The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-10
HALF A DOLLAR.
The Executive Committee Opposes a
Reduction.

The executive commit tee has issued an ad-
dress TO the public IN reference TO the propos ed
reduction of the price OF admission 10 The fair
grounds and the fraternal celebration days. Ii
reads:
TO the Public: The executive committee of the
California Midwlnter International Exposition
having taken the responsibility of developing
building and promoting In few months great
exposition, and with IL ayerted great financial
catastrophe. have been meeting lately great
deal OF adverse criticism, some OF which has
emanated from friends and some from editors
OF city ana interior newspapers, who are COW
erily stabbing and endeavOrng to destroy its
welfare on every conceivable occasion.
The committee has read in the public press
that the opinion OF many people is that the
price or admission TO the fair grounds should
be reduced from 90 cents 10 20 cents, as by so
doing the fair would become more popular.
This we doubt very much. Ii the public will
lake Into consideration that this great expo
Slti0n, containing between 70 and 100 build
lngS, as Well as great electrical fountain and
great electrical tower, they Will perceive that
the expense OF maintaining the same is neces-
saIily large. The cost OF operating the great
machinery plant, with ten powerful engines,
having boilers OF 5000 horsepower, a great
electrical plant. consisting of $4,000 electric
lamps and 1000 arc lights. and the salaries of
the MIdwinler Fair guards, gatekeepers cash.
lers aud collectors, electricians, machinists,
bremen, lanltors, ETC., with The chief OF each
building and his staff. cause the daily expense
10 run up INTO thousands OF dollars. The CON-
mlttee natuI ally looks for support from the cti-
cents 10 see as great ali exhibit the pres.
enJ one is remarkably cheap. Is there a
citizen OF San Francisco WHO objects to
pay 90 cents that can afford TO pay
30 cents 10 see small loan exhibition OF paint
lDgs, or pay 90 cents TO 20 10 the Mechanics
Fair, held IN a small building? DO not people
pay 90 cents TO have Two hours amusement at
the Ilyoll? Concerts are gotten up where a
band wis play. and 81 is charged for admit
lance TO hear It; while at Golden Gate Park
there Is amusement with two first-class bands
nlaVlnN a Qxf m xrIrfa ht.stxt
ing containing manufactures from all sections
OF The globe. with the Horticultural and Agri.
cultural building filled with the products OF our
SOIL added 70 which Is an exhibit of the differ
ent counties OF your State as well as the north
eru aud southern citrus ana mechanical exhib-
Its. Within the next week the great electrical
fountain, which has cost, to bring out and in
stall, over 5000, will be finished and an
illumination OF the grand court with its large
lower Is TO be made. which is certainly worth
70 any one the small sum Of 90 cents 10 see IL.
We do not refer TO the concessions anu exnib-
It's, where an extra fee is charged; that is a
mater OF expense which Il optional With the
visitor as TO whether he shall incur it, but
Tue Wnoe exposition Is open 10 Tie public Tor
The small sum Of so cents. The principal in-
come to maintain this great plaut and the large
corps Oh enpioyes Is the gate receipts. Start.
ofder Oh things We expect 10 take in enough
money al our gates, over and above our actual
running expenses, 10 meet il, aud a necessary
balance must be accumulated by the time the
exposition closes TO cover the great expense of
returning exhibits and removing The BUILDINGS
This, IN our Judgment, chuld not be done IL
we reduced the price OF admission TO 25 cents
Nothing would give The committee more pleas
uro than TO make this reduction. As a matter
OF fact this Is the first exposition or great ex-
hlbit OF this character that has ever been held
on our new coast, and the whole thing Is an ex-
pertinent In our business judgment IL would
be risky policy at pres Mt 10 abale our charge,
and we cannot believe that the people OF this
city would Want the committee to take any risk
that might Dut US In the position OF having 10
appeal to the community for financial AID.
Another matter, and the most serious one.
has been the suggestion hat has been made in
connection with the fete days TO be held within
the exposition grounds. Various great organ
iZations aud fraternai societies Of San Fran.
cisco have selected certain fete days on which
hey propose TO have gatherings and 10 have a
generally Jolly time. The committee has met