THE NEW YORK WORLD FAIR, 1939

Evening Star, Issue 22632, 26 April 1937, Page 14

THE NEW YORK WORLD FAIR, 1939

[By W. J. Babdsley.]

On May 27, 1933, the marvellous “ Century of Progress Exposition ” opened in Chicago, finally closing—after being, in the first instance, closed on November 12, and reopened on May 26, 1934—0 n October 13, 1934. Those who were privileged to visit the exposition will'have some small idea of the possible grandeur and wonder of the proposed New York World Fair to be opened on April 30, 1939, the 150th anniversary of the inauguration, in New York City, of George Washington as first President of the United States of America.

When I was in New York Hushing Park area was a huge refuse dumping ground. Up to date some 7,000,000 cubic yards of filling have been tipped, but by the first of this month this and the adjoining area of a total of 1,216 acres (Lake Logan, the site of our exhibition, was 65 acres) was to be a place of walls, plazas, lakes, pools, and landscape awaiting the erection of some 300 buildings, of all characters. After this fair the area will be added to the city’s park system. The position is about nine or ten miles from ‘ TimSfc ’ Square, the heart of New York, around which the theatres, picture houses, etc., are situated. The estimated cost of the fair is £25,000,000, and it is anticipated that it will attract 50,000,000 visitors. These figures may seem very big to some readers—consequently, allow me to digress a little to give some comparative statistics, which will indicate that these figures of £25,000,000 and 50.000. are just “quite ordinary.” For the first nine months of last year, from six—only six—of the princinal cities of the States philanthropic persons and institutions gave—gave, mind you!—£8,000,000 for relief, betterment of health, religious purposes, sanitation, etc, Addison H. Gibson gave £500,000 to “ help the poor and needy,” while Alfred du Pond gave £200,000 'or a home for crippled children and the aged. Turning to the attendance figures, the tubes, “overheads,” and buses carried, in the city of New York alone last year, 3,040,794,240 passengers, or an of over 8,300,000 for every day in the year. They will still have to carry these passengers, in addition to the possible 50,000,000. So much for comparisons! The fair, when in full ojjeration, will furnish employment directly for some 50,000 persons, and, indirectly, about 150.000. One of the most splendid and significant edifices projected is the “ Thematic Centre ” building, the climated cost of which is £250,000, the floor space being 95,300 square feet. Here will be depicted “ the significant alliance between all the potential contributing factors to a better world.” Parking facilities are planned for 35,000 cars. The door of the Chicago Exposition was thrown open by contact with a star, I am wondering just how the door of this mammoth exposition will be opened. So far, I have seen no pronouncement. I would suggest that here is a golden opportunity for the Government Tourist Department and the South Islands Travel Association to be prepared to launch a big advertising of all the good things this favoured land can “ sell ” to America’s (and other nations’) millions who will visit this fair.