Pueblo chieftain., 1921-04-16
By Frederick ]. Hask!n

Washington, D. c., Feb. ia plan
for each state, and possibly each for
eign country, to be represented in
Washington ny a permanent exposi-
tion building is being considered. The
states spend large sums regularly to
erect temporary buildings at the big
expositions that last only a few
months. Now they are to be invited
| to consider establishing permanent
| exhibit buildings.
| The national capital has been rec
! commended as the logical place for
them for two reasons. First, because
state rivalry is SO keen that no other
proval, whereas Washington belongs
to the country as a whole. The other
reason IS that a permanent exposi-
tion at Washington has been urged
for over 90 years and congress is get
ting used to the idea that when there
is such an exposition it will be at
Washington. Back in 1897, there was
a bill providing 1000 acres of land in
Rock Creek Park in Washington, and
! since then there have regularly been
bills by which congress was to mako
it possible for the states to be repre-
sented by buildings at the national
| capital.
Something of the sort would un-
doubtedly be of great value in ad-
vertising the states. Most foreign Wis
lea see only a limited part of the
country and leave without ever gain
ing any real conception of its ex-
tent. Many Americans also have no
idea of the distinctive characteristics
| of each state beyond few facts
| cleaned from pages of a school geog-
raphy.
A collection of exhibits cannot, of
course. take the place Of actually
travelling through tho country and
II.
but tour of As state buildings would
certainly give anyone fair under
standing of the complex material that
goes to make up the United States,
At present. the visitor to the capt.
tai goes away with an impression OF
the Importance and dignity Of the
United States as a government, but
there Is nothing in Washington to
make him feel the existence of the
states for which the government func
tions.
States Poorly Represented
He is reminded of some ancient
history of the states in Statuary Hall
at the capitol. where a motley crowd
of statues is supposed to include the
state heroes. The basic idea of Stat
uary Hall was sound. and the earn-
est entries were names still familiar
to everyone. but since then, delegates
selected are in a great many cases
minor heroes. unrecognfzed even by
the tourist from his own state. In a
country as well supplied rs this ono Is
with really famous characters. Statu-
ary Hall could be one of the inspir
ing spots in the capital l0tty. 1t
could remind the visitor of the big
gest achievements of the states. but
1t does not.
In the Washington monument.
blocks OF marble and granite sent
. and inscribed by different states give
an excellent idea of the many varic-
ties of one product that tho differ
ent sections of the country yield. Most
visitors. however. have little oppor-
! tunity to regard this interesting col
lection of stones. From tho monu-
, mcnt elevator 1t is possible to catch a
| flectinE glanc of few state blocks
IL you happen to be near tho sides
of tho cage. To study tho walls more
carefully 1t is necessary to walk
either up or down the 555-foot shaft.
and this Is an experience that the
average tourist liz willing TO forcgo.
There are a few other vague re-
mindcrs of tho states in statuary and
painting around the capitol and other
public buildings. and congress Ia. sup
poscdly. collection of sample prod
ucts of tho states. Throughout the
city, however. there Is nothing to
givc any impression of each state az
1t actually is-its industries. art, sci
cncc. it, agriculture. products. and
commerce. An exhibit covering these
points would be visited and used nos
only by tourists. but by students.
business men and government and for
cign representatives.
Tho project is being shaped up now
for congressional consideration be-
Cause tho time is regarded as favor
ablc. The building industry is begin
ming to veer towards normal and in
tho time taken to have the plan en-
dorscd by congress It is expected that
"A public building program could be
mapped out at reasonable expense.
When Congressman Davis of Min
ncsota introduced n bill for a pcrma-
ncnt international exposition. in 1919.
he urged that 1t would not bc finan-