The morning call., 1893-06-03
THAT BIG FAIR.
Our Bankers Are Rather
Conservative.
WILLIAM ALVORD'S OPINION.
The Mayors Conference Hangs Fire
and Grave Doubts Crop Up as to
the Schemes PracticabiIity.

In response to a request from Chicago
anent bringing the Worlds Fair to this
city, Mayor T.. R. Ebert invited the heads
Of the mercantile organizations in this city
TO confer with him yesterday.
Those invited were: President E. b.
Pond of the Cham Der of Commerce. Presi,
dent A. A. Watkins of the Board OF Trade
Traffic Manager Leeds of the Traffic Asso-
citation, or. falling him. Barry Baldwin and
Juda Newman of the Produce Exchange.
Some Of these gentlemen found ii impos-
sible to be present, aud the Mayor post
poned the conference to Monday afternoon
at o'clock.
In fact, throughout the city yesterday
there was noticeable distinct disinclIna-
ton to enthuse on the project.
AS Mayor Ebert said: II am in favor oil
the idea as far as it is practicable; but
time and money must both be taken into
consideration. Whether the money can be
raised aud whether the time allowed is
sufficient are grave questions.
"As to any notion that an appropriation
could be included in the tax levy of July
that is impossible. The law would no,
allow it. The money would have to be
raised elsewhere. | am unable to move
without the co-operation of the bodies
whose representatives | have invited TO a
conference next Monday, and until learn
their attitude in the matter | am non
committal."
Several leading bankers we're inter-
viewed as to the practical aspect of the
project. With one exception they were
found exceedingly conservative.
The exec ption was Gustave Sutro OF Il.
Sutro q Co. He was emphatic in pro-
nouncing the scheme good one.
Il don't know who originated it," he
said Hhut whOpypr did dpsprvpS credit
We have been asleep here for thirty years
and this would wake US up. Money
Why. the whole city and State should be
willing to contribute to 1t. | myself would
be willing to pay 5, 6, Z. s. 8. even 10 cents
additional on the tax levy II it were de.
cided to raise S150.000 by this means.
II think the southern countries as far
as Central and South america, with Mex
leo and Oregon, would send exhl bits, and
the scheme would boom California and
San Francisco to some purpose"
William Alvord. president of the Bank
of California, thought the time given was
too limited, He had an amendment to
offer.
why not hold Pacific Coast Fair in
1882" he asked. I'VE don't want to ad-
vertise foreign products, but our own
that's business. We could exhibit prod
ucts from Alaska to Mexico. from the en-
tire territory west of the Rockies. II
that than TO bring odds and ends of foreign
exhib from Chicago. We have plenty
of exhibits OF our own, and the idea would
be something new. The extension of time
would give an opportunity to do things IN
order and as such an important undertake
ing should be done"
A responsible official in the Croker
Woolwortt Bank, on the corner Of Market
and Post streets, was even more explicit
in he same direction.
81 don't think the idea at all praetica.
Bile, was his opinion.
A. Borel. of A. Borel & Co., Nevada
blnck, Montgomery street, took very
| broad view of the proposition.
'Of course l am in favor of the fair in
one way" he said. sit would be some.
thing for the people to look forward to-
for one thing. But when it comes down
to considering the details. wa find thai
there is nothing practical to work upon.
LAS L understand ii. they want to hold
the fair in December. and in SO doing are
banking upon our winter climate. Now
of course, our winters are glorious, bul
then We cannot depend altogether on the
months of December. January and Febru-
airy. Look at this year; we had lot OF
rain. and know many visitors were dis
appointed by the weather. 1t would be a
bad advertisement tor the California,
climate If It wers decided to hold the fair
in Deem Der and then the weather were to
fail us.
II think il might be better to hold a
fair-if it is to be held-iu 1895. This
would give US several advantages II
hardly seems that anything practical
could be consummated here between now
and Dece ber."