We are loath to give up our exposition, even after two years of it, so we are to have three months of post nuptials. Mere merit would legitimatize such a long list of applicants, and might restore the Isthmus.

We also recognize the folly of even referring to this matter while it is in ferment, so to speak, but were we a Park Commissioner, which the good sense of the mayors and our good luck has prevented, we would deem it a prime necessity in parceling out the loaves and fishes from the exposition basket that everyone fell to a legitimate parking use. To instance any of these now would be only to give a handle to protesters to protest and would serve no useful purpose, but that there are such must be known to all who know the grounds and have thought of their disposition. Gradually those features maintained for straight exposition purposes must merge into park items absolutely harmonious with the general scheme. This brings to the top our extreme sympathy with the present park board, struggling with the applications of numberless bodies, thinking their title good to some of the exposition buildings, while this momentous problem of the maintenance of the exposition picture is so insistent. Possibly if might be worth the while of those who send abroad the message of the city to emphasize THE LIVING, not the passing of our Exposition. That which differentiated San Diego from every other exposition is a living thing, a heritage for the children of today, and not a passing show. We have been upon a short visit to a city north of here a mile or so and found it almost in tears over the passing of our beautiful Exposition, the prevailing remark being, “Isn’t it too bad your exposition is done away with?” Investigation showed that the Exposition in the minds of these people was not the exhibits, nor the Isthmus nor the special events not even the silk hats in which some of the officials bravely martyred themselves, but the lovely grounds and gardens, so to these it was said, “The gardens with the buildings that count in the picture are to remain and where inharmonious or useless structures are removed, additional landscape features will be installed so that, far from passing, the real exposition will be growing ever more beautiful. January, 1917, Auditor’s Gate Report, Box 1, San Diego Public Library.

Charmas in newtown