The Washington times., 1919-05-13
Mrs. Henderson Says
Land Is Available in
D. G.. For Exposition

Mrs. John 2. Henderson, a leader
in civic improvement plans for Wash
ington. today issued the following
statement.
I'VE may be thankful sthat the time
is at last ripe for the subject of a
permanent international exposition at
Washington, to be one Of general ins
terest g ~
at various times in former years
enthusiastic persons have gone in
print to make known their individual
plans for what they considered not
only of greatest Importance for ma
tiOnal prosperity and permanent in
ternational peace, but what would
rank in Importance for the glory OF
Washington with the building or the
Capital itself. It has taken a dis
astrous expenditure of life and money
for the greatest war in history to
now bring to fOreT1ost eoHsidefatfon'
any and every means for the financial
rehabilitation of mankind in general
For the last six weeks various
conferences with members of Con-
gress and others have emphasized sew
eral points as to plans.
"1-That an international perma-
nent exposition shall be planned and
but by the National Government it
self.
THAT the coming Congress will
be enthusiastic for whatever develops
worldwide prosperity and a most i'm
portant factor for The industries will
be convenient and attractive means
for displaying and studying the wares
OF the entire commercial world.
VIII he Enthusiastic.
"5-That it goes without saying
that every State governor and every
head of chambers of commerce and
trade will now be equally enthusiastic
in the scheme, be it understood that
il will be judiciousIy conducted BY
the Government itself, at no ruinous
cost to an already tax-burdened
people, and moreover, in view OF
economy the watchWOrd Of the new
Congress. It will simply make it
not easier but pleasantcr for Con-
gress TO launch this exposition
scheme when backed by the ex-
pressed appreciation Of the outside
country. This appreciation will prob
ably be seconded by the commercial
! Pan-American congress to assemble
/ here next month.
4. AS to cost. When we hear OF
millions and billions to be raised for
/ other purposes, not to mention me.
MORALS in general, it is gratifying &c
know that this great exposition
! project need cost the Government but
very little, and no demands on indi.
viduals for subscriptions as has beer
necessary for other expositions neeC
be feared, a small committee com.
posed OF well-known officials (pref.
erably our three District Commits,
sioners), a few letters and postage
stamps to send TO governors and
heads OF commerce and trade are sur.
ficient for the initial work.
! Congress slow.
;. We know that heretofore Con
gress has been and probably will b,
bit slow about acquiring land fol
public use, especially when buildings
have to be purchased.
! .. We may again congratulate our
! selves that sites OF Il thousand acres
! may be acquired by the Government
with little consideration Of cost. 4
bill was introduced in Congress il
S9T for the use OF u thousand acre!
in Rock Creek park, for the purpost
Of a permanent exposition. This tract
was purchased by the Government
| some thirty years ago and has neVeI
! been developed for public benefit. Tina
now in use as a public park consist.
Of some nine hundred acres south o.
this thousand-acre tract.
! There is a second tract Of land idaa
| for this exposition purpose. 1t lie:
on the waterfront between the Al
! lington estate and the Highway
bridge. OF this tract the Government
~r-oo6'- Owns ~~-7o -" ~"'r'. -rd ~