The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-08-24
Alabama's Centennial
trusts

years OH, ana the nlStOTlc ocCdSloil should be celebrated in large, patri- otic and impressive way. A great ex- position or worlds fair in Birmingham would be most fitting. AS was seen in The Age-Herald's Montgomery cor respondence yesterday, Governor O'Neal has appointed committee to perfect temporary organization with view of holding "the Alabama Gen. tennial and New South Exposition" l." The Montgomery correspondent says "the project bears the indorsement of the governor, representative in Con- gress, senators and state officials"
 The commercial bodies of Mobile, Birmingham and Montgomery will be requested to name committees to con- fer with the state committee appointed by the governor. Both Montgomery and Mobile can be counted upon as earnest aspirants for the exposition; but Birmingham is obviously the place for it, and movement for celebrating the state centennial with a great in- dustrial show here was inaugurated in May of last year. MT. Harding started the ball rolling. He moved the ap- pointment of committee to plan for the states centennial and great ex- position in connection with that event. He pointed out with emphasis that it was none too soon to begin prepara- tions.
 The federal government would be expected to aid, and in order to se- cure an appropriation ample time must be allowed A committee was appointed to consider Mir. Harding's suggestions, and that committee will, doubtless, act promptly in conjunction with the state committee appointed by the governor.
 There are some reasons why Mont gomery would make an admirable ex- position city. In addition to it's being the capital it is one of the most hospi table cities in the whole south. Mobile is likewise noted for its hospitality, and it is a favorite tourist city, but Birmingham, the "Pittsburg of the South," the most typical of all the ''new south" communities, is obviously the place for Alabama's centennial ex- position. It will be comparatively easy to secure federal aid for a city of the size and commercial importance of Birmingham. Its population is in- creasing at rapid rate. Its estimated population, based on the recent school census, is between 150,000 and 160,- 900. In 1919 it will easily have reached the 250,000 mark; and only in large cities are expositions of national or international scope successful.
 The centennial at Philadelphia was the occasion of the first great expo sition in this country. k was a mag nificent success in point of attendance and educational value. The worlds fair at Chicago was another splendid success, and so was the St. Louis worlds fair It was different with the Jamestown exposition at Norfolk in 1907, which was generously aided by the United States government. Notwithstanding the great historic interest attached to the Norfolk show the attendance was small. Norfolk was not large enough. The gate re- ceipts were not sufficient to meet ex- penses. It was serious failure fi- nancially.
 Birmingham, with it's present popu- lation, is not large enough for real worlds fair, but its phenomenal growth will bring it up to worlds fair size in 1919. Let the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce get busy and keep busy on the centennial proposi- tion