The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1922-09-28
CROWD LIGHT
MONDAY NIGHT
BUT FEW HEAR EXPOSITION DEBATE
]. E. Gratke and C. c. Chapman Discuss
Portland Fair Measure at Pine
Grove Grange Hall

v
cratic gubernatorial nominee, filled the
Pine Grove Grange hall, debate last
! Monday night on the 1925 Portland
Fair bill, with John E. Gratke uphold
| ing the measure and G. G. Chapman
opposing it. drew less than half a
| houseful. The lack of attendance may
be accredited. it is said to the begin
ming of apple harvest and waning
| local interest in the proposed exposi-
ton.
Mr.. Gratke, who has been connected
with the organization in charge of the
fair campaign since its beginning, de-
veloped the need for Oregon to adver-
tise her latent resources. He cited
that the proponents of the fair origin
ally conceived the idea of exploiting
the states hyrdo-eleetric energy, and
later they developed plans for cele-
brating the era of motor transporta-
tion and the completion of a magnih
cent highway system in the state. He
| briefly outlined the history of the fair
organization and how number of pub
| lie spirited Portland citizens had
brought about a statewide organiza-
tion, with citizens who had been on
county Liberty Loan campaigns APP
pointed by the governor to serve on
| the committee.
at was the idea of these citizens. .
declared Mr.. Gratke, ''to develop a
public movement in Oregon like some
great symphony orchestra.
Mr.. Gratke cited the plans for
financing the fair through taxation
made possible by the action of spe-
ciaI session of the legislature. he
recalled the turn of the tide there, re-
sulting he declared by the broadcasting
of inuendoes.
Mr.. Gratke declared that Portland
merely wanted the privilege of voting
the So, 900, 600 special tax, not possible
unless through constitutional amend
ment voted for by the entire Oregon
electorate. The fair will be made
such in the end, he said, that the rest
of the state cannot afford not to join
| in.
Critics, Mr.. Gratke said, had recent
ly taken a letter of Julius l.. Meier,
who headed the exposition organiza-
tion, as bombshell against the ex-
position. This letter, he declared,
merely showed that Mr. Meier had
found conditions in Europe at such low
ebb that he considered that the fair
could not be carried out on the i'm
mense scale originally outlined The
affirmative speaker, however, declared
that unlimited support would be drawn
from the Orient and South America.
Mr. Chapman admitted that the ex
position idea was a beautiful one anC
that it had grown like snowfall
rolled down a hill side. He, however
declared that it was not so appealing
on closer analysis. Mr.. Chapman
pointed out that the Lewis and CLARK
exposition had caused the people Of
Portland to be so busy that they haC
allowed Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane,
Wash, to grow faster than she her
self had grown. Los Angeles, he said
is the fastest growing city on the Pa
cific Coast, and here, he cited. citizens
have carefully guarded against the ex
position idea. Mr.. Chapman admitted
! the need to advertise, but he urged
that the state be further developed
before so huge a sum be spent on ad
vertising.
Mr.. Chapman further declared that
all former expositions had been largely
financed by public subscription, but hi
charged that in this instance the Port
land fair promoters have been unwill
ing to invest any of their own funds
prefering to provide joy party at the
expense of taxpayers. He placed |
different Interpretation on the letter Of
MIR. Meier from that given by Mr.
Gratke, declaring that Mr.. Meier saw
the need for some other kind of adver
tising for the state.
/ Mr.. Chapman charged that the Port
land fair will not increase the price o
a box of apples one cent. He declared
that it will result in increased taxa
tion, and that it will thus automatic
ally make Oregon home buying by in
coming tourists less attractive. H'
claimed that Portland is divided on thu
fair and that substantial element o
the business people are sick and tire
of the fair.
"The thing for us to do now," salt
Mr.. Chapman, ''is to attend to bust
ness and forget about lot of jO.
parties.
Mr.. Chapman declared that the fai
proponents had lodged the query as {
what participation the state would b
called on for until finally the Oregon
ian had "let the cat out of the bag,
when it had stated that Oregon woul
naturally have to join in plans befor
any participation by other states coul
be called for.
cit will cost us at least 81 900. 90
additional taxes" said Mr.. Chapman
"and this perhaps can be voted by tn
legislature without exceeding the legs
limitation. But why not have ou
taxes decreased by s, 1000, CO0I
Mr.. Chapman predicted that IN
large element of non-taXpaying voter
in Portland will give the constitutions
amendment a majority there, but b
completed his main speech by an az
peal to rural Oregon to help the Ia
burdened citizens of the metropolis
freeing themselves of this additions
burden.
Following the main addresses tn
members Of the work committee Of th
grange served ice cream cUnes dUrin
a l0-minute Intermission.
In his rebuttal Mr.. GTatke denie
that the fair proponents we're launcf
ing a circus or show, but that thei
ideas comprehended a gigantic, col
blOOded business proposition for th
whole state. he resented the claii
Of Mr.. Chapman that Mayor Bake
was out over the state as a self-cOnst
tnted booster for the fair.
He has been chosen. said Nj
GTatke, las a lesder Of this movemer
hy a group Of prominent Portland mel
Mr. Grstke declared that Mr.. Char
mans appeal for votes against a
measures that call for taxation woui
lead the people back TO an era OF retr'
gressi0H, wherein they would sbsndo
tneir conveniencas Of the age and the
magnificent system Of highways.
Mr. Grstke developed the need