rhode Island.

769. Best insulated covered wire, for line use bronze medal, E. F. Phillips, Providence, Rhode Island.

770. Best electric gas lighting apparatus, bronze medal, A. L. Bogart, New York.

771. Best printing instrument, for private lines, bronze medal, to the Western Electric Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Illinois.

772. Best burglar alarm, bronze medal, E. Holmes, New York.

773. Best system telegraph call bells, for stores, etc., bronze medal, to H. D. Rogers & Co.