The Washington times., 1907-11-24

attendance at the exposition was in
consequence reduced to the minimum.
The direct and only cause CT this con
dition OF affairs resulted from wide and
severe criticism OF the press following
the opening event. Stories were sent
throughout the country, telling Of the
1mCompIeted condition Of the exposition
the extOrtiOnate hotel and boarding
house rates, and Of the miserable fail
ure Of the exposition management to
properly receive ana entertain its hon
ored guests.
SO broad and severe was the criticism
that the exposition never recovered IRON
Its effects. It ran along for several
months with an average of from 800,
10 5000 daily attendance. These figures
Include passes OF all kinds
Debt Increased.
With such low gate receipts, the ex-
position company gradually sank farther
ia debt Il had on its hands an expo
sitiOn. with numerous buildings. some
uncoapleted, and others without ex-
hibits, and mud noles for streets and
sidewalks. During this period fl serI-
ously suffered from a long spell of rainy
weather. which not only materially in
terfered with the construction work, but
with the gate receipts.
By July I the cards seemed as though
they had been stacked against the expo
siJiOn. Without a dollar in the treasury,
a salary list pilling up at the rate OF
about 5000 per day, and money needed
10 complete the show, drastic action
WAS found imperative for relief. An
additional loan of 100000 was sought
Being already heavily involved in the
eEpOsitIOn's finances, the banks and
trust companies Of Norfolk and Ports
mouth found themselves only able 10
raise about $4,000. The railroads with
terminals at Norfolk and steamboat
lines We're then urged to pool interests.
and they raised a sum estimated at be-
tween 100000 and 100000.
Exposition bonds were TO be taken for
the money, and a condition that James
N. Barr, president of the Seaboard AIT
Line, become director general, super
wise the expenditure, and have absolute
control of the exposition mana cement.
Barr Put in Charge.
d The exposition stockholders and dl-
EeCtOrs enacted the necessary amend
1nents TO the bylaws Of the corporation
transportation lines. and Mr.. Barr was
elected and took charge, with the un-
fderstandlng that he receive no pay for
his services.
Immediately upon the incoming OF
fDirector Barr confidence of the country
was restored in the exposition and the
satteniance gradually increased MI
Barr displayed excellent bushes aDil-
i1ty, and soon had the exposition not
only completed, but on a paying basis.
The numerous concessiOnaires on the
War Path ard in exhibit buildings, who
had suffered greatly financially, gave to
MIR. Barr their unqualified support in
one effort TO make the big show sue
cess. Friction was not long in coming,
chiefly over social anairs, and Mr.. Barr
twice resigned. saying that he could not
remain under existing conditions,
which was an allegation that the expo
sition vas not living up 10 its contract
with him. The railroads took the same
view.
So did Secretary CortelyOu, who, IT
the capacity Of Government agent for
the collection of the $1,000 900 loan made
the exposition by the Government, and
a small fraction Of which has been
paid. a minority OF the directors then
got together, accepted Bars resigna-
ton. and elected Alva II. Martin di-
rector general The railroads had put
I'D their money as agreed, but with the
exception Of the payment Of one line,
The Chesapeake and Ohio, it had not
vet been turned over TO the exposition
The money was withdrawn. This was
the most serious blow TO the exposition
and its creditors The railroads claimed
that the exposition had broken its con-
tract with them
Clash With Tucker.
one of the reasons which led TO the
resignation of Mr.. Barr was the Barr
Tucker controversy. This incident was
enacted during the visit Of Prince WI
helm, son Of the King Of Sweden. It
was a question of social authority be
tween these officials. Mr.. Barr con-
tended that his power of authority was
being grossly ignored and requested the
board Of directors TO sustain the posi-
ton he took In the matter This they
refused to do, and Mr.. Barr immedi-
ately handed in his resignation At
beast two weeks elapsed before official
faction was taken by the board. During
the interim not only the exhibitors, con-
.eeSsiOnaiTes. and the State Commission
.ers' Association at the exposition passed
resolutions urging Mr.. Barr to recon
slider but the business men Of Norfolk
and Tidewater Virginia insisted that
the board Of directors refuse TO accept
the resignation. Even more powerful
.anduences were brought 10 bear on the
board OF directors to carry out this de-
sire.
TTvUed nv Government