Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-08
WAKING Up YANKEES.
Director General Davis Issues a Let.
ter Calling on the National
Commission to
STIR UP STATE LEGISLATURES.
Exhibits at the Worlds Fair and the
Amounts of Appropriations Should
be Decided Upon.
STIR UP STATE LEGISLATURES.
TIE WEST TAKES THE INITIATIVE
Iowa Lays Aside Thousands for Her Expenses at the
Exposition

CHICAGO, November 7.-Director Gen.
eral Davis, of the Worlds Columbian Ex-
position, and Secretary Dickinson have Is
sued the following circular letter to the
members of the National Commission in
reference to the citizens of the various States
and Territories and the District of Colum-
bia organizing for the purpose of securing
a proper representation at the Worlds Co.
lumbian Exposition:
DEAR SIR-In view of the fact that a major
ity of the legislatures of the country meet in
biennial session this winter the question of
proper representation of the various States and
Territories at the Worlds Columbian Exposi-
tion should be considered at the earliest mo-
ment practicable.
The subject of the exposition should be dis
cussed during the coming session of the legis-
latures and the extent of exhibits will be fore
shaGowed by the amount appropriated for that
purpose
AIMING AT PERFECTION.
The desire of every Americal citizen that the
exposition shall be perfect in the minutest de-
tails will make 1t apparent that one of the chief
objects TO be attained by members of the
Worlds Columbian Commission should be the
furtherance of 4 spirit of liberality in consid-
ering the proposition tor the creation of an
rItoTles and IN the District OF Columbia. 10
this end a line Of action is herein suggested
which if followed by the members of the com
mission, will facilitate the accomplishment OF
the desired purpose.
A popular movement should be inaugurated,
having for its objects: First, to raise by public
subscription an adequate fund to detray the
expenses Of these exhibits: second, TO urge
upon the Legislature the necessity of liberal
action in the matter of appropriations; third,
10 secure exhibits representative in every re-
spect Of the individual commonwealth.
THE WEST SETS EXAMPLES.
California and Texas have already taken the
initiative in this matter. The Legislature of
Iowa at its last session set aside the sum of
$4,000 for preliminary expenses and will make
much larger appropriation when the Legis-
lature cOuyenes year hence
Il Is suggested that you secure the attention
of leading citizens in your chief commercial
city or capital and impress upon them the ne
CessIty of immediate and prompt action toward
securing proper representation at the worlds
Columbian Exposition; that you arrange for
public meeting of citizens, summoned by the
Mayor or the highest executive officer of the
locality, for the purpose of discussing and ar
ranging for a State convention of citizens
likely 10 be practically interested IN the expo
sitIOr; that the call for such convention be
issued IN the names of as large a representative
body Of citizens as possible and at the earliest
moment practicable.
FACILITATING WORK.
Further That upon the assembling of the
convention, the Governor or other high State
officials should formally Inaugurate the pro-
Ceedings. and that the work of the convention
should thereafter be as devoid of cumbrous
formalIty as possible. That the machinery of
the permanent organization should make Sim
phclty ITS ann. A few energetic, clear-headed
business men, alive TO the Importance of prompt
action. can accomplish far more than dozen
unwIeldy committees. where the divided re-
spunsibilIty invites indifference.
Having perfected your permanent organlza-
ton. make the matter of raising a Iund CON-
mensurate with the magnitude of your pro-
posed exhibit the first consideration OF this
sum the Legislature should be called upon to
appropriate its share and plan should be
formulatcd at the convention for raising the re-
malnder by public subscription.
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVES,
Further, that arrangements be made for per-
manent representatives of the central organi-
zation in every county, city and township; that
the advisahility of frequent communication be-
tween your local representatives and your cen
tral organization, and between the latter and
the Executive Of the Exposition at Chicago be
freely inculCated Frequent reports of the
progress of your work will tend TO secure ade-
quate space for your exhibit, and will also by
their publication act an incentive to other
States where the work is not SO far ADVANCED
(Signed) GEORGE r. DAVIS,
Director General Worlds Columbian Exposi-
tlOn.
JOHN T. DICKINSON, Secretary.
In about two weeks from this date the
Worlds Columbian Commission and the
board of lady managers will be in session in
this city. The commissioners will be re-
quested to visit the Legislatures of the re-
spectIve States which meet this winter and
use their best endeavors to see that the plan
Of organization as suggested by Director
General Davis and Secretary Dickinson is
adopted in their several States.
URGING SUBSCRIPTIONS.
The Commissioners will also be requested
to call upon the Governors of their re-
speCtive States to urge upon them the
necessity and proprietv of recommending to
the State Legislatures the granting of the
latest possible appropriation for State ex-
hibits.
1t will also deyolve upon the commits
sIOners TO introduce the necessary bills to be
passed by the Legislatures in the interest OF
such State exhibits some time in January,
when most OF the Legislatures meet.
An important committee that will meet
here during the session of the commission to
confer with similar committee from the
local board as to whether or not any pre-
mIums shall be awarded at the exposition.
Yuis is question that will require even
more consideration and discussion than the
Sunday opening question.