The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-27
EXHIBIT SHOULD
 BE A GOOD ONE Chance to Advertise State at Panama Exposition COWART'S HARD WORK Commissioner of Immigration Says Large Sum Should Be Appro-
 priated for Alabama Ex-
 hibit at Frisco
COWARTS HARD WORK

he intended to work zealously to arouse state interest in the legislative appro- priation for that purpose was the state ment of Lee Cowart, commissioner of immigration. who was in Birmingham, yesterday.
 He said that intense interest had been manifested in Montgomery regarding the proposed exhibit in San Francisco and he believed a suitable one would be as sured. MT. Cowart said the authorities of the San Francisco exposition had been in Montgomery and prepared a bill which provides for the appointment of an in- vestigating commission to go to the Pa- cific coast metropolis and look Into the general proposal to sec if Alabama should make an exhibit.
 In talking about the movement, MT. Cowart said:
 Birmingham Is deeply interested, I take 1t, in the proper kind of adver- tisement for this state, and to maintain an exhibit at the Panama exposition .n 1915 is in line with such a desire. My department Is interested In all move ments to further the interests of the state and I believe proper advertising will accomplish as much good as any agency. I am very much In the hope that our lawmakers will agree to the proposed display in San Francisco. As I understand the bill introduced, 1t is made to read that, if in the opinion of the governor three years hence, the appro- priation can well be made from the state treasury then he is at liberty to make 1t; but if the state of the treas ury, In his opinion, does not warrant the expenditure, then 1t is not to be made. That seems to be eminently fair, as 1t leaves to the discretion of the governor question that comes up four years hence. The proposed exposition will not be held for some time. but the Alabama legislature will not be In session any more after this term for four years. Hence 1t Is imperative If Alabama is to be represented in San Francisco, that the arrangements should be made at the present assembly.
 Investigating Commission
 ''The bill also provides the appoint ment of an Investigating commission. This commission Is to be appointed by the governor to visit San Francisco and look into what Is to take place. This commission will recommend to the gov ernor what sort of an exhibit is to be made and whether to erect building or only secure space.
 "Exhibits al every exposition are valu- able; but In my opinion one at the Pa cfc coast show will be much more vau- able than any Alabama could make at any place. This opinion Is based upon the fact that recently this district and state has shipped to the Pacific coast great tonnage of products and to ex- emplify in a public manner this grow ing trade relation will certainly assist us in creating a larger legitimate mar ket there for a greater tonnage or vol ume of our local products. San Francisco at this time is laid with pipe made in Birmingham and so is Los Angeles. Other cities consume our special brands of coke coal and our best pig Iron. The foundry and soil pipe interests here sell great amounts to the western country. The freight rates have been made more reasonable and the local interests get large profit from the trade relations.
 "The exhibit of this state before the immense crowd which will go to San Francisco will insure the placing of this state in better position than at any time in our history
 Trade With Orient
 Another fact that should cause our lawmakers to look with more than pass ing interest on the proposed exhibit Is the immense trade which will develop with the opening of the canal.
 "When the Panama canal is completed traffic will be originating in the Birming- ham district for shipment to Japan and elsewhere through the Central American ditch rather than through the Suez ca nal, as is now the case. With the Suez canal Pittsburg and New England can put 1t over Birmingham when 1t comes to selling goods in the Orient. The San Francisco exposition will be visited by eminent men from Japan and the Orient and they can at once see what Alabama has to offer then and to what cost 1t will be. Naturally they will be interest ed in this great growing city and state and will naturally see that Alabama
 
 steel, iron and other products.
 While the principal markets for Ala bama goods are the southern countries, there is growing trade relation with far eastern countries which can be aid ed materially by the establishment and maintenance in San Francisco of this proposed exhibit. I feel sure that the lawmakers will realize the great good will grant the governor the authority to look into the question and exercise his discretion as to the eventual estab- lshment of the proposed exhibit. To my mind there is not at this time bet ter chance to spread the greatness of Alabama before great cosmopolitan class"
 Bill Introduced Friday
 The bill which is advocated by Com missioner Cowart was introduced in the lower branch of the legislature Friday It provides for the appointment of a commission to visit San Francisco, look over the plans and select a suitable place for an Alabama exhibit. If action Is taken now it is said Alabama will be given one of the best localities. The authorities of the exposition in an effort to appease any possible feelings of re- sentiment In the south caused by the failure of New Orleans to get the ex- position, are inclined to encourage and assist the maintenance of exhibits from the south As the Alabama legislature is the only one now in session 1t has