The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-13
Kansas People claim Year 1904
for Their Exposition.
REQUEST SEATTLE TO CHANGE.
Chamber Of Commerce Considers Let
ter From omcinIs of Topeka
semf-Centennfa1 Fair--Commiftee
Appointed to Consider Advisable
fty OF Holding This City's Mig
show I'm Either 1908 or 1905.

A committee composed Of ]. J. McGilvra.
j. A. Moore. Thomas w. Prosch. e. w.
Andrews and NJ. r. Baekus. was appointed
by President elise. Of the Chamber OF
Commerce, yesterday afternoon 10 con-
slider the aavlsability Of changing the date
for the proposed Seattle international ex-
position from Ieoa 10 either 1903 or 1900.
This action was brought about by the dis
covcry that the proposed date conflicts
with that set for the Kansas semi-cen-
tennial exposition, 70 be held at Topeka
IN 1904
The question Of conflicting dates was
brought before the chamber by letter
from President John r.. Frost and Sec
rotary H. ~ Phillips. OF the Kansas Ex-
position Association. reading I'm part as
follows:
"The move for our exposition was start
ed last fall by thu Topeka Commercial
Club and. after obtaining an expression
thereon. representatives from all parts OF
tho state assembled IN May. 1900 In this
city. The Kansas exposition was duly
Incorporated in June 1900 under the laws
OF Kansas, for the purpose OF holding an
exposition in 1904. and tho public was
informed OF this action and our plans
through the press.
consider II n misfortune for the people OF
washington and Kansas 10 undertake to
hold two great expeditions In the same
year as they would undoubtedly detract
from each others interest, excellcnoe and
attendance and we beg to ask whether
II will not bp practicable and consistent
for your people to defer your worlds fair
until the following year
1T seems 10 US that tas matter OF
fairness we are entitled 20 q clear field
for the year named because our move was
the hrst to take shape and 10 be pre-
scented TO the public. and morn partfcu-
larly because the year 1904 has special
Significance for Kansas. which II has
not for any other state except Nebraska;
Il being the semi-eentenial anniversary OF
tho passage OF the Kansas Nebraska bill
ana OF the organisation OF the territory
OF Kansas"
President elise suggested that reso-
luton be passed postponing the Seattle
exposition In 1905. but Mr. McGilvra
thought the matter too important for such
hasty action and moved that commit
tee OF Ave be appointed to investigate
and report.
Mr.. prosch said that 10 him the year
1904 appeared bad selection under any
circumstances. as he had been unable 10
ind any historical significance attached
to that date As an anniversary year
he advocated 1901 and read a long list OF
notable events for which II would AFFORD
either centennial or semi-centcnniai celc-
hration. The most important of these are
the completion of tho Louisiana purchase
and the starting OF the Lewis and Clarke
expedition. in 1904. and the formation OF
the territory Of Washington. the organiza-
ton OF King county and the founding OF
Seattle, In 1853.
Mr.. elise said he doubted the possibility
~ financing the enterprise in time for
1903 and the matter was finally terminated
by the adoption OF Mr.. McGiivra's mo-
tion and tho appointment of the special
committee by the president.