Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-12-06
MUST FAIR FIZZLE OUT?

TT THE fair project is allowed TO fzzc out
i no special perspiracity will he required
to forctell n season of regrets, recriminations
and belated explanations in the course of
the year 1926. The public will be found
wondering why its sense Of pride was so
weak, its patriotism 40 hollow. its concep-
tion Of the future so inadequate.
The prospect here suggested is one indi-
Gated by the present ebb tide of exposition
interest. Fortunately. however. existing
conditions do not inevitably imply that the
15Oth anniversary of American independence
will pass unrecognized in its natal city.
Time still remains for initiating prepara-
tions for Il celebration in keeping with the
meaning and spirit of an epochal event.
Most of the great international exhibi.
tions Of history We're completed within two
years and half after the commencement OF
actual work. There was conflict of opinion
concerning the possibilities Of the Columbian
Fair until within thirty months Of its OPEN
ing philadelphians have still the oppor-
tunity to decide whether they will be
reCreant or will cndeavor TO signalize the
rounding out of n national era.
As Herbert Hoover pointed out some time
ago fair Of the old convrntionalized order
would be beset with many formidable prob
lens. the attempted solution of which might
be Of doubtful worth. His dubiety. which
given rise to variety of efforts to inject
originality in the undertaking. Not all of
the ideas suggested have been happy.
The public-and in this it is scarcely to
be blamed-may prefer to ignore the ami
rersary rather than degrade it with bob
tall productions or with features Savoring
more Of n mummers carnival or of the circus
than with diGnitied and atmospherically ap-
propriate honors. But if Phiadelphinns are
capable Of combating their present inertia,
their ingenuity should be equal to avoiding
both eXtremes-that of collapse or that of a
lame and trivial nakeshift.
1t is suggested elsewhere in this newspaper
that world progress along its most attractive
and magnificent lines might be tittingly sym.
bolizcd and accented in the celebration
without running into devastating extrava-
gance. \ loan exhibit. cultural, scientific,
international in scope. and. above all. in
tercSt!ng. would make of Philadelphia for
n season the treasure house of the globe.
Rece"ilectioNs exist Of the highly sue
ccssfuI Peace Jubilee of Boston in 1873,
when masScd bands and superb choral
music enisting the services Of 1900 voices
thrilled thousands of auditors assembled in
u vast coliseum. Particular emphasis
might be laid on the art Of sister nations
and our own. upon dramatic and musical
attractions. upon the marvels Of modern In
vcntion.
The prize cattle, the giant potatoes and
many Of the innumerable drpressants upon
the enthusiasm of spectators at the ira
ditional world fair might be eliminated.
There would be few mourners.
The exposition program today stands
acutely in need Of IL tonic of ideas. En-
deavors to diferentate the fair from it's
predecessors need by no means imply shabby
or third d-rate standards of achievement. The
lists are open for entrants with originality,
taste and q sense Of civic obligations.