Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-09-28
AN EXHIBIT OF CRY MAKING.


Louis Exposition.
From the New York Sun.
The commissioners of the Louisiana pur-
chase exposition are considering sugges-
ton which has reached them In the form of
petition from the National League of Inn
provement Associations. This organization
at its recent convention IN Buffalo unani-
mously agreed to resolution presented by
Mr.. Albert Kelsey, an architect of Philadel-
phia, which, after drawing attention to the
Importance of the science of modern city
making and to the fact that the subject has
been represented in three International ex-
positions abroad, urges that provision be
made for an exhibit of the same kind at st.
Louis. The proposal has so far commended
itself to the commissioners that they have
called upon its originators for fuller ex-
PLANTATION of what they have In mind.
The scheme, in brief, comprehends the
allotment of about five acres for the pur-
poses of an indoor and outdoor exhibit
Buildings would be erected, in which could
be shown by means of plaster casts and
photographs the results accomplished by
the great cities of the world toward an
organic solution of the underground and
oyerground problems, connected with sani-
tation, transportation, lighting and the like
Moreover, there would be out-of-door
exhibit something in the nature of street
or open spaces, in which could be Illustrated
such matters as the grouping of public
buildings, the laying out of small parks and
Fairgrounds and the scientific treatment of
public utilities, while the possibilities of
beauty as well as convenience could be
shown in the way of lamppostS street and
store signs, drinking fountains, newspaper
kiosks, advertising and other similar things
which may assist or the beauty of
streets.
Every succeeding exposition tries to in
augurate some special features that shall
give 1t distinct character, and it would be
difficult to think of one which could be
made more interesting than this and which
would have more valuable, practical bear
ing on one of the most absorbing problems
of American municipal life marked
characteristic of our time Is the rapid
growth of cities, and equally marked is the
growing realization of the, great need of
civic betterment in the direction of health,
beauty and convenience. The problem so
far has been met largely in a haphazard
way and postponed rather than solved. The
same true of old Paris and of old Lon
don. Then, at length, the hand-to-mouth
policy was arrested and definite, concerted
action gradually took IT'S place; until now,
after some forty years an organic treat
ment of the great questions has been
reached. Nor are these cities alone in the
matter. Innumerable others have attacked
and reconstructed their particular necessi-
ties; Genoa and Liverpool, for example,
their docks; Glasgow it's tenement houses,
Birmingham its problems of municipal light
ing and transportation facilities. 1t is not
that any one city is perfect but that num-
bers of them are fruitful with suggestion.
1t is these suggestions, collected, grouped
and made ineligible for popular apprecia-
ton and scientific study, that the promoters
of this scheme have in view.
For what, it appears, they particularly
aim at is an illustration of principles; such
collecting of examples as will afford
abundant opportunity of comparison and
of scope either for imitation or adaptation.
is he exhibit 0f scattered IlpitS
but scientific marshaling of facts.
Equally sound is the desire to make the
whole exhibit imposing in extent and at
tractive in appearance, that 1t may capti-
vate the popular imagination; for the ante
cedent of civic Improvement must be a
public sentiment in favor of it. And amid
the manifold attractions of a great EXPOSE
ton something more is needed than intrinsic
usefulness to draw the attention of the
majority. So it is proposed in this case to
make the outdoor part of the exhibit
spectacle that will compete in diversity and
attractiyeness with the inevitable Midway.
Its promoters have even spoken Of it as
"a sort of Midway" though, perhaps, for
distinctions sake and in view of its ele-
waiting intention, 1t would better be called
''The Highway" The roof garden restaur-
ant and open air cafe have not yet been
properly exploited at any previous exposi-
ton, and this feature alone, with the at
fractions of music, fountains and an open
air theater, and with the conveniences of
retiring rooms post and telegraph Offices, a
news bureau and other such accessories of
modern civilization, might easily make this
one of the most popular sections of the eX-
position.
People nowadays will not take even
great exposition over seriously. More and
more it is demanded that these events shall
be source of joy to the eye and of recrea-
ton to body and spirit, which, moreover
are the ends toward which civic improve
ment is directed. So let the means explain
and popularize the end.
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