The morning call., 1894-04-14

to % cents; if there are any of them pres
ept let them bring forth their strongest
argument"
r. B. Mitchell of the executive commit
tee said that he would like to know if this
committee of five was going to deal with
the petty grievances that were brought
before il, and if it was he was prepared to
turn all the complaints over to them.
Mr.. McAfee of the committee said that
it looked as though the committee OF five
was to be made the hopper forlreceiving
all the complaints that were hanued in
against the fair management. and he did
not think it was part of their duty.
Only few days ago the committee had
been called upon 10 discharge one of the
guards for striking Turk. The duty Of
this committee was to audit the accounts
of the management, and he thought mat
iers Of other sorts should not be brought
before il.
Mr.. McAfee then made a motion that
this meeting be devoted t. the discussion
of the reduction of the price OF admission
TO the fair from 80 cents TO % cents. The
motion was amended by Mayor Ellert tn
take In such other business as may be
considered of importance, which let in the
man with grievance, and some very
warm speeches followed both Tor and
against the 25-cent rate.
Colonel Andrews asked that the CON-
plants of the va rious exhibitors be heard
before the committee should be called upon
to answer them. He was under the i'm
preston that only the sideshow men de-
sired a reduction, while those who had
exhibits Of value were just as anxious TO
have the price stand at 80 cents. Then
when no one spoke for reduction the
colonel said, SIT would appear that all
want the 50-cent rate to stand as the price
of adm issiOn, for no one seems to have
ANYTHING to say"
MIR. Laton said "Give them time; it is
my understanding that they were to be
here, and for one would like TO hear all
that can be said in favor of the reduction"
Mr.. McAfee thought that the complaints
on file with the committee. as published in
the morning papers, would have to be ac-
cepted as their argument, and as they had
been published in full IL was not thought
necessary to read them.
Mr.. Staegmann, speaking for the Italian
section, said that il the 25-cent rate was
tried he thought every one concerned
would be benefited and he knew that their
exhibitors would be better satisfied. When
asked by Colonel Andrews if the receipts
of bis section had been increased on the
days when the attendance was largest, he
confessed that they had not.
A representative Of the County Commits
sioners, G.. l.. Lloyd of Santa Barbara, said
tnat they were perfectly satisfied with the
present price of admission. and added that
they thought the gentlemen composing
the committee of five were too wise to
think of reducing it to % cents. 1 think.
said Mr.. Lloyd. that this movement is
only being agitated by crowd Of worth
less fakirs, who DO not have the interest
of California at heart and do not care
whether the fair is financial success or
not. | represent 5000 constituents, all of
whom are residents of this State. and not
of hpn
would be impossible to make it a paving
institution. A number OF papers in this
State when they abuse the management Of
the fair are trifling with the interests of
our fair State and a halt should be called"
Mr.. Staegmann thought that the 25-cent
rate should be given trial, Tor. unless
some change was made, it would be i'm
possible to maintain their exhibits much
longer.
Colonel Andrews said that the class of
people who would attend at % cents would
not be class that would purchase any,
thing. I'VE started The fair with very
small capital. Atone time we were 100000
in deSt and now that debt is reduced TO
less than $4,000. Does not this show
good management? We are doing well
enough. Why not let we'll enough alone?
| tell you if the price of admission is re-
duced all the Barbary Coasters and their
chppes of this city would attend in a
body and make IL the worst place in San
Francisco. We have called on this COM
mittee to examine our books. We have got
out of debt.
Mr.. Mitchell thought that conclusions
could be drawn from the work Of Expert
Pattee whether it would be advisable TO
reduce the price Of admission or not. He
thought IL would be great mistake to
close the gates of the fair with a large debt
hanging over 1t. "There may be some way
- C. .x..1- hi
parties may be satisfied, but | do not
think that reduction If the price of ad-
mission will do 1t. / think tie grandest
work yet done by the committee is the
securing OF the services of an expert in
whom you have every 0ntidence to over
look the accounts of the executive commit
tee. l tell you we nave nothing to conceal
and would advise that when this report is
handed in the doors be thrown wide open,
SO that all may know just what has been
| accomplished by the fair management"
! Mr.. Fiournay of Tehama County, speak