Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-27
WASHINGTON / N 1906
Outline for a Proposed Inter
national Exposition.
THE PROPER PL ACE
POTOMAC PARK TO BECOME A
SCENE OF RARE BEAUTY.
Permanent Public Exhibits Here to
Supplement Industrial
Features.
The PROPER PL ACE

A ma tional and international exposition, to
be held in Washington in 1906 was sug-
gested last year by the writer as a good
way to get more industries started here,
to increase our commerce and to lead the
people of the United States to better ac-
quaintance with the national capital.
It was thought too soon to urge the sub
ject at that time. There seems now to be a
rapidly growing interest in the subject, as
shown by newspaper and magazine articles,
and it is evident that the time has arrived
when some steps should be taken showing
an active interest in furthering such an en-
terprise.
Fairs have been held from time imme-
mortal. We read Of them as far back as
$500 years ago on the shore of the Mediter-
ranean.
President Mckinley said at Buffalo last
September, the day before he was stricken
down: "Expositions are the timekeepers Of
progress. They record the worlds advance
ment they stimulate the energy, enter
prise and intellect of the people, and quicken
human genius They go into the home.
They broaden and brighten the daily life
of the people. They open mighty store
houses of Information to the student. Every
exposition, great or small, has helped to
some onward STEP
The fact is recalled that the project for a
worlds fair to celebrate the four l1undredth
anniversary of the discovery Of America
originated right here in Washington. It
was a great disappointment to the enter
prising men of Washington that the exposi-
ton went to Chicago by the vote Of Con-
question. Washington could not then put
up the necessary guarantee fund, while
Chicago could, being backed by the great
wealth of her banks and business men. 1t
haS hot
Chicago showed how a great enterprise OF
that kind could be made successful. Now
Washington will profit by the experience of
Chicago. The Columbian exposition was so
grand and beautiful that 1t possibly may
never be excelled in the lines in which it
was so wonderfully prominent. 1t proved
the most successful In history. This in
face of the fact that banks were breaking
and railroads going into receivers hands.
1t was popular and financial success I'M
der most adverse circumstances. It placed
Chicago in the highest rank of cities, in
creasing the population immensely, giving
great renown and lasting benefits, and to
the nation untold strength and education.
The question Of site in Chicago was Of itself
enough to discourage most any body OF
men. When it was, finally settled to locate
the fair at Jackson Park the grounds had
to be made at enormous expense over 5000
600 going for dredging, filing and excayat-
ing and s1,3000o0 for landscaping, viaducts,
bridges, waterways water supply and sew
erage.
An Auspicious Time.
The United States is now better able to
give an exposition at its capital city than
ever before. The time Is suspicious because
the financial policy and manufactures Of
the country have caused great prosperity
and the people have money to spend. This
is In very marked contrast to the contrac-
ton ard dark days Of the resumption Of
specie payments at the time of the Gen.
tennlal and to the panic year of the Column
bian. The United States has not only be-
come a world power. but 1t Is now so pre-
eminent among the nations that the others
sending men here to learn the secret of the
great success find that the half has not
been told.
1 may be truly said that the very he
ginning of national expositions was in
Washington in 1876 when the National
exhibition was held here. The worlds
fair of 1888 in the Crystal Palace, New
York. which the writer can remember see
ing when a boy, was the first worlds fair
IN this country. 1t was the wonder of the
time but was not in size or influence to
take rank with the Centennial and Colum-
bian. The population of all the states and
territories then was only $2S060,00O.
In the six decades from the Washington
national fair of 1916 to the one proposed for
1896 the population of the states and terri
torles-not including the insular possess
slons-Wlll nave Increased more than four
fold from 20,O0O,0OO to IS, 600. 600, while the
population of Washington will have grown
from 10000 to $4,000.
The Proper Place.
Most, If not all, of us are convinced that
Washington as the capital city Of the
United States Is the right place to hold a
great national and international exposition
The other great powers of the world have
held their fairs in their capitals. The first
worlds fair that followed the Washington
national exhibition of 1916 was in London
IN the novel and wonderful Crystal Palace
1862 ---
France has had five great international
universal expositions, in 1855, two years
after the worlds fair in New York; 1867,
h Io.s years ,sa after the one in London, and
!oto, 1888 and 1900, eleven years apart, and
1t is planned to have one in 1911
Inc people now want frequent exhibits
and profit.
The Centennial in 1876 was so great in
art that the rapid increase in art produce
tons IN this country Is dated from that
year: The population Of the whole coun-
Try tnen was only about forty-five millions.
In 1905 the populations within a radius of
ooO miles from Washington will probably
alone be over forty millions, twenty times
as many people as the whsle country had
in the days when Washington crossed the
Delaware, and pretty. close to the total
population Of all the states gand territories
at the time Of the Centennial. Neadly
million of these peoplescou,ds reach the ex-
position in an hour. Many millions are
near enough to leave their homes in the
morning and be in Washington by noon.
Those toward the limit of the 5O0-mile circle
could reach here without being on the rail-
road over night.
Washington delightsrand commands the
admiration of all Amrican citizens who
visit it. They feel an ownership in it, Is it
is the capital OF the United States and be-
longs to all the people,. All intend to come
to see 1t even as it is now, but special in
vitation to visit the exposition at low rail-
road excursion rates would be an induce
ment to come In almost countless multi
tudes, when they could see and admire the
beautiful capital city. and the manifold re-
sources and productive energies of the en-
tire country, also those Of the other ma
tons, all shown in the most attractive
way.
Local Organizers.
Washington entertained about 100000
visitors during the recent encampment of
the Grand Army and had made provision
for 100000 more. In arranging for an ex-
nnc IN, u<x 81