Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1892-01-18
THE GREAT FAIR SPEAKS.
The National Board Issues an
Address to the Public.
TO CORRECT NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..

WAsHINGToN, Jan. 1s.-The committee on
federal legislation of tho Worlds Columbian
commission, In order 10 correct the misap-
prehension that generally prevails in the
public mind az 10 the distinct and separate
duties Of the Worlds Columbian commission
and the Worlds Columbian exposition, has
issued the following address 70 the public
ia explanation OF the true relations Of the
two bodies, and particularly 10 define the
position Of each in reference 10 the proposed
S5,0Oo,OO loan or appropriation Tor the bene-
fit Of the Worlds fair
The committee on federal legislation Of
the Worlds Columbian commission Is
charged with the introduction and prosecu-
tion benbre congress Of such measures the
enactment Of which win enable the national
commission to carry out the responsibilities
Of the government imposed by the act Of
congress providing for the celebration Of the
400th anniversary and the discovery Of
America by Christopher Columbus.
There las been no legislation in congress
since the committee was appointed, and
therefore this rs our FIRST appearance at the
AlfiAAoAAh fAAth We AhE' VIC Will nAa ~
consistent with our duties as representatives
OF the national commission 20 cooperate
with the directory OF the Worlds Columbian
exposition In securing all needed legislation,
as there are some matters which we will
present ourselves directly affecting our com
mission, and there are others which may
possibly be presented by our COMMITTEES
uniting with similar one from the di-
reetory 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
the Worlds Columbian exposition It also
provides for the organiza tion Of the World's
Columbian commission. This corporation is
very frequently designated as the Local
Directory" and not infrequently az 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 oct Of congress- Of se-
curing a suitable site, and preparing ade-
quate grounds and buildings for the exhibit
ton; 70 secure which, 1t was agreed on the
part Of the people Of Chicago that, in con-
sideration that the Worlds fair be located
in that city. the sum Of Si0O00,O0O be pro
vided 70 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 Si0OO0,0O0 q portion Of which
has already been expended ia 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 it adequate, and also TO 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. Il is also charged with
the duty Of generally directing the expo
sition
1t 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 a class
ihcation Of exhibits and when such ex-
hibits are received in Chicago TO install
them IN the buildings provided for that
purpose. II is to appoint judges and ex-
aminers to pass upon the excellence Of the
various exhibits and to award premiums
medals and diplomas bearing the national
seal and stamp. It is further charged with
all intercourse with the exhibitors both do
mestic and foreign.
The discharge Of these important duties
L. Ill ~. "A.
United States, and deriving its authority
from an act of congress, assures 10 the
people of the several states and 10 the ex-
hibitOrs from foreign countries that the
management Of the exposition win be upon
lines Of absolute fairness, and above all sus-
picion Of local interests, influences, OF preju-
dices
AS the national commission has the exclu-
sive power to allot the space to exhibitors
and is to have charge of all exhibits and 10
have all intercourse with exhibitors, both
domestic and foreign, the committee neces-
sarily has the power TO make and publish all
such preliminary rules and regulations as
shall inform the public as to what class OF
articles and products and the number, quail
ity and quantity thereof viii be received
and installed as exhibits, and to furnish ali
such information as may be necessary and
proper to enable those who propose to make
exhibits properly TO prepare the same and
intelligently act in regard thereto.
The Board Of Control.
When the national commission organized
il proceeded 10 operate under a large num-
Der Of committees meeting only two or
three times year. But as the commissions
duties increased it was found difficult TO en-
able them TO conduct the affairs of the ex-
position through these committees, and a
board Of control, consisting Of eight mem
bers, was created and clothed with all the
power which the commission could delegate
to a representative committee.
This board was created in accordance with
a compact between the national commission
and the directory Of the Worlds Columbian
exposition. This compact provides for the
work Of the exposition through a number of
departments and provides that chief Of
each department will be appointed by the
director general. The Office Of director gen.
eral was created and filed by the national
commission and, on the suggestion of said
directory, George r. Davis, OF Chicago, was
elected to this Office, and thereupon became
the chief executive officer Of the exposition,
and his powers and authorities as such were
distinctly recognized by the compact men
toned. The said compact created a board
of reference and control, consisting Of a
president, vice chairman and six members
of the national commission, which, with
like committee Of said directory, constitute
the committee Of conference, to which shall
be referred All matters of difference and