The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-18
FUNDS THROWN AWAY
Extravaganza of the Worlds
Fair Commissioners.
SALARIES MUST BE CUT DOWN.
Board OF Lady Commissioners Is Too
Expenditure of Peoples Money.

WAsHIsGToS CRY, Jan. iT.-Representa-
tive Gambler, of Massachusetts, chairman
of the select committee on the Worlds
fair, today presented to the House the re-
port of the subcommittee that went to
Chicago to examine into the condition of
matters there in relation to the Worlds
fair. The report says that IN the expendi-
ture Of pablo money the powers assumed
by the Worlds Columbian commission
produced confusion as well as caused I'M
necessary expenditure of the public money
which had been intended by congress TO
pay the expenses of the government ex-
hibit and not TO pay excessive salaries TO
officers of the commission. Provision, the
report says, has been made TO pay the pres
iGent, secretary and direc or general an
nual salaries of $12, 600, $4,000 and $1,000
respectively, and also 5000 to the vice.
chairman Of the executive committee
These salaries, in the opinion of the COM
mittee, are excessive and should not be
continued. Excessive expense has also
been incurred in the appointment of so
large number as lis women on the board
of lady managers and calling together the
board when the duties which will devolve
upon ii were not ready for its attention.
The report says:
Your committee are of the decided opinion
that the fair cannot well be conducted to a sue
cessful termination under the dual management
which Is now in operation in consequence OF
the construction placed upon the law by the
Worlds Columbian commission. The commits
sion has exceeded its powers by the appoint
ment OF officers and committees to conduct the
management OF the fair IN Its executive details.
which in our Interpretation OF the law belongs
solely 10 the Worlds Columbian exposition and
its officers.
tn NO. ,v;,,,,, =. 49, ,-..o
and not that OF taking charge OF the execution
of the plans OF the fair. From the fact that the
commission is honorary and without salary, the
conclusion is reasonable that their duties were
not intended 10 be exacting continuous so
that they would seriously interfere with their
private business The duties OF the commission
may be elassed as affirmative and negative, ma
tioual and International. preliminary and con-
tinuous.
The report says the progress in prepare
ton Of the government exhibit is as great
as could be expected, and the work Of the
government board of control has taken
tangible and satisfactory shape. Mention
Is made of allotments of the government
appropriation, and the committee believes
the exhibit Of the government as prepared
by the board will not suffer by comparison
with that of any foreign nation.
In order to carry ont the suggestions Of
the report and to place the whole enter
prise on more solid footing, and carry
committee submits a joint resolution
directing the secretary of the treasury not
TO approve any expense attendant on
meetings of the national commission or
the board of lady managers, except such
as may be called at the time of the dedica-
ton and opening of the fair, nor approve
any payment attendant on meetings Of
the executive committee, commissioners
or lady managers, except such meetings
as may he held not oftener than once in
six months; providing for the reduction
Of the salary of the president of
the national commission, to not exceed
5000, the vice chairman of the executive
committee 81, 900, and the secretary So, 900,
the president of the board of lady managers
not to exceed 5000, and the secretary
5000; 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 before
mentioned, which shall amount to more
than $4,000 per annum in the aggregate
The resolution appropriates $500, 900 for the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1892, for selec-
ton, preparation, arrangement, etc., and
employment OF proper persons for various
duties.
The committee renews the opinion that
the director-general and his employees
should be paid from the exposition funds
and not from the government appropria-
ton. The report says it is not the inten-
ton TO recommend an increase in the
amount of money pledged by the govern
ment for the government exhibit, but il
does feel that a larger portion than was
originally contemplated should be made
bic Immediately. The time of prepar-
alton is limited, and funds are needed at