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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 2, 1922)
PRESIDENT HARDING, BY SIGNATURE OF RESOLUTION, BACKS EXPOSITION! Nation's Chief Executive . . N. McArtlmr. Representative From the Third Oregon District. CONGRESSIONAL indorsement of the world's exposition to be held at Portland In, 1925 was first pro posed In a senate joint resolution, In troduced by Senator Chamberlain De cember 14, 1920. This was referred, to the committee on foreign relations, but was not reported from that com mittee and was "killed'' by the sine die adjournment of the 66th congress, March 4, 1921. ' ( . April 12, 1921, tne day . following the convening: of the first session of the 67th congress, Senator McNary introduced senate joint resolution No. 6, which was substantially 'a copy of the Chamberlain resolution. It was 'referred to the committee on foreign relations and subsequently came back to the senate with a favorable report, and. June 6 was .'called up by Senator McNary and adopted by unanimous consent. The resolution then came to the house. and was referred to the com mittee on foreiKn affairs, where It encountered considerable delay be cause of the resolutions relative , to the termination of the war with Ger many and Austria, which were then pending; before that "committee. How ever, July 16, the committee held a f earing and arguments in behalf of the resolution were made by Senator McNary, W. D. B. Dodson, general manager of the Portland Chamber of Commerce, and the writer. The com mittee forthwith ordered a favorable . report on. the resolution and it was placed on the house calendar, and on ltilv 97 Tnhn TanAh T? a-a. .In.. chairman, who represents the 6th Massachusetts congressional district, called it up for consideration in the house and there was a lively debate on it. Representatives Rogers of Massachusetts, Slnnott of Oregon, Arenti of Nevada, Chindbloom of Illi nois, LIneberger of California, Cooper of Wisconsin and I spoke In Its be half, while Representatives Garrett of. Tennessee, Goodykoontz of West Virginia and Blanton of Texas spoke In opposition. Representative, Gar rett, who Is the acting democratic floor leader did not, discuss the mer its of the proposed exposition, but urged that 'the resolution go over until the December session, as he felt that the time was inopportune for committing the government to the support of a world's Xafr. It was pointed out during the de bate that the resolution did not obli gate the United States government to any financial burden, but that It merely authorized the president of the United States to invite- foreign . governments to participate in the ex position. In answer to' this, those who opposed the resolution contended that official indorsement by congress would pave the way'for a request for federal appropriation fC little later on. On being put to a vote, the McNary resolution passed the house by a vote of 197 eyes to 29 nays, with 199 mem- ::, - " f. O . I .... . . 1 1 ; . . ir ' MlL - ...... w .1 ..V...' .. .-. V tf, i --. - i I I ' :V .:,.SK,...,.: ;,...v. H I , v 1 . "V, s1 ' ' " 1 ' if ' "m! 4 ' A - ' .v., . : - ). it?" - M V I i - I -x S : - t . ; ! 'jw & -'?4r AdMwW -w-v jJ1 ' ' j v - . S ) , ; ' .'11 .i-S ' ! ' J . "'J " ' P ?J " r V i 1 - - ; .-J , -x '- , . I ;s flii mMamMizBaiWOTmzi! I -i 41 f jf - , I J': . : I I A 4- fi ' " ,t.'. .. .M. 1 '-r;'' .-' -4E H Crowns Efforts of Oregon Delegation in Congress, ' A bers not voting, and on August 10 it was signed by the president In the presence of the entire, Oregon dele gation. It Is Interesting to note the various amounts -i money mat congress nai appropriated for world-wide exposi tions held in various parts of the United States. A complete list of these appropriations follows: 1876 Philadelphia: International Centennial exposition, -May 10 to No vember 10, 1876; national appropria tion, $2,183,184.59. 1884 New Orleans, La.: WorldIn dustrial and , Cotton Centennial ex position, December 16, 1883, to June 30, 1884; national appropriation, 11,650,000. ' 1893 Chicago: World's Columbian exposition. May 1 to October 30, 1893; national appropriation, $5,840,329.64. 1895 Atlanta, Ga.: Cotton .States and Industrial exposition, September 15 to December 31, 1895; national ap propriation, $200,000. 1897 Nashville, Tenn.: Tennessee Centennial exposition, May 1 to Octo ber 31, 1897; national appropriation, $130,000. 1898 Omaha, Neb.: Trans-Mississippi exposition, June 1, to Novem ber 1, 1898; national appropriation, $240,000.' 1901 Buffalo. N. Y.: Pan-American exposition, May 1 to November 2, 1901; national appropriation", $1,016,000. 1901 Charleston, S. C: South Caro lina International State and West In dian exposition. December 1. 