Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-18
HOW FAIR FUNDS GO.
Hot Shot for the Commissioners in
the Committee Report.
THE WASTEFUL SALARIES PAID
Unnecessary fxtravagance, Too, in the
Large Ladies' Board.
A JOINT Resolution SUBMITTED

Select Committee on the Worlds FAR, to-
day presented to the House the report of the
subcommittee that went to Chicago 60 ex-
anime into the condition of matters in rela-
tion to the Worlds Fair.
The report says that in the expenditure OF
money the powers assumed by the Worlds
Columbian Commission had produced con-
fusion, as we'll as caused unnecessary ex-
pendlture of public money, which had been
intended by Congress to pay the expenses OF
the Government exhibit, and not to pay e1-
cessve salaries to the officers OF the Commits
sion. Provision, the report says, had been
made to pay the President, Secretary and
Director General annual salaries OF S12, 900,
$4,000 and $4,000 respectively, and also
$4,000 to the "Vice Chairman of the Execu-
tive Committee
Another Piece of Extravaganza.
These salaries, in the opinion of the COM
mittee, are excessive, and should not be con-
tinued. Excessive expense has also been
incurred in the appointment of such large
number as lis women on the Board of Lady
Managers, and the calling together of the
board when the duties which will devolve
report saws:
: Your committee are of the decided opinion
that the Fair cannot well be conducted to a
successful termination under the dual manage
ment which is now in operation In consequence
OF the construction placed upon the law by the
Worlds Columbian Commission
The Commission has exceeded its powers by
the appointment of officers and committees to
conduct the management of the Fair In execu-
tive details. In our opinion of the laws relat-
ing to the Worlds Columbian Exposition and
Its officers the Commission was given quasi
veto power, and not that of taking charge OF
the execution of plans for the Fair.
Commissioners Duties Advisory Only.
From the fact that the Commission is hon
orary and without salary, the conclusion is
reasonable that their duties were not intended
to be exacting or continuous, SO that they
would seriously interfere with their private
business The duties of the Commission may
be classed as affirmative and negative, national
and International preliminary and continuous.
The committee tried to impress upon both
organizations, while in Chicago, its views Of
the matter of Jurisdiction, and it is pleased to
report that their efforts met with some degree
of success.
The report says that the progress in the
preparation of the Government exhibit is as
great as could have been expected, and the
result of the work of the Board of Govern
men. Control has taken tangible and salts
that some of the members of the Board of
Control. had had practical experience in
connection with nearly every world expo
sltion of recent times, and as consequence
the committee is led to expect that the ex-
hibition of the Government display, as conf
pared by the Board, will not suffer compare
son with the exhibit of any foreign nation.
Allotment of Government Exhibits.
In the allotment of the Government ap-
preparation to the various departments
which are expected to furnish exhibits, it
became necessary for the board, the report
says, to assume definite sum as the aggre-
gate Of the expenditures, in order that the
heads of bureaus and divisions, which were
expected TO become contributors, might be
Informed OF the extent to which they were
at liberty to formulate their detailed plan s.
Ia the appropriation of. 81 SOC, 600 for the
purpose of the exhibition, it was assumed
that it was the intention of Congress to pro-
vide 81, ,000, 600 for the purpose mentioned
above, and the board was guided to the con-
cIusion primarily by the fact that S4OO, 900
had been fixed by Congress as a building
fund.
The board has determined upon a salts
factory scheme oil allotment to the several
branches to be represented, based upon their
relative importance, but entirely upon the
availability of their functions for illustra-
tion in an exposition of the character pro-
posed.
The Board Submits Resolution.
The money has been tentatively reallotted
| to sIb-branches, whose plans, in outline, and
| to some extent in detail, are already we'll
advanced. In order to carry out the sug-
gestions of the report. to place the whole
enterprise on more solid footing and carry
out the evident intention of Congress, the
board submits joint resolution directing
the Secretary OF the Treasury not to approve
the payment of any expense attendant upon
a meeting of the Worlds Columbian Com
mission or of the Board of Lady Managers,
except such meetings as may be called at
the time of the dedication and opening OF
the Worlds Fair, nor to approve the paw
ment of any expense attendant upon meet
! ing of the Executive Committee of the
! Worlds Columbian Commission or the
| Executive Committee Of the Board OF Lady
Managers, except such meetings as may be
held not oItener than once in six months.
The Proposed Limitation of Salaries.
The Secretary is also directed not to ap.
| prove the payment of any salary to any off.
Ger OF the Worlds Columbian Commission
out of any money which has been or NAV
be available for such purpose, other than an
annual salary not IN excess Of S., 900 10 the
President, 81 900 to the Vice Chairman Of
the Executive Committee, and So, 900 to the
Secretary; nor to approve the payment oi
any salary to any officer Of the Board o.
Lady Managers not in excess OF S., 900 tc
the President: and $4,000 TO the Secretary
nor to approve the payment Of any expense.
of the Worlds Columbian Commission, OF
of the Board of Lady Managers, other thar
those hereinbefore mentioned which shal
amount to more than $4,000 per annum il
the aggregate.
For the selection, purchase, preparation
and arrangement OF such articles and ma
terials as the head OF the several Executiv,
departments, the Smithsonian Institution
the National Museum and the United States
Fish Commission may decide shall be
Embraced in the Government Exhibit,
and such additional articles as the Presiden
may designate for said Exposition, and TO
the employment Of proper persons as officer
and assistants to the Board of Control ant
management of the Government exhibit ap
pointed by the President, and Tor the pur
pose of paying the expenses of trans
portation, care and custody o
exhibits by the Government ant
the maintenance Of the building o
buildings erected by the Government
lOr tnt EuTpOSt Ot Ine eAnlOiliOn, ant
for the expenses of the Worlds COLUMBIAN
Commission and other contingent expenses
$500, 900 is appropriated for the service o
the fscal year ending June 80, 1892, an,
any money heretofore appropriated in aid o
said Government exhibit may be used il
like manner and ior like purposes; pro
vided, that all expenditure made ,or tn
purposes and from the appropriation speci
fed herein shall be subject to the approva
of the Secretary Of the Treasury as now pro