The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-16
BLALOCK TO RESIGN,
Calhoun to Succeed Him as
Worlds Fair Executive.
SOME FRICTION IN THE BOARD,
The Doctor Wanted Headquarters 1T
Walls Walls, and He Lacked Neces-
sary Administrative Energy.

TACOMA. Dec 15.-tSpeciaL 1-At an adjourned
meeting Of the Worlds fair commission tomor-
row morning President Blalock will resign as
executive commissioner, and DR.. Calhoun will
be appointed to fill the vacancy. On account
OF the arduous duties OF the office the
latter, it is probable. will not
serve permanently. President Blalock will
remain at the head Of tho Worlds FAIR COM
committee. His resignation will be accepted
with reluctance. He has worked in harmony
with the entire commission. but owing to his
practice at Walla Walla and his desire to pre-
pare his business for attendance at the
Worlds fair next year and tender still further
service to the states representation there he
could not continue a. executive commissioner.
Had the executive commissioners headquarters
been located at his home he might have found
1t within his power to act in that capacity.
All the members of the commission were pres
ent today to consider this matter, and it seems
fully in accord with the facts to state that all
centered upon Dr. Calhoun to succeed Dr. Bla-
lock as executive commissioner. The latter has,
In the estimation OF all, worked aseiduously for
the best interests of Washingtou's exhibit at the
Worlds fair. He will also succeed to the conf
deuce given to Dr. Blalock by the commits.
sioners, who believe in sharing their confidence
as President Blalock has shared it. For a long
time Dr.. Blalock has felt that the headquarters
OF the executive commissioner should be re-
moved to his home for a time, and that could
the commissioners, arrangements were made to
elect a member of the commission to succeed
him
Out of these few kernels OF facts have grown
big mushroom rumors. But despite these m
mors, the commission, now in the height of its
important work, did not lose its head. Every
thing has been amicably adjusted and there
will not be the slightest hitch In pushing
the work forward to a finish, which
it is predicted by the commissioners. will sur
prise all not acquainted with the extent of its
work and success. During the session Of the
legislature Secretary Meany, assistant to
the executive commissioners, will have
to be at Olympia, but while serv-
ing legislator he will, it is
believed, be able to assist the commission
largely. Just how much he can aid the COM
mission will be canvassed at the meeting to-
morrow morning, when the results of the exec
utive committee meeting held tonight will be
acted upon.
Among the numerous rumors regarding the
work OF the commission has been the statement
that Dr.. Blalock would be asked to resign. A
canvass of the situation shows this to be utterly
false. Dr.. Blalock could not bs compelled to
resign as president without charges hay
Ing been made and proved. No commits
sioner can be found who does not speak
in the highest terms of DR.. Blalock's plans and
work. II he presents his resignation as execu-
tive commissioner, even, 1t will be purely vol
untary. There has never been an intimation of
his resigning president of the commission.
1t is fact, however, that it has
been limited that he did not meet
the approval of everybody interested in
making the state exhibit grand success. Its
known also that he was aware of this, and in
explanation he said tho acts causing dispieasure
were for the best interests of the exhibit. Some
no doubt, honestly believe that the commission
under his administration ID not max
ing the best OF grand opportunity
to dress up IN attractive show window
for Washington in the form of a state exhibit,
but the commissioners who worked with him
seemed we'll pleased. The claim is not made
for Dr.. Balock that he has abnormal executive
power, but his conservative planning and thor
ough execution. his friends hold, are ample
proof OF his ability. BY making DR.. Calhoun
executive commissioner 1t is believed any dis
cordant elements in the Worlds fair work will
be united.
DR.. Blalock's attention was called this even
ing to the statement that he had '.docked'
Secretary Meany while the latter was at Seattle
during the sickness and death OF his child
'Piease say for me- he said, shat that is a lie
/ never thought of such a thing 1t IA an injus.
tice to have such falsehoods appear in print"
Dr. Bialock would not discuss the subject OF his
alleged forced resignation As president, except
to say that it was untrue.