Los Angeles herald., 1891-07-27
SHORB'S CHANCES
MAxwELL'S FRIENDS WILL DO
THEIR BEST TO DOWN HIM.
An Alleged Bit of Treachery on the Part
of Mr.. Shorb-California Will Probably
Lose the Appointment.

The Hatch-De Young controversy latter
brief rest, has again been put on its
legs and is kicking around in lively
way, says the San Francisco Examiner.
Hatch is after De Young in esrnest, and
and Mr.. De Young is out with an inter-
view with himself, in which he says
that Hatch had better cleanse his own
character before entering on the abuse
of others. Between the two the Shorb
boom is in bad way.
A private letter from Southern Cali
fornia, which was received yesterday bv
worlds fair enthusiast, explains
what has not been heretofore understood
why protests against Shorb have been
pouring in to Director-General Davis.
The letter says:
Walter Maxwell himself told me why
he would do everything possible to de-
feat Shorb. This is the story as he gave
it: When he was first appointed as
chief of the horticultural bureau he
went to Shorb to ask for his support.
He showed him his appointment, and
also the confirmation OF the board of
control. He went to him as friend to
friend. Imagine, then, his surprise to
learn that Immediately after his talk
with Shorb the latter sent Otis to Chi
cago to work for his (Shorb's) appoint
ment. Maxwell considers that this was
a breach of faith on Shorb's part, and
blamed him for all Otis has said and
done. Maxwell has great many friends
throughout California, and you can rest
assured that he will see that every one
of them protests against the confirma-
ton of Shorb. They will not do any
talking about it, but they will work on
the quiet. l would not be surprised if
letters containing as serious aspersions
on Shorb as were made on Forsyth or
Maxwell are already in possession of
Director-General Davis. Maxwell told
me that he related these facts about the
way Shorb had treated him to Davis,
and that the latter told him Shorb
would not get the appointment.
The only worlds fair commissioner
who was in the city late yesterday af-
ternoon was James d. Phelan.
When seen regarding the protests
against Shorb, he said:
II don't know what the protests are
or who they come from. l only know
this much. When I went to Director
General Davis to ask him whether he
would appoint another Californian he
would not say no. He said instead that
he would not appoint another man un-
til he had his confirmation in advance.
| asked him why he did not appoint Mr..
shorb, and he said he did not appoint
because protests had been received
Ia
said the protests were 100 per cent.
stronger than any that had been sent
against Forsyth or Maxwell. did not
ask him who had sent the protests. I
wish now that 1 had, for perhaps he
would have shown them to me, since
they are, to a certain extent, public
property.
"From what the director-general said
I am positive he does not want Shorb
and will not appoint him. All these
resolutions that are going to Chicago do
not amount to anything. There have
been 80 many hundreds of resolutions
in this affair that they slide off now like
water off ducks back. This resolution
that the worlds fair commissioners
have adopted is just so much paper
wasted, and will probably never be read
in Chicago"
Hatch and others who are working
for Shorb are dong everything in their
power to help him in the resolution
way, and it was stated yesterday by
close friend of Shorb from Los Angeles
that everybody in California OF any con-
sequence has petitioned for his appoint.
ment.
Mr.. De Young, in an interview with
Post reporter, says that California's
chances for the position are ''gone for
ever" in his opinion. A portion OF the
interview reads as follows:
''What do you now think of Califor-,
MAS chances for obtaining the posi-
ton ?" queried the reporter.
''My candid opinion" said Mr.. De
Young sadly, sis that California's
chance is gone forever. Director-Gen-
eral Davis positively stated that he
would not submit the name of any Cali
fornian not agreeable to the whole state,
and the contemplate actions and abuse
of this man Hatch and his friends make
it practically impossible to find such a
man.
"The fact of the matter is that this
whole business will have the effect of
throwing California into the back
ground"