Los Angeles daily herald., 1890-03-20
THE COLUMBIAN FAIR.
What Congress is Asked to
Do in the Matter.
THE HOUSE COMMITTEE'S REPORT
Chicago Commended for It's Enter
prise, Intelligence and
Liberality.

presented in the House TO-DAY Ino rePor
of the special committee on the World'f
Fair. It is in part as follows:
Under instruction given by the action
of the House the committee inserted
Chicago in the bill as the place Of hold
ing the fair in 1892, and consulted with
representatives of that city for the pur
pose of perfecting and improving it, max
ing such amendments as were deemed
necessary. The bill submitted differs il
some essential features from the bill re
ported originally by the committee ant
recommended.
In the second section the representa-
ton of the Territories and the Distric
of Columbia has been increased from
one to two commissioners from zach
and provision is also made for the ap-
pointment of eight commissioners al
large. The commission is designated
the "World's Columbian Commission. u
The third section dispenses with the
United States corporation which it was
proposed to create by Congress. 1t also
stipulates that commissioners be ap.
pointed FROM each State and Territory
and the District of Columb bis, together
with eight commissioners to be appointed
at large. The commission, acting inde-
pendently of the corporation and with
out power to incur any obligations, is in
structed by this act to accept the build
ings only when they shall be deemed by
said commission to be adequate for the
purpose for which they are intended.
In the original bill the eleventh sec.
ton stated that not less than 10 per
centum of the capital stock should be
actually paid in cash before the commits.
sion should do any corporate act, other
than those necessary to its organization.
The bill now reported is still more con-
Hervative in protecting the Govern
ment's interests 30 far as it's
connection is concerned, and insuring
the financial success of the fair beyond q
reasonable contingency, by providing
that the commissioners shall not only be
satisfied that an actual bona fde sub
scription to the capital stock of at least
$4,000, 900 has been made, of which not
less than $500, 600 has been paid in, but
also declares that further sum of $5,.
100000, making 10, ,000, 900 in all, shall
be provided by the corporation in ample
time, or as needed for The successful
prosecution of the work.
The committee has given careful con-
sideration to the statements of represent.
atives of the finance committee of Chicago
as to subscriptions to the stock of IS ,000,.
600, and believes the subscriptions will
be paid. While it is the judgment of the
committee that Chicago will meet the
obligations and promises of her repre-.
sentatives, it would call attention to the
fact that the judgment of this committee
is not taken alone, but the commissior
on the spot in Chicago will have a more
favorable opportunity to satisfy them.
selves.
The representatives of Chicago who
appeared before the committee were
ready to meet every requirement indi.
Gated by the bill previously considered
or under discussion while the location
was pending, and the committee desires
to recognize the fact that it is due to
Chicago that it be assured by the action
of the House that the fair is to be held
in Chicago, without further delay, as the
business arrangements connected with
the provisions of this act can be better
adjusted when they are assured Of the
action of Congress. The committee
claim that the Government does not
assume any risk, but is asked to enact
such legislation as will demonstrate that
it is in sympathy with and desires
TO encourage the patriotic efforts
of the citizens of Chicago in a great
national and international expedition
that will mark this important epoch in
the history of the world, and commemo-
rate the life and services of Colum bus in
a manner worthy the continent which he
discovered.
Section 6 defines the duties of the
commission and commissioners, and
gives them the necessary power to allot
space fer exhibitors, classify the exhibits,
determine the plan and scope Of tho ex-
position, appoint judges and examiners,
award premiums and have general charge
of the intercourse with the exhibitors
and representatives of foreign nations.
Section provides for the dedication OF
the Worlds Columbian Exposition on
tion of the time for holding the exposi-
tion there was difference of opinion
among the members of the committee.
The cost of the Government buildings
is limited to $400, 900, and appropriations
penses. The expenses of the Gov
ditCI ICol, lOT dll PuA POoOc SSh
nected with the exposition, are limited to
the SUM of 81 800, 900. All the expenses oi
the Government are subject to the ap-
~proval of the Secretary of the Treasury.
In submitting the letter of Chairman
Gage, of the finance committee OF Chicago,
the House committee calls attention to
the fact that the city of Chicago and the
State of Illinois have for an extended
period indicated the desire that Chicago
should be selected as the site for the
fair. Investigation made by their COM
mittee at Paris, enables Chicago more
intelligently to comprehend the magni.
tude of the undertaking, it's cost, scope
and requirements for the successful con.
duct of it, and to commence active pre-
parations more promptly than could be
Imaginable, except for their enterprise
and forethought.
The committee calls attention to the
fact that the citizens of Chicago offer q
larger and more generous contribution to
the nation than ever profered by private
citizens before, and larger than any Of
fered by aay foreign government or city
in the great international expositions
previously held. In the financial plan
of the Paris Exposition, which is
now claimed to have been the
post successful in the world, il
was agreed that the subscriptions
should aggregate IS, 600 900, while Chicago
guarantees that to satisfy the commission
it will provide, without the aid OF the