1901, to giuiiiwiimiiuuwjiMuiMiMtriiMfttiwmmumiumM I ORIGIN OF EXPOSITION IDEA , ; Lewis and Clark Fair Figares P tant Feature By r. K. BmM'h. Pmidrnt Columbia Hy-dro-KlM'trtv League. NOW It seems, beyond reasonable doubt, that the Atlantic-Pacific nignways- ana ;eotricai exposi tion is' an .assured fact., and that it will be held in Portland in 1925, from the favorable responses received by Governor Olcott ir. acknowledgment of his proclamation announcing the proposed exposition, as well as tfre replies to Mayor Baker's Invitations to the mayors of the leading cities. asking them to participate, together with the unanimous vote in the United States senate and almost unanimous In the lower house, au thorizing President Harding to invite foreign nations; in fact, wherever the message has 'gone it has been re ceived with such favor, -as to prac tically assure a participation by all the lead'ng countries of the world. It almost leads one to helieve- that the war-worn world was anxiously waiting for just such an event as is proposed in the 1925 exposition, ded icated to the altruistic object of bringing all nations together again, to reconstruct what war has wasted, " .? 5 -.. . r.i- 5 . ' t i y zje&cyz. June 1, 1902; national appropriation, $250,000. 1904 St. Louis, Mo.: Louisiana Pur chase exposition, April 30 to Decem ber 1, 1904; national appropriation, $11,122,600. 1905 Portland. Or.: Lewis and Clark exposition, June 1 to October 1, 1905; national appropriation, $485,000. 1907 Jamestown, Va.: Ter-Centen- nial expos'tlon, April 26 to Novem ber 30, 1907; national, appropriation, $2,650,000. 1909 Seattle, Wash.: Alaska-Tu- kon-Paclfie exposition, June 1 to Oc tober 16, 1909; national appropriation, $600,000. In the canes of tie Lewis and Clark in Story of Project Launching by Now Is for All tt to Back Huge revive Industry, restore trade and commerce and for all to unite in a world-wide peace jubilee. From the spontaneous response, it would indicate that all nations were waiting for something to again bring the world together, and all that was needed was a mere suggestion to cause this desire to blaze forth into a flame that is increasing in bright ness with each passing day, and since the exposition has been so enthusias tlcajly Indorsed, the question is be ing asked, "How and where did the Idea of the exposition originate?" While I maintain all will .agree that the original suggestion of the expo sition is a matter of comparatively slight moment, and my reply to these" questions has been, that, like Topsy, it had no father or mother, it Just grew up (but it is Important who is golns to make it a success). Nevertheless it may not Je out of place to rive a brief review of the initial efforts that led up to the ex position, whjch has been so favorably, accepted by the progressive citizens of the entire state. t The Idea had its inception in the Columbia Hydro-Electric league, an TITE MORXIXG OREGOXIAX MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 1022 Aided by Friends With, I and the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific exposi tions, the money appropriated by con gress was spent in the erection of federal buildings and the installation and maintenance of federal exhibits; but in practically all of the other ex positions above listed federal funds were uEed for the general mainte nance and other expenses. It is proposed to ask congress for a reasonable sum for a federal build ing and exhibit at our 1925 exposition, but, owlng'to the heavy demands on the treasury for current expenses and for the adjustment of governmental obligations arising out of the world war, this matter will not be pressed durinif the present consress. lUIUllltUUlMHJIIUHIIJIIIIIIIIIUIIUIIIIIIIUHUIIIIIIIllllllUIIUIIIIIIIIIHIIIUIIIIIIIC IS SET FORTH! i Writer Who Declares lmpor-i Enterprise. UHHiiwuiiiiNiMttuiHHmuiMmnimiliMiuiin organization " composed of a .small group of men, interested in the in dustrial development of Oregon. The formation of the league was brought about through theefforts of Charles Coopey. who has for years been an enthusiastic worker for de velopment of industries in the north west, and with that idea in mind he mailed Invitations to a few frlendB, asking them to attend a meeting at the public library. A small number responded and after Mr. Coopey explained his object in calling the meeting, a general dis cussion was had, and the prevailing impression seemed to be that the number present was too few and not sufficiently "representative of the business Interest .to successfully ad vocate any -schemes looking to indus trial development. In reply to this sentiment, the writer maintained that most large en terprises of a public nature had been started by a few men, and seldom men of large affairs, as they were en grossed with the details of their per sonal business and could not give the thought and time necessary to initiate a public enterprise. Several success KSiA-.