Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-21
WASHINGTON THE PLACE.
Why Not Begin the New Century With
Great National EXPEDITION.

Why Not Begin the New Century With
Great National Expedition:
To the Editor of The Evening Star:
In the line Of celebrations and expositions
is it too early to suggest national greet
ing to the twentieth century and Washing
ton city as the place where it should be
held?
1t seems fitting that an event that marks
the closing of one century and opens up
another cycle of time should be Appropriate
ly recognized by us as a nation in some
manner that will permanently place on
record, in monument and otherwise, a
showing of the wonderful advancement in
the arts and sciences and material progress
that has marked the passing century, and
that would serve as an incentive to further
advances by the generations that shall fol-
low in the coming one
Europeans often tell us We have nothing
historic in America-nOne of the old worlds
time-scarred palaces, cathedrals and battle
ments. This is true. We are making his
tory now-this suggestion is to have it
recorded In enduring monuments at our
rational capital, and the beginning of the
year 1900 seems an opportune time to begin
the record.
Numberless suggestions might be made
following the above, but will only occupy
your space to outline one of the many that
have occurred to me-
Let the plan of the Columbian exposition
at Chicago be followed in some measure in
extending to every state and territory of
tie Union an invitation to erect in this city
a suitable building of permanent character
in which to maintain an exhibit of its pro-
auctions in the mineral, vegetable and ami
NAL world its manufactures and its educa-
tic nal systems, thus bringing to the atten-
ton of the visitor comprehensive idea of
the special productions and special advan-
tages of each and every section of the
Union.
These state buildings in themselves should
illustrate the colonial and the dominant
styles of architecture at the time of their
admission to the Union, or should in some
manner commemorate events in their state
history.
The United States exhibits are already in
part provided for in the museums found in
the several department buildings, but in
addition to these and to give national char
acter to the enterprise, a national hall of
ample dimensions and monumental in de-
sign might be erected, in which each de-
partment of the government should place
an exhibit showing advancements in its
particular line specially contrasting in each
exhibit the state of the arts and sciences
as they exist today, as against those of the
year 1900 and the subsequent early years of
the century.
State days might be set apart and days
for the army and navy and labor and other
great organizations, similar to the Column
bian exposition, ard the celebration run
through sixty or ninety days or more. OF
course, the national and state exhibits
would remain permanently, but private ex-
hibits and other attractions that might add
to the interest of the occasion or the enjoy
ment of the visitor would remain only dur
ing the limit of the celebration.
There is sufficient enterprise among our
own people il assured of the success of
such an exposition, to provide what is now
so much needed, one or more mammoth
halls in which meetings and public demon
STATIONS may be held. and in the interview
ing years our present excellent hotel ac-
Communications can be supplemented to any
extent desired.
With five years ahead for preparation we
need not be ashamed to invite the world to
see what a republican form of government,
with pluck. perseverance, inventive genius
and industry of its citizens has accomplish
ed in the century that has covered nearly
the whole of our national life.
Do not imag CINE, Mr.. Editor, because there
are millions in it, or millions will have to
go into It, that the suggestion is too COM
prehensive or chimerical, for after seeing
Chcagos ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS white
City, the writer believes that the enter
prise and patriotism of the people of the
United States are equal to any undertaking,
and that once started it will be grand sue
cess.
Will The Star give aid and comfort by its
favorable notice and invite comment that
will bring rhis suggestion to the attention
of the people and of Congress? GEOFRA.