Evening star., 1911-01-26
A Canal Exposition for Washington,
To the Editor of The Star

| I have read with interest your recent
editorials in advocacy Of Washington
| as the most suitable place for the
Panama exposition. The national char
acter Of Washington as the Capital city
of our nation. together with the national
and international features Of the
Panama canal are the most potent
arguments in behalf Of selecting our Cap
/ ital city.
| To my mind there exists an unwrit-
| ten law in pursuance of the policy Of
| Congress in the past which is to the
effect that contributions of national
funds for exposition purposes shall not
| be twice granted to the same city. New
Orleans has had it's exposition, to which
Congress very literally contributed, and
this would seem to preclude it's con-
slderat1on at the present time, to-
gether with other suggestions 1 herein
make in behalf Of preference for
Washington.
Except the mere local features to be
found in New Orleans, what interest
would the people of this country have
in visiting that city. beyond the ex-
position itself, and the same may be
said of San Francisco; both are remote,
geographically. from the center Of
popula ton, and consequently difficult to
reach and inaccessible. Then, too. it
| would seem to be the duty of Congress
| to act in behalf of Washington, because
character and the national and inter
nationl character of the exposition ALSO
! All our people are gratified OF an OPP
portunity to visit our Capital city, and
| there is to be found here interesting,
! educational and social features far
above and beyond those which can be
found in any other city; consequently. it
is a very great question whether Con-
/ Il
should locate this national exposition,
different as it is from all other exposi-
| tions, celebrating as 1t does a national
and international event, elsewhere than
| at the capital of our country.
We have advocated, and we shall con-
tinue to advocate. state exhibition
| buildings to be located in Washington
| and there can be no doubt but that at
some time in the near future this can
be accomplished: consequently, If Wash
ington were selected, permanent state
exhibition buildings, not only for the
| Panama event, but to serve at all times
| in the future as a benefit and advantage
| not only to each and every state, nut
| to the country at large. even including
] our territories and remote possessions
| In these buildings could be deposited
evidences of art, science and literature
! of each and every state. their agrlcul-
development. Thus patriotism will be
inculcated, trade and business advanced
and an everlasting and important edu-
cational feature established.
Therefore, let Congress direct that the
Panama exposition shall be held here,
where, unquestionably. 1T ought to be
held. and provide the ground upon
| which each state shall construct its
exhibition or state buildings Less than
the cost Of a battleship would provide
| the land, and the money will De IN
vested where it will be, in my opinion.
| of far greater utility and advantage to
our people, except possibly for the pro-
| lection of our remote island In the sea,
which we unfortunately have to con-
troll. LOUIS T. SHOElMAhER-