St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-01-18
Scathing Review Of Worlds
Columbian Exposition
Commission.
The Congressional Commit
tee Report Cases Of Wild
Extravaganza.
SO Large a Number Of Lady
Managers on the Commits
sion Condemned.
The Committee Also Recon-
mends a Scaling Down OF
Salaries.

WASHINGTON, Jan. T.-Representa-
tive Gambler, of Massachusetts,, chair
man of the select committee on the
worlds fair, to-day presented to the
house the report of 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 expenditure of public moneys the
powers assumed by the worlds Column
~bian commission had produced confu-
sion as we'll as caused unnecessary ex-
penditure of public money, which had
been intended by congress to pay the
expenses of the government exhibit,
and not to pay excessive salaries to the
officers of the commission. Provision.
the report says, had been made to pay
the president, secretary and director
general annual salaries of $4,000, $l0,-
600 and $4,000 respectively, and also
SIS, 600 to the 'vice chairman of the ex-
ecutive committee"
Excessive Salaries.
These salaries, in the opinion of the
committee, are excessive. and should
not be continued. Excessive expense
has also been incurred in the appoint
ment 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 devoye
upon it we're not ready for its atten-
ton.
The report says: sYour committee
/
is of the decided opinion that the fair
cannot we'll be conducted to a success
full termination under the dual manage
ment which is now in operation in con-
sequence of the construction placed
upon the law by the worlds Columbian
commission. The commission has
exceeded its powers by the APP
mitteeS to conduct the management of
the fair in its executive details,
which in our Interpretation of the law
| belongs solely to the worlds Columbian
exposition and its officers. The COM
mission was given quasi veto power,
and not that or taking charge OF the eX-
ecution of the plans for the fair. From
the fact that the commission is honorary
and without salary. the conclusion is
reasonable that their duties were not in
| tended to be eXacting or continuous, Sc
| that they would seriously interfere with
their private affairs. The duties of the
commission may be clasSed as affirma-
! tive and negative, national and inter
national. 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 its eff
| forts met with some degree OF sue
cess"
Government Exhibits.
The report says that the progress in
the preparation of the government ex'
] hibit is as great as could have been ex-
| pected, and that the result of the work
| of the board of government control has
taken tangible and satisfactory shape
| The report refers to the fact that some
| of the members of the board of control
had had practical experience in connec-
ton with nearly every worlds exposI
ton of recent times, and, as conse-
| quence, the committee is LED to expect
| that the exhibition of the government
display as prepared by the board, will
not suffer by comparisonwitb the exhibit
| of any foreign nation. In the allotment
of the government appropriation to the
various departments which are eX
pected to furnish exhibits it became
necessary for the board, the report
says, to assume a definite sum as the
aggregate OF its expenditures in order
that the heads of bureaus and divisions
which are expected to become contrib
utors, might be informed of the exten
to which they were at liberty to formu
late
Their Detailed Plans.
In the appropriation of S1,500,000 TO
pose mentioned above, and the boart
was guided to the conclusion prlmarii.