Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-02-26
THE COLUMBUS CENTENARY.
A Proposed International Exposition
On the MALL In This Ctty-The Project
Considered az q Meeting Last Evening.

A Proposed International Exposition
On the Mall I'm This City-The Project
Considered at u Meeting Last Evening.
large diagram hanging upon the wall OF
one OF the parlors of Wizards hotel last night,
showed how 1t is proposed 10 utilize the mall
and adjoining public grounds for the purposes
OF q grand international exposition 10 be held
In 1892 TO commemorate the discovery OF
America by Columbus. Points were indicated
where buildings should be placed at various
places along the mall in the Smithsonian,
Agricultural and Monument grounds and
White Lot. A meeting was held in this parlor
last evening, In response 10 a circular sent out
to number of citizens, for the purpose of per-
fecting permanent promoting organization.
There were about forty gentlemen present,
This number included District Commissioner
Webb, Hallet Kilbourn. Z. w. Fox, Col. George
B. Corkhill, Charles 7. Murray, w. +. Mat
Gngly, John s. Shriver ex-Secretary Belknap,
Gen. Van Nliet Geo. c. Gorham, A. d. Ander-
son. c. s. Hill, n. G. Ordway, Jesse b. Wilson.
Henry A. Willard, Adolf Cluss, Thos. Z. Wag-
gaman. A. s. Pratt, Green b. Raum, J. V. n.
Huyck, Jno. Ii. Magruder, Thos. j. Fisher
augustus Bqrgdori, L. kprtz Johnson; DR. x
Bland and Powell, Of the Merchants and Man.
ufacturers' association OF Baltimore.
Mr.. klibourn called the meeting 10 order, and
upon his nomination Commissioner Webb was
chosen chairman. MIR. A. ID. Anderson was
elected secretary.
THE IDEA AS STATED BY MR.. KILBoURN.
Mr.. kilbourn stated the objects OF the meet
ing to be to consider the proposition OF estab-
fishing permanent exposition here under the
auspices of the general government, and spoke
of the advantages enjoyed by Washington as
the location of such an exposition. He referred
also TO the fact that other cities were contem-
plating holding such expostions. His idea was
to urge Congress to establish permanent ex-
position here, to be opened in 1887, to cele-
ar fxs nfx-ar of lao 1Ny, n
the Constitution. Such an exhibition could be
easily enlarged into grand International ex-
position in 1892
Mr.. ANDERsoN's PLAN.
Mr.. A. ID. Anderson, who was connected
actively with the New Orleans exposition and
canal project, read q statement of his views. He
said that the subject had already been care
fully considered by st. Louis, Chicago, New
York and the City Of Mexico. 1t was evil
dent that great worlds fairs could not be sue
same time. In this connection the mind
naturally turned to Washington, the capital of
the United States He rserred briefly
Advantage s''' Of this s city, .' he said,
ing from the Capitol to the National Observa-
tory, and including the Potomac fats soon TO
be reclaimed and beautifed. Situated as il is,
in the heart of the city, and within a few steps
of Pennsylvania avenue and the principal
hotels it has q great advantage for exposition
purposes over the parks of other cities, located,
as they frequently are, five or six miles out In
the suburbs. This park, its contents and I'M
mediate surroundings such as the Washington
Institution botanical garden, the Capitol build
ings, facing IT on the east the Treasury depart
War aaa %avy 81
and the Corcoran Art Gallery, facing 1t on the
north, are an exposition in themselves plant
which has already cost $50, OOO.OOO-a magnifi-
cent nucleus for the still grander exposition
proposed for 1892. Upon this park is ample
room l% !, tor permanent . exposition OF
He sketched, briefly, a plan for the erection of
buildings by the United States government and
grounds and reservations, extending from the
Capitol to the observatory. On the reclaimed
fats, he said, would be ample room for an Ameri-
GUS buildings need be erected by the United
States, and the expense OF these few would be
sofuteiy needed for the use OF the government
and are to remain permanently as Its own prop
erty. The plan, he said, should be consumma-
States, the presidents of the fifteen Spanish
American republics, the emperor of Brazil, the
king
should unite in unwilling a colossal statue OF
the iliustrious discoverer OF America, which
statue should be located in the center of the
permanent exposition grounds OF the three
Americas at Washington.
A letter was read from Mr.. w. w. Corcoran
ing on account of the state of his health, but
wishing the project success. Letters were also
read from Simon Wolf and Woodward & Lo-
throp expressing their regret at being unable to
attend.
Mr.. c. S. Hill stated that Hon. Geo. Bancroft,
the historian, when several gentlemen called
upon him, expressed great interest in the
project, and wished them good-speed in the un-
dertaking.
OTHER REMARKS.
Messrs. Powell and Bland, of Baltimore,
promised hearty cooperation on the part OF the
Merchants and Manufacturers ASSOCIATION.
Mr.. Hamilton S. Wicks, OF Kansas City,
urged the propriety of holding it i'm Washing
ton. He spoke against the constitutional GEN.
tennial project, urging that they should have
only one idea, else some other city would get
ahead of Washington in 1892.
Remarks in favor of the project were made
by Messrs. Mattingly, Fox, Gorham, Corkhili,
Ordway and Belknap.
COMMITTEE TO BE APPOINTED.
A resolution was adopted directing the chair
to appoint a committee of twenty-one citizens
OF the District to consider plan OF operations
and report at a future meeting, the committee
to be announced hereafter.
"By that time" said Mr.. Kilbourn, referring
the project will be successful, and every man in
Washington will be at the 'front.'" Mr.. klbourn
continued, saying thai 1t was his idea that the
citizens should be at No expense in getting up
the exposition; that the government should
erect the buildings, and that admission should
be Free as the government could not take toll
from its citizens.