Evening star., 1898-10-22
CAPITAL CENTENNIAL
Movement for Big Celebration in
1900 Growing in Favor,
MEETING TO Be HELD MONDAY
MIR. Mexican Recites Interesting
Views of Citizens.
HIS OWN IDEA EXPRESSED

~
The movement recently inaugurated to
celebrate the centennial anniversary in 1900
of the actual establishment of the seat of
the national government in Washington is
growing in favor. A meeting will be held
| Monday night next at the Lehman build
ing, No. 1926 New York avenue, for the
purpose of perfecting organization, and
will doubtless be largely attended. Mr.. Nc
kean, who has been the prime factor in
launching the movement and interesting
leading citizens in it, stated today that it
was his opinion that success was prac-
tically assured, basing his views on the
warm approval of the project which so
many citizens had expressed to him.
None were more pleased than Commits
sioners Wight and Ross said Mr. McKean
They both said that it was the proper
thing to do, and agreed that no time was to
be lost III perfecting arrangements, as the
year 1900 was but little way off.
Ex-Mayor Berret of Washington was
really enthusiastic when the subject was
presented to him. He said to me- Am | in
favor of the proposition, you ask? Most
asSurediy! and my earnest wish is that L
will be spared unutil tnen that | can Join
with our people in appropriately celebrating
such a great event
"Ex-Mayor Matthew G. Emery hailed the
{.
thought 1t was the proper thing to do
continued Mr. Mexican, ''and Mr. Michael l.
Weller, who was the first to propose the
celebration of the centennial anniversary
of the laying of the corner stone of the
Capitol, said that he had been giving the
SUBJECT some thought and mad discussed it
informally before the East Washington
Improvement Association L am glad he
SAID, that some active steps have now been
taken, ana you can rest assured L will ever
be ready TO do my part This is a great op-
DOrtunlty for WASHINGTON IN I,t
immediate and permanent benefits and [
DO hope that no time viii be wasted in get
ting to work.
Other Opinions of Approval.
Mr.. Lawrence Gardner chairman of the
committee having in charge the exercises
at the corner stone anniversary" continued
Mr. Mexican, said it was surprising to him
that such movement had not been inau-
gurated longer ago, for experience had
taught him that we had too often lost good
opportunities to enhance the city's welfare
and in the past have put off making a
start in time in whatever We have under
taken in the way of public events which
invariably makes the work of preparation
harder and even more expensive than neces-
sary. This idea of celebrating in 19o9-the
centennial anniversary of the location OF
the national government at Washington,
he said, was splendid one and was bound
to succeed. We must not forget, however,
that it would be a national event, and that
the national government and all the states
and territories should be urged to take
part.
Mr.. Charles C. Glover president of the
Riggs National Bank, also promised active
support and gladly gave his approval, as
did Mr.. G. J. Bell, of the American Secur-
ity and Trust Company said Mr.. Mexican,
''and Mr.. Myron NJ. Parker said: You are
doing just the right thing. It's a splendid
opportunity for our city
Yes, l have intervie wed many gentlemen.
Nc Mr. I0hn Jny Ed
SON. president of the Washington Loan and
Trust Company. declared that he was glad
that steps had been taken to celebrate the
centennial year at the closing of the CEN
tury and that he believed that great good
would result to Washington.
A Proper Movement.
Mr. William Gait, the well-known jewel
er and one of Washngtons oldest and most
respected citizens continued Mr. Mexican,
expressed great pleasure at being asked
for his approval and said: Nothing could
please me better in helping to celebrate an
event in which every citizen should take
lively interest. We now have such baauti-
full city that all the world should be asked
to come TO Washington in 1909 and see what
a great revolution has been made during
its century's history. Push right ahead on
the project to celebrate.
Mr. B. II. Warner was another of Wash
ingtons progressive citizens who was ready
1t was movement in the right direction
Mr.. S. w. Woodward of the firm OF
Woodward & Lothrop said he was ready
and willing to do anything for the citys
good as he believed this movement was,
and Mr.. A. Lisner of the Palais Royal
quickly responded to the invitation to JOIN
the rest in giving approval.
''Mr. A. NJ. Clapp, the eX-pubifc printer,
said to me: The citizens of not only Wash
ington. but the whole country, should hail
with pleasure the opportunity to celebrate
such an important and historical event as
the location Of the permanent seat of gov
ernment in this magnificent city. which
gives promise of being the grandest OF the
world
Mr.. A. A. Thomas. president Of the
United States Electric Light Company
also said to me: I sincerely hope our people
will join this movement with genuine en-
thusiasm, for it is not only the correct one
from a purely sentimental standpoint. but
it is fraught with great opportunities in
business way
Scores of expressions like the above
might be quoted. but sufficient have been
printed to give assurance that the centen-
nial year will be celebrated in a substan-
tial and patriotic manner
Being asked if he had given any thought
to an appropriate program for the centen-
NAL year and the closing year of the cell
tury Mr.. Mexican said that he had, but
that was a matter to be settled by a com
rnittee that would no doubt be appointed at
the Monday night meeting.
A Hall of History.
plans of a substantial character should
be made. 1 think he said, land not only
immediate, but lasting. benefits should be
considered. The event should be made an
enduring one. l think one of the first
points to be settled on should be the mark
ing of the centennial year by the laying of
the cornerstone of a hall of history, in
which the national and state governments
and that of the District of Columbia could
be given abundant space for exhibits of
archives and relics pertaining to their his
tory. 1t requires but little consideration to
realize what an interesting and Instructive
exhibit this would be and what an addi-
ton it would make to the many other
places of interest which serve such great
magnets to attract visitors to Washington.
Contributions for this purpose should be
asked" continued Mr.. Mexican, from the
people of the whole country. and the ma
ticnal government, through Congress- could