-,.',- .-. Big Vision, Making Way . . y&jrzzfoT' jp?s'j-yc yysz-y-r&yy . ful enterprises were cited, especially the Lewis and Clark fair and the story of the inception of that success ful undertaking was told, divesting it of the fiction that had been woven around it and the errors which had crept into the history of lhat event. It eeems to have been the telling of these circumstances that aroused the interest of the men whom Mr. Coopey had called together, so they decided tP go ahead and organize an industrial league. The writer was elected president; C. G. Adams, secre tary, and Dr. Emmet Drake, treas urer, and the meeting adjourned for a week. New members continued to attend and whenever they wavered about going, ahead there was a call for the story of the Lewis and Clark fair, and later the league had de cided to concentrate its activities on collecting and disseminating Infor mation regarding h y d r o - electric power with a N view to stimulating Interest in Industrial development on the theory that power, at a moderate cost, would encourage manufacturing industries, as factories would follow cheap power. It was suggested that a good me dium (0 attract interest in that direc tion wouTd be to have an electrical exposition and G. L. Cleaver, w.ho had been elected secretary of the league (as the secretary had resigned), pre pared a resolution that the Columbia Hydro-Electric league foster and pro mote a movement for the holding of an international exposition In Port land in 1925, celebrating highways completion electrical centennial and restoring of world peace and trade. The resolution was adopted, and in brief this is the story of the inception and launchlngof the Atlantic-Pacific highways and'electrical exposition. There are many details and inci dents connected with the earlier con sideration of the plan, but space will not permit of referring to them all. There are a nmber of men who ma terially contributed and helped in the undertaking and without their co operation it would not have suc ceeded. There was considerable difference of opinion as to an appropriate name and still more difficulty In getting someone to head the undertaking. for the State's World Show, Thus Assuring Participation by Foreign , Countries j ,....!.. Many men were 'suggested, but de clined. Finally Julius L. Meier re luctantly consented to assume the re sponsibility, since which time the public has been kept -informed of the progress made through-the splendid support which all the dally papers o( Portland have accorded it from the first, and when future historians write the Btory of the 1925 exposition, credit should be given to a large and splendid group of -Portland's business men, who have given loyal support. Few cities have so large a number of broad minded, liberal, public spirited .citizens, ready to get behind any move calculated to advance the interests of their city or state and it is entirely due to these men that such remarkable results have been ac complished.' , -When it is understood that Boston, Atlanta, Los Angeles and one or two other cities took up the -question of holding a similar, exposition in 1924 and 1925, held meetings-advocating an exposition in their cities and the local papers gave large space sup porting the scheme, but through the efforts of Mr. Meier and his associates they were Induced to abandon their undertaking in favor of Portland as the logical place. From its location on the Pacific coast where "the star of empire takes its way" and the en viable reputation which Portland had acquired for putting over all her un dertakings In a successful way, these cities agreed to join with Portland. This was most encouraging as well as the fact that the ' legislatures of California, Utah, Idaho.. Wyoming. Nebraska, Delaware: Arizona and many other states,' when Oregon's claim was presented, gave it official recognition Several . public spirited citizens of Oregon who were making trips to Europe presented the matter to vrj ous countries they visited and all the reports were Jiighly favorable aa to the way it "was received and in as surance that they would participate. The work done by our representa tives in congress met with the same support. Congressman Arentz, speak ing In favor of the resolution to In-, vite foreign rations, said: "I am In absolute accord with the people of Oregon In holding this exposition. The only way to get back to normal