Los Angeles herald., 1910-09-06
CALIFORNIA MUST HAVE
THAT EXPOSITION

H ODAY the state legislature will
meet in special session to consider
n and take action on the proposition
to authorize the issue of Sc, 900 900 of
state bonds to help finance the Panama
exposition enterprise. The city of San
Francisco through it's citizens has pro-
vided for $75OO,OO of the needed funds.
1t proposes by the issue of S., 600, 900
of municipal bonds to bring the sup
port of the community up to the hand
some sum of S12,5O0,0O
city that displays such enterprise
shows itself not only worthy of the
exposition, but of the admiration of
all California, a state whose push and
enterprise are proverbial. 1t deserves
the additional sum it is now proposed
the commonwealth shall give, and pub
lie opinion, as expressed by. chambers
of commerce and other bodies, includ-
ing Los Angeles has warmly indorsed
the project.
1t should be kept in mind all the
time that this is not a San Francisco
affair, in the largest aspect. In a way
an incident, although a very important
one. Here is the greatest opportunity
California ever had, in one agency, to
exploit its wonderful advantages for
tourists and residents. If this exposi-
ton can be secured for California, with
across the country, it is impossible to
estimate the tangible benefits that will
be gained. Every portion of the state
will share in the tonic effects.
But even with such a splendid sum
as $1750O,OO0 assured for the exposl-
tion, the Endorsement of congress for
San Francisco is not yet certain. New
Orleans is working nightly for the
prize. 1t cannot hope to raise so large
sum by several millions as this state,
even with the help of the Louisiana
legislature, but politics at Washington
will cut a considerable figure in the
outcome. The legislature at Sacra-
mento should not only attend to the
financial part, but set under way every
other legitimate agency to win.
proposes to send an immense delega-
ton with the governor at the head to
Washington to lobby for New Orleans.
The California legislature ought to
meet this in the same or some othel
way, and take such other action as
promises results. 1t will take every
conceivable resource, it now appears,
to win this prize for California. New
Orleans boosters are using to good eff
feet in the east the twin arguments
that New Orleans is the logical place
because it is nearer the country's CEN
ter of population and that California
is the illogical place because it is so
far away.
The fallacy of this argument. which
ignores the great disadvantages of
Louisianas blistering climate for an
exposition it is proposed to hold
through the summer. is not prevent
ing New Orleans from gaining many
influential friends. California's ia
nous booster spirit is therefore sure
to meet a humiliation if it does not
quickly. After it has assured Califor-
MAS help through the legislature, it
must prepare to march on Washing
ton.
The Pacific coast is the logical place
for the 1915 exposition, because it will
commemorate the union of the eastern
and western oceans, the linking of the
far east and the new west in commerce
as never before. The Panama canal
will make the Pacific ocean the tfeater
of the new centurys greatest activities.
So much for the sentimental side.
But California wants that worlds fair
as a business enterprise. The stream
of traffic that it will turn this way
will add thousands of new residents to
develop our resources, and bring mil
lions Of dollars to add to our wealth
It is time to get busy if we hope to
land the prize.