The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-13
WORLDS FAM VOUCHERS.



treasurer Ce1Iyer Declines TO Exhibit
Them-Heavy Travelling Expenses.
TAcoxA, Aug. Especial. samuel Collyer,
treasurer OF the Washington Worlds fair COM
mission. was requested today by correspondent
Of the PosT-INTELLIGEScER TO permit q trans
crfpt to be made OF the vouchers, showing for
whist purpose funds have been expended by the
commission under the organization at Olympia
March IS. 1891. the legality Of which organiza-
ton Ia now questioned.
al consider It my duty to report 10 the execu-
tive committee Mr.. Collyer said, in reply 70
the request, sand have been requested by Mr..
Blalock, president of the comm ittee, 70 do so at
meeting to be held at Seattle August u. Of
course the business Of this commission or the
executive committee is OF interest 20 the state at
large, but under section OF the bylaws OF the
commission, construe 1t my duty to report to
the committee first"
Section 5 Is as follows: s"The treasurer shall
keep faithful account of all moneys received
and disbursed, and shall render statements to
the executive committee as often as required"
s'Your request" continued Mr.. Collyer, sis
similar In substance to one made by Mr.. Mseker,
and shall reply to him substantially as have
to you"
Mr. Meeker's request is contained in the ap.
pended letter, under date OF August 10:
Mr.. Samuel Collyer, Tacoma, wash-Deor Sir:
As IL now transpires, the attempted organization
OF the Washington Worlds fair commission I'M
der which you were elected treasurer is illegal
and void. Honestly believing there has been
misappication of funds by the so-called execu-
tive committee, have sought to obtain all the
facts connected with the proceedings had under
the supposed organization a. effected at Gym
pia- /, therefore, as commissioner for Pierce
county, request. with view OF making the
s same pubic ts tina. uPBb n bss c wa,e
into your possession and the amount paid out,
and to whom, which statement, II rendered,
propose TO lay before the body OF the cominis.
Olympia on the 2lst inst, with view OF effect
Ing legal organization. Respectfully,
Commissioner for Pierce County.
Yesterday Mr. Collyer received letter from
President Blalock, dated walla walla, August Q.
informing him that the entire Washington
Worlds fair commission would meet August 81,
at p. M, in the Chamber OF Commerce build
ing at Seattle. Also that there would be meet
ing of the executive committee at the same
place at 10 a M, and at which meeting he re-
quested Mr.. Collyer to present detailed state
lnent of funds expended
"what do you propose to do?' Mr. Collyer was
asked.
"Well, sir, I shall prepare my report, and II I
cannot find any commission to present il to
shall give it to the press for publication"
"Why not give it out now for publications.
at has been charged that the funds have been
OF the items Of expense now would carry the
presumption that that charge is true, and be-
sides il would be an injustice to the commits
sion and the executive committee, as no oppor-
tunity would be had for an explanation of the
expenditures. People would say" and Mr.. Col
lyer threw up his arms to emphasize an express
sion Of incredulity, "what did they want to
spend all that money for this, that and the oth,r
thing. / do not NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. the
funds have been Improperly expended. have
given bonds in the sum of 50,000 for the faith
full performance of my duties, and know that
no money has been paid out that has not been
properly drawn and certified to by
President Blalock. together with the statement
OF the parties drawing the money that 1t has
been properly and honestly expended"
Mr.. Collyer then explained the modus
operandi of raising money for the commissions
expense To begin with, he insisted on having
some money to draw against, and the executive
committee caused State Auditor Reed to issue
warrant for 5000. This warrant he sold, or had
cashed, and then the executive commissioner
and the press agent began drawing vouchers for
expenses They ordered $500 paid over to Mr..
Meeker, and 1t is presumed that Mr.. Meeker was
to pay the expenses incurred on his trip to Chi
cago out of that amount Press Agent Meany
sent in a voucher for s6S for printing circulars,
pamphlets and incidental expenses. The Ellens-
burg meeting to elect an executive commissioner
cost 81 900, and the meeting at Port Townsend of
the executive committee resulted in q reQuisi-
ton for sS55, which amount includes $3.50 for
Press Agent Meany's salary for the month of
July.
"And what of the balance of $500 expended,
Mr.. Collyer?'
'sI may say that about all OF the balance,
which amounts to something like $3.50 90, has
been paid out principally on vouchers for travel
ing expenses. Although $500 of the 5000
appropriated by the state has been turned over
to me as treasurer of the commission, but
$i247.90 has been paid out, balance of ,252 10
still remaining on hand. This, together with
the amounts already referred 20, amounts to S..
170.10, leaving s2,S2990, which, as have said,
has been expended principally in travelling ex-
penses"
Referring to the functions of the commission,
Mr.. Collyer said:
81 am glad the matter has come up for consid-
Grafton, a. something will probably be done to
insure better results with less expense. Before
this question of legality OF the commissions or
ganization was raised, was about to protest
against so large an expenditure being attended
with such meagre results. 1t Is my belief there
should be no meetings of the commission. 1t Is
too expensive. Let the business be carried on
by correspondence. The executive committee,
with its executive officer, whose duties, together
with those of the press agent, should be plainly
defined, can attend to all business necessary for
making our exhibit O success. consider 1t q
fault of the law to have such large commission
travel about the country"
Owing to the question of legality being raised,
Mr. Collyer, who has some misgiving about the
legal quorum provided by the law creating the
commission, will be present at the meeting called
by President Blaloek TO be held at Seattle. He
has not admitted that all the acts of the CON-
mission are Illegal, and he viii not say that he
viii not attend the Olympia meeting called by
Mr.. Meeker. He proposes to report 10 the execu-
tive committee wherever he can find it. Before
the appointed date Of meeting he hopes that
something more definite regarding the legality
of tho commissions organization may be
evolved. Although the commission is directed
by law to meet at Olympia for organization, Mr.
Coliyer says he will not consider that provision
In reporting to the executive committee.