Mexico weekly ledger., 1902-06-05


keystone state Of the Louisiana Pur-
chase Territory, which territory is
now populated by 5000, 900 people and
has a taxable wealth OF $50, O0o, 900, 900,
by an almost unanimous vote Of its
people instructed its Legislature toap-
propriate s1,000,0O0 for Missouri's ex-
hibit at the great Worlds Fair. And,
by the way, that is $780, 900 more than
Illinois appropriated for the Worlds
Columbian Exposition at Chicago In
1923. Where is the Mlssourian who
win say that was q bad investments
Missouri is going 20 entertain the
whole world at the Louisiana Pur-
chase Exposition. The Missouri press
is a part OF Missouri. Just as much
a part Of 1t as the butcher, the baker
and the candlestick maker. Are the
newspaper men going way back on the
rear seat and sit down, now that the
world is coming to see US, and let 9TH
er fellows recline In the orchestra
ehairsg
Well, | should say they arenot. The
Missouri press will get its share OF the
best that's going at the Worlds Fair.
The Missouri Press Association, at
the solicitation OF President Francis,
Secretary Stevens and other officers Of
the Exposition, has created a special
Worlds Fair committee, appointed by
President Caruthers Of the Associa-
tion. This committee, after several
conferences with the Worlds Fair
managers has arranged for the cree.
tion OF a building on the Worlds Fair
grounds suitable for the purpose of en-
t~ertaining the editors OF the world. A
worlds congress Of editors is another
feature OF the fair, agreed upon by the
fair management and the National
Editorial Association at its recent
meeting in Hot Springs.
The fact is, the Louisiana Purchase
Exposition has done, and is going to
do in the future, more for the news
paper men, not only OF Missouri, but
Of the whole world, than any great ex-
position which has preceded il. The
press of Missouri has an appreciatiye
Missouri newspaper man in the high
councils Of the exposition manage
ment in Secretary Walter B. Stevens.
As an evidence Of his good will for the
press Of Missouri, l shall quote again
from bis st. Joseph speech. He says;
at is the avowed purpose Of the
Worlds Fair management to extend
such facilities, such courtesles and
recognition to the press, and on such
a scale as we're never before given by
any exposition.
"The worlds Fair management
realizes what the press has done and is
doing for 1t. There is no disposition
10 oyerdraw its credit with the press Of
the country. II there is a message 10
the Missouri editors 1t Is this; Treat
the Worlds Fair as it deserves In Its
character In concentrating an event
second TO none in the history Of the
country; treat 10 as II merits in the
development OF features and qualities
surprising any previous international
exposition; treat 1t from the stand
point Of news. The management does
not ask that the Worlds Fair shall be
doomed OF pulled or encouraged. II
does ask for recognition in pro
portion TO its worth in public inter
est.n
Thousands OF columns OF news
about the exposition, and many hun
dreds Of columns Of friendly editorial
comment, are being printed every
week now by newspapers in all parts
Of the world. This news matter is
supplied by the Exposition Co. to the
press free Of charge.
If the newspapers outside Of Mis-
souri, al afford to treat the Worlds
Fair sin proportion TO its worth in
public interest" / see no reason why
the Missouri press, the father OF the
enterprise, should not do the same
thing. l find the readers OF the LED
GER are interested in the Worlds
Fair; that they want to read all about
it and | give all the space / can spare
TO the publication Of the Fair news.
The press Of this State should utter
no words except in praise Of President
David r. Francis and other gentle
men who are striving with might and
main to gather on Missouri soil the
grandest exposition OF the arts, the
sciences and the industries Of man
ever assembled, and which will cost,
when completed, nearly fifty millions
OF dollars.
As l stated before, the relation ex-
isting between the newspapers OF
Missouri and the exposition are I'M
usually close. A newspaper man first
suggested this Worlds Fair - years
ago, almost before the WORLDS Column
bian Exposition vas thought OF.
The State Of Missouri stood solid in
supporting the constitutional amend
ment necessary to authorize the issu-
ing Of s5,OOO,O0O in bonds by the city
Of ST. Louisiana the appropriation s1,-
OOO,O 200 by the State.
The press had much 70 do with the
raising Of 100000 by popular sub.
seription. The vigorous appeals by
the newspapers Of the city OF st. Louis
had much influence in this matter.
The attitude Of the newspaper was no
small factor in securing the s5,0O0,O 900
from Congress. The press, not only in
Missouri and the Louisiana Purchase
but Of the east, OF the north and the
south all stood for this appropriation.
So you will see that the newspapers
have had much TO do with the expo
ven up 70 this time. During
one month the press bureau received
2094 newspaper articles regarding the
Worlds Pair. OF these newspapers
twelve printed editorials announcing
that they would not advertise the
Louisiana Purchase Exposition unless
they were paid for H. The other
LOSE gave space to news items, pictures
descriptive and historical articles
upon the Louisiana Purchase and EK-
position. A large number discussed
proposed features in their editorial col
umns. This month was an average
me in the short experience Of the