The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1922-10-13
No Exposition
For Mr.. Meier

Julius Meier; father of the pro-
posed Portland 1925" exposition af-
ter trip abroad, does not favor hold
ing the exposition at this time.
In his report on his journay around
the world, Meier said he did not re-
ceive encouragement for the under
taking in any foreign country. The
NV plan for financing the exposition
was characterized by Meier as un-
sound and he declared he could not
lend his support to the project.
Meier condemned as dishonest any
effort to lead the people Of the state
to believe that the exposition would
be financed entirely by the proposed
$3,000,000 tax on the city Of PORT
land. The state at large would even
tually be required to pay literally
for an exhibit, he stated.
"The original plan contemplated
state participation with the city, the
latter bearing $3,OOO,ooo, the state
100000 which would be borne prin-
cipally be business interests of Port
land" said Meier. This plan, during
my absence as am now informed,
has been changed, and it is proposed
to have the city bear the $3,000,0OO,
and the business interests $1,500,00o,
This plan deviates so far from the
original plan that it becomes an en-
tirely new one and to me is unfair
and not based upon sound business
Judgment.
at is my belief that for an enter
prise the magnitude Of this, which Is
no different from any other business
proposition or enterprise, in order to
be successful must be supported by
all communities and the state as a
whole. The benefits are not alone for
Portland and as / have stated pub
licly many times that this form OF
exploitation was for the colonization
and betterment of the state of Oregon
and not for the city Of Portland and
that while Portland was willing tc
assume and share the major portion
of the taxes and expense, in order to
secure the proper result, the entire
state must participate.
.In order to raise the funds for
the exposition it would be necessary
to have at least $6,000,000 raised by
all of the agencies Of the state and
no one should undertake to deceive
the people of the state into believing
that the state will not be called upon
for at least $1,O00,0o0 and possibly
$2,0OO,00O to make a proper presen-
tation Of the state at the exposition,
II consider any plan whereby the
state is not to participate is not hon
estly made. It was the endeavor of
my associates and myself in this
matter to keep it out of politics and
it should not be used by any individ-
ual for the purpose of playing politics
with the people of the state. To 60
out and tell the people Of the state
that the exposition is not to cost them
anything is done for the purpose Of
deceiving them.
II was informed upon my return
that it is now proposed to delay the
exposition until 1927. It is my
thought and belief that the matter
should be left in allegiance until we
should be able to tell what the fu-
ture will bring the other nations and
ourselves, whereupon proper provis-
ion can be made and a worldwide ex-
position can be held with credit to
the state Of Oregon and the North
west,
1T was assumed by some from my
first report or interview that / had
attempted to kill the exposition. AL
that I did was to report foreign con.
dition as / found them, and in this
am only making an additional re.
port and offering my advice.
Il feel it my duty to make this re.
port and give my opinion as to the
holding of this exposition. What 1891
will bring US under the present con.
ditions no ene can tell. Let US wait
a return to sound government and 9
safe basis upon which to proceed and
then combine our energies and carry
out our purpose.
Il do not believe the time oppor.
tdne for initiating the matters refer
ring to the exposition, and therefore
1 cannet give my support to the pres
ent plan-'