Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-27
"MODEL C|TY'EXH|B|T
st. Louis Proposition Dis
cussed at Conference.
VIEWS OF CITIZENS
BOARD OF TRADE AND BUSINESS
ASSOCIATION HEARD.
Cost Of Washington Display at Worlds
Fair Estimated to Be
$25, ZOO.
VIEWS OF CITIZENS

$25, 1000.
The proposed exhibit of the city OF
" shington at the st. Louis exposition was
the subject discussed in the board room
at the District building this morning at
&C T. ference participated In by Commissioners
Architect Albert Kelsey of
Philadelphia, superintendent of the Model
City exhibit at the exposition. and officers
and directors of the Board of Trade and
Business Mems Association. The object OF
the conference was to obtain detailed infor-
nation from Mr.. Kelsey relative to the
proposition that the Commissioners make
an exhibit of typical municipal building
for the city of Washington. Commissioner
Mcfarland wished also to learn the senti-
ment of the community as represented by
the Board of Trade and business men with
regard to the matter. so that he might make
to his associates on the
board of Commissioners.
Among those present at the meeting, In
addition to Commissioner Mcfarland and
Mr.. Kelsey. We're representative citizens,
including officers of the Washington Board
of Trade and Business Mems Association.
The Board of Trade was represented by
President William V. Cox. the other off,
GERS attending being Col. Geo. Truesdell.
Gen. John NJ. Wilson, Mr.. w. P. Van
Wickle and Mr.. William N. Shuster. Be-
sides these were Frank X. Raymond. pres
ident of the Business Mems Associat1on
Barry Buckley, Wilton j.. Lam bert, w. r.
GUIDE, Allison Nailor, E. H: Droop, w. S.
Knox, BENZ. s. Graves, William Hahn,
Thomas w. Smith and Mr.. Malcolm.
No definite conclusion was reached at
the conference with regard to the matter,
and no attempt was made to ascertain,
hnildinR
should be selected for exhibition, CommlS-
sioner mcfarland desiring to get rurther
opinions as to whether Washington should
make any exhibit at all. Mr.. Macfarland
stated at the close Of the meeting that he
would be pleased to hear from citizens
generally within the next few days, pc
fore he makes any recommendations TO the
board of Commissioners.
To Learn Public Sentiment.
It was stated that the matter had not
been thoroughly discussed in the commu-
nity and that 1t was difficult to know what
is the general sentiment The preponder-
ance of opinion expressed as to the amount
that should be asked If the matter should
be presented to Congress was that 1t should
be between $4,000 and $4,000. although
most of those present said that they would
not favor any appropriation unless 1t was
made like all the current appropriations
for the District of Columbia, on the half
and-half basis. The high cost of labor and
the prospect that 1t might increase was
commented upon as an unfavorable factor
which made the construction cost uncertain.
II the matter Is to be presented to Con-
gress it will have to be done at the open
ing of the regular session, week after next
in order that the necessary legislation may
be obtained.in time
History of the Movement.
Mr.. Mcfarland at the beginning of the
conference outlined the history of the mat
ter and asked Mr.. Kelsey to describe the
model city and tell what was desired from
Washington and what would be done for
Washington. Mr.. Mcfarland and others
present asked questions. In his statement,
and in response to the questions Mr.. KEEL
sey said that the idea was to represent all
the different kinds of municipal buildings,
and also Fairgrounds and other municipal
features. and that 1t was hoped that WASH
fngton might be represented by a suitable
municipal building. in which, by models or
otherwise, different municipal features
might be exhibited. He alluded to the
buildings which the exposition company
would erect-a city hall, municipal hos
pital. day nursery and monument rep
resenting civic pride. -.
The exposition would give the site for
each of the buildings to be erected by mu-
inequalities. and had reserved one of the
best sites for Washington. but the con-
be entirely at the expense of the munich
palty.
The Estimated Cost.
Mr.. Kelsey thought that 1t would take
$4,000 to construct and maintain through
out the seven months Of the exposition a
suitable structure. to be built of staff, to
represent the city of Washington-this to
include whatever models might be exhib-
fo1 In, no hrIl Enr ny,1o he
Washington Public Library building could
be reproduced in stan on a scale OF so by
40 feet and % feet high. and in 1t could
be placed the models of the filtration plant
and pumping station, the sewage disposal
system any others desired.
Mr.. Kelsey said that the cost Of labor was
very high and not likely to diminish. the
plasterers, who work in the Stan material
which Is practically plaster, are now re-
ceiving IS per day. He thought a janitor.
who would sleep on the premises. would be
the only attendant required. If the build
Ing was begun by the 1st of March, it
ought to be ready for the opening of the
exposition the LIST of May. Mr. Kelsey ex
hibited a blue print showing the location of
the model city at the principal entrance Of
the exposition grounds. and the site reserved
for Washington was shown to be in the
best location.
Gen. Wilson Dissents.
Mr.. mcfarland then asked for informal
expressions Of opinion as to whether the
city of Washington should be represented
in the municipal city, and IL SO. what
amount of money should be asked of Con-
gress, assuming, as he did, without OBJ
lection from anyone. that the money could
not be raised by popular subscription. All
the gentlemen present, excepting Gen.
John M Wilson, who thought no exhibit
should be made, stated that they believed
Washington should be represented in the
model city. -a
Gen. Wilson said he thought Washington
drew the attention Of the whole country
and did not need to make an exhibit which
would be chiefly for the benefit of the
worlds fair. The others thought that it
was very desirable that Washington, which
had never been represented in a world s
fair before. should be represented now and
they pointed out different advantages that
they thought would result, chiefly in the
way of showing those who had not come
to Washington what the national capital
is like.
Several of those present at the conference
suggested that SIS 900 would be a sufficient
sum to be expended for the exhibit. After
considerable discussion the meeting ad-
journed and Commissioner Macfarland
stated he would endeavor to learn more
thoroughly the sentiment of the residents of
the city with regard to the matter.
Tpu;fot ;opo Evfapdod