Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-06
PROCEED WITH GREAT CARE
Newly Elected Exposition Directors Hold
Their First Meeting.
NOTHING BUT PRELIMINARY WORK DONE
Organization Postponed UntiI Qucs-
tions Involved In the Failure to
Elect Full hoard Are solved
Labor Asks Representation.

The first meeting OF the newly elected di-
rectors Of the Transmississippi and lnterna-
tional Exposition association was held at the
Commercial club rooms yesterday afternoon.
OF the forty-nine members elected by the
stockholders last Tuesday night, forty-threc
were present, the other members being out
Of the city. The meeting was characterized
by disposition to proceed with the greatest
caution in order that the success of the eX
position might not be jeopardi2ed in the
slightest degree by an unwise step. There
was apparent a healthy amount of enthu-
siasm, which was manifested several times,
but there was nothing of an effervescent
nature in the sentiment which developed,
The meeting was called to order by Presi-
dent G. w. Wattles of the old board of
directors and Ex-Governor Alvin Saunders
was chosen temporary chairman and John
A. Wakefield temporary secretary.
The fact that but fortynine directors had
been elected by the stockholders. instead of
fifty, as provided in the articles of ncor-
poration, was the first subject for discus
sion. The consensus of opinion was to the
effect that it was vital point whether the
board could legally organize with less than
fifty directors or whether the forty-nine
elected by the stockholders had the power to
elect the tftieth man. or whether Mr.. Ben
nett, by virtue of the fact that he is mem
Der of the old board, would
of the new board of directors These
phases Of the question were debated at great
length and the whole matter was finally re-
ferred to a committee, consisting of Messrs.
c. S. Montgomery, j. c.. Wharton and J. L.
Webster, to investigate all the questions in
voved and report to the board at it's next
meeting.
During this discussion a communication was
presented from w. II. Bennett in which he
rendered his resignation as a director of the
exposition. This was laid on the table until
the report of the committee referred to above
is received. The same action was taken with
reference to communication from organized
labor, presented by l. w. Carpenter, one of
the directors This communication was
signed by T. f. Sturgess, president of the
Typographical union. and asked that, in case
of vacancy in the board of directors, rep
resentltve of organized labor be elected
to fill the vacancy.
]. C. Wharton called attention of the
board to the fact that great deal of dsSlt-
iafaction existed among the members Of the
labor unions on account of the fact THAI
they had not been given representation on
the board of directors, and he introduced
resolution, providing that in case of va
cancy occurring in the board of directors the
labor unions of Omaha and South Omaha be
requested to select and present to the board
Of directors the names of three men repre-
senting organized labor, and providing, fur
ther, that the name, so presented should
receive the consideration of the board in
the election of a director to fill vacancy. This
resolution was unanimously adopted.
In view of the complications existing re-
gardng the legal organization of the board
on account of the failure to elect full
board of fifty directors, it was decided to
postpone the election of officers until the next
meeting.
L. Rosewater suggested that in order that
the work of the board might be expedited as
much as possible, a committee should be ap-
pointed to recommend plan of organization
and work and present the same to the board
at its next meeting, and he moved the ap-
pointment of such committee. The idea
met with favor and the motion was adopted.
The chair appointed Messrs. E. Rosewater, c.
f. Manderson, Frank Murphy, Dudley Smith
and G. w. Wattles as such committee.
The meeting was adjourned until next Tues
day afternoon at O'Clock at the rooms OF
the Commercial club.