The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-04-09
Alabama Not to Be Repre-
 scented at Fair.
Governor Jelks Informs. Committee That State Cannot Expend More
  Than $l0,o0o-Much Dis
 s-l$ta cussion at Meeting.

Pnless private interests provide the means Alabama will not have an exhibit at the great St. Louis Exposition. The Alabama Commission met in Montgom- cry yesterday and after a full discussion of the situation adopted a esolution abandoning the movement to secure an appropriation for an exhibit.
 This decision was reached after a com- mittee had visited Governor Jeiks and had been informed by him that owing to appropriations by the Legislature the financial condition of the State was not such as to admit of an adequate appro- priation for an exhibit.
 Notwithstanding the decision reached at yesterdays mesting some of the conn missioners were hopeful that the project would not be abandoned entirely, Holding to the view that the commerciak<bodies of the State might undertake to raise a fund to secure an exhibit.
 The meeting was called to consider a plan formulated by Erwin Craighead and w. K. P. Wilson, Mobile. members of the commission. to raise a fund 10 insure an adequate Alabama exhibit
 President R. R. Poole called the Com mission to order at the rooms of the Commercial and Industrial Association yesterday little after F o'clock. There were present Mir. Poole. J. M. Falkner, Alex Rice and l.. l.. Gilbert of Montgom- cry; J. B. Gibson and W. T. Estes of Birmingham; W. P. Lay of Gadsden: R. W. German of Opelika: Ernest Lamar of Selma: W. k. P. Wilson and Erwin Craighead of Mobile.
 Plan to Raise Money.
 Mir. Wilson at once read his plan to the Commission for raistng the necessary funds for having Alabama properly rep resented at the Worlds Fair at St. Louis in 1904. as follows:
 Mobile, Ala, April 6. 1903. ptfrA ha nd 1f ta
 St Louis Worlds Fair Commission of
 Alabama:
 '.Gentiemen-we beg to outline a plan. herewith. through the proper execution of which, in our opinion. large eum of money can be raised as a fund to provide a display of the products of the State of Alabama at the approaching World s Fair at St. Louis, Mo.
 ''The attention of the Commission is called to the fact that there is no time to lose in making preparation for dis play at this great Exposition, If 1t is the intention to have our State cre1itably Union are already contracting for their buildings and are far advanced with their general preparations.
 '.The plan We submit is as follows:
 'First-The Commission sha1 offici ally designate a day as Worlds Fair Sub scripfIon Day., in Alabama. Notice shall be given to the people of the State, that on said day they will be called upon by EoHcntng committees ana asked to con- tribute to tine proposed fund.- His Excele ncy. Governor Jelks, shall be re- uuested to issue his proclamation merely relating the fact that the Commission a1as adopted plan through me execution of which it Is sought to raise A fund to provide for a creditable display of the products of the State at the St. Louis Exposition, and expressing the hope that there will be a hearty and favorable response on the part of the people.
 ''Second-The entire State shall be care- fully divided into small districts and eoliciting committees, composed of respon- Bible men residing in such districts, who shall be appointed to do the work of canvassing for contributions to the pro- posed fund. Preparations shall be made to begin and complete the work of canvassing in the respective districts on the day designated as Worlds Fair Subscription Day Contributions of only N shall be asked for.
 Third-To popularize the movement to raise fund. an appeal to the self-inter- est of the people as well a to their pat riotism and civic pride would, it is be- yieved, bring excellent results. It is rec commended, therefore, that announcement be made that the commission will give away eighteen trips to the Worlds fair to contributors to the proposed fund worth SfO0 each committee shall he appointed by the commission to deter mine the manner in which said trips p.,all be awarded. and the awards be made in accordance herewith immediate ly after all canvassing committees shall