The Harrison times., 1911-02-25
Personal Triumph of IIIinOisan in
the Contest for Canal EX-
position.
NEW ORLEANS MAY HOLD FAIR
Republican Caucus Plan to Restrict
Size of House Unjust to Growing
States-Guesses at Taft's Rea-
son for Abandoning South
ern Trip.
BY WILLIS j. ABBOT.

|
her and the United States at her back,
has sprung some political agitation
which may perhaps affect politics and
| politicians in the immediate years to
come.
Belatedly perhaps, but still with the
desire to express my own opinion and
to reflect in brief way the expressed
opinions Of a host of members of con-
| gress, some of whom were opposed
| to his proposition, | would like to re-
cord emphatically that the honors Of
the debate were won by Representa-
tive William A. Rodenberg of Illinois.
He spoke for New Orleans and lost.
| But he won such an ovation In the
| house as has not been seen In my
time. | asked a veteran member Of
the house Of representatives. man
who, incidentally was against the
Rodenberg proposition for New
Orleans-whethe he had ever seen so
| fine, so enthusiastic a tribute paid to
any member. mot since the time
William j. Bryan was carried out Of
the chamber on the shoulders Of the
Democrats after his great tariff
speech" was the answer.
Mr.. Rodenberg, though beaten, has
every reason to be proud Of the ap-
probation of his speech by his fellows
in congress. Illinois has every reason
to be proud Of him as a representative
who has made his mark.
Fight Not Yet Ended.
1t is not all over, this fight between
the gulf coast and the Pacific coast
for this exposition. The Pacific has
won the first two rounds and won
them fairly. But the gulf and the
Mississippi valley have not quite
given up the fight. They are talking
or their representatives are-at this
moment Of holding an exposition Of
their own at New Orleans, using the
funds already voted, exceeding $S,000,-
900, to defray its expense. Further
more they will fight in the senate the
passage to enactment Of the San
Francisco bill passed by the house
But the best public opinion obtainable
In and about the capitol Is to the Of
feet that the issue is settled; San
Francisco may take its prize, and
New Orleans retire to the outer dark
ness, where there is weeping and
gnashing of teeth.
New Orleans may console itself
with the reflection that worlds fair
usually results in a prolonged period
Of depression for the city IN which 1t
has been held, That was sadly the
case in Chicago after the Columbian
worlds fair Of 1898. If you talk to a
Chicagoan about the worlds fair he
responds with emphasis, Never
again!" The city was broke for near
ly four years after that great gather
ing of peoples from all corners of the
earth. The Chicago folk are still
proud Of the fair they gave, and out
of long experience | can say 1t was
the most artistic ever held, but they
look back on its financial aftermath
with dismal recollections. St Louis
did little better, but as a rule eX-
positions hurt rather than help the
cities in which they are held
Labor Issue Is Dreaded.
It may be different with San Fran
cisco. We all hope It will be. But
some Of the Californians themselves
are inclined to believe that harm rath.
er than help is likely to come out of
it. One Of the most prominent rep
resentatives in congress from that
state expressed to NE, while the vote
was in progress which fixed the place
for the exposition, his dread of the
labor issue which might be raised
when this colossal enterprise was be.
gun.
San Francisco is absolutely in the
hands Of the labor unions" he said.
when the exposition board begins
the erection Of the buildings, and the
beautfying Of the park in which they
are to stand, 1t will meet the imme.
diate demand that all be done by
union labor. | am credibly informed
lhul VIII Dt ltluStu ana
that coolie labor from Japan will be
utilized, II the demand is acceeded
to the yoke Of organized labor will be
fastened more lightly upon the necks
Of San Francisco employers; II the
latter, the state will have saddled upon
it horde Of cheap oriental laborers
OF whom II cannot rid itself"
Nevertheless California, az Officially
represented here, rejoices and Is ex.
ceedingly glad over its victory In the
house and even its opponents do not
fail to say that San Francisco will
make good A southern man in a
moment of acrimony said to me that
the vote was carried by "Tammany,
Taft and Hearst" and indeed all the
forces did cooperate as the vote
shows But another added to them,
James j. Hill, and am much inclined
to believe that the influence Of that
Nestor Of American railroads to-day
was the final force that fixed the spot
for the Panama exposition.
Tariff Commission Trouble.
In the congress of the United States
bills are sometimes soon passed and