The morning call., 1894-05-06
Director-General de Young Re-
fuses to Open Books.
OR ALLOW THEIR INSPECTION.
Proceedings at the Meeting of the
Committee of Fifty Last
Evening.

terDa tiOnal Exposition present at tne meet
ing held last evening in the chambers OF
the Board OF Supervisors. Buttwo matters
of considerable interest were discussed.
One was report from Mr.. johnson of
the committee Of five who had been de-
tailed to examine into the feasibility OF
exporting in detail the Exhibitors space
account" and the ''conceSsionaires' rooms
account" in which Mr.. Johnson charged
Direc tor-General de Young with having
refused him access TO the books OF these ac-
counts.
The other after was the subject of re-
during the price of admission to the fair
to 25 cents. This latter proposition was
ingloriously knocked OUT.
Mayor Eilert called the meeting to order.
Those present were: Max PoppeT, Z. Il.
Grunsky. T. !. T. Smiley, NJ. johnson. T.
w. c. Ralst"n, Dr.. Regensherger. j. 2.
Yeung, A. Andrews, A. Ruef, DR.. Hodson,
VIII Z. Fisher, Cralgie Sharp and Alex
ander Badlam.
The first business was the reading of
the report Of the committee of five ap-
pointed to inquire into The financial condi-
tisn of the far, consisting of: Messrs.
McMaDn. NJ. johnson. c. E. Grunsky,
Win L. Fisher and l.. c. McAfee.
According to the report. which was
based upon the returns of Expert Scion
Pattee, the daily receipts in round figures
during March and April averaged S4S00,
and the daily expenses $4,000, leaving net
daily income of S280O. On the 20th OF April
the cash on hand was $780, ,053 0S; the out
standing bills registered amounted to S35.-
los 70, leaving a net surplus OF cash on
hand of S947 80.
Adding to this the net income at the
same rate for seventy-hve days, from
April q up to and including July 4. the re-
port showed that there would be a gross
net surplus of S219,9l7 SO. The executive
committee will take SO, 900 10 close up the
exposition, including the removal of all
goods, AMI su6tractIng this from the net
surplus above mentioned there would be
left grand net balance to the credit oftbe
exposition at its close OF S135,947 80.
The then goes on t, say that these
figures are only an approximation based
10 some extent upon figures and estimates
furnished by the executive committee.
which could not be verified because the
investigation into the resources and liabil-
ities as evidenced by past transactions.
was terminated, when the committee was
denied the privilege of examining into the
concessions bonus" and space" accounts.
In connection with this charge M. john
son. the member Of the committee ap-
pointed to look into these accounts, filed
supplemental report to that of the COM
mittee. In this he asserts that on April
20Ih he went to the accountants
and cashiers department in tile Ad-
ministration building to look at
the ledger accounts and contracts for
exhibitors space and concessionaires
bonuses, and found that while the books
are kept by double entry system these
TWO accounts are run in sort of siGgle
entry style, and that the ledger does not
show in any way the amounts due and un-
paid. nor the amounts which should have
been paid according to contract.
AS the accounts now stand clear or
correct statement could not be made. He
employed two expert accountants ana two
clerks to go over the exhibition space"
and 'concessionaires' bonuses" accounts.
Then came the hitch, and Director-Gen-
eral de Young took a hand in il. Mr..
Johnson saws he explained to the director
general the nature of his mission and
what be wanted. He also presented "a
copy OF the resolution passed Dy the COM
mittee of five appointing him 10 look after
the books.
The following is Mr.. Johnson's account
of what then transpred:
Mr.. de Young read the resolution, then,
striking his fist very fOrcibIy on the
counter, said:
on go back to your committee and
tell them will not allow it. The execu-
tive committee have considered this mat
ter and we have decided to stop it right
here. You shall not transcribe items from
our books and give them 10 the news
papers for publication"
i said, Il don't want the information to
give TO the newspapers but to report To
the committee OF fifty"
Mr.. Ge Young replied: 81 know better;
it is to go 10 the City Ii all to be published
in the newspapers. You can't fool me.
You have had men here for three weeks
afn nfs fo lraa II
and our men have been annoyed and inter
feTed with enough"
Mr. de Young, continuing, said: "This
thing has gone on Tor three weeks, and now
you come in and want the details of some
little 10-ceDt matter"
replied: "1ou call items amounting
to S165.000 little 10-cent matter" do
you?"
Mr.. de Young said: "Well, there is
nothing wrong with our books; they are
all right, and if any subscriber or member
Of the committee of fifty desires to louk al
them they can do So"
The sentiments expressed by Mr.. de
Young were so emphasized by his offensive
aud brOw-beating manner that no man,
unless OF craven heart and servile spirit,
could remain silent and retain self-respect; /;
80 voiced TO him my opinion by saying:
Mr.. de Young. you can neither buy,
Influence nor scare me. | am not afraid
Oi you. DhI uOLeu ike you.
Mr. de Young replied: "I suppose you
will give full report of this"
answered, Yes, [ will rerort it, and
don't you forget it. and left the office.
Being unable to obtain access to the ac-
counts concerning which detailed state
ment was desired, by reason of Mr.. de
YOung's peculiar attitude, and having
been treated by Mr. de Young in a manner
not only discourteous to me but also to the
committee whom l represented. and feel
ing that Mr.. de Young controls the
Midwinter International Exposition 10
such an extent that it is i'm
possible to examine any of its
affairs without his sanction. and being
satisfied that for reasons best known 10
himself Mr.. de Young will not give his
sanction to the making of a statement
from these accounts, respectfully submit
the foregoing and recommend that the
facts therein contained be emb bodied in the
report to the committee of fifty.
The report Of the committee of five also
touched upon the matter of reducing the
entrance fee into the fair, and recommend
ed that the rate of admission should be
reduced on Sunday to % cents aud 10
cents for children; and, furthermore, ex-
pressed the belief that the state OF Tho
finances would warrant the same reduction
inn