Omaha daily bee., 1897-02-06

- 1NiN'hNhth 80 CHAsa' 'G>
is to be perfected and ready for business
in 1898. The Iowa legislature at its session
last winter appropriated s10,0 for the pur
pose of making an agricultural exhibit. II
now becomes necessary that the executive
council appoint a commission, consisting Of
one member from each congressional district
In the state, to take charge of the lowe
exhibit and eXpend the $4,000. Since thi.
commission will depend largely upon the
crop of 1897 for making its exhibit, 1t Is
very important that the commission be Sc
lected at a very early date, in order that
its plans may be perfected and arrangements
made for the proper crop exhibits from each
district of the state.
1owa's corn palace at Sioux City and
Iowa at the Worlds fair kept good its agri'
cultural reputation. Corn is king In Iowa
and the Omaha exposition gives another OPP
portunity to advertise Iowa's wealth. Mr.
j. S. Browning, who has been selected as
an executive officer of the exposition, is wei
schooled for the position. He was promi'
nent In the corn palace at Sioux City and In
the management of the Iowa exhibit at the
Worlds fair.
Dubuque Times: During the next year
at the city of Omaha Is to be held
an exposition for the purpose Of put
ting before the country the great
resources Of the transmississippi states. AT
| mo iS6uldi SNSeioh VI II iNbiShpN'aS ~
appropriation was made for the purpose of
having Iowa properly represented. In a
| spasm of economy our lawmakers, who are
now convened in extra session, seemed dis
posed to play "Ingin giver" and take back
the sum set apart for the Omaha enterprise.
The Times is Of the opinion that to do so
would be a mistake as we'll as an injustice
to a sister state who Is a next door neigh
Dor. Herewith we produce an article from
the Council Bluffs Nonpareil with which
we are in substantial accord. 1t says:
''There is a hint that the legislature may
pull back the $40, 900 which has been APP
| propriated as a starter for making a proper
showing Of Iowa at the Transmississipph Ex-
| position. The discovery that state expenses
have lately been exceeding the receipts is
the excuse given for the suggestion that this
appropriation should be cut off. While 1t
is a fact that there is necessity for economy,
and that state finances are not in as prosper
Gus a condition as usual, still 1t should be
borne in mind that Iowa is not in any
| alarming financial distress. 1t has no
bonded Indebtedness, and, as compared with
other states, and considering the stringency
of the times. Iowa is in a prosperous con-
dition. There is no occasion for the pessi-
mistic alarm which many are raising. All
that is needed Is wise economy, not ex-
IRENE retrenchment. There should be
measures taken to increase the revenues
and this can easily be done without any
breaking of the backs of taxpayers. BY
reasonable economy and retrenchment and
by reasonable increase of revenues the pres
ent condition can be readily changed without
hardship to any.
at should also. be borne in mind that
the appropriation for the exposition is not
a donation or a waste. 1t is a pure invest
ment which will return a handsome dividend
to Iowa, If not directly, yet just as surely.
The people of Iowa need to be more familiar
with its own resources and possibilities in
order tn work intpllipnntly and lDitplly
for its further advancement. By the making
of such a showing as is possible "a most
helpful object lesson Of practical worth will
thus be presented. Further than that, the
exposition being located at the western gate
way of Iowa will be within easy access to
tho larger portion of the people of the state,
who will thus have an opportunity to reap
all the advantages to be derived from visit
ing such a wonderful display of the resources
of the west and of foreign countries.
1.-THE location of the exposition Is also
advantageous to Iowa in the fact that the
majority of visitors will be compelled to
cross the entire length Of Iowa, and will
thus be given a chance to see what a won
derful state it is. Capital will be tempted
to invest, Iowa will add to its already en-
viable reputation, and the material returns
will measure in dollars and cents many
times the small investment required. The
appropriation is too small, rather than too
large. 1t is not to be used as a gift to
Omaha, nor to the exposition. 1t is to be
used wholly for Iowa, and it's advancement,
and in such a way that it must yield a
handsome return"
Alexandria (Minn.) Citizen: The event of
1898 will be the Transmississippi and Inter
national Exposition to be held in the city of
Omaha between June / and November /.
This exposition is designed to focalize the
attention of the world on the resources and
capabilities of the states west of the Missis-
sippi. The twenty states and four territories
embraced in this region cover an area of
more than $500, 900 square miles, with a
population of IS, 900, 900, and contains the
great wheat fields Of America and nearly all
the gold and silver mines of the country.
Editor Rosewater of The Omaha Bee is man
ager Of the Department Of Publicity and the
Board of Directors comprises a large number
of prominent business and professional men.
Tacoma Wash) Ledger: The people of
Omaha have gone to work in earnest in the
interest of the Transmississippi Exposition
which is to be held in that city in 1898.
They evidently intend to make 1t a success
and if they do 1t will give a big impulse to
the settlement of the western side of the
continent. They have already raised the
money necessary to build the buildings and
prepare the grounds. They are in negotia-
tion with railroad companies in regard to
reduced rates and have got well started on
the much greater undertaking of arousing
interest in the enterprise among the people
already in the states winch are TO De most
benefited.
II these states awake in time to the OPP
portunity that will be thus offered to bring
their advantages to the notice of home
seekers they will get more cheaply than can
be got in any other way the advertising
which they need for their development.
Most states will undoubtedly make an APP
preparation of funds for a general exhibit.
The states which do this will most certainly
awaken the interest among their people that
be necessary to make such exhibits as
be desirable. 1t requires the co-opera-
of both the state government and the
people to make a thing Of this kind success
Pul. The cost in money OF an exhibit need
not be great. If the state would provide the
transportation and for the cost Of exhibition
the people ought to do the rest, They un-
loubtedly will do 1t and do it willingly If the
state leads in the matter and If proper
effort is made to arouse them to a full APP
of the benefits to &c gained.
Dodge Center (Mlnn,) Record: From June
to October 81, 1898, Omaha will entertain
he people of this nation. the occasion being
he Transm!ssisslppi and international EX-
position. The undertaking has been recog-
liZed by congress and the president has
a bill appropriating 5000, 900 to be ex-
pended in a federal building and government
exhibit. Oiher appropriations will be made
Dy our government and the legislatures OF
.owa and Louisiana have made appropria-
ions. This state lies mostly in the trans
mississippi district and our legislature will
Dc asked to eXpend some money in an ex
libit. This exposition is destined to eclipse
nf the kind vet undertaken in this |