Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-01-07
EXPOSITION EXPENSES.
THE ESTIMATES EXCEEDED TC
DATE BY S25O,OOO.

Director General Burke Confident,
However, that an Appeal to Congress
Can be AvOided-The Items Which
Have Eaten Up the Money-Presiden {
Arthur to be on Hand Next Month
NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 6.-Referring to the
reports in circulation in respect to the anan
cial embarrassments of the Worlds Ex9osi-
tion, Director General Burke said last even-
ing: There is nothing to conceal in the
matter. The expenses to JAN I have been
$3.50, 900 more than the management estimated
The money expended for building for govern
ment and State exhibits, and the appropria-
tions made by the management to aid States
and Territories in making collective
exhibits, amounted to over $780, COO.
one-half of which was the government
loan. Our total expenditures to Dec.
were inside of the subscriptions losns
and donations. Instead of opening with fun
receipts from admissions on Dec. l exhibits
were delayed and construction retarded by
the weather and bad roads, and enormous de-
mands for space made additional buildings
necessary. We have had 80 DAYS OF almost
continuous rain. During this time, with inn
passable streets and railroads blOckaded with
freight, we have moved from the terminal sta
ton over 5000 carloads of domestic exhibits,
discharged this freight from the cars, immense
quantities being heavy machinery, and con-
veyed it TO the space allotted to the exhibitors.
EXTRAORDINARY EXPENSES.
'NOt only this but we have had TO advance
over $4,000 for freight exhibits not prepaid,
which is, however, all cOllectable from the
exhibitors. 1t became necessary to lay a
railroad to connect the trunk lines with theex-
hlbition grounds and put inside tracks at cost
of 900. 1t would have taken three months
to dray the vast number OF exhibits through
the streets, and even longer II the rains con-
tinued. Barge lines at heavy expense
had to be employed to handle the inn
mense foreign shipments to the exposition;
1000 men were at work day and night in ram
and mud during the last month working over
time and for extra pay with every nerve
strained in an effort to surmOunt obstacles,
which at times seemed simply appalling.
These are the elements that have doubled cur
expenses and kept people from the grounds"
When asked If the exposition management
would apply to Congress, Mr.. Burke said
that the board has expressed no intention.
He continued, "The board will apply
to our own people to increase their
subscriptions and pay the amounts due
and the exposition will be perfectly able to
carry itself without aid from the govern
ment."
PRESIDENT ARTHUR's VISIT.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6.-F. G. Morehead,
President of the National Cotton Planters'
Association called on President Arthur to-
day, with Senator Gibson, and formally in
vited him to be present at the opening of the
Universal Cotton Convention to be held in the
Grand Hall of the exposition at New Or
leans under the auspices of the National Cot
ton Planters Association on Feb.
10; President Arthur eyinced much
interest in the convention, and
said that it had been his intention and car
nest desire to visit New Orleans during the
exposition, and it would afford him additional
pleasure TO be present at the opening of the
convention. He therefore accepted the inYi-
tation. He then said that he would attend
unless official duties should intervene to pre-
vent his going. President Robert Garrett, of
the Baltimore and Ohio road, rendered to
President Arthur his private cars for the use
of his party, with such special railway facili-
ties as may be needed. The statement that
President Arthur would visit the exposition
on Jan. 10 was a mistake, as it VIII be impos-
sible for him to leave Washington this month.
Everybody rejOiced to-day, for the sun
shOne bright. There was a rush to the expo
stion. At the exhibitors meeting in the af-
ternoon every mem ber answered the roll call.
A resolution tOlappeal to Congress for Federal
aid was tabled, as was also another resolu-
tiOn to appeal to the citizens of New Orleans
to make up the deficit. The meeting con-
cluded by laying over all business until
Thursday next.