The Washington herald., 1909-05-30
By LINDSAY $. PERKINS.


Is dawning On the American Capital City.
Many minds are at work upon the prob
lens OF its future, and plans are under
discussion for a change IN its form OF
government and for its Improvement
along ali lines.
Members Of Congress attached to com
naittees on local affairs attend and ad-
dress the various citizens associations,
and President Taft himself is taking an
unprecedented interest in local affairs
The Chamber OF Commerce IS casting
about for methods OF advertising the
city's advantages and promoting its com
merce. and local civic pride, long dor
uant from natural causes, is ASSERTING
!tself as never before
Commercial and inventive activity are
probably the most distinctive characters
tics OF this nation. It follows that what
best represeats our national character
should serve as the basis FOR promoting
the interest Of the Capital City. It is not
likely that Washington can hope 10 thrive
through manufacture as Pittsburg and
other American cities have. We must
have something different which viii aD-
peal 10 The tastes and sentiments of our
own and other peOple-sCuething which
shall distinguish Washington above all
other capitals.
States should BE Represented
About a dozen years ago an idea was
presented for Washingtons adornment
and improvement which deserves 10 take
rank among The highest conceptions Of
civic science There is some question as
TO who first suggested the original
scheme, but files OF local newspapers show
that Louis P. Shoemaker and F. W. Fitz-
patrick contributed important features
The idea was that each State in the
Union should be represented at the na-
tons Capital by q permanent exhibit Of
lis own arts and resources. thus forming
what might be termed q perpetual IA
tionaI exhibition
Since then the Idea has been widely
md favorably discussed, and IL is said
that fifteen States have siguifed their
desire IN one way and another 10 take
part in the plan. The chamber OF COM
merce Of Los Angeles. Cal, with charac-
teristic enterprise. has appointed a spe-
cial committee 20 deal with the matter
Of establishing q California building At
Washington.
A later suggestion was 10 invite the
foreign governments 10 take part n this
permanent exhibit, thus making It an
International clearinghouse for the
worlds commerce This idea has been
approved by far-seeing men, VINO recOg-
ME in il promising possibilities for the
promotion Of a world peace, as vel as
commerce
World Needs Common Center.
This world needs common center for
the display Of goods and for the dis
tribution Of commercial and scientific in
formation Business Is now ruling fac
tor il the affairs OF mankind IS never
before Il esch nation had a good bust
ness headquarters and g commercial corps
al Washington, a new factor would De
added 10 the worlds peace, IS vel as 20
its business welfare
There are several reasons why Wash
inCtou. as the political center OF the
United States, IS an ideal location for q
world center Of business Our excep-
tioaalIy feIicitOUs relations with al for
eisn powers would render easy our nego-
tiations in that direction. The necessary
land for the purpose can be secured here
cheaper than it can be found near any
other large city; II viii necessarily come
under control OF our government and can
hardly be located anywhere except here
sources Of natural wealth. inventive
genius. and financial strength all point 70
American mastership in the worlds busi-
ness arena
ExpOsItI0ns Prove Beneficial.
Worlds fairs have been OF great benefit
IN bringing different peoples. and espe-
ciaIly buyers and sellers together, and in
promoting International trade and good
feeling But it Is realized that they are
very costly Few OF our Sfates have had
them. and IN time all the States may ask
for appropriations for them unless q SAL
isfactory substitute is provided The op-
erations OF Transporting installing, and
afterwaTd packing and reshipping the ex-
hibits, 10 say nothing OF erecting the tenn
porary buildings. are enormously. expen- (
sive, especially IN view Of the necessarily
limited tine during which the exhibits are
before the public
The question then arises. Would It rot
nav better 10 have q SEXES OF permanent
business buildings 4 Washington. repre-
sentative Of al parts OF or country and /
the world. run upon d smaller and more
practicable scale than q worlds fair? A I
place where buyer and seller could come !
togesAer. arranging and consummati2g /
great deals by sample. and transmitting 4
commercial museums and other struc- /
lures where information upon every use
fuI subject would be available 10 all ap- i
plicants at al business hours, and where +
human progress IN al legitimate branches 1
could be spread before the inquiring 4
minds Of al coaeTs.
Needs a Thousand Acres.
It has been suggested that 100 acres /
CT land near the city viii be necessary
for this purpose: that II can now be had /
from $1,000 70 $500 an acre: that II
should lie in a square surrounded by a !
vide boulevard. and contain streets. ave
uues. parks lakes, and reservations II
need not be located with reference 20
present lines Of transportation. as the
managers OF such lines would be glad
enough 10 extend them IN such d direc-
ton
L is believed Congress should provide
the money 10 purchase the land. and that
the government should take charge Of il
BIZ commission. laying It out and par
ceiling ont the lots from three 70 five
acres eacn 70 States and nations. the
States 10 buy their sites or installments
OF 15 Per cent per annum, and the foreign
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