New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-03-14
THE WORLDS FAIR.
TALK WITH MR.. McELRATH.

| TALK WITH MR.. MCELRATH.
| SUFFICIENT TIME LEFT FOR The PREPARA1ryTs-
OBSTACLES WHICH HAVE BEEN MET-THE MONEY
| TO BE RAISED.
A TRIBUNE reporter had n conversation yes
terday with Mr. McElrath, of tho Worlds FAIR Commits
sOD about the prospects OF the enterprise. Il
follows:
"If the necessary amount OF money were now sub
scrbed there time enough to get ready for the opening
OF the Fair in the spring OF 1883 90
Yes, there Il ample time. n the plans agreed
upon during the the contracts be made in the
fall the timber and iron prepared in the following win
ter and the construction of the budngsIcan be pushed
forward in the spring of 1882. and they ay all be com
peted By the 1st Of March, 1888"
" How about tho grading OF the groundsl'
The grading can all b. done during the coming fall
and winter"
How do you account for the delay in procuring sub
scriptions for the fret million OF dollars 9"
Several circumstances combined 20 prevent subscrp-
tlons well understood that the gentlemen who
known the Hilton Committee refused cooperate
with the Commissioners and although it cannot be said
that they openly opposed the enterprise they asserted
that it would bea failure Having thus predicted 1t was
bat consistent for them not only to refuge to subscribe
but to stick to their prediction Whether intended
not, this had the effect Of destroying confidence The
press oO with few exceptions either sympathlzed with
the Hilton Committee found fault with the site. But
the members OF the Executive Committee compare
favOrably with the Hilton Committee In wealth well
in character and commercial standing Although 1t
always thought to be desirable to have Mr.. Hilton
and hts friends with u.s. yet the thought never enter
tanned that the City OF Eew-YOrk could not furnish capt.
M and character enough for the enterprise without the
twelve gentlemen who formed this committee. Il will
be somewhat mOrfyng perhaps to city pride II In this
are found to be mistaken. MrWlliam L. Vanderbilt.
when he subscribed OOO said that he believed there
were 100 men in Ne Work VINO would subscribe like
amount and the number who would each subscribe
$4,000 This considered but q reasonable estimate,
but the jealousy OF the advocates Of the proposed
Sites for ne Exhibition very seriously intcrCred with
sb4crptlo aud the cod water thrown upon the efforts
al the committee by the press has so lar mptCeu tue
work as to seriously icoplrdlze Oh" undertaking.
Are you likely TO obtain. subscription or any assist
anCr from the Guy OF New. York :"
1t IL we'll understood here but probably not generally
known elsewhere, that the city prohibited by cOustl
t'Ional restrictions from luaklnS any APpIoniu,u ~
money subscribing for capital stock or III any way lend
ing lis credit Tor any such purpose rms Exhibition
Just what 1t can TO- or may be disposed TO no. mas NOT
50 lar az anu ihtorhct Dcel determined OF even as
cu'sed by the cIty authorities TncfG no rca~On how
ever Ia believe that the city VIII he OtheiTlS than
liberal tar II has The II is within ia power
10 nuen sewer. pave and put down sidewalks Oh the
niin street loading from the Hudson to tho Harlem
hlycr, known on toe plan OF tn" city as DIcklOan or
InwOOdbt; ana IN compliance with tie wishes II the
of tho property To make this street zoo feet
instead OF 100 fee; vide. and II Necessary 20 drain or
other STREETS within the limits Of the Far grounds
Tbs nuch may WIN proprlety be- asArd Ior ai,u II Is
intended very soon formally to present the matter Ia e
Common Council, other by special IDr-s2gc from tie
May0r"r 10y petition Anything beyond this Is not Ilkey
10 -" proposed Hy the Commission"
" ID You think IL probable or possible That the
trrD0OO VIII BE- raised before tn5 meeting Oh Ncdues-
Yes think it rot at all Improbable that 1t will he.
AnI IN Wil cas- tl'T' reason why taG enter
Sh"u MOI ne PISH'- forward without de- serious
obstacles Tue rctcr ~ raising the complete sum de-
p nus some" 1T upon the 81 ,rripnns OF two three
TI."ad "-npanlcs. which may be it before "Wednesday
II these ul1H Il tru total amount will bc CONSIDER
ANY oyer the GlnOOOpO needed"