The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1916-02-05
SMITH BOOSTS
COAST FOR THE
CE n | [ NNIAL
Gulfport, January Is.

Inc CenLenn1aI 1G6a Is caCcnlng.
Gulfport became infected and put
up $125,00 toward it; Harrison
County followed with apother $780,
900, and now it looks as if the State
will put up s25o,OoO. But the infection
will not stop here. The United States
Government and foreisn countries
will be next in line.
Several weeks ago the Daily Herald
carried across its page in bold type
this line
"The Mississippi Centennial is
ours"
Every development since has gone
to lend confirmation to- that claim.
The bonds authorized by the city be-
came legalized without one single
protest, and last week Harrison Coun-
ty agreed to vote s125,ooo, practically
assuring the big exposition.
Yesterday afternoon committee
composed of representative citizens
appeared before the incoming COVER
nor and laid before him the whole
Centennial plan, and those who know
Theodore G. Bilbo crese5 him with
enough sense to want to make the ex-
position the one big thing during his
administration.
The claim that the Mississippi Gen.
tennial is ours, is not a boast but
fact that will be backed up by every
section of Mississippi
JOHN L. SMITH TALKS
John L. Smith, who was connected
with Panama-Pacifc Exposition at
San Francisco and who while here
last week expressed himself in favor
of the Centennial, gave the Jackson
Clarion-Ledger the following inter-
view Thursday:
"John L. Smith, chairman of the
Mississippi Exposition Commission,
reached Jackson yesterday afternoon
from Gulfport where he has been for
several days looking after business
matters. Mr.. Smith stassI last night,
that the Expositisn ssioa will
not be able to make it's ysfial report
for a week or two and this week he
has been to Biloxi to get the report
of Mrs. Mary Fl. Evans, who was as
sistant manager and hostess at the
Panama-Pacific Exposition. He also
secured the final report of the treas
urer.
"Mr. Smith has been much COM
plimented on his efforts in making the
Mississippi exhibit at San Francisco
a success and especially in view of
the fact that he undertook the WORK
in spite of a stormy financial period
when money was extremely tight
"Asked about the success of the
Mississippi exhibit last night Mr..
Smith declined to comment, saying
that he preferred to let others express
their opinions. However he said,
If you just want me to tell you some
thing, / will tell you of some Of the
things I saw on the coast this week.
"'The people of that section are the
hardest boosters on earth. The city
of Gulfport recently issued or rather
voted to issue bonds in the sum of
$125,000 for the Mississippi Centen-
nial. No sooner had this been done
than Harrison County came across
with a similar bond ISSUE In addi-
ton to these the county has voted a
bond issue for a permanent. 25-mile
boulevard, electric lighted the whole
way and which will be one of the
best roads in America when COM
pleted.'
"sWill the people of the Coast ask
the present Legislature session for a
bond issue for the Centennial p was
asked Mr.. Smith. Certainly was his
reply, 'and / believe the legislature
will give them dollar for dollar the
amount that has been apr fed
for the purpose by tl,e co mtg and
city. More than tl IS, the National
Congress will be asked Tor hs ~ mil
lion dollars at least.
Continuing, Mr.. Smith said !; The
people Of Gulfport ale SO entl1usia astic
over this proposition that have