Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-07-07
PH|LA. FAIR PLANS
TOLD TO PRESIDENT
John Wanamaker Discusses
Project With Harding at White
House Luncheon
EXECUTIVE IS IMPRESSED

Washington. July 7.--Philadelphia' 8
plan for n sesdui- centennial of the sign
ing of the Declaration of independence,
set for 1926, was laid before President
Harding yesterday by John Wanamaker.
Mr.. Wanamaker. who took luncheon at
the White House, found the President
wholly in sympathy with the project and
impressed with the ideas az n means OF
bringing the nations Of the wPrld to-
gethcr and promoting good will among
them.
Although the President gave no def
mite promise that the Administration
was ready to pledge itself to the pro-
motion of the exposition. Mr.. Wana-
maker came away from the White
House confident that President Harding
can be depended upon In due course to
give the proposal his hearty support.
The visit Of Mr.. Wanamaker was CO.
incidental with a meeting in Philadel-
phia at which resolution providing
for congressional support was adopted
and will be introduced in the House to
day by Representative Darrow, of
Pcnnsy ylvania. The conference between
the President and the Philadelphian
took place in the White House Execu-
tive Office. and later with j. Ogden
Armour and Frederick w. Ipham,
Nlltlll man anu NINuShlNl Va NhS 1sNpNb
liCan National Committee.
President Sympathetic
"The President listened to all my
arguments with utmost interest, said
Mr.. Wanamaker. He is decidedly
sympathetic with the idea that there
is nothing like well organized world
exposition to promote and cement in
ternational friendship. In 1876 the
Centennial celebration marked 100 years
of American progress. during which the
American Nation progressed from a
population of less than 4.OOO.OOO to n
population of approximately 10 ,OOO, 200.
"In 1926 the sesqui centennial will
mark the increase of the American pop
ulation from X 900. 900 to more than
1l6 900 900. There has been larger
increase in the last fifty years than
there was in the 100 years preceding.
The freedom. fame and greatness Of
the American Nation all rest upon the
Declaration of independence. achieved
in Philadelphia July 4, 1T7G, and its
recognition Of them.
The preservation of these liberties
and the wholesome growth of our ma
tional greatness can be possible only 50
long as the great principles of the
Declaration and the circumstances
that brought it about remain closely
familiar and arc held in deepest rev.
erence by the people of the Nation.
ITO hold these things in memorial
it is desirable that at least once within
every generation there be some great
national significant revival and recog
milton of them.
1T will be Of tremendous benefit to
hold American bi-centenary celebrations
and revivals of the Declaration of Indc-
pendence spirit so that every new gem
Grafton will be inspired anew.
''To no other nation on the globe is
it possible today TO do what the United
States can do with honor and profit
to itself. 1t would bring the nations
together and unite them in good will
as nothing else can do as well.
'The President expressed sympa-
thetic interest and suggested that fur
ther consideration would be needed.
and in the meantime that plan of
organization should be devised that
would cover the points discussed rcla-
tive 70 governmental enactment and
the steps necessary to secure the in
tcrcst of the world generally. In such
an exhibition, with the prospects of its
success, the State of PENNSYLVANIA
would be interested to, support such an
exhibition. and that as all tho States
in the Union had been interested in
the Centennial Exhibition, it was fair
to believe that the States would show
a practical interest in arranging for
another exposition when the plans were
intelligently considered and laid before
the people
The President seemed TO agree that
the gathering Of the nations would have
the effect Of promoting the good will
and the inspiration 10 the business in
tercsts throughout the United States
and the world"