Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-23
STANDPOINT OF ECONOMY
Utilization Of Exposition Buildings
by National Government.
ACTIVE PROGRAM OUTLINED
Chamber Of Commerce to Take Steps
-. April lie for Furtherance Of
the Protest.

| GRAFTON and exposition in Washington
In honor OF the opening of the Panama
canal In 1915 is growing, and the Wash
ington Chamber Of Commerce will take
| the matter up and push it hard, it is
said. Since the plan was first suggested
In interviews with members Of Congress
and prominent citizens. published in The
Star several weeks ago. the adherents
to the plan have greatly increased.
| That such a celebration and exposition
would be a great benefit to the National
Capital from business standpoint is the
| BELIEF OF many 1t is also believed that
| 1t would be far more economical for the
| United States government to hold the
| celebration and exposition here at the
| time OF the canal opening for. wherever
| the exposition Is held, Congress will be
called upon to appropriate large sums
to aid in the construction OF buildings
for the exposition. The government could
erect handsome structures here for such
| use with the understanding that after
the exposition was completed they should
be used by the government departments.
The plan. it Is said. should certainly APP
peal to the economists in Congress.
Cities In Competition.
There are many cities in the running
for the celebration and the attendant ex-
position. Among them are New Orleans,
San Francisco, Galveston. Tex. San Dr.
ego. Cal, and St. Louis. With SO many
in the field. It is beginning to be apparent
that the easiest way in which to settle
the controversy will be to fix upon the
National Capital. which, after all, many
members Of Congress believe. is the log
ical place for tho celebration Of the COM
pletion OF the greatest work which the
country has ever undertaken.
Preside President GUIDE Of the Washington
the matter would be taken up at the next
meeting OF the board Of directors Of the
chamber, which will be held the afternoon
OF April 5. II the board approves, as 1t
will, In all probability. the plans for the
celebration and exposition will be taken
up at the meeting of the chamber, which
takes place the night Of April IL.
|, Mr.. Guide said he believed Washington
ton. and that he thought Congress would
see the Justice OF Washingtons claim.
Early Effort Suggested.
Il have been heartily in favor of hold
ing the exposition here since it was first
suggested to me-" he said. Mr.. GUIDE is
Of the opinion that If Washington is to
make q bid for the celebration of the
canal opening the campaign should be
begun at once. Already Louisiana has
sent a delegation Of fifty men, headed by
| the governor and the mayor Of New Or
| leans. to Washington to ask the Pres-
dent and Congress to send the celebration
to New Orleans. Other cities are plan
ming to place their claims strongly before
the President and Congress. II Washing
| ton is to be In the running no time is to
| be lost.
Mr. GUIDE is backed in his advocacy of
Washington as the site for the big cele-
bration by many prominent business men.
Charles J. Bell. president Of the American
Security and Trust Company, said he was
going to work in the interest Of the Ma
| tional Capital for the celebration.
Mr.. Lisner's View.
A. Lsner. one Of the most active busi-
ness men in the city. said he thought 1t
would be an easy matter to arouse senti-
ment and enthusiasm here for the cele-
bration. Although the completion Of the
canal IL Ave years away. Mr.. IAsner is
Of the opinion that there Is no time to
lose, either. in placing Washington's
claims before Congress or In preparing
for the exposition.
ut will be the greatest exposition ever
held in this country" said Mr.. LAsner,
land 1t will take Washington q long time
to properly prepare for 1t. II the build
ings erected for the exposition are to be
used afterward by the government. it
will be necessary tomake them substan-
| tial structures. and work on them should
be begun soon.
The advocates Of the purchase Of the
property lying south Of Pennsylvania
and the Capitol for the use Of the gov
eminent say that this land can be bought
now and used as site for the exposition,
/ and the buildings erected on 1t can be
made permanent
Commissioners Approve.
The members of the board Of District
| Commissioners are in favor Of the plan
! to hold the celebration here. Commits
sioner Rudolph said today:
| such a celebration should be held in
| the National Capital. 1t would be a
splendid thing for Washington, and I am
| sure that every business man and every
| other man, no matter what his interests
| may be. who lives in Washington will
give the plan his support. l will attend
/ the meeting Of the Chamber Of Commerce
| and work for the celebration"
| Engineer Commissioner Judson spoke
Enthusiastically Of the plan.
| Il will do all / can to help bring the
celebration OF the canal opening to Wash
ington." he said.
Southern Republics Will Assist.
Director John Barrett Of the interna-
tional bureau Of American republics is
heartily In favor OF a great exposition
to be held at the time Of canal opening.
Mr. Barrett has not yet expressed him
self In favor OF any particular city, but
he believes that the other twenty-odd
American republics will enter heartily
into the plan for the celebration.
Gen. Clarence r. Edwards. head of the
bureau of insular affairs Of the War De-
partment, went on record In favor OF
II holding the celebration In Washington
He said that as the Panama canal was
i q national undertaking 1t seemed that the