Evening star., 1916-12-12
HIGH LIVING COST
EXHIBIT PLANNED
Citizens Federation Would
Show Need of Economic
Preparedness, Too.
TO BE AT INAUGURAL TIME


High cost of living. national pre-
paredneSs against both economic and
military foes and the unamerican
status of District citizenship will be
featured in the big educational SYM
postum of Uncle Sam in his work
shop" which the Federation of Citi-
Zens' Associations. in cooperation with
the federal government. will arrange
for the entertainment of Washington's
inaugural visitors next March.
The high cost of living problem in its
principal phases. together with what
the Department of Agriculture. backed
up by the parcel post and other gov
ernment agencies. are doing to lower
prices will be presented on scale cal
culated to convey suggestions OF the
greatest practical value to every home
in the country.
To make this the big. outstanding
feature of the exhibit was practically
determined upon last night by members
of the federation who met in the board
room of the District building to con-
slider preliminary plans.
Mr.. Colladay's Suggestion Approved.
The suggestion came from Edward
F. Colladay, chairman Of the commit
tee, and was enthusiastically approved.
Mr.. Colladay also suggested the pre-
paredness idea. while Jesse c. Suter
proposed a District of Columbia ex-
hibit which would be instructive as
to civic conditions obtaining here. es-
pecially pointing out that District resi-
dents do not enjoy the political rights
that are conferred by the Constitution
to citizens of the states.
So impressed were the members by
the opportunity presented for expand
ing the educational scope of the ex-
hibit until it reasonably may be ex-
pected to benefit immeasurably both
citizens of the District and the coun-
try at large that Chairman Co!laday
was instructed to appoint subcom-
mittee to get into immediate touch
with the various government depart
ments.
The committee consists of Charles S.
Shreye, president of the federation.
chairman: Edward F. Coliaday and
William NICK Clayton, chairman and
vice chairman. respectively, of the gem
eral arrangements committee; George
H. Russell. Allan Davis and D. A. Ed
wards.
The committee will start active work
James L. Wilmeth, chief clerk OF the
Treasury Department. and during the
afternoon will visit the chief clerks of
other departments to ascertain to what
extent government cooperation in the
undertaking can be expected Infor-
NAL assurances received by the Com
mittee already Indicate, 1t is stated.
that there will be no lack Of co-opera-
tion on the part of the government de-
partments and establishments.
Would Invite Citizens Of States.
The general plan of cooperation as
proposed by the federation is that this
body shall extend an invitation to the
people of the country on behalf of the
citizens of the District to visit the
National Capital during the week pre-
ceding Inauguration: that it shall ar
range for reduced railroad rates and
the general entertainment features.
while the government departments
shall furnish the exhibits and be in en-
tire charge of that end of the under
taking.
Last nights meeting was addressed
by Morton F. Leopold OF the bureau
of mines. who stated that arrange
ments already had been begun by that
branch of the federal service to hold a
national conservation exhibition in
Washington at inauguration time. Mr..
Z
to cooperate with the federation, and
he predicted the same would be true
of every other government department.
Chief Clerk Wilmeth of the Trea sury
Department had expected to attend the
meeting and give his Endorsement to
the general plan, but illness detained
him at his home. He sent word that
the cooperation of the Treasury De-
partment could be counted upon.
Possible Sites for Exhibit.
There was considerable discussion as
to the best place for installing the ex-
hibit, the National Museum and the
building now under construction to be
occupied by the Interior Department
being the most favored. One of the
duties of the subcommittee appointed
last night will be to ascertain which,
if either, of these buildings can be
obtained
the House committee on industrial arts
and expositions. is preparing to send
an inquiry to all members of the cabi-
net this week as to their views on the
proposed exhibit. Mr.. Cantrills COM
mittee has before it the bill introduced
by Representative Tinkham giving the
approval of Congress to the fedora
tion's plan and authorizing the govern
ment departmentS to participate in il.
lust as soon as replies from the cabi-
net members have been received Mr..
Cantrill said he would call meeting
of the committee to take action on the
measure The bill does not call for an
and it is believed that
Congress will approve it at an early
date.
Proposed Action by Congress.
By Joint resolution. introduced in
the senate today by Senator Sauls-
hurv of Delaware, an invitation is eX-
tended by Congress to the people of
the United States to visit the District
during the week from February &c to
March A. to view the Capital city of
their country and to inspect an ex-
bibit of the various activities of the
government service.
The resolution, which originated as a
result of efforts toward this end by the
Federation of Citizens Associations.
grants authority to the executive de-
partments and establishments to ex-
hihit such phases of their various ac-
tiyities as is possible without detri-
ment to the public service. with an idea
of presenting an educational sympo-
sium of practical benefit to the people
Of the country.
Conservation
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