The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-07-24
ONLYAUDITBIL
Calhoun Fixes That g Lady
Manager Function.
HAVE NO POWER TO REMOVE.

CsssssvssAssss RslsAsvs - Ars. Hsssh-
tsa's PssisAea - Chssf ~ tAs 0eass
Wsaaess Dspessnsas - Fair.
wokID's Fam GBouxps, July A-rsps-
cial. Tho trouble between the Washing.
ton board Of lady managers and MrA
Houghton has been productive Of ccnsid-
cradle correspondence. Tho situation
here Is unchanged. Mrs.. Houghton 10
still in possession, and Miss Cochrane and
Miss Fernside are seeing the fair and hold
ing conferences with Commissioner Cal
houn- The following letters speak for
themselves. The first is from Xra A.
Griggs TO the executive committee, and -
- follows:
The recent devslopments within our
women's board seem to demand some ex-
planatory correspondence between y0u
and me. From your telegram and type
written note enclosed with vouchers from
Mrs. HoughtonlI infer that you regard
her ~ still holding the position of super
intendent Of women's work for the state
Of Washington. Mrs. Owings and con-
tend that when Mrs. Houghton became
president of the new woman's board. the
Office Of superintendent was abrogated-
done away with entirely. / am informed
that she never received any salary =
superintendent Her expenses, though.
were paid. She is lady manager
from Eastern Washington. receiving
pay from the national board whenever
she attends national board meeting. By
courtesy and election by proxies she 10
president OF onr new women's board, or
ganized last March-the 9th day-which
board has never until within few weeks
voted what the salary or payment Of any
officer or empioye should be. Some timo
after Mrs. Houghton reached Chicago she
wrote me that she should draw 500 per
month-just what the heads Of depart
ments had received. II then dawned upon
me that she considered herself superin.
tendent yet, and Mrs. Owings. Mr.. Collyer
and myself began to investigate matters.
You have probably seen Mr.. Coilyer's
statement presented at the board meeting
June 2s and remember that over one-half
OF our sum Of 5000 was involved, and
since that date I have received other
vouchers from Mrs. H0ughton which will
carry the amount up to 5000. OF the ex-
hibits at Chicago have seen commenda-
tory notices, but the point in question is:
Who pays for il? We are pleased to learn
Blalock, is retained BY you ~ her sue
cessor. In that case she must look
to your board for her salary. Mrs.
Owlngs and / consider the exhibit
is in charge Of the board. and two women
appointed by Us will reach Chicago this
week to take care of it for the month. At
the expiration Of that time We shall, Dec
v0lente, DO there ourselves. Since the clos
ing OF the Merchants National bank all
bills against our board have been sent to
Auditor Grimes at Olympia. He an
nounces that he will pay no bills that are
not itemixed.
'.Mr. Coilyer repeatedly advised me not
to sign any vouchers that were unaccom-
panied by receipts, - might become re-
can readily see what o catastrophe that
would be in the Griggs family. Hoping that
the matter IL now clear to you and that
you appreciate our motives and position,
am. with regard, yours truly,
MRS A. GRroGs,
MRS ID. OwINGs."
To this epistle DR.. Calhoun replied in
the following strain:
Dear Madam: have tho honor to &C.
knowledge receipt of a letter dated July
13. signed by yourself and Mrs. Owings
l am very sorry there should Be any diff.
ference Of opinion between us regarding
the duties and powers of the board Of
lady managers. will state frankly that
l do not think the law confers on your
board any authority to remove or appoint
anyone in connection with the exhibit of
the state of Washington at the Worlds
Columbian exposition. Soon after the
passage of the act making the first appro-
priation of 100000 the executive COM
mittee of the Worlds fair commission
established a department. of women's
work. and placed Mrs. Houghton at the
head Of il. All the expenses incurred in
that department were paid by the COM
mission up to the time the supplementary
act passed the legislature appropriating
s., 900 to be devoted to the women depart
ment. This 5000 was to be expended
under the direction Of the board of lady
managers and their aiternates 1t seems
to me that this supplementary act simply
made the board of lady managers an
auditing board, to see that this money was
expended for the purpose for which it was
intended. Personally do not care v no has
charge of the women's exhibit as long asst
is properly taken care OF. No one can be
more anxious than l am to have this mat
ter settled amicabiy and honorably to all
parties. l think this can be DONE Mrs.
Houghton has frequently in the past
month experienced q desire TO give the
work into other hands just as soon as she
could get money TO settle some obligations
incurred In installing the exhibit. As
soon as this Is done she will retire and I
will be very glad to have any one in charge
OF the work whom the board of lady man
ayers may suggest.
Miss Cochrane and Miss Fernside have
arrived here and reported for duty. Hold.
ing the views l do, l cannot recognize
them as being employees in the Washing.
ton state building. consequently I am un.
able To get them passes to the grounds.
They are very es,imahie ladies and regret
very much that they find themsel in 50
embarrassing position. | hone YOU
ladies' VIII give this matter careful con-
sideration and see il il cannot be settled
without any more of this unpleasant news
paper controversy. Very respectfully.
ii. V. Calhoun"
Another serious fire in the Manu.ac-
tnrcs building. chargeable again 10 the
careless handling OF fireworks outside. was
only avcrted last night by the promnt
work OF the hremen. Two of these occur
rences In one week have been enough and
hereafter fireworks. il any are sen, IN
VIII have 20 80 of from the .ioat OBJ feet
cut in the lake
The Worlds fair was closed today to
hi but employees. concessionaires and
newspaper representatives The whole
aspect OF the grounds Was one of peaceful
quiet
What ''seAtco'' Means.
Puget soan5 Lumbermsn.
III ihN columns Of a certain lumber trade
journal. published not very far from Min.
heApoiis' tae'e has appeared lately an ai-
ss..r