The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1892-01-23
A VOICE FROM THE FAIR.
THE NATIONAL BOARD cORREcTs
SOME NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..


commission, in order to correct the misap-
prehension that generally prevails in the
public mind as to the di, Hn;t and separate
duties Of the Worlds ColUl,bian commission
and the Worlds Columbian exposition, has
issued the following address to the public
In explanation OF the true relations OF the
two bodies, and particularly to define the
position of each in reference 10 the proposed
5000, 600 loan or appropriation for the bene-
fit Of the Worlds fair;
The committee on federal legislation OF
the Worlds Columbian commission is
charged with the introduction and prosecu-
ton before congress Of such measures the
enactment Of which will enable the national
commission to carry out the responsibilities
of the government imposed by the act OF
congress providing for the celebration Of the
4OOth anniversary and the discovery OF
America by Christopher Columbus.
There has been no legislation in congress
since the committee was appointed, and
therefore this is our first appearance at the
national capital We hope we will ind 1t
consistent with our duties as representatives
of the national commission to cooperate
with the directory Of the Worlds Columbian
exposition in securing all needed legiAlation,
as there are some matters which we viii
present ourselves directly affecting our com
mission, and there are others which may
possibly be presented by our committee
uniting with a similar one from the di-
rectory Of said corporation.
The act Of congress provides for the or
ganization Of a corporation under the laws
Of the state of Illinois, which is known as
w 1.as. q,
provides for the organi7S ion of the Worlds
Columbian commission. mis- corporation is
very frequently designated as the Local
Directory and not infrequently as the
| "Chicago directory The Worlds Colum-
| bian commission is generally known and
published as the National commission"
This Illinois corporation is charged with
the duty, under said act Of congress, OF Be-
curing a suitable site, and preparing ade-
ouate grounds and buildings for the eIhibi-
| ton; to secure which, it was agreed on the
part Of the people of Chicago, that, in con-
alteration that the Worlds fair be located
in that city, the sum of 100000 be pro
yided to be expended in the preparation Of
said grounds and buildings. This promise
has been kept and this corporation, which
| is practically the agent of the people of Chi
cago and the state of Illinois, has secured
the sum of slo,OOO, 900, a portion of which
has already been expended in the progress
| of the work.
Functions of the Commission.
The Worlds Columbian commission,
which is the body representing the national
government, among the powers given it
under the act of congress, is required TO
accept the site for the fair when deemed
by II adequate, and also 10 approve the
plans and specifications Of the various build
ings TO be constructed thereon, and TO re-
ceive said buildings when the same are com
pleted, provided they are built in conform
ity with said plans and specifications and
are ADEQUATE for the purposes for which
they are intended. 1t is also charged with
the duty of generally directing the expo
sition.
Il is to inform the people Of our country
and those of foreign countries of the plans
and purposes OF the exposition, TO determine
finally as to exhibits and exhibitors, and to
allot space for such exhibits, prepare class
ihcation of exhibits, and when such ex-
hihits are received in Chicago to install
them in the buildings provided for that
purpose. 1t is to appoint judges and ex-
aminers to pass upon the excellence oil the
various exhibits and TO award premiums,
medals and diplomas bearing the national
seal and stamp. 1t is further charged with
an intercourse with the exhibitors, both do
mestic and foreign.
The discharge of these important duties
by body representing all the people Of the
: United States, and deriving its authority
! from an act Of congress, assures 70 the
people Of the several states and TO the eX-
hibitors from foreign countries that the
management of the exposition Will be upon
| 4, Nd nh null nNNd.
, picion Of local interests, influences, or preju,
dicas
AS the national commission has the exclu-
siye power TO allot the space TO exhibitors
and Is to have charge Of all exhibits and to
: have all intercourse with exhibitors, both
domestic and foreign, the committee neces-
Iarily has the power to make and publish al
such preliminary rules and regulations as
ahau inform the public as to what class Of
nrticleH and products and the number, quail
,, Ity and quantity thereof will be received
and installed as exhibits, and to furnish al
! such information as may be necessary and
proper to enable those who propose 70 make
exhibits properly to prepare the same and
ntelligently act in regard thereto.
. The Board Of Control.
: When the national commission organized
Il proceeded to operate under large mum
ber of committees, meeting only two ol
three times a year. But az the commissionl
s duties increased it was found difficult to en-
Y able them to conduct the affairs Of the ex
d position through these committees, and
}. board Of control, consisting Of eight mem
berS, was created and clothed with an tn
/ power which the commission could delegat'
Q 10 q representative committee.
g This board was created in accordance witt
b a compact between the national commission
3 and the directory Of the Worlds Columbian
d exposition. This compact provides for tn
work Of the exposition through a number o
departments and provides that a chief o
II each department will be appointed by tn
l. director general. The office Of director gen
}, eral was created and filed by the nAtions
commission and, on the suggestion Of sal
directory, George R. Davis, of Chicago, wa
3 elected to this office, and thereupon becam
> The chief executive officer Of the exposition
l. and his powers and authorities as such Wer
d distinctly recognized by the compact mer
D. toned The said compact created boar
Of reference and control, consisting Of
president, vice chairman and six member
n of the national commission, which, with
m hCe committee Of said directory, oonstitut
M the committee Of conference, TO which shA
bo referred all matters Of difference, an
the action Of which thereon shah bs COZ
4. oiusive.
l. DIThs principal business Of the oommitte
N win be 10 try TO secure the necessary apprC
= priation to enable the national commissio
- properly 70 execute the duties required Of
" by the act Of congress. This appropriate
= comprehends the expenses Of the nation
commission and its officers, and that OF pr
curing the medals, premiums and diploma
and the juries Of awards, ~ Of which q
absolutely necessary under the act Of co
O' gress.
At the last September meeting OF the L
q tionh commission communication was
10 oeiVed from the Hon W. T. Baker, the pre-
Of dent OF the Worlds Columbian expO8itio
% requesting the national commission 10
~ dorss a request that Il proposed 10 make
Al the Fifty-second congress for the loan
Jte 5000, 900 to be expended rs before stAta
to From a careful budget OF the expenses
ed ths preparation Of the grounds and hui
ne ings 80 to be dedicated, it was seen II
Sei about en- 10000 would be actually nee
IA saTy 10 defray that expense.
or The $4,000, 900 Loan.
The 100000 contemplated and pl
~ vided for in the act Of congress 70 be rais
~ by the said corporation being inadequate,
= was thought by the national oommissi
~ that it would be but fair that the govel
~ ment Of the United States, under whC
- auspices and in whose name the Worlds 4
= was 70 be inAugurated and conduct,
should come to the relief Of the Illinois @
poRtion and lend it the sum OF Is, ,OOO,O o
the government having performed a u
"a service and shown like mark Of patriots
oV in the interests Of the Philadelphia Cent
toi niAl in 1876 by lending the necessary fur
ny 70 carry out the purposes Of the goyernms
"o in holding that exposition.
The national commission felt constrair