The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-01-19
EXCESSIVE EXPENDITURES.
Report Of a Congressional Committee on
the Worlds Fair Management.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1S.-Representative
Gambler of Massachusetts, Chairman of the
Select Committee on the Worlds Fair YES
terday presented TO the House the repOrt of
the subcommittee that went to Chicago to
examine into the condition of things there
In relation TO the Worlds Fair. The report
says that in tie expenditure of public
money the power assumed by the Worlds
Columbian Commission produced confusion
as well as caused an unnecessary expendi-
ture OF public money which had been in
tended by Congress TO pay the expenses of
the Government exhibit, and not to pay ex-
cessive salaries to officers of the commits
sion. A provision, the report says. has
Secretary and Director General an
nual salaries of $4,000, $4,000 and
$4,000 respectively, and also $1,000 to the
Vice Chairman of the Executive Commit
tee" These salaries, in the opinion of the
committee, are excessive and should not be
continued. Excessive expense has also been
incurred in the appointment Of such large
number MS 115 women on the Board If Lady
Managers, and the calling together of the board
when the duties which will devolve upon it
were not ready for its attention The report
says: "1 cur committee is of the decided
opinion that the fair cannot well be con-
Quoted to a successful termination under the
dual management which is now in opera
tim in consequence of the construction
placed upon the law by the Worlds Column
bian Commission. The commission has eX-
ceeded its powers by the appointment Of Of
ficerS and committees to conduct the man.
agement of the fair in its executive details"
In order to carry out The suggestions of
the report TO place the whole enterprise on
q more solid footing and carry out the evil
dent intention of Congress the committee
submits Joint resolution directing the Sec
Rotary of the Treasury not to approve the
payment OF any expense attendant upon the
meetings of the National Commission or
Board OF Lady Managers, except such meet
ings as may be called at the time of dedica-
ton and the opening of the fair, nor APP
prove any payments attendant upon meet
ings of the Executive Committee OF the COM
mission or lady managers except such meet
ing as may he held not 0fIener than once in
six months; providing for reduction of the
salary of the President of the National Com
mission TO not exceed 5000; that of the
Vice-Chairman Of the Executive Committee
$4,000 and the Secretary $1,000; the Presi-
dent of the Board Of Lady Managers not to
exceed $1,000, aud the Secretary $4,000. Also
that the Secretary of the Treasury shall not
approve the payment OF any expenses of the
National Commission or lady managers,
other than those above mentioned which
shall amount to more than $4,000 per an
nun in the aggregate.
The resolution appropriat es $500, 900 for
the fiscal year ending June 80. 1892, for the
selection, preparation, arrangement, etc,
and the employment of proper persons, etc,
for the various Government exhibits. The
committee renews the opinion that the D-
rector-General and bis employees should be
PAID from the exposition funds and not
from the Government appropriation. The
report says that II is not the intention to rec
ommend an increase in the amount of
money pledged by the Government for tile
Government exhibit, but it does fell that a
larger proportion than was originally con-
tempIated should be made available imme-
diately The time of preparation is limited
and funds are needed at cnce.
The army and navy officers who have been
detailed as special commissioners to carry
an invitation from the Government of the
United States to the other American Re-
publics and the West Indian Colonies, to
participate in the Columbian Exposition aud
to use every endeayor to secure a proper I'M
Outstanding of the affair in the various couu-
tries, have received their letters of credence
and instructions from the Department of
State, and will start OH their mission at
once Their instructions are very compre-
hensive, and If carried out will make the
Latin American Department one OF the
greatest features of the exposition. The
Commissioners not only represent the De-
partment of State, but the Smithsonian ln-
stitute. Agricultural Department, National
Museum, Medical Museum, Fisheries Com
mission snd other branches of the Govern
ment also, and have detailed instructions
from each. All American steamship COM
panies and several lines carrying the En-
glish flag have agreed to carry the Commits
sioners and their collections free of cost.
and advices already received indicate that
they will have the hearty cooperation of
the several Governments to which they are
accredited.