The Washington herald., 1910-02-12

Washington as the scene Of
great world exposition to mark the
completion of the Panama Canal
in 1915 was proposed by Repre-
sentative ]. Hampton Moore, Of
Philadelphia, at a dinner in his
honor at the Commercial Club last
night
He declared the south side of
Pennsylvania avenue "an eyesore
to every visitor" and should be
cleared of buildings and made the
site Of the national exposition.
The Philadelphia advocated
making at least one building Of the
exposition a permanent monument
TO new commercial epoch.
Idea Given a Welcome.
Though the idea when it was first sug-
gested many months ago did not arouse
much interest, the men who heard it last
night fifty Of the leading business men
OF Washington. promised their support.
Representative Moore said the protect
should be launched now and doomed
steadily, and prophesied the country will
take kindly to the idea if the citizens OF
The Capital are bel.nd il
The speaker led up 10 his proposition
with r preamble IN the shape Of a sketch
Of the Industrial history Of the United
States. When the plan was fully laid
before the business men, they were taken
by surprise and applauded so heartily
that Mr. Moore was led TO expand on the
subject
Let US celebrate it fittlngly," he said.
after telling just what the big ditch Will
do for the country. The Pacific Coast
thinks 1t ought 10 have the honor OF
holding a grand celebration there and
the people OF the Mississippi Valley are
equally as anxious TO have IT, But where
should it really be held?
In 1915 the canal Will be thrown open
to the world I have attended many OF
the inaugural celebrations in this city,
and am proud of Washington. Il is
compatible with the wealth and dignity
Of the Capital Of this great nation that
this epoch in history should be marked
by an exposition here that should be
greater than all others"
ExpOsitiOns Are Helpful.
Representative Moore told Of the expo
sitions OF the country. from the PhiIadeI-
phia Centennial in 1876 20 the Alaska
Yukon-Pacific Exposition. and declared
each had raised the standard Of the United
States in the eyes Of the world, and been
OF local benefit.
'No city that ever held an exposition
has failed To benefit commercially and
financially" he said You have as a
daily scene. So familiar that you some
times become Indifferent 10 il. one or
the most beautiful capitals in the world
You have natural show place. with a
setting CT beautiful buildings and stately
Now you have had everything else but
an tAlDSlIloA GU nave uteu WatcneQ
by the nation, because you have the seat
OF government here, but the eyes Of the
world have never been on Washington as
a city You have never had the attention
of the world on the city alone. Now, since
il has been suggested that there might be
q celebration somewhere, it has occurred
TO me that. with the approval Of the
President OF the United States and the
houses of Congress, you can start an agi-
tation which viii result in bringing the
world 10 your doors. Il occurred to me
that after all Of the other buildings had
been torn down and done away with as
is done in all exp0sitions, there might be
left one great structure which would re-
main as a monument TO commerce and
the great canal"
Mr.. Moore said such a building should
cover two squares on the south of the
Avenue, to be used for permanent ex-
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