Evening star., 1919-02-14
1000 Acres Needed.

To my mind. the first step in this di-
rection. assuming that Congress ap-
proves the general plan. Is to secure
q body of land of sufficient size In the
District OF Columbia, adjoining the city
OF Washington, to accommodate the
largest possible collection of buildings
for q permanent worlds exposition
No less than 1.oea acres. a tract $500
feet on side, wokid be suitable for
the final and logical development of
the idea, although the buildings might
be few at first. Get the land. dedicate
1t to the purpose. and see how quickly
not only our own, but the peope of
other lands will enthusiastically sup
port Ii. In fact, through a system of
charges for exhibition space and con-
tributions. the cost of the land itself
might be returned TO our treasury. and
that of the buildings and exhibits and
running expenses met the same way
Within q few years the whole expoS
sftion shouid be seif-supportfng, and
Of such Intrinsic value to all con-
eerned AZ to pay for itself many times
over, If only from a social. scientific
and humanitarian point of view.
What is more natural than to look
fur clearing house of nations to fol-
lew the establishment of a league OF
nations? And IL America was fore
most tn bringing about this great
league, has she not the first right to
the clearing house, especially as she
can deliver the goods? And IL there
fs to be clearing house of nations,
where can it be placed IL not IN the
capital city of the country where the
league of all men had its rise? Placed
at Washington, it will have a distinct
International Importance, which no
one would attach to IL il IT were es-
tzbaished in any other city in Amer
lea No other city has the room for
II, nowhere else viii It be as "a city
set upon a hilI' for the eyes of all
men to turn to 1t, as in Washington
Let the advocates of az permanent
national exposition go ahead and keep
their project alive 1t all works in
the same direction. But let no one
think that one or half a dozen build
ings set down in the heart of the city
win suffice- Let all work for the
larger site A few words as to how
far this idea has gone win be inter
esting.
Other Cities Want Exposition.
Since The Star. IN February. 1907.
outlined the idea OF a permanent
worlds exposition at Washington.
Brazil and Uruguay have opened per-
tive capitals. The Hague. capital Of
Holland. has plans for a permanent
world exposition. as shown by consul
lar reports Constant runoors are heard
m New YORK OF plans Tor som sthtng
> OF the kind hsre. and about a year ago
a permanent exposition was opened In
the Bronx. covering a large tract
The results have fully justified my
contention from the beginning. that
neither New York nor any other city
but Washington can be regarded as the
proper site for an enterprfse Of such
worldwide Significance as this. II may
be added that a French enthusiast
named Anderson published very ex-
panzive book some years ago containing
fnil plans for . world capitol to be 10
Gated In the United States. and copies
c( this work were deposited with the
heads Of all governments Mr. Ander-
wishing to locate his capitol at Lake
wood. N J. He is said to have spent
fzan q million dollars in boosting this
idea have seen none OF his plans that
were made prior to the publication of
ezmflar plans in The Star.
While reconstruction Is proceedfns
mans should be made for an exposition
0f our states. and the plan of inviting
Latin America to participate should be
carefully studied large part of the
5,ooo-acre tract should be set apart for a
lplezsing to our netghbors to the south
and valuable to both sides. In 1914 Bra
IN was planning to negotiate for a space
for Brazilian building at Washington.
but the war stopped IL all.
The vast and growing interests OF this
country alone demand big space for ex-
Afb4f and we are in our youth yet.
Commercial solidarity will mako for
tssxtng peace Il rs worth Al II win
Gew Xaek caiz