The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-03-15

1t takes financial genius to conduct the
financial affairs of such a gigantic under
taking as the Worlds tair, and A. E. See
berger has just that genius. That was
why in the initial stages of the undertake
ing, he was selected over the heads of hun
dreds of men of financial executive ability
who would have been proud of the honor.
He did not seek for it.. On the contrary, it
was offered to him by unanimous vote Of
the directorate. At the last annual cleo
ton he was reelected without the formal
ity of show of hands, and the same his
tory will repeat itself next month and
next year and the next, so long as there is
dollar of Worlds fair money to be ham
died. From the window of his private
room Treasurer Seeberger can see the Gus
tom house, where for four years, under the
administration of Gro ,r Cleveland, he
held court in the responsible Office of col
lector of the port. Bu5he would not change
places today with the occupant of that
office. No politicians, national, state or
local, especially the latter, bother him now.
Even the most expert bOokkeeper or in
ventor (if the term may be used) of sys-
TENS of keeping financial accounts would
open his eyes If he could see some of the
methods that have been put into success
fuloperation by Treasurer Seeberger. But
they are not public property, and if you
were to inquire concerning them of any
one Of his staff of eighteen they would sim
ply look wise and shake their heads. There
are within a few score of 80 900 subscribers
to Worlds fair stock, and Treasurer See
berger can tell you in thirty seconds just
how much any one of the 10000 has paid
and how much that particular one still
owes. He can tell you in the same space of
time just how much money has been re-
ceived up down the hour that he is talking
to you from the commencement of the en-
terprise how much has been paid out, how
much the balance is. where it is how much
he is going to pay out in the next forty
eight hours and in the next six days how
much he is likely to get in within the sane
period, and he will tell you within a thou
sand dollars just how his finances will
stand week to come.
To bring the money end of an immense
undertaking down to such fine point as
this takes both brains and system, and
Treasurer Seeberger is blessed with an
abundance OF both. Sometimes he has to
sit as a judge and listen to the appeals of
stockholders who started out with good in
tentions and who find themselves stranded
by the wayside, and seek an extension OF
the time within which they are expected to
meet the calls upon their holdings. Most
of such applicants come from the ranks of
the working classes, and it would surprise
a good many people to know the number Of
wage earners whose patriotism has led
them TO become stockholders in the enter
prise. Treasurer Seeberger does not be-
lieve in trying to squeeze blood out of a
stone, and although he has no authority to
release any one from liability, he never fails
TO give the deserving applicant all the
time he wants TO pay up But let the man
who tries to impose on him beware. He
may tell a plausible story, and tell IL with
tears in his eyes, but the fraud VIII be
penetrated, and instead OF leriency he Will
get vigorous retribution.
Not only is Treasurer Seeberger a money
getter, but he Is also q money saver. So
far he has taken in nearly S. 900 900 and
disbursed two-thirds of il. Yet the cost Of
collection and disbursement, including sal
aries and his own department 5 proportion
of the rent, postage, stationery and all in
cidentals OF every kind has been less than
- per cent. Such a record as this would
be considered marvellous even for the most
eminent fnsuciers Of the New or Old
World. And il has been accomplished by
= simple. unssSuming Chicago hardware
merchant. II you happened 10 meet him
in a group around the fireplace al the
Union League club Of an evening. smoking
his cigar and listening 20, or himself tell
ing. a good story, you would not select him
at first glance a an executive giant OF
finance. NeveTt heless he viii need. when
the end has come 10 more enduring mouu-
uieut than the financial records Of the
World Columbian exposition
aESRV NJ HUH.