The San Francisco call., 1896-03-27
IT IS A PRIVATE AFFAIR.
The Mexican International Ex.
position to Be Held Next
Year.
Former Vice.President of the Mid.
winter Fair Is the Poo-Bah
of the Enterprise.

Charles Asher of the Washoe Club and
one of the managers of the Baldwin Ho-
tel has returned from trip to Mexico
where he went on business on the 18th of
this month.
At the close of the Midwinter Fair in
this City, when Viscount Rene de Cornelly
first broached the proposition of an exhi-
bition to be held in Mexico, Charles Asher
was his warmest supporter. He agreed to
put up funds and did, which enabled the
then impecunious Viscount to 60 to Mex
leo and enlist the good will of President
Diaz in the matter of strangers coming
into his domain to hold an international
exposition. This Cornelly did in meas
ure, President Diaz agreeing to not inter-
fere in the matter. However, the Presi-
dent has not as yet given the private en-
terprise the official stamp of the Mexican
Government. Still, the promoters of the
affair expect that as soon as things are in
such condition as to satisfy Diaz that the
exposition will be success he will author
ize an appropriation toward it and invite
all foreign governments to attend.
One of Cornelly's first moves was to or
ganize the Mexican National Exposition
Land Company. This institution pur-
chased 600 acres of land belonging to Senor
bonded for $3.50, 900 through the New York
Trust Company, and Immediately they
began the work of preparing the land for
the site of the exposition.
the executive corps of the exposition
was then given out to the public as fol-
lows: Director General, Ignacio Bejarano;
Juan r. dos Pessos, representative of the
Mexican National Exposition ana Land
Company; German Bulle, general mana
ger for the United States, and Viscount
Rene de Corneily, director of concessions
and the foreign department.
Affairs having progressed thus far
Charles Asher decided it was about time
he take little trip to see his old friend
the Yiscount and make the latter keep the
promise he made over a year and half
about Mexican exposition he would give
Asher the sole and exclusive gambling
privileges in consideration Of the funds
already advanced.
The Viscount redeemed his pledge, and
Mr.. Asher has the concession now snugly
tucked in in his inside pocket. His vic
tory, however, was not exactly walk
over, as others, namely, Mexican who is
in the gambling business himself and who
pays the Government $4,000 per month
for the exclusive right to conduct gam
bling in Mexico, was after the plum. This
man, it is claimed, clears ST. 900, 900 each
year in the five casinos he runs. He
was favored by the Mexican contingent of
the executive committee, who kept put
ting Asher off day after day. promising
him an answer 'manana."
1t was at this juncture that Viscount
Cornelly stepped into the breach and won
the concession for his friend. He ex-
planned that the slight given Asher would
probably be resented, and the exposition
would suffer. But, the concession being
granted to an American would encourage
the people of the United States to exhibit
at and visit the exposition. The Mexican
gambler gracefully withdrew.
Now, it is confidently expected by Asher
that he and his associates-Mike Katzen-
stein and Joe Ullman, the New York
bookmaker-will divide up cold million
dollars profit at the close of the Mexican
exposition.
aside from the privilege of running the
Casino, which will be magnificent Monte
Carlo" Mr.. Asher said, A'I have also Sc
cured concessions to run scenic railway,
shooting the chutes and I will also form
part OF the sMazzaroth Company This
is something entirely new. 1t is an
Egyptian illusion, the building being
OF the pyramids of Egypt,
and, on the inside, an operating electrical
display of the planets, moon and solar
system.
cit is expected by the promoters of the
exposition that it will be a great success.
On the 14th of April Viscount Rene de
Cornelly will leave for Europe to get more
concessionaires. The exposition will not
open until November. 1897, but, next
month, after an expenditure of $1oO. 900 for
beautifying the grounds. the Mexicans
will baptize them with great floral fete."
f0r Horsaa