The evening times., 1900-06-29

PHILADELPHIA, June 29-Recent
criticisms Of the business methods of the
American Flag House and Betsy Ross
Memorial Association. which according
to a report Of its officers has collected over
$4,000. OF which only SIS. 900 has been
turned over to the fund for the purchase
of the little house at No. 239 Arch Street,
was the cause OF a meeting of the associa-
tion last night. The result of the gath
ering was the appointment of a committee
to examine into the affairs OF the asso-
citation and submit a detailed report
within two weeks.
This committee is the regular auditing
committee Of the association. with two
expert accountants added II includes
DR.. A. H. Fetterolf. President pf Girard
College; Sydney L. Krauss. William A.
Carr and John Helms. and the expert
accountant OF Peirce's Business College.
The report OF this committee will De
given to the public.
DR.. Edward Brooks. Superintendent
Of the Philadelphia schools and president
Of the association. presided. and x-Gov.
Robert E. PattisOn. a director. offered
ment Of the committee and outlined the
character Of the report expected.
II was stated by John Quincy Adams
secretary Of the organization. that about
$4,000 had been collected ny the asso-
citation in eighteen months. ald that SIS
900 Of this amount had passed TO its cred
il. the remainder. SO. .00t having been
expended in the conduct OF the business.
contract executed on December IA
1899. between John Quincy Adams and
Charles II. WeIsgerber. trading as John
Quincy Adams & Co., with the Betsy
Ross Association. was exhibited. Mr.
Weisgerber is the artist who painted
the picture. a facsimile Of which is used
on the certificates given for the dimes
and the premiums. The contract pro-
yides that 2 - cents out Of every 10
cents collected shall be paid over 10 the
Betsy Ross Association, AID that the
remaining IL cents shall be paid TO
Adams & Co. TO defray the expenses in
cident to the sale Of certificates Of mem
/ bership in the association.
II was claimed that II costs 4 cents to
send a certificate by mail, and that the
certificate and mailing tube cost about
l IL cents, leaving 2 cents for the pro-
moters Of the patriotic enterprise, less such
other expenses as they may incur incident
TO the conduct OF the business. Thousands
Of subscribers sent in the postage with
their dimes. thus Increasing the revenues
OF Adams & Co.
The object Of the association as stated
Z in circulars is 10 have the public cOUtri-
butte 900 for the purchase Of the Betsy
Ross House in which the first American
flag was made under an option which has
five years 20 run. II the same proportion
be kept up, the public must contribute
500 coo before the S25 000 will be avaiia-
BILE for he purpose named the So 600 go
ing 20 Adams & Co. for the certificates
sold and 20 defray the expenses incident to
selling them.
The certificates have been sent all over
the world. They can be found wherever
Americans have their homes. Mississippi.
Nevada and Oklahoma are the Only sec
tions in the United States where large
numbers have not been sold. In Penn syl-
vania. according 10 the report made this
month 2571e9 certificates have been sold
and 166. $50 in New York.
Ofhcers OF the association state that they
do not believe that there has been any cor
rupJion incident to the management Of
the business. but the claim is made that
the percentage Of expense is too great. and
that the profit netted TO the organization is
much 100 small.
Many Of the most prominent men in the
United States have lent their names TO the
association. and they have been called up
one penny Of which sum ever passed
through their hands.
The directors Of the institution and char
ter signers include Rev. Morgan Dix, D.
d; Superintendent John Jasper, OF the
New York public schools; General Oliver
Otis Howard Benjamin F. Tracy. George
Candy. grandson Of Betsy Ross. Archbish-
op Patrick J. Ryan Rabbi RrauskOpf
President James McAlister. Ii. D.. Of
DreXel Institute; John Wanamaker, DR..
Thomas Egleston OF Columbia University;
Rev. Russell H ConweH. d. D.; Asa Bird
Gardiner, Lieut. Francis A Adams. George
Clinton Batcheller. Of New York: Thomas
Wynne, DR.. Nathan c. Shaeffer. Superin-
tendent Of Public Instruction State Of
Pennsylvania; Fred. II. COZzens, of De-
troit; Edward Payson Cone Lucius F.
Chitenden, Adjt. Gen. Thomas J. Stewart
Rev Henry C. McCoOl1 d. D.: Charles W.
Smith. Judge William y. Ashman and Ed
win : Stuart