Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-09-18
ONLY one REASON GIVEN FOR ACTION
President fuckers Attitude in Re.
gard to Social Affairs of the Expo.
sltion Assigned as Sole Cause For
the Stepping Down and Out Of the
Man Who Undertook to Save
the Fair.

James NJ. Barr who about two
month ago accepted the title of di-
rector general of the jamestown Ex-
position. with the avowed intention of
pulling the Tercentennial through its
financial straits, yesterday rendered
his resignation to the committee OF
the board of directors. which arranged
Il settlement of the differences exist
ing several weeks ago between the
director general and President Harry
st. George Tucker.
Mr. Barr gives only one reason for
his action, and that is that the atti-
tude of President Tucker i'm regard
to the Exposition social functions
makes it impossible for him TO CON
tinue in his position and retain his
self respect.
Immediately after sending in his
letter of resignation, Mr.. Barr de-
parted for New York. without making
any statement other than what he
has to say in his letter. No one
seems TO know just how long he will
he in New York.
President Tucker Not Talking.
President Tucker declined to have
anything whatever to say In regard
TO the resignation Of the director gen
eral. or as to the probable effect OF
the latter's action upon the affairs
OF the company.
Members OF the board of directors
also declined To discuss the subject.
although some of them intmated that
the company would not be embarrassed
in any way by the action.
Resignation to be Accepted.
II is learned that meeting of the
board Of directors will be called at
F, once for the purpose of tisposing of
the director generals letter 1t is
said that the resignation will he ac-
cepted promptly. and that the diff.
ferences existing in the company's
official family will not be further
aired as the result of Mr.. Barr's nc.
ton.
From Norfolk comes report to
the effect that r. S. Southgatc n
member of the board of governors. is
spoken of as the probable successor
of Mr.. