Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-27
nary work would be begun none too soon il
taken up next spring

taken up next spring
Washington Is fortunate in always hav-
ing had organizations experienced in well
coming and entertaining crowds. The IN
augural committees, made up of the able
ton, have always made and met the needs
of the visitors and citizens alike. They
have shown the capacity of the city to en-
terrain visitors to be more than equal to
the population. There has always been
room for more.
The work of the inaugural committees
has always been very arduous and has
brought large crowds to Washington; yet
the great amount of work done has seemed
out of proportion for a one-day celebration.
The same amount of work of these enter
prising men, devoted to an exposition In an
organized administration with large force
of paid assistants would probably result in
greater benefits to the city.
The notable ability and success OF the
Inauguration and encampment committees,
with their experience, would surely make a
still more complete success Of the proposed
exposition, especially as they would have
seven months of the best season of the year
in one of the finest climates of the country.
There would be hearty and substantial as
sistance of committees from every state as
expressed by the governors of the states
at the 1900 capital centennial commemora-
ton. Exposition work has been almost made
a science by men prominent in the many
expositions of this country. These can, ii
needed, be called on to assist the local di-
rectorS and committees.
A Great Government Exhibit.
The daily meetings of congresses and par
laments representing all arts, sciences and
industries, so interesting at Paris and Chi
cago, would be particularly attractive and
successful in Washington. The exhibits In
the government buildings have probably
interested the average visitor more than
other displays. In Washington this could
he than
before. AS great annexes to the exposition
would be the gun shops at the navy yard,
the Capitol, Library of Congress, the art
galleries and all the great departments.
Home and all the other features of the his
toric city.
Music might be made one of the most at
tractive and effective features, SPECIAL at
tention being given to the very highest
types in all its branches, vocal choruses,
solos, band and organ, piano, violin.
The effort might lead to the establishment
at the capital city of school of music sur
passing any in history.
Every day of the exposition should be
set apart fer special observances for states,
territories and insular possessions, giving to
the different occupations, branches and de-
partments of government, colleges, uni
versities and cities set day for especial
attractions.
The exposition would be no passing show,
something built up and then pulled down.
Of the whole country and to the enterpris-
ing men who would find use and profit for
capital seeking investment
State Buildings.
Fifty or more state buildings would al
ways be of great interest to the citizens of
all the states, and especially melting the
admiration and state pride of each, con-
slant source of pleasure and education to
oil vic wOnlI
good business investment for each state
Plans have been suggested to erect them
by the sale Of United States or state bonds
guaranteed by the United States, at low
rate Of interest, with sinking funds.
Experience has shown the Costumes OIL
expositions selling their plants for a lew
cents on the dollar. The sentiment in Wash
ington has always been against such whole
sale destruction. The exposition without
doubt would be great success financially,
instructively and popularity.
1t would be Uncle Sans own exposition
He has never had one Of his own, on his
own grounds. There has been no really
great international universal exposition in
the United States. The great worlds Co
lumbar exposition in Chicago, vast and
strikingly beautiful and wonderful, was IN
reality only home fair as far as attend
ance was concerned. 1t was after all sup
ported and made successful more by the
people of the great west and northwest OF
all classes and occupations, and especially
the farmers and farmer boys, than by for
eigners and eastern people. By tens of
thousands and hundreds of thousands they
went by the railroads giving them round
trip for one fare, and carried home with
them memories of that great object lesson
that will never fade.
Location in Potomac Park.
A most fortunate and remarkable advan-
tage would be the location of the exposition
in Potomac Park. This is the park that was
designated when the plan was formed for
holding the Columbian exposition here. 1t
contains 621 acres of level land and. in
closes in this ample space lis acres OF
water in tidal basins and fish ponds. 1t is
in every way suited for great national
and international exposition. Col Allen,
the engineer officer in charge OF the Foto-
mac river improvements, says it is capable
of being transformed into one of the finest
parks in the country. With the washington
monument grounds and White Lot and, If
needed the old Naval Observatory grounds
added, no other city in the Union could fur
nish such grand and convenient park for
an exposition. This grand location Is near
the business and hotel part of the city,
accessible by every method of transporta-
ton, all the street cars, steam railroads,
steamboats,, steamships and sailing vessels,
and is within easy walking distance Of a
very large part OF the city. There is no
house between it and the White House,
that especial center Of attraction to the
American citizen, the residence of the Presi
dent Of the United States. The grand en-
trance to the exposition would naturally be
in the historic nelghborhood Of Pennsyl-
yania avenue and 10th street, at the south
east corner of the treasury Here a ma
tional Mckinley arch might be placed.
The buildings and bridges might be made
very much less expensive in concrete, en-
during for ages.
The grand fountains for the exposition
should remain forever in Potomac Park.
Also the obelisks, arches, columns, pillars
of triumph, statuary, stadium, peristyles,
payilions and colonnades. The electric
lighting and conduits could be similarly ar
ranged. The grand basin and canals would
give the launches and other vessels access
to the close vicinity of the executive
grounds or white lot, which would make
very interesting feature. A bathing beach
with good water would be another attrac-
tive feature for visitors and citizens and
would probably lead to the city having a
great swimming school and bathing houses
equal to those other cities are now-so gen.
erously providing for the health and pleas
ure of their residents, and which are so
greatly needed in this city. The docks for
vessels from all ports on the Atlantic sea-
board and the United States lnsular pos
sessions, and from all foreign parts of the
world bringing visitors, would save delay
and extra handling and hauling Of exhibits
and materials.
The exposition would give employment
to hundreds of young men, would stimu-
Ia "a and educate making their talents more