Evening star., 1940-02-25
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star
Washington was an aspirant for the
distinction Of being the scene of the in

washington was an aSplrant Tor the
distinction Of being the scene of the in
ternational exposition
Bid for planned so years ago
Worlds Foir for the celebration Of
the quadricentennial
of the discovery of America. Its chief
rival for this distinction was Chicago.
The Star of February II, 1890, says:
"The fight is between Washington and
other place than the Capital of the most
important country established in the
land discovered by the great Genoese
would strike every intelligent foreigner
as mistake and would not be approved
by the majority Of the American people
themselves. When Congress comes to a
decision, either next week or later, let
these vital facts be borne in mind The
peculiar advantages Of this city over all
others have often been stated in The
Star We recapitulate a fewSr them
Washington is the seat Of the Federal
Government, the mecca Of the States
and Of all the republican nations of the
world. Here are the great national
buildings, the great national monument
to the monumental man in history, the
great national collections of art; the
political center of the western world and
of the whole republican world is right
here in Washington. The Governments
part in the international fair can only
be fifty performed at the Capital
Money appropriated by the Government
for the purpose of erecting the interna-
tional fair building is practically wasted
anywhere else. The buildings are need
ed for the general purposes Of govern
ment and can be so used if the exposi-
tion is held in Washington, but cannot be
SO used if another site is selected Again,
Washington can entertain more comfort
ably the vast crowds who will come to .
worlds fair than any larger city the
accommodating facilities of which are
mainly in its crowded hotels. Our new
hotels and flats with restaurants at
tached supplement an otherwise good
hotel service. The numerous small ho-
tells, eating and lodging houses Of this
city surpass in their cheapness, COM
fort and convenience of location anything
known elsewhere in this country. if not
anything known in the world. Then,
Washington is next door to the great
seaboard cities and not like Chicago in
the heart Of the continent. remote from
the landing points of foreign exhibitors
and sightseers. We have here, in con-
clusion. all advantages possessed by Chi
cago and some, Of great moment, which
that live metropolis Of the lake region
does not possess"
Mansion were recognized as inadequate
so years ago and The Star
I~e."''e of February 18, 1890. thus
mons'o" discusses the proposal
NEEDS bearing on the subject Of
additional quarters for the President:
'Mr. Addison's bill will bring up q
new discussion as to whether the White
House should be extended or q new pri-
vate residence be built for the President
in another part of the District. The
Kansas members proposition is to ap-
propriate $3.50 900 for the construction or
purchase of summer residence. This
sum OF money seems to be accepted as
sufficient in all or nearly all of the propo-
sitions. The feeling is pretty general
among those who are personally cogni-
zant Of the shortcomings Of the Execu-
tive Mansion as place Of residence that
additional accommodations should be
furnished either In connection with the
White House or on grounds purchased at
some other point in or near the city, the
present mansion being reserved for an
executive office. The present quarters
are crowded. The space taken In offices
and public parlors monopolizes the great
er part of the entire building, itself not
large when the purposes for which it is
used are considered. Those who favor
an enlargement and improvement of the
White House wish to preserve that build
ing as the historic place of residence for
Presidents. to which in that capacity
many interesting associations already at
tach. II it is to continue to be used as
a residence during any portion of the
year, 1t should be rendered fit as perma-
nent residence. On the other hand, q
separate residence should not be merely
for summer use. II another. distinct
building is erected either On the White