Evening star., 1939-08-03
World 'sFair in Capital
In 1943 |ndorsed by
Oldest Inhabitants
Venetian Garden Motif
In Anocostio Valley
Is Proposed

Icolll anniversary Va VIC laying Va
the cornerstone of the Capitol
Building was approved unanimously
last night by the Association of Old
est Inhabitants of the District of
Columbia, at Old Union Engine
House.
The proposal was presented by its
originator, William v. Mahoney,
who is acting president of the
Worlds Fair Development Co., Inc.
The association heard a report by
James F. Duhamel, acting as chair
man for committee of five from
the association previously named to
consider Mr.. Mahoney's recommen-
dation.
Outlining features of the proposal,
Mr.. Mahoney said he had conferred
with certain Government officials,
who could not be quoted officially.
The most favored site for such
fair would be, he said, on the up
per section of the Anacostia River
Valley where the Government owns
a large tract of land. Adjacent to
this site is the arboretum, which he
said was not yet fully developed,
and some farm land belonging to
Government school,
Plans Venetian Motif.
Mr. Mahoney envisioned a fair
designed on the general plan of
Venetian gardens on islands in the
Anacostia, reached by picturesque
bridges and gondolas, and featured
by water park" which, he said.
has never been developed at any of
the fairs ever held in the United
States.
Recommending a fair of about
900 to 800 acres, to cost about one
third what the New York Fair has
cost, Mr.. Mahoney outlined two pos
sible obstacles possibility of a
world war and difficulties of financ-
ing such project He thought
Congress might be willing to help
finance such a fair. or authorize
50-year bond issue sufficient to
float it. Believing there was suf-
fcient public spirit" here to make
such a fai1 a success and self
liquidating," Mr. Mahoney told the
association that in his opinion such
a project would be of great benefit
to business here in Washington.
Mr.. Mahoney said he had mo
ak to grind" except that he would
like to see the fair run on the ''high-
est possible moral standards, for
educational purposes" with sale of
alcoholic liquors prohibited. and
without the exhibition of women
indecently"
The Worlds Fair Development Co.
has been incorporated under the
laws of the District of Columbia.
and consists now of about 20 per-
sons, Mr.. Mahoney said. His pro-
posal is pending before the Fedora
ton of Citizens Associations and
has been referred to Mr.. Duhamel,
who is chairman of the Fedora
tons Committee on Public Celebra-
tions.
Tells of Philadelphia Incident"
Jesse c. Suter. vice president of
the association, who presided, pre-
sented the history of the incident
which led to the exclusive legiSla-
ton" provision over the Federal
Seat of Government-the revolt Of
troops which marched on the build
ing in Philadelphia where both Con-
gress and the Executive Council of
the State were sitting and de-
manded redress of their grievances.
Mr. Suter also called attention of
the association to recent speech
by Senator Capper of Kansas in
the Senate favoring national repre-
sentation for the District of Colum-
bia. Reprints of the address will
be sent members of the association,
Mr.. Suter said.
Attention of the members also
was directed by Mr. Suter to new
book entitled Democracy or Despot-
ism in the American Capital" just
published by the widow of James
Hugh Keeley, sr, lawyer Of this city,
in a memorial edition. Mr. Suter
referred to the late Mr.. Keeley as
one who conducted campaigns for
suffrage in this city, and explained
that the book contained much val
liable historical information con-
corning the District of Columbia,
as a result of the authors remark
able research
Donald Kane of the Consumers
Council of Washington explained
that Mrs. John Boyle, jr., chairman
of the council, who had been sched-
uled to address the meeting last
night, could not appear because of
illness. He said she would like to
address a future meeting of the
association.
A letter was read from Thomas
B. Walker of 5000 New Hampshire
avenue NE, protesting that COM
pass on the floor of the lobby of
the new Post Office Department
was wrong, and asked an investi-
cation. He said south points north"
Harry Iardello was elected a new
member of the association.