The Washington times., 1911-01-14
TRADE SHOW PLANS
FAVORED IN FLORIDA
Jacksonville and Orlando
Citizens Would Build State
Structure Here.
PROPOSED NATIONS
BE ASKED TO JOIN
Convention in Capital to Consider
the Proposal Also
Suggested.

The action of the Chamber of Com
merce and the Board of Trade in unani-
mously approving the plan to obtain
through Congress a tract of land in or
adjacent to this city on which the
States may erect and maintain perma-
nent exhibition buildings, has met with
warm approval in Florida, according to
L. s. Perkins, who returned this week
from a visit to that section.
On going there some weeks ago he
carried with him letters from George H.
Harries. president of the Board of
Trade, to the presidents Of the boards of
trade of Jacksonville and Orlando. The
latter city is the center of the orange
growing section of Florida, and Mr.. Per-
kins says its leading citizens realize the
advantages they would gain by having
part in a permanent Florida exhibition
building and grounds at Washington.
Mr.. Perkins was invited to address the
Orlando board of trade, and explained
the details Of the plan. The address was
warmly received and the speaker re-
ceived i vote of thanks from the board
Committees were appointed TO draft
suitable resolutions and to communicate
with other boards in the State, with a
view to concerted action as to the pro-
posed State commercial representation
at Washington.
Letters Favorably Received.
General Harries letters produced a
profoundly favorable impression on the
Floridians to whom they were made
KNOWN" said Mr.. Perkins. THE Jack
sonville board of trade was In tho
throes Of its annual election of officers,
and could not take proper action on
this important matter during my visit
but the message from Washington
found quick and warm personal re-
sponse from President Francis 2. Con-
roy VINO declared his entire sympathy !
with the plan. Mr. Conroy stated his
board had started an inquiry on the |
subject, and that he was in conference |
with the Florida fruit exchange and |
other leading commercial organiZations
of Jacksonville. and with Senator
Fletcher upon the subject of Florida's |
permanent commercial representation |
at washington; Mr.. Conroy also eX-
pressed the opinion that, If given the |
opportunity, all foreign nations would |
be more than willing to establish their |
trade buildings and agencies at Wash |
lngton to cooperate with those of our
American States in the fostering of |
international trade.
Would Invite Nations.
While at Jacksonville, Mr.. Perkins |
heard the suggestion that representa-
'fSS Va l4lC COMMERCIAL
of the United States and Central and
South America, and other foreign ma
tions be invited TO attend a conven-
ton at Washington in the near future !
Il hope" he added, that the work |
OF the Washington Board of Trade so
auspictously begun at the New Willard !
last night, which Is IN line with the !
good work done by the Chamber Of |
Commerce in the same direction, will |
hnally result in making Washington
the most important and interesting city
on the globe. In order TO realize this
ambition, however, the foundations of .
the proposed permanent national expo
sition must be laid with an eye to the
future At least 1000 acres will be re-
CURED to properly exploit this idea.
The land should be selected with a
view to facility of transportation from
the city, healthfulness or location, and
good foundations for buildings.
Plan of Lease.
"One-half of this great tract should
be offered to our States on practically
perpetual lease for the purpose stipu-
lated; the other half snould be offered
to the foreign nations on the same l
terms. 1t would be fitting If in the year
1915 we could celebrate the first half /
century of peace between the States
bv the Inauguration OF permanent State
buildings at Washington; and if we |
could then see Great Britain begin the
erection Of her trade palace on a ten
acre tract loaned to her for that pur-
pose in the environs of Washington D
where she might show the best she
has to offer.
Such an appendage TO our city as a
part of standing colony of commercial
agencies would form a great balance
wheel for the worlds peace as we'll as
its commerce. The trade palace may
Danish the fortress, and the merchant
marine may eventually put the navy
out of commission"
Should Spread Plans.
Mr.. Perkins expressed the opinion,
judging from the reception of the idea
in Florida, that the Washington COM
mercial organizations would do we'll to
lay the plan before similar organiza-
tions in this country and South Ameri-
ca, requesting their opinions as to its
desirabIlity. He thinks that favorable
responses from the country at large
would be the most powerful argument |
that could be laid before Congress in
favor of providing the necessary land
The original suggestion that the
States establish permanent exposition n
buildings at Washington was made
about twenty-five years ago a Wash
was revived by Louis P. Shoemaker,
who had a bill introduced in Congress
to set aside tract of land for the
purpose. Since then little has been
Both the Board of Trade and the
Chamber of Commerce are now ex-
pected to devise plans for presenting
the project to the States and foreign
dorsed 1t, and E. c. Graham, director
of the Chamber of Commerce, has rec
commended that the plan be coupled
with the movement to have a celebra-
the Panama Canal. His suggestion re-
Ceived favorable action by the Chamber