The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-11-28

Of the exposition. II has been stated
that none OF the board Of governors
have drawn their salaries since July.
but ell lesser officials, including direc-
tors, chiefs. and others, drew their sal
airy when there was money in the
treasurer's office 10 draw. Pay day Oc-
and during these long intervals men and
women were compelled 70 borrow 10 tide
themselves over until the pleasant event
happened. ont on what date II might
occur no orc could forecast The slow
ness TO pay of disrupted the organIza-
ton from one er1 80 the other. Few
had the heart &c give proper attention
TO their lAbOrs. This condition Of affairs
drtfted along throughout the entire life
Of the exposition.
The operating expenses and salary
roll inquired nearly 5000 q day l. was
necessary, therefore, 10 have at least
1000 paid admissions per day at 90
cents each 10 meet this expense. Not
until the exposition was completed and
ire Government piers we're formally
dedicated. in the middle Of September.
did the exposition commence 20 take in
sufficient funds from its gate receipts.
and its percentage from the business OF
the private exhibitors and concessions
On the War Path % pay its running eX
penses. From tbs time on until the LIST
OF November the attendance was good.
The gala days Of the fair included the
opening day. GEORGIA Day-When Prest-
dent Roosevelt ind General KurOki
were present; Fourth OF July. Rich
mond Day, the dedication OF the Gov
eminent piers. South Carolina Day.
Robert Fulton Memorial Day. Japan
Day, Labor Day, and Greater Norfolk
Day. on these occasions the attend
anCe, including paid and pass admis-
sions, ranged from 10000 70 $1,000.
Many Are Still "Shy."
Although It has been recently denied
by officials publicly that all salaries have
been paid. there are a number OF men
holding prominent positions, and other
who have left the exposltion's employ
who declare the exposition IS still in
debt to them for a portion of their sal
aries. expense accounts incurred in trav-
cling, and other expenditures made in
the line Of business for the exposition.
One Of the things that tended 10
seriously affect the exposition was the
food problem. Nothing fit to cat could
be had at any price on the grounds
AS a rule the prices were extortiOnate
for the kind Of food served. This same
condition applied to Norfolk and other
Tidewater hostelries. Another thing
was poor street car facilities Two
electric lines were laid between this
city ard the exposition grounds, one q
distance Of nine miles and the other
about twelve. II is claimed here that
the electric street car cOmDanies of
dollars in additional rolling stock, ap-
paratus, and extensions of their lines
to the exposition and Pine Beach piers.
The companies make the claim Of
heavy losses on their investments or ac-
count OF the small attendance Of the
exposition. Steamboat and ferry lines
plying between Norfolk. Newport News
and Old Point likewise suffered hnan-
cial losses.
one of the features which detracted
from the exposition and hurt 1t serious
Is was the fact that a majority Of the
visitors would spend but a day or two
on the grounds and then take advan-
tage Of the various attractions at his
toric Yorktown, Richmond, jamestown
Island, the navy yards at Newport
News and Portsmouth, Fortress Mon
roe, Old Point, Ocean View, Dismal
Swamp, Cape Henry and Nirg pia
Beach. This resulted in leaving but
comparatively little money with the
concessionaries exhibitors, restaurants
and war path attractions. 1t naturally
affected the eXpOsitiOn'S receipts at the
gates and its percentages from conces-
sjons. OF every dollar taken in on the
grounds the exposition got % per cent.
Business Men Wouldn't Help.
Failure on the part of the business
men and citizens generally Of Norfolk
TO cooperate with the exposition man
ayers in making the great show a sue
cess hurt The exposition IN no small
degree. Petty differences over business
and social affairs seemed TO be the
cause. When arrangements were being
made for Greater Norfolk Day in Octo-
Der. the exposition officials urged the
business men to close their houses and
make the day a holiday. The business
men refused to accede to the request
and the day was only a partial success
so far as attendance was concerned
The schoolchildren. who were admitted
70 the grounds for % cents, however
swelled the attendance to something like
10000. A majority of the business houses
of Norfolk have greatly profited by the
exposition.
Notwithstanding the fact that he ex-
position has been a financial failure. n
has been a great success socially. . Ram
quets, lunchecns. dinners. and smokers
were given galore. Every parsonage OF
any prominence whatever was wined
dined. md praised. Southern hospitaIitI,
was DEALT out IN It's old-fashfoned vay
Business was cast to the winds when
opportunity to rub shoulders with the
great vas afforded. But few oficIa Is
and emr lnyes of the exposition ever
failed to miss a reception or a feast
Everyo65 seemed bent on getting the
benefit OF the social affairs. During the
champagne flowed Ike water. but d1Ir-
ing the last few months beer and apoIi-
naris water seemed a good enough hey-
erage to serve to its honored guests.