Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-06-10
THE sEsQUI.CENTENNIAL.

ose to observe the ono hundred and
ftieth anniversary OF the adoption of
no Declaration OF Independence In
heir city, which notable event oc-
urrcd on July I. 1875. More than
our years will clapse before this Inn
,ortant anniversary day will be here,
,ut that tims II mono too long for the
OF tho elaborate plans for
no celebration which Are In contem-
,lation.
Referring to some OF the plans for
suitable accommodations
md accomplishments for the Exposi-
ion. tho Philadelphia Inquirer says;
Promoters OF the Scsqui-cen-
tennial have reason to bc plcased
with the progress which is being
made with the preliminary work
connected with the Exposition.
Tho Council has passed a rcsolu-
ton pledging the city and Coun-
Gil to the condemnation of all land
necessary I'm connection with the
sesaui-centennial Exposition
This does not 20 as far as is
necessary and desirable. but II IL a
step forward. What WAS specific
ally asked was the condemnation
Of both banks OF the Schuylkill
from the dam south for public
purposes. There IL opposition TO
this. OF course. Most OF 1t comes
from the stockyard owners In
West Philadelphia. 1t is reason
able that they should want to look
after their interests. But 1t Is
not reasonable that tho needs Of
tho people-and public health, too
should be subordinated to pri-
vate desires.
ut is to be assumed the Council
has passed the resolution IN this
general form. In order that every
legitimate effort may be made to
protect the rights OF the business
interests bordering on the river.
Possibly some Arrangement may be
made that will be mutually salts
factory. but II goes without saying
that the time Is opportune for
cleaning up what has long been
an eyesore and a menace TO the
health OF the city, Tho Schuyl-
kill river should be one Of the
great assets OF Philadelphia. 1t
should be one Of the contributions
to the City Beautiful OF which we
have all dreamed. Now Is tho uine
to realize this vision. Portions OF
both banks OF the river are needed
for the Exposition. That fur
nishes the justification for action
a, thi. time. But every thoughtful
citizen has fel. that the banks Of
this stream should be improved
and beautifed eventually. Why
not do II now7
President Lewis calls attention
to the fact that the improvements
planned along the Schuylkill will
surely increase the value OF real
estate. and In that way add to the
revenue OF the city. In other
words, tho money spent at this
time will be In tho nature OF an
investment that will yield returns
to the taxpayer. One OF the things
that should be kept IN mind In
connection with Exposition plans
is the permanent Identification of
the city. The Sesqui-oentennial
viii be for the edIfcation and en-
tertainment OF the world After
It has come and gone we should
have something to show for Phila-
delphia IN the way OF lasting i'm
pruvements.'
Delaware people. especially ths
resident in Wilmington. have an I
pecial interest in tho coming ExI
sition and all its accessories. an int
est equalled only by residents Of n
Jersey. lying across the Delaws
river. That cur people Will be libe
patrons OF the great show throue
out its duration is not doubted. I'll
will, therefore, look with interest uI
all the projects OF preparation and |
complishment.
The great Centennial Expositi
which marked the flight of q cent,
following the adoption OF the D
laration, was held IN Fairmount Pa
most suitable and appropriate 10
ton, but It left little in its train a
reminder of the notable event. OF
It. important buildings, Memorial +