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." The money dropped from travelers alone who
passed through this State going to or returning from the Exposition,
has probably recompensed California for its outlay, but this is only
the beginning of the harvest. Many people from the eastern and central
States who visited the Exposition with a view of ascertaining in which
part of the Northwest it would be best to settle, changed their minds
after seeing the exhibits made by the different States and came on
to California. Besides, thousands of others already settled, after
inspecting the exhibits made by this State, openly declared that if
they ever moved again they would land in California. 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. But more than all this, the greater intercourse, the
better acquaintance, the more friendly feeling between the people of
the different sections of the country, and particularly of the west,
and more particularly between the people of this State and Washington,
or Oregon and Washington, if you please, is bound to lead to a better
understanding in regard to trade relations and result in commercial
benefits that cannot be estimated. That the participation of California
was wise there is no doubt, and that the benefits received and to
be received will be many fold greater than the cost is as certain
as the future. The follow-up letters that have already come to your
Representatives from people of the Northwest and other sections who saw
and inspected our exhibit, is further proof that an interest in this
State has been awakened among them that will not soon die out.