Page:Final Report of the Northwest Territory Celebration Commission.pdf/5



The idea of celebrating the 150th anniversary of Passage of the Ordinance of 1787 and establishment of Northwest Territory first took tangible form in the late 1934 when the directors of the Marietta Chamber of Commerce discussed celebrating Marietta's 150th Birthday and appointed a committee to devise a plan and select a temporary director. This committee consisted of Lew N. Harness and Walter Gerhart, both of whom discussed with E. M. Hawes the idea and possible directorship. Mr. Hawes refused the latter but did agree to submit a plan, based upon the premise that the historic events concerned in the settlement of Marietta were most proper for a national commemoration, rather than one purely local in tone.

This plan was submitted to and approved by the Marietta Chamber of Commerce in December 1934. A special committee of the Chamber of Commerce undertook the promotion of the idea, and raised a fund of some $3,000 by popular subscription to defray the necessary expenses involved.

Former Governor George White agreed to accept chairmanship of the special committee, and E. M. Hawes was retained as director.

The first major step taken was a conference between President Roosevelt and the Marietta Committee, Governor White, W. P. McKinney and E. M. Hawes. The President heartily approved the plan and promised his support and aid. This has been freely and enthusiastically given in the entire development of the program.

Next, followed conferences with Congressman, Senator , Congressman , who had directed the Washington Bi-Centennial, and others.

A bill providing for the Celebration was prepared and introduced by Mr. Seerest as H. J. Resolution No. 208.

This bill provided for a commission of fourteen, including the President of the United States: two members from each House of Congress (one from each major political party); the regents of the Daughters of the American Revolution in each of the six states of Northwest Territory; and three members at large, to be appointed by the President.

The Resolution also provided an appropriation of $100,000 for purposes of the celebration.

It is but fair to here interject that the plan submitted by the Marietta Committee was complete in its details. There was no element of asking the President or Congress for a blanket appropriation to be spent as might later be designed. The appropriation provided was exactly the amount asked—probably largely because of the definite plan submitted, and also because the amount was so entirely nominal as compared with many other historic commemoration programs.

It had been stated in the plan submitted that the complete program outlined could not be carried through solely on the appropriation asked, but certain phases of cooperation by other