The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-01-14
WANT THEIR PER DIEM ALLOWANCE
a Worlds Fair Board Struggling TO Keep
Up with tho Appropriations.

WAsHISGToS. Jan. l3.-There hns been a
lively time here this week in the meetings Of
what is known as The Board OF Control OF the
Worlds Columbian Commission" This is a
sort Of relic of the Chicago Exposition. The
men composing this Board have been living
for the last two years or 80 upon n per diem
allowance of ST. for looking after the interests
OF the Government and the public at large at
the Exposition. and 1t is said are 10th to
lose 1t. SO meeting was called at
Washington to contrive some way to continue
the per diem. The most feasible Plan seemed
to he the preparation OF a history of the Ex-
position from an Official standpoint. which
seemed likely to occupy their time Tor n year
longer at least. But great difficulty stood In
the way. The entire appropriation OF Con-
gress for the support Of the National Commits
sion was exhausted with the exception OF
$1,000 which was set aside at the last meet
inc Of the Commission to pay the EXPENSE Of
another and final meeting In the spring.
Inc Board IN h9dg PAD VISIT to assistant ant
finances Of the Worlds Fair iu charge. and en-
doavored to convince him that it was more
than meeting OF the National Com mi ssion.
He took tho matter under adyisement, but did
gutne Of the Secretarys decision the Board
held another meeting. and decided that in
would stay in Washington and assist Ohm B"yd
1hncher with his work OF awarding diplomas
ana medals. Mr. lhacher is supposed 10 nave
been frugal with his appropriations some OF
the Commission even accuse him OF being
stingy because he wouldn't give fat places q
that they would have Mr.. Thacher lpay their
per diem out OF the money he has saved. For
directing" the members OF the board to re;
view the work OF the bureau OF Awards. and
ofthe AUTHORIZATIONS for m eiais and diplomas.
When John Boyd Thachsr heard OF II he got
very angry. lie grabbed his hat ana coat and
N
where the Board was sitting. lie bounced into
the paIor and told them that they were a lot
excePt their per diem that they hat long been
and still continued to be a disgrace TO the TX
ought TO have more self res pect than TO act AS
they did. He declared that lie would not allow
never approve their vouchers and that he
would not recognize them In any way.
The majority o. the 81 Board took Mr.; ThHeher's
and Mr., Ewing Of Illinois became indignant,
and declared that they would not permit any
their spssches 10y Offering their resignations
aud lctt the room In Indignation. In the
that Gen. Harrison Is not a candidate for re-
nomination, left the room and sought safety at
the residence OF his successor. Senator Me-
When Mr.. Thatcher cooled on he hunted up
Mr. Ewing and Mr.. sanders and aRol ogiled 70
was very lluch provoked. because the Board
had taken their action Without consulting hun
no next moraing Nj. Thacher, ieft ior
his home in Albany, lie had not
got farther than Baltimore when the
Board Of Control assembled again, double
locked ana hoted the door ana then pro-
ceeded TO renew their action OF the previous
day. appointing themselves a committee TO
review John Boyd Thaeher and all his works
directing that gentleman to turn over to them
the records ~ his bureau, and furnish them
Al facilities" and authorizing the payment OF
their Uer diem out ot his fund.
Mr ThaeheT has declared that he will not
recognize any such committee. and has motif I
fed them hat he will not approve their yOueh-
ers As they cannot get any pay without his
approval and as there 10 ne other iund avail !
able. the Board is practically stIll in session.