The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-04-05
Preliminary Meeting of the SPEC
Ciai Committee.
ATTITUDE OF THE EXPOSITION
Every Facility Promised That Will
Expedite the Work of the
Investigators.

of he exposition in general held its first
meeting in Mayor Eller's Office yesterday
afternoon. The members of The commit
tee besides the Mayor are Charles A.
Laton (chairmaD). L. C. McAfee, NJ. john
son, Will E. Fisher and C. Grunsky. The
committee organized by the election of L..
c, McAfee as secretary.
A general discussion followed as to the
scope Of the proposed investigation, and
the method in which it should be con-
Quoted. Upon two points the sentiment
was very pronounced; namely, that the
work could only be done by the most ex-
pert accountant who could be obtained,
| and who was at the same time man well
known and whose name would be a guar
antee to the public that the work was be-
ing done thoroughly and properly. and
that whatever was done must be done with
all possible expedition.
"If we could get our report in the papers
Tomorrow" said Chairman LatOD, lit
would be the best service that we could
render to all concerned. The filing OF our
report must not be delayed. The effect OF
il will be lost if this is done. There is now
a feeling of dissatisfaction and discoutent,
which it Is to be hoped that this investlga-
ton will satisfy, ana the sooner this Is
done the sooner will the exposition be the
gamer. for public confidence will be
restored and with that will come an In
crease in nublic interest"
Mayor Ebert emphasized the same idea,
even putting it in this way. that the COM
mittee'S services would benefit no one If
its labOrs could not be completed within
ten DAYS, and when it was decided to en-
ploy an expert, it was with this in view
that, if possible, his investigations should
be finished within that time.
And his work, when it is DONE" con-
tinued the Mayor. must be so thorough
that each one of us Will be willing to affiX
our own signatures to his findings, and
show to the public not only that an in
vestigatOn has been made, but that we
individually are willing to back il up. No
examination that we could make could
justify us in thus lndoTsing the manage
nent of the fair. but when careful and
painstaking accountant, whose character
will of itself go far toward satisfying the
public, shall be selected, we will then be
in position to ind0rse the directors and
give the people the satisfaction of know
ing how the finances OF the exposition
hav7 been managed.
When it came 10 the selection OF an ex-
pert number of names were suggested,
but it did not take long for the committee
10 agree on Scion Pattee, an expert who
has done n great deal OF work 10 various
city offices.
Will I. Fisher and L. C. McAfee were
appointed a subcommittee 10 wait upon
Mr.. Pattee TO lay the plans Of the COM
mittee before him. and to- make definite
arrangements with him to proceed imme-
diately with the Work. The matter of
expense. which is to be borne by the man
! agement of the fair, was not seriously
considered, but it wes thought that it
would be limited 10 $500. while it may not
/ each that figure.
! As Tie committee is authorized 10 make
detailed investigation of everything con-
nected with the fair. it will give some at
| tentioR TO the matter OF a reduced admis-
| sion fee. Individual opinions were ex-
pressed on the subject yesterday, but it
was decided to wait until the committee
was informed by its expert in regard TO
! The number of paid admissions daily, and
| then it could more intelligently make its
recommendations.
AS soon as the committee adjourned
Messrs. McAfee and Fisher went To Mr..
PaItee's Office, where arrangements were
made with him TO take charge of the in
vestlgatiOn. and full committee meetin e
was at once called, TO assent BILE a. the Ad-
ministrat0n building, where they would
confer with Mr.. Pattee and the director
of The exposition.
Tho headquarters OF the committee will
! continue to To at Mayor Ellert's office.
ut CoUlIHlltec assembled
! again last night in the Administration
| building at the fair grounds, and had an
| informal meeting with the executive com
mittee.
Chairman Laton was prevented from
attending by the sickness of member of
his family, but all the other members and
Mayor Elert were present
DlrecIor-General de Young and Messrs
Mitchell, Andrews and Lllienthal received
the visitors.
r. B. Mitchell told Mr.. Grunsky, before
the others had arrived, that the executive
committee intended TO submit all the ac-
counts and the books to the scrutiny OF
the special committee. I'VE have nothing
to conceal" he said, "and we want you
gentlemen TO have every opportunity to
perform your duties thoroughly and with
all possible expedition"
Mr.. Mitchell added. however. that the
work would have TO be done In executive
session. ''All our work is conducted with
closed DOORS" he said, otherwise we
would not he able to accomplish any,
thing"
Il don't ask the committee TO do its
work III any other way than the usual
one" said Mr.. Grunsky. but SO far as we
are concerned we are perfectly willing to
have The press attend the meetings"
When Mayor Ellert arrived be favored
an open meeting, but reporters neverth--
less WeT5 lDIOIHltu tUdI Tie SESSION NOulQ
90 executive.
When it was over Mr.. McAfee was dele
gated to give the press the proceedings.
He had acted as spokesman in the alb
sence of Chairman Laton.
I'VE did nothing" he said. at was
only an Informal meeting. | simply told
the executive committee that our expert
was ready To look at the books, and that
we could not tell what tile nature Of our
work would be until after he had made his
preliminary report. 1t will take him
day TO ascertain what il will be necessary
TO do In order 10 ascertain the exact condi-
lion OF the books, and then it will take
MI several days to do the work and make
MS repnrt. L said to them that we would
Dase all our actions upon what he advises,
and mat until we had the proper informa-
ton we did not feel competent to make
any statements or take any action.
Inc executive committee approved our
aitltude, and introduced Mr.. Pattee to
their exert. That was all that occurred"
Mr.. Pattee Will make his preliminary
examination of the books to-day.