iinitmimimiiiiiuiiiiiiiiitiiiiiimimimitiniimimiiiimiiii mini iiiiiMiMtuim Miiir..iiiimiu.iiniiiMi.imtuiiniiiiiiity times Is to have a little " vision and optimism,, for everyone to work and feel like -pending a normal amount of money, and you cannot get to nor mal, times until you believe .in the future." ' Mr. Cooper of Wisconsin said: "In my Judgment the time, 1925, will be very opportune for the holding of that exposition. It will afford the first opportunity after the close of the world war for the people to get to gether at an exposition of this char acter and in this respect the exposi tion will be of vast importance. No body can tell what Immeasurable benefits this will bring to the busi ness interest of every nation and mankind In general." Congressman Almon said: "I have never heard any criticism of congress for appropriations made to assist people of this nation In making known to the world through these ex positions the achievements of the American people. There is no econo my in taking steps to prevent a great exposition, such hh Is contemplated in IUtUIIIIIIMIIIIIIHIIIIUIIIIIIIipillUMIIIIIII!IIIIIM 1 OLCOTT SEES Exposition Project Develops Nation-Wide Response, 7iiiuiiwtiwmitiHMiiimiwuiiMiuiiimiiiiiiuiiiuiuiliiiH By Ilea - W. Oli-utt, Governor 'of Orrgon. I FEEL that already Oregon Is re ceiving a beneficial Impetus from the fact that It has the courage and bravery to start under way the plans for an International exposition, in faee of the fact that the country, as a whole Is not enjoying such un bounded prosperity as it did a few years ago. This movement on the part of the state has demonstrated a spirit of optimism which la find ing a response from people in every section of the nation. The effects of such an exposition may be so. extensive and widespread; the indirect benefits to accrue for many years after the exposition la held may be so manifold, that an ef fort to cover them all either in a brief prediction, or otherwise, manifestly would be Impossible. I favor plans In connection with the exposition which will tend to take lntc every section of the state the thousa ntls of visitors who will come for that and succeeding years. They should be shown our mountains, streams and lakes; our wonderful coast line and all of our scenic assets which make this state a paradise. And above all they should be placed in intimate touch with our magnifi cent resources farm lands, indus trial possibilities of every character. the great state of Oregon. We ought to encourage thoso public spirited, wide-awake people of the great em pire state of the west." Congressman Llneuerper said: "Cali fornia adds her heartiest approval of an exposition .in 1925, to be held in Portland. I think it would be worth $500,000 alono ior the members of this house to visit the great out-doors west of the Rocky mountains. It will make bigger and broader men of many of you and you will not here after be quibblng over a proposition of indorsing an exposition of this kind." Congressman Rogers of Massa chusetts Bald: "I hope the United States government will be liberal In accepting similur invitations, relating to world wide affairs." These are only a few of the expres sions from abroad which now puts it up to the people of Oregon. I feel safe in predicting that In the near future there will be few, if any, who will be pessimistic ennugh to rale their voice In opposit Ion, MANY BENEFITS Spirit of Optimism Which Finds f Says Governor of the State. I horticultural and' tuner resources which make this slate doubly attrac tive to the prospective resident TJiese things will lie a wonderful ex position in themselves. As to the exposition itself. I would be opposed to the old stereotyped form of showcases, bewildering liulid Inns and long vistas of formal e hililts. They art) well rmiUKh and no deubt In their way, shciuM p.i; purt in. the Keneral plan. Km :h!s should be an exposition of nov-lt and dcllxlrt which would make Ore gou known to the world as a f.ale of Initiative, vitfor and resourctl'uinei-s An exposition of m-w Ideas aid of a new charm. To In- successful in the real sense of the word the exposition must be an exposition for all Orenoii Benefits of this- exposition s-hould be widespread to the greatest possible deyi-ee. There should be nothing pro vinces! about the show or its results The Jesuits should stretch to the farthest end, of the farthest coi v I have that confidence in the mnr. au'ement which" leads me to believe that all of Its work will be toward that end. and thai this will be an ex position for all Oregon. With suvh an exposition the results will he so beneficial, so gfeat and so permanent, that I feel a new era of prosperity for the state will date from the golden year of 1925.