Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-18


Whether the Exposition will be directly self
supporting, the gate receipts equal 10 the ex-
peuditures. Is, in view of the indirect benefits,
a matter Of minor importance. We believe.
however. IL will be the greatest financial sue
cess OF any exposition in history. for the reason
that our plan contemplates permanent build
lnGs, and therefore no loss in their removal, as
IN nearly ala previous eNpositions.
Whatever profits there may be, whether
direct or indirect. will, if located at the Ma
tional Capital, accrue TO the whole GO. 600. 900
people. and for this reason our plan is the only
fair one to be executed by Federal appropria-
ton.
In conclusion. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen
oil the Committee. beg to saw that the corre-
spondence of our board extending over period
OF nearly fonr years and supplemented by
unanimous and favorable report by the House
Committee on Foreign Affairs. shows that the
40 States and Territories of this country, the Is
sister Republics of the other Americas. and
Spain and Italy in the Old World. expect and
are anxious to be invited to the commemora-
ton OF the coming 400th anniversary of the
discovery OF America. More than two wears
ago the Government of Spain took official ac-
ton upon the subject and. through its Minister
of state, notified Hon. J. L. NJ. Curry, our mip-
lister at that time at the court of Madrid that II
had decided Ito take the initiative IN celebrat-
ing IN the most solemn manner the centenary
OF the discovery of America in the year 1892. y
and also, THAT Spain is ready at the same time
to take part In any other celebration and SOL
emnIty which may be undertaken on the Amer
lean continent to commemorate the great
event"
This, gentlemen. is practically an official hint
from the Government of Spain that they would
like to be invited. and in our humble opinion a
becoming national pride requires that the old
est and foremost American nation take the ini-
tiative In celebrating the event in manner
worthy of the greatness. grandeur. and glory
OF the New World which Columbus discovered
Remarks by Myron NJ Parker, Presi-
dent of the Washington Board of Trade.
M. Chairman and Gentlemen:
For period OF four years the National Board
of Promotion have prosecuted their work from
| National and patriotic standpoint 1t was
gratifying to them to know that their efforts
had received the approval of the Governors of
most Of the States. II was not until May of
last year that this subject OF National and In
ternational Exposition TO be held In 1892 ar
| sumed financial aspect. We were then told
that the city of New York had subscribed some
thing ike 1--WE millions OF dollars a guar
antee fund for this Exposition. This was very
shortly followed by the city of Chicago. which
| represented they had guarantee fund, or an
alleged guarantee fund. OF about six millions of
dollars thus going New York one better. St.
Louis also gave their assurance of commercial
strength. All of these cities. il will be seen,
! stem to have reduced this patriotic question to
one of finance, and 10 have met ii as one whose
success would depend upon that city which
could bid the most money for the privilege of
locally entertaining the Nations guests in cele-
| brating a National event.
The National Board of Promotion felt that
this position was unworthy of great Govern
ment, but realized that it had assumed such
| proportions that it had to be met. The matter
was therefore discussed to what course
should be pursued. 1t was first proposed that
| We undertake to raise money by subscription,
as has been done in New York, Chicago, and
| st. Louis. But after reflection and consuita-
| ton it was decided to pursue a more disnified
course, and TO memorialize Congress to permit
| the citizens OF Washington to raise the neces-
| sary money by way OF taxation.
IL was said that 1t was easy in New York, or
| even in Washington, Chicago, or st. Louis, to
| say that they had on paper guarantee fund of
from five to fifteen millions. 1t will be recog-
nized by every member of this Committee that
| it would not be difficult for a merchants club
| to say. We will give five million dollars. or a
manufacturers club to say, We will give five
million. But are these millions always paid
when so subscribed? The people of Washington
are prepared to submit to this Committee a
| more reliable pledge OF their financial respon-
| sibility.
| They make this pledge in good faith and in
such manner as to leave no question Oh the
part of the city or the National Board of Pro-
motion to faithfully perform all they promise.
| They therefore memorabilia Congress to this
| effect:
| The undersigned, resident taxpayers of the
District of Columbia, respectfully petition your
| honorable body for legislation providing tor
| the holding OF Three Americas Exposition at
| the National Capital in 1892 under the excu-
| sive direction and control of the Federal Gov
| eminent; and if. in the selection of the locality
| for holding such an Exposition, it shall be the
| sense of Congress that the question should in
| any degree depend upon the Offering of a guar
L or tao I'm * a advocates n ba ri m no
| chosen, then We pray your honorable body to
| authorize the issuance of $4,000 900 of the
! bonds of the District of Columbia, or so much
| thereof as may be found necessary for the pur-
pose. to bear such rate of interest and to ma
| ture at such time as to Congress shall seem
best. to be sold at not less than par, the pro-
| ceeds to be paid into the Treasury of the
| United States as fund for the expenses OF
| holding such an Exposition at the city of
Washington; any uneXpended balance thereof,
| together with the receipts over and above the
expenses of said Exposition, to be placed to the
credit of the District of Columbia for the liqu-
dation of any Indebtedness OF said District.
This memorial is signed upon the express
agreement that it is not to be presented TO Con-
gress until tax payers OF the District of Column
| bia representing majority of the taxable prop
4 erty therein shall first attach their signatures"
| Now, as an endorsement to the proposition,
! hold here in my hand memorials signed by
the taxpayers of the city of Washington rep
1
| over one-half of the taxable property of the
| city of Washington. On this memorial see
| such names as c. c. Glover, of Riggs & Co.:
Samuel Norment, President Central National
Bank: b. IL. Warner. President Columbia Ma
| tional Bank: The estate OF the late Mr.. Corco-
| ran; c. G. Willard, Henry A. Willard, Matthew
q. Emery President Second National Bank;
| Thomas E. Waggaman, f. Kurtz johnson,
President Citizens National Bank; John X. Nc
Lean Gardner G.. Hubbard, and other similar
men of wealth. In contrast to these large tax
PAYERS YOU will also find taxable property of
three dollars. showing conclusively that this
sentiment and method is not only popular with
the rich but with the comparatively poor of
our city.
Had the legislatures Of the States of New
York, Illinois. or Missouri. by legislative
enactment, authorized the cities OF those
States now SO prominent in this question to
have raised this money by taxation, we should
have had faith in their ability and intention to
have put up as guarantee fund these ten or
fifteen million dollars about which the people
of this country and of every country of the
world have heard so much of late.
We now say to this committee, to Congress,
and to the people of this country that we in
Washington ask permission, if the Government
thinks it best that the expense should be so
borne to, by taxation, raise this guarantee fund
of fifteen million dollars, and we further agree
that all direction of this National and Interna-
tional Exposition shall be left entirely in the
hands Of the Government. and that il shall in
no sense assume local aspect.