The morning call., 1893-06-15
THE WINTER FAIR.
Promoters of the Idea Are
Energetic.
Donations and Low Rates Offered by
the Railroad COmpany-Meet-
ings With Mayor ElIert.

The promoters of the winter fair grow
more enthusiastic daily. and appear to
work all the more energetcally in its in
terests. After adopting resolutions in the
State Board of Trade rooms Tuesday they
settled down to nights deliberation over
ways and means and other matters that
would tend to make satisfactory showing
as to how the winter fair could be success
fully established and conducted.
A committee from the Board OF Trade
called upon Mayor Ellert yesterday In re-
gard to the proposition. The committee
consisted of ex-Mayor Gregory of Sacra-
mento and Messrs. Clayton of Santa Clara,
McAfee of San Francisco and Sharpe of
Fresno. The committee spoke to the city'S
chief executive very enthusiastically about
the proposition, and said it was both feasi-
Bile and practicable.
In answer to the enthusiasts Mayor
Ellert blew through his tin tube and spoke
to Secretary Newman, who soon appeared
with & large bundle Of letters from repre-
sentative citizens like Irving n. Scott, F.
b. Pond, a. A. Watkins, Captain j. n
Knowles, Barry Baldwin and many others,
in which the writers one and all agreed
that the scheme was impracticable.
After these letters had been read, the
another conference with them at 10 clock
this morning, at which he wanted them
TO present some definite and feasible
plan of action, so that the proposition
could be brought down to the plain basis of
business facts. He desired to know
whether they wanted the Mayor to ap-
pont a general committee of citizens TO
take charge of the matter, or whether they
would rather have general Meeting called
of representative leaders, which would ap-
point subcommittee throughout the
State
The committee promised to meet the
Mayor in the morning and have some def
mite plan ready upon which some action
could be taken.
In the afternoon a meeting was held in
the Office of McAfee e Co. on MONTGOMERY
street. a. Andrews presided, and the
members of the committee appointed by
the State Board of Trade 10 promote the
winter fair were present
Ways and means were again discussed
at some length. though rather Informally.
Finally motion asking the Mayor to ap-
point an executive committee was adopted.
The committee also decided to call a
mass-meeting in this city. and a date will
be set tomorrow. Some night early next
week will be chosen as most appropriate
| for this meeting.
''The railroad company will give lib
eral contribution" said E. j. Gregory of
| Sacramento. They have guaranteed
! $4,000. and will probably give as much as
| 100000 if the affair looks favorable for
success. They also promise great reduc-
| tion in fares from every point in the State,
which would give everybody chance to
come here. For instance. a rate of 80 cents
would be made from San Jose on excur-
| sion trains. and very low rates on all other
trains besides.
This we find to be merely question of
! freights and transportation. Exhibits cost
| nothing. So we are practically al no ex-
pense except for a building. By selling
coupons or tickets in advance throughout
the State it would not be difficult to raise
S500,000 And besides. there would be
many large subscriptions"
1t has been estimated that fully 100, 00C
people would come from the East, and
! that that influx of visitors would bring
| S10.000.000 to $50, 600 into California.
| Major Sharpe of Fresno declares his sec
tion can and VIII raise $4,000 on coupons.
The county is alive to its Importance,
said he, land the State Board of Trade is
| taking it up all over the State"