The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1907-02-24
NO AID FOR THE
EXPOS|T|0NAT
TAMPA
Congressional Delegation Is
Pledged Not to Ask For
Appropriation.
The Tampa Times. in arecent issue,

The Tampa Times, in arecent issus,
says:
Realizing the state of public inter
est in the proposed Isthmian canal
exposition, a Times reporter this
morning approached Congressman
Sparkman on the subject OF congress
sional aid to the enterprise. After,
reciting the circumstances surround
ing the passage of the favoring reso-
luton, at the hast session, Mr.. Spark
man expressed warm sympathy with
the undertaking and hoped the man.
agement wouidsbe able to promote 1t,
rand then the reporter inquired:
What do you think the chances are
for an appropriation by congress in
aid of the exposition?"
81 am sorry to say" said Mr.. Spark
man, that / do not consider them
good. In the first place, the Florida
delegation is not in a position to ask
for or TO make any effort to obtain
any such financial aid from congress.
for, in order to induce that body to,
pass the resolution at its last session
requesting the president 70 make ~
display of a part of the army and
navy at this exposition, and to inviteI
the different states to participate in
and make exhibits thereat, the menu
bers of congress from Florida were
compelled to specifically and positive
ly pledge that it should cost the gov
eminent nothing and that no financial
aid would be asked for; or at least L
at the request of Mr.. Brown, made
and the balance of the delegation nc
doubt feel bound by this pledge Not
only was this promise made on tbs
floor, but Mr.. Brown, acting FOR and
on behalf of the management of the
exposition, made the same pledge be-
fore the committee to which the reso-s
luton was referred in order to get
report thereon even in greatly modi
fed form from that in which it was.
originally prepared and introduced
by myself.
$50 it will readily be seen that our
hands are fun; but even if they were
not, it is very doubtful if congress
could be induced at this time to ex-
tend financial aid to such an enter
prise, for there is quite a strong SEN
timent, both in and out of congress,
opposed to further government par
ticipation in expOsitions. With all
the power of the president exerted in
backed by jamestown, resulting
from the glorious memories cluster
ing around the state of Virginia and
that ancient but now extinct city, it,
was very difficult to induce congress
to lend its aid to this exposition, and
if it had not been that the govern
men had embarked upon the enter
prise before, this adverse sentiment
had assumed such proportions, the,
last action taken by congress few
days ago with reference to this fair'
would not have been taken.
Il may here add that the president,
in a conversation with Mr.. Brown
and myself last spring regarding the
Panama exposition, expressed himself
very strongly in opposition to the reso-
luton then pending, insofar as gov
ernmetal participation was concerned.
Il should, of course, like much 10
see such an exposition held here IN
the near future, and would gladly
make any proper effort to further the
same, but 1t would appear that We
can expect but little from the gov
except the aid provided for
referred