The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1915-11-10
CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION IN
1919 FOR OUR STATE
CTampa Tribune)


February %, 1919, viii be the one
hundredth anniversary of the cession
of Florida to the United States by
Spain.
In that year Florida ought to cele-
brate the centenary of its acquisition
by the United States in some unusual
and impressive way.
Why not in 1919, Florida EXPOSE
ton?
Not a county fair or sectional fair
or a state fair, as we understand these
terms, but a real exposition, national
in its scope, which will prove to be
the biggest and the best thing that
Florida ever attempted.
Can we do it?
Look at Florida's progress in the
past few years. In five years, accord
ing to the state census recently com
pleted, this state increased in popula-
ton more than thirty per cent. In
wealth and production it'has increased
at a much greater rate.
What will Florida accomplish in the
next three years?
What viii Florida be with three
years of development and progress
added to its present wealth and popu
lation and productivity and power?
We would have three full years tt
prepare for such an exposition, and
| in those three years Florida will b.
growing as never before, with mil
/ lions of new capital flowing into it,
borders and with its industrial i'm
portance increasing at an unprecedent
ed rate.
In 1919 Florida could build up AM
produce an exposition that would com
mand the attention of the world.
The historical significance of tn
exposition would bring to it fedora
aid and participation The govern
ment has literally assisted all SINH
lar projects. As Philadelphia cele
brated one hundred years of indepen
dence, Chicago the discovery of Amer
lica, Buffalo the commercial union o
all the Americas and San Francisc
the building of the Panama canal, S
Florida would celebrate the gentleman
of its transition from monarchy t
republic, of its coming under tn
hood foJJc of +bo C4orc ooI C4riDas
Into such an exposition would com
not only the states of the south, an
perhaps of all the Union, joining wit
US in our celebration of our American
lization, but the rich countries to tn
south of us-the West Indies, Centrs
i America, Mexico, South America, sig
nifying a closer commercial kinshi
and bidding for the favorable after
ton of the great republic.
Tampa, naturally, would be tn
place for staging this exposition, be
cause Tampa is the center of tn
states most productive section an
more conveniently located with refer
| ence to the neighboring lands whic
, would be asked to participate.
By 1919 Tampa will be city {
more than 100000 population, an
| amply capable of accommodating
show of the magnitude contemplate,
] Who doubts that Florida will /
, able in the next three years to "mak
good" on such proposition? WhC
ever doubts it doubts Florida's futul
, and its assured progress and prospe1
: ity.
|, The Tribune can name offhand or
hundred men in Florida who, organ
| lied and determined, could make tn
) project a success.
) Isn't it worth thinking about? Ism
: it an opportunity for Florida to c
something big, something national
, and with an abundance of time to pr,
| pare for it?
! Let the agitation be started nov
J in order that the movement may tai
: definite shape early in the new year
The Florida Exposition-1919