Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-14
Wa.hington Centennial of 1900.

CTS Vi lne capital.
Washington Centennial of 1900.
This project. which was referred To- in
my last annual report as just beginning to
take shape. has made important advances
during the year.
In November last. the committee Of nine.
appointed by authority and direction OF a
mass meeting of" citizens 20 represent the
District of Columbia with the President OF
the Board OF Commissioners ex officio an
additional member and chairman II the
committee called upon the President 81 the
United States and presented an appropriate
memorial.
Acting upon the suggestions contained IN
this memorial. President Mckinley 'Voted
considerable space To the projecl IN his
annual message to Congress, and warmly
Endorsed ii.
In pursuance Of the President rrrom-
mendation Congress. on ihs I'D nf Fchru-
airy, 1899, passed law which authorized
me President to app"mi commute" from
the country al large. Of such num-
Der as he shall think proper. 20 act
with any committees that may he APP
pointed by the TWO houses Of Congr,.ss or
either oi them, and with any committee
the District OF Columbia. who NAV p-cpsre
plans Tor an appropriate national 81, bra
| ton IN the year lan of the first session 81
congress In the District and the est ahIiSh-
ment Of the seat at government ihcre,n
said committee shall report their prnrred-
lngs TO the President. To be by him commu-
nicated to Congress
The committee Of nine appointed by n
mass meeting To consider plans al c,iehrat-
ing the centennial and whose labars s.-
cured this legislation WAS by formal r.so-
| luton OF second mass meeting b.ld in
February. 1879. made the committee ~
| citizens Of the District Of Columbia. desig
mated in the law above quoted
The President in pursuance OF III. Ian,
| mas appointed as the centennial committee
from the country at large the governors ~
/ all the states and territories
/ COW y,,fT4 .a.I I,
and has shown a lively and Intelligent in
| terest in the project. The House commit.
| tee has not yet been chosen. meeting az
these committees has been called nv the
| President Of the United States for pecem.
Der p, 1890, by which time It is hoped the
House representation will have been filled
| participation by House committee while
| very desirable. is not, however as will he
seen by the law, essential 10 the VaIf,,t,. ~
the conference
Various steps have been taken bv the
| Washington committee In the direction ~
| organizing for the crcditable CARRYING out
| OF the local features of the celebration in
| Guiding the appointment OF a lars, and
| representative finance committee TO pro-
| project.
| The Washington committee is also FORM
| uIating in definite shape fits own ideaF of
| the most appropriate plan of celebrating
| the great event to be submitted to the con-
ference of national. state and local rcpre-
sentatiNes in December. for the purpose OF
supplying a nucleus of action at this gath
| erins. and I'm the hope OF a substantial an
! prevail of its plan of celebration by the con-
| ference.
| Whatever plan IS adopted at this meeting
VIII be Immediately submitted In ACCORD
| anee with the Law TO the President and by
| him transmitted TO Congress, accompanied
/ II is confidently hoped. by a vigorous mes
| sage Of Endorsement.
| L recommend to the Board of Trade the
| prompt arrangement of some pleasing and
| appropriate plan of extending the courtesies
| or the Board and of the city TO tho gov
| errors OF the states and the other members
| OF the centennial committees on the occa-
! sion of their assemblage on the o1si of next
| month in Washington
Centennial Inspiration.
| To activity and achievement IN the an-
preaching year every washingtonian should
| feel centennial inspiration. an impulse
toward great things for the Immediate fu-
ture based on a thoughtful appreciation OF
| the encouraging record OF the past
The centennial year is to be marked by
| effective energy, not only in respect TO tn.
| celebration itself. and the particular per
manent memorial selected to commemorate
the great event, but all along the lire Of
| municipal endedVor with the result Of not
| one, but many. public reminders 81 the
ambitious and aggressive municipal spirit
| of 1890.
In the Board Of Trade itself there will
| doubtless be an especially notable develop
| ment Of that harmony and that united.
/
| give strength and effectiveness TO com
| nunity effort. More and more fully each
year the influences which can promote the
welfare Of Washington seek and find rep
| resentadon and the opportunity for active
| public labor in the Board Of Trade. Within
| the last few years there has been com
| paratively little of the old wrangling before
| Congress of contending delegations Of citi-
zens. and what has been accomplished
| through the cooperation of the District
Commissioners. the Board Of Trade and the
| Congressional committees dealing with Dis
| trict affairs is an object lesson Of the value
| of harmony The primary purpose of the
| creation OF the Board OF Trade was to
cure this harmonious cooperation a. "A sub
| stitute for jealous discord in the ranks Of
| those who fight for Washington.
| The centennial year should consequently
| be marked for the Board by adding TO it's
membership the limited number Of repre-
sentative and influential citizens who are
still outside its lines. and by permeating
the entire organization with the spirit Of
loyalty to the Board and of devotion to
the public welfare. so that the blows de-
| Iivered for the citys good Will have the
| driving force of unified power where the
entire community strikes as one man. ana
| will not be weakened or nullihed through
Individual discussions and distractions.
| For Washington the Centennial year
should be notable in marvellous increase
of attractiveness, healthfulness and pros
perity. Unity of effort in the Board Of
Trade will bring harmonious and progres-
| siye development for the Capital. The lines
| or prObaDle SrONll nave dIFtduS b''ii Ah4'A
| down in discussing in this report the ae-
| tiyities the hopes and achievements Of the
more than half a thousand citizens who
| are rendering active and Intelligent ser
| vice on the Board of Trade committees.
The Centennial spirit of 1900 should push
! Washington far along toward the goal Of
the model municipality.
| The centennial of the national capital is
| the centennial of the nation itself In that
stage Of development when IT began To
| boast a permanent seat OF government, q
capital exclusively and peculiarly It's own
The National Capital serves as Their
| mometer, indicating national prosperity OF
adversely. The city of the nation hour
shes with the nation, and is depressed
with the nation. 1t shares the national
| ups and downs
The centennial year which in its celebra
| ton ceremonies will emphasize this clos,
| relation of nation and capital should
| strengthen the tie which binds the fortunes
; | of the nation and Its city and teach the
lesson of their identity of interest.
; In his Fourth Annual Address to congress
, | delivered in 1900 at Washington President
Adams said: II congratulate the people OF
, | the United States on the assembling OF
, | Congress at the permanent seat Of Their
I - fanl q L. I