Evening star., 1925-09-25
RY Will. p. KENNEDY.

Erection of perma nent memorial
and exhibition building ny each state
in tn. Union on land in the National
Capital specially set aside by Congress
Is planned as feature Of a great
world exposition contemplated for
Wa shington in 1882 In celebration Of
the bicentennial Of the birthday Of
George Washington
Under a special act of Congress
committee has already been appointed
TO consider plans for proper ohserv-
anCs OF that anniversary. which will
have the cooperation Of the SulgraVe
Institution. the American Society. the
American Federation of Labor. many
patriotic organizations and foreign
governments. Senator Simeon n. Fess
of Ohio Is chairman of this commit
tee and William Tyler Paee. clerk of
the House OF Representatives is sec
retary.
The proposal for erection OF perma.
nent exhibition buildings by the States
has been presented 10 this committee
by Robert y. Harper. president OF the
District National Bank who first sd-
vocsted the permanent exposition in
Washington by the States in 1905
when he WAS president NJ m. Wash
inston Chamber OF Commerce.
The committee planning for the cele.
hration has not vet definitely deter
mined upon its character except that
II will he OF nationwide scope and Ia st
probably throughout the year. As
soon "a Congress assemblies leeisla
tfon will he introduced calling for
hear rings on the States buildings fea
tura and for conference between a
Joint COMMITTEES of Congress. and the
governors Of the States. Mr. Harper
has already conferred individuaIIv
with number of governors and lead.
ers In Congress and saws he has met
Win hearty oncoura cement.
As each State would proba hIy
spend 100000 or more in building 2
temporary State building here In the
event OF an exposition II is argued
that instead ut this temporary build
Ing which would he raised in a few
weeks. each State could we'll afford
to pay twice that sum for a per.
maDent building in which there could
he year-in and year.out an exhibition
Of the products of the State. cha nsed
seAsonahly. In Washington. az the
Capital City. visited constantly by
people from all over the world. the
states would have an unequaled op.
portunity to sell themselves to the
universe"
1t Is believed by many citizens and
public oficials with whom Mr.. Harper
has conferred that there could he no
better time for accomplishing this
most desirabl scheme of perma nent
States exhibits In the Capital OF the
Nation than by having the States
buildings ready for the big celebra-
tion OF the two hundredth anniversary
Of Washington's birth in the worlds
most beautiful city which he origi.
mated.
The question OF where these build.
inRs would he located has heen dis.
cussed. but not included in the recon-
mendation to Congress and the
Washington bicentennial committee.
50 "a not to arouse controversy that
might he harmful To the main project
getting authorize ton for the build.
ings. Promise has heen made from
influential citizens in several States.
however. that indicate there will he
a ken rir,lry to see which States
ru' up their buildings here hrst.
On" thought 1. to have the State
build nks line Pennaylavnia avenue on
the 'uth side from the Capitol To the
TreaS ury. Another is that the De.
partntnt of Agriculture experimental
farm between the Capitol and Airing
ton National Cemetery might be
turned over by Congress for a colony
Of States buildings clustering about
the great new entrance to the Capital
across the new. Arlington Memorial
Bridge now being built.
Another plan is TO have an avenue
of the States south Of the Capitol to
the river, beautifying that section OF
the city which was described as IAN
eyesore during the last Congress.
Proba biy the most. pretentinus smgges-
ton was to lay out n large tract OF
land In duplica ton OF man OF the
United States. giving each State
section located and corresponding In
form and relative size to existing
State boundaries. and with miniature
rivers.
In outlining his plans to the Wash.
inkton hicentennial committee. Mr..
Harper said. in part:
The object Of erecting States build
inks in or near the District Of Column
bia ia to establish at the seat of gov.
ernment permanent exhibit Of the
natural resources, as we'll as the man
ufacturin9. Agricultural, educa tfonal
and scientific developments Of each
State. which would be of value to each
as State. and also Of value to the
Federal Government as a whole
200 Acres Needed.
The Federal Government should
the ground upon which
these buildings are to he erected. and
by congressional action he free of cost
to the States and remain non-taxable.
both city and Federal. The necessary
ground must he approximately 200
acres to insure proper space for each
building and its surroundings. In ad-
dition. space for ample streets. ave-
nues, parkinEs. etc, and to meet flu
ture necessary expansion should be
provided for
Each building should follow. archi-
tecturally, the dictations Of the State.