The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-04-11
An Incident of BuncO.

The Congress committee sitting in Chi
cago for the purpose OF investigating tho
Columbian Exposition or Worlds Fair. has
had a good chance to observe tho reck-
lessness and untrustworthincss prevailing
in regard to accounts and expenditures.
The occasion to which we refer was week
ago to-day. The Chicago newspapers Of
the next day. April s. were. with single ex-
ception, so faras VIC have observed. in SYM
pathy with this game of false pretenccs and
dishonest concealments which Chicago has
played from the first. The report Of the
proceedings before this committee OF in
quiry on April was tucked away by all the
newspapers that said anything about it
into an inconspicuous position. But tho
Chicago Herald. at least. gave the facts
The interesting and significant fact omitted
by the other journals was thus recorded
by the Herald:
when Mr. BAKER made up his answers to the list Of
questions sent from Washington by the Congressional
Investigating committee. touching the cost Of Worlds
Fair buildings. he left out one item OF S4e92 72415
OF the committee discovered this oversight yes
terday The difference between Mr.. BAKEgs figures
and the estimates offered BY Chief BURNHAM some
thing like 81 sou. 600, and Mr. BAKER's figures were
wrong lie had put the of tue buildings and
preparation of the Exposition grounds at 90 A.
whereas Mr. BuRsANs report showed that Sl5 POO 600
would be required. Mr.. BAKER simply omitted to ill.,
clude in his report the of outstanding contracts
not yet completed The discovery OF this error was
made while Chief BuRsHaN was giving testimony Mr.
BAKER had previously stated that his report
rect absolutely correct. Mr. BuRSHAN came along and
raised the figures - 100000 The discrepancy puzzled
the Congressman for few moments. Mr.. BREcKiHWpGE
conducting the examin alton at the time.
y,r.t Ennt that fhares hna boo.
sented said Chief BuRymAa. hut do know that mine
are correct. ; am not responsible for the others
"'How do you account for the difference = the Ar.
kansas Congressman asked.
".Somebody has Simply made a mistake. My estt
mates right They do not vary $lOo.OO from
my figures last October Mr.. BrRSHAN replied.
"'Ah. here IL IT,. Congressman HEypgRsoS exclaimed
Mr.. BAKER has left out OF his summary the item of
S4G0.. 724l5 of outstanding obligations In the ape
of unfinished contracts
MI BAKER carefully adjusted his gold eyeglasses
and scrtiniZed the report \ will send the comm
letter on this subject tomorrow he said
Mr.. BAKER is the President of the local
BAKERS characteristic Chicago calculation,
and worked up this report:
Chairman DocKERv's Congressional committee told
yeste ,day of large expenditures actual and est
mated and incidentally learned that to complete the
grounds and buildings and operate them during the
fair will cost Slbb+bsI3 This il for rue Ion
peudiinres alone Congressman HENDERSON not hav.
INK the estimates clearly before him. had figured out
that the entire amount was going 900 COO
There look Of unusual interest in his eye
piled queries regarding this BIT in few minutes Mr.
BURSHAN came to his rescue and showed him that
81 l2d3D0 has been expended for construction pur.
poses There are outstanding contracts TO the
Of 10, T24 and to complete all the other
ton plans there was an estimate OF ", 72G 75s max ing
the total indicated"
The Inter- Ocean didn't mention President
BAKERS little discrepancy. The Ners and
the Globe were apparently ashamed of the
whole business and omitted 1t. Mr. BAKER's
accuracy was illustrated again on the same
day. Mr.. DOCKERY. the Chairman of the
committee. asked him how much salvage
there would BIO on the Sl5. 000. 900 worth of
buildings. Mr.. BAKER. who had estimated
this at $1.0OO.OOO. explained that his cst-
mate was almost guess" OF course he
may be little out Of the way In his guess,
but too much should not be expected of a
man who can make Il mistake OF "a, 600, 724. 10.
What does it amount to. any way? What
are five millions to Chicago or the President
| OF the local directory. II the United States
Treasury can be made TO payit?
Little mistakes like Mr.. BAKERS may.
however. open the eyes Of the investigating
committee to tho way in which Chicago
Is trying to play on the United States the
biggest confidence game that has ever
been PLAYED. For our own part. We men