Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-04-04
THE WASHINGTON EXHIBITION.
Proposed Celebration Of the Four Hun.
oreoth Anniversary Of the Discovery
OF America.
HHARrNe BEFORE THE HocsR COMMITTEES ON FOREIGN
AFFAIRS To-DAY-THE PROPOSED CELEBRATION
EXPLAINED AND ADVOCATED.

The question OF q Worlds Exhibition at the
National Capital In 1892. and thereafter perma-
nent exposition OF the three Americas, in honor of
the four hundredth anniversary Of the discovery
OF America, was thoroughly discussed for an hour
and half between members OF the House foreign
Affairs committee and representatives OF the
exhibition board Of promotion to-day. The SUBJ
committee having that matter in charge
are Mr.. Belmont Mr.. Chapman, Mr.. Nor
wood, Mr.. Phelps, and Mr.. Hit.
Mr.. Phelps was obliged to go to his home in New
Jersey, on account OF the destruction OF his home
N snere oy nre and was therefore absent, and Mr.
committee. Messrs. Belmont, Chapman and HIT
were present Mr.. Belmont stated that all the
members were deeply interested in the matter
and none would have been absent could they have
avoided the necessity.
Mr.. Anderson, the secretary Of the board
dent OF the Geological survey; ex-Represen-
tative Money and Mr.. kilbourn. OF the board,
spoke IN favor OF the proposition. Commits
Dr. VERDI, Mr. C. s. Hill Hon. Frederick Douglass,
ex-Gov. Ordway, Mr. Fox the real estate dealer,
MI Magruder and others were present to show
their interest In the matter.
MR.. ANDERSON MADE FULL EXPLANATION
OF the proposition, going through the details Of
the Oil and recounting the history OF the move
ment, with the encouragement and Endorsement
III mad received throughout America and abroad.
he SAID the general plan had received the indorse
ment Oh tne governors OF thirty-Seven states, and
OF the pr Sidents and secretaries OF one hundred
ana ntty-n boards OF trade throughout the coun-
try. III mad been Endorsed by all the national
conventions, the American Bar the National
Grange, National Board or Trade, the American
BANKERS Association, International Medical Con-
sIeSS ana nun0erleSs others. As TO the provisions
OF the plIl he said that IL was contemplated that
the government should be put to no expense ex-
cept such as 1t thought best in the way OF adopt
ing suggestions as TO providing permanent build
lhgS ior colonial or International exhibition.
THE BILL PROVIDES
That space In unoccupied Government reservations
In washington be asslgned-frst, space for per-
manent state and territorial building for per-
manent exhibit OF the representative history,
resources, arts and Industries OF the 4G states and
territories or the United STATES, the space 10 be
available whenever the states and territories,
majority OF them, shall make the necessary ap-
preparations for the expenses.
IL was contemplated, ne said, that the states and
territories should construct their own buildings ON
this space and provide their own exhibition. A
similar allotment OF space Is made the Three
Americas" and 1t is contemplated that they shall
provide for the erection OF buildings and for
their own exhibition. The Spanish-American ma
lions took deep interest in the matter, he said,
and would readily provide cIedtable exhibitions.
space Is provided for temporary buildings for
temporary expositions between May 1 and
The various business interests OF the nation would
readily provide funds for this, and as temporary
reimbursement by charging an admission to this
branch. A site was proposed for the statue OF Co
lumpuS. The statue, he SAID, would be contributed.
THREE AMERICAS MUSEUM.
1t was suggested that the National Museum
building be extended and enlarged SO as TO be made
Continental, or Three Americas Museum This
Congress would have to provide for, If it were
done.
As TO the propriety of the exhibition being held
IN washington, he said that all were coming 10
agree TO that. st. Louis, Chicago, and the City u
Mexico he mentioned as ambitious for such an ex.
position 10 be held within their confines, who had
agreed that
WASHINGTON SHOULD BE THE PLACE.
Washington already had established, at a cost OF
more than S50,OOO,OOO, what would be part OF
tie grand permanent exposition-he referred tC
the Museum Smithsonian, &C.
PROF. POWELL SPOKE
OF the importance OF extending the collection OF
anti4 jlties, and urged that the occasion OF
the international exposition would furnish
an opportunity not to be neglected,
The history OF these races OF the greatest inter-
est 10 be preserved and should be gathered into
the museum. The other American nations would
contribute 10 our collection OF American antiquities
On this occasion Ill way that we could not hope
for otherwise.
Mr.. KILBoURN URGED THE IMPORTANCE
OF the proposition. Members OF the committee
wanted positive Information as to what the cost
to the United States Government would be to pro-
vide its part OF the exposition and thus it was ar
ranged that Mr.. Anderson should give them data
on Friday.
Several gentlemen entered into this discussion
OF cost and other matters OF more detail, after
which the committee adjourned.