The Detroit times., 1914-11-17

poned because Of the European
war or Is 10 be hurt by that war?
These rumors are rife In many
states, and cannot seem to kill
them and make them stay dead.
There is no foundation for them.
Postponement has never been
thought OF. and as a matter OF
fact about the only thing that
the European war will cost US
is the loss Of some ships from
our proposed naval pageant and
the loss OF the entries Of some
European champions In our ath-
letic events. II Is very doubt
full IL we shall lose any European
exhibits. There Is no chance
whatever that we shall lose them
all. Whatever loss we may suf-
fer will be so small as to be un-
important. Even supposing
France, Russia, Belgium. Austria
and Great Britain do not send a
man or a bale Of goods here (and
with the exception Of Austria we
know they are going to send
something, IL not everything they
originally intendedD. there would
still remain Spain. Portugal. Nor
way. Sweden, Denmark, Switzer-
land, Holland. Italy and Turkey.
whose buildings are already al
most finished and whose exhibits
are mostly on the grounds. There
will also be 81 other foreign ma
tions here. including the largest
exhibits that Japan. China and
the South American nations have
ever made. p
We shall also have the partici-
patton OF at least A OF the 48
states In the union--possibly As.
AS securing the participation of
these states and nations was part
OF my job. feel very keenly about
the matter.
All the railroad men assure me
that the attendance Is likely to
be increased by the war rather
than hurt by II. This exposition
is the biggest thing ever. II goes
as far ahead OF Chicago and st.
Louis as those expositions we're
ahead of Philadelphia. In 1875.
Just tell all this to any "croaker'
whom you hear saying that the
war Is going to hurt US.
The exposition Is 98 per cent
completed now, and our exhibit
space is about Ave times over
applied for. Nothing can hurt US
now except an earthquake or o
fire, and we are safeguarded
against both.
Incidentally, Michigan seems
likely to be one of the two states
that will not be represented here,
unless she wakes up. This was
the thing that got Miss Dillon so
excited. She said for the first
time In her life she was almost
ashamed OF being Michigander
when she saw the beautiful build
ings OF practically all the states
except Michigan already COM
pleted or approaching completion
on our grounds.
Although the movement to secur
originated In Detroi
is by no means the intention Of II
dvocates to confine their activitie
D this city.
I'VE propose TO interest the bus
ess men and manufacturer Of q
tiles In the state, and to create
eminent among the entire peopl
rhich will demand that Michiga
axe its place among the other state
the union" said Mr.. Leonard. Il
Tould be indeed disgraceful IL thi
reat state, with Its wonderful indui
rial development, should be one 4
wo out OF the entire union which wi
ct profit by the chance to exhib'
70 products to the world In San Frar
isco In 1915.
"The only reason for the existenc
{ such a state OF afYairs is found .
he fact that most Of our represent
I've business men and manufactures
o not realize that no provision ha
cen made for the display of on
roducts."