New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-19
THE FAIR TO OPEN ON SUNDA Y
TALK WITH FERDINAND W. PECK.
HE DOES NOT THINK THAT Mr.. THOMAS WILL
RESIGN.

HE DOES NOT THINK THAT Mr.. THOMAS WILL
RESIGN
Ferdinand W. Peck. vice president Of the Board OF
Directors OF the Worlds Columbian Exposition ana
chairman OF the Finance Committee, among the
arrivals at the Fifth Avenue Hotel yesterday. lie
talked Interestingly last evening eXpiainins some u
the happenings at the big Fair and coirectih5
some ideas which arr prevalent concerning It,
In spite of the fact that there has been a great
deal of bad weather, which DELAYED the preparations
somewhat and in spite OF the fact that the New"
York papers have been advising people not to go 70
the Fair yet. because ii IS not ready, the Fair ma
been opened successfully and we have had pretty
good attendance. ! that il has been going the
rounds that an attendance Of 10000 people Il day II
necessary in order to deray the running expense
of the Fair The number actually required 10 pis
the running expenses at present Is about fo'ooo
In a we TX or Two, wLel things get to running SIN on!
an attendance Of 10000, with the income from the
privileges, will pay all the running expenses. Ii'
does not provide for dividends for the s'ochholu
or the return OF any part Of the $l9,oOOooo which
the Fair has cost most of which has been subscribed
by Chicago people"
In regard sunday opening Mr.. Peck SAID oh
less we are enoined by the courts shall open 'he
Fair ON SUNDAYS, beginning with next sunday. lie
gates alone will not be opened as was at hrst pro
posed with half price admission lee. Inc an
Galleries exhibition halls, and everything under the
control OF the directors VIII be thrown opeh' Inv
machinery however will not be rum 1t is expected
that all of the foreign nations Will open th'lr
pavilions ON Sunday, and most If not all the states
This action was decided upon at meeting held Gay
before Yesterday. At the same meeting II was re-
solved to decline to receive any more payments OH
the grant Of So 600 made to the Fair by congress
and to return the amount already paid Congress ap
proprated So 800 900 the sole condition lhi' 'h'
Fair should be closed on sunday. Aterward Con-
far
Acknowledgement diverted S57O.s2O of the amount
annroprIaed for the Fair to this purpose II was felt
nv many that BY doing this Congress broke It's contract
with the managers OF the Fair and that the sunday
closing clause was longer binding IL was 'houeh'
host however 10 return the money. and the million
or more which has already been PAID VIII De re-
funded. This action has been taken in good faith
ond every cent OF the money will be paid back, Al
though there is nothing bind the directors to do So
The directors however are honest men. men OF bust
ness position who know the valne OF good name
and who do not divert" money into other channels
than that into which they have promised 1t Should
go. go
at is not expected that the Fair VIII make money
out OF Sunday opening on this condition. we Inquire
that we shall make Just about as much extra as We
shall have TO pay back TO the United states treas
urr we have taken this act,n simply because W"
bel,eve that nineenths OF the people we represent
the patrons Of the Fair-desre that 1t Shall De
opened on sunday
Mr. Peck said that he did not know how much oppo-
sition oud come from the Sunday closing associauoh
in various parts OF the country. 1t was Significant
no said that since decision OF the directors 10
return the appropriation the Rev. DR.. Johh IL. par
rows pastor of the First Presbyterian Church OF Ch
caco who had hitherto been In the front ranks OF inc
sundav-closers had withdrawn his opposition and had
nublicy advised his people 10 support the Exposition
heartily. o.,,,.,
MIR. Peck said that in his opinion the oppositoh
N Theodore Thomas would not succeed In forcing DIS
resignation as director OF music at the Fair Tine
Nationaf Commission said Mr. Peck. al has voted to
reouet Director General Davis to ask for the reig
naiion Of MIR Thomas because he refused to use only
instruments made by exhibitors. Inc directors mo-"
ever are OF the opinion that the National commission
has nothing whatever TO do Win the music q.
the Fair, and am pretty sure o una.
they will support Mr.. Thoinass position: IN case
;bero Is disagreement between the Two branches
of The management. i have no doubt mere Will
be- the case will he referred TO the Board OF Reference
and Control which Is composed OF e1gh directors anu
eight members Of the National Commission mere
viii be a tie vote I'm this board, think: ana ! am
nret,v sure that know what / am talking about
IL The board falls 10 take actiOn, the cas-" VIII w
douhtedv fall into the hands OF the 'ouncll OF hu-
ministraiion which has general charge OF analr,'
This board is composed OF two directors, II: ~
and c. II. Schwab and two members OF tne VI, "a
tjonal Comm sSiOn. General sinclair, Oh MM'ot vi,
cinla and Judge Massey OF Delaware. THIS board
Nil stand three 10 for Mr.. Thomas. .,,
resign under fire. Perhaps after the oass bad been
settled in his favor he would resign IN disgust, p,
II was probable that he woud remain IN his present
place.