The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1910-05-16
SOON DECIDE ON
EXPOSITION CITY
Rival Claims Of New Orleans And San
Francisco to Be Heard May 2s-
Completion Of Canal Near.

New Orleans, May 16. =. Congress
viii on May &C. sit in Judgment on the
rival claims to federal recognition OF
New Orleans and San Franciscan
the matter of the Panama canal cele-
bration in 1916. The early completion
OF the canal necessitates an early de-
cision- Some weeks ago a strong dele
cation from Louisiana went to Wash
Iington and secured from President
Taft and leaders in congress what they
enterpreted as practical endorse
ment of the New Orleans plan and on
the strength of that an initial work
ing fund of more than 81 100000 has
been raised and arrangements made
to raise another $40Oo0o0 through
direct tax.
Meanwhile, San Francisco has raised
$5,000,000 and big delegation is now
on the ground in Washington urging
the adoption by congress Of a resolu-
tion declaring San Francisco the Pan
anna exposition city. At the request of
the Louisiana congressman action has
been postponed until New Orleans can
be given a chance to be heard.
A New Orleans delegation, headed
lby Governor Sanders and Mayor
Behrman, and fortified with the en-
dorsement and monetary aid of every
tax payer in Louisiana and the en-
Idorsement of the Mississippi Valley,
OF many states and organization east
Of the Rocky Mountains and Of some Of
the Central American republics, will
lay before the congressional commit
tees map showing In a striking way
the relative positions of the two cities.
| This map indicates that by the cen
sus Of 1900 there are 100000 people
within 800 miles Of New Orleans, ana
only 100000 within that distance Of
San Francisco; 65.000,0O0 within 1000
miles Of New Orleans, and only 60O0,-
1000 within that distance Of San Fran
cisco, and that within radius OF
$500 miles there are 90.000.000 in the
New Orleans territory and only H.
100000 in the San Francisco territory.
| The map also shows that all the
people of the Mississippi Valley. the
northern and eastern states. central
and eastern Canada. the West Indies,
Mexico, Central and South America
land Europe can reach New Orleans In
much less time, at much less expense
and with much less inconvenience
than they can reach San Fransico.
The delegation VIII IN addition pre-
sent many other facts and figures.
which they claim cannot be onset BY
the rival city
I'VE do not believe San Francisco
can make out so strong a case as we
cam said Chairman 7. P. Thompson
of the Worlds Panama Exposition ex.
ecutive committee, the oflcial in
charge Our movement IS a popular
one in every sense Of the word. Every
citizen Of Louisiana will contribute
his mite to make the millions we will
invest in the enterprise Our near
ness to the Panama canal means that
New Orleans will become the port Of
entry and departure for United
States mails to Central and South
America because we are the logical
point If we are the northern conti-
Inent's logical point Of contract with
the southern continent we are in truth
the hub Of the western hemisphere.
therefore the logical site for the ex-
position New Orleans can be reach
ed more easily and In less time BY
the commerce and people Of a greater
area than any other sea port in the
world and we anticipate no difIlculty
in convincing congress of this fact.
However, we expect all Of the cities
and towns and states east Of the Rocky
Mountains. which will be directly
benefited by the canal and the ex-
position at New Orleans IN celebra-
tion of its completion, to help US with
their influence when We present our
claims and theirs--to the congress
sional committees on May 26.'