Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-18
PLAN FOR BIG FAIR
Michigan Society Members
Start an Ambitious Project.
SHOW TO BE NATIONAL
Congress and State Legislatures to
Provide the Means.
BUILDING OF GREAT DIMENSIONS
Only Matter Of Time When Projectors
Will Have Accomplished the
Work, It is Said.
BUILDING OF GREAT DIMENSIONS

NEW YORK, March ia permanent ma
tional fair, to contain exhibits from every
state in the Union and to be housed in
fourteen million-dollar building in this city,
lis being planned by some of the state socie-
ties having headquarters here. The plan
includes a continuous exposition, comprising
the best features of worlds fairs Of the past
and also luxurious club rooms for the state
societies.
Congress at the next session will be asked
to appropriate 100000 toward this enter
prise, and each of the state legislatures will
be asked for 100000 The leaders in the
movement which began in the Michigan So
ciety, say they have already been assured
by many members of Congress and by sew
eral state legislatures of support for their
plan, and they believe they can carry it
through.
The members of the Michigan Society who
planned the scheme took it to the executive
committees of several other state societies
ed and the Michigan men were assured of
the backing of the other societies. An inter-
state organization is being formed, which
will take charge of the movement
Enthusiastic Over Plan.
Robert c. Aud of ITO Broadway, men,
Der of the Michigan Society, is one of the
most enthusiastic of the advocates of the
plan. He said yesterday:
The building We propose TO erect will be
without parallel in the world. 1t is pre-
mature to give out details at this time for
many things must be accomplished, but it is
only matter CT time when the project will
be in full swing. BY next autumn we shall
probably be able to announce the site of the
building and the time when construction
will begin OF course, there is question
that we will be able to raise the necessary
$14, 100000.
The building will not only serve the
practical business interests of the states
but it will at the same time be an enduring
monument to the idea of statehood as con-
ceived by the trainers of the Constitution
Once it is completed no American citizen
will die content without seeing it. 1t will
advertise the existence of our common
wealths. too often forgotten, beyond the
metropolitan limit
Idea of Statehood.
Ralph Folks another of the promoters,
expressed the opinion that it was time the
idea of statehood should be emphasized
The building to be erected, he said, would
do that. and in addition it would be a dis
tinct business asset to the city.
Backers of the project have laid down as
proviso to insure their participation in
the plan that it shall have the full backing
of the federal government and that Con-
greSS Shall regulate its opera ton and main
tenance.
AS to getting money for the project from
the states, 1t is argued that if a state can
give 100000, the average appropria ton
for the erection of a state building at a
temporary fair, which is forgotten in
few months, there is no reason why a SINH
lar sum should not be expended for the
perpetuation of the pride of each state In
from state grants, it is argued, would be
sufficient to guarantee the stability of the
enterprise.
William J. Worden of Michigan is the
father of the project. 1t was discussed
briefly at recent dinner of the Michigan
Society at the Hotel Astor.