Page:Final Report of the Northwest Territory Celebration Commission.pdf/62

 If the period or incident has genuine historic merit; is indicative or suggestive of present or probable future trends, and if its commemoration is conceived and executed for inspirational and educational purposes, this commission believes that there is no better or economical way to reach large masses of people. The question then becomes one of what funds are available and justified for the purpose sought.

The Northwest Territory Celebration Commission entered this project with the broad conception that an impressive and effectual commemoration program could be conducted for nominal expenditures of public money, and that being true, perhaps more such programs would be possible than if a few were held at high costs.

Whether this concept has been somewhat satisfactorily substantiated now remains for others to decide.

Northwest Territory Celebration was conceived as an earnest educational and inspirational effort—and to get all the desirable results possible for each dollar expended.

That it was timely and struck a popular chord is evidenced by the staggering figures of cooperation rendered the Federal and State Commissions.

Federal appropriation was $115,000 gross; those of the states $82,500 collectively, or a total of $197,500 total gross.

Against the Federal appropriation it is fair, in determining real net cost, to deduct the cash receipts from sale of literature, some $9,000, and materials and equipment turned over to other government agencies (cost $6,000—present appraised value $4,000).

This makes a net real expenditure of $102,000, and with the states, of $184,500. This does not give any effect to or take any credit for sales of commemorative stamps to collectors—practically all of which sales were net profit to the government.

Computing the fair value of all the factors, including gifts, loans, and other factors which made purchase unnecessary, we find the total to be $687,962.35—or 3 and 7/10 times the net appropriations for the celebration. Or, looking at State appropriations as cooperation with the Federal government, in' the same sense that other agencies cooperated, the government received $688,000 worth for a net expenditure of $102,000—or almost a ratio of 7 to 1. The splendid cooperation rendered and assistance given is among the best evidence as to the reception accorded the project. Total government expenditure:

Federal Commission $115,000 gross; $102,000 net State Commissions 82,500 gross

$197,500 gross; $184,500 net

Of the Federal expenditure about $9,000 is returned to the U.S. Treasury through sales of literature, and materials and equipment costing about $6,000 and appraised at $4,000 are turned over to other government agencies, making the real factual net expenditure of the Federal Commission about $102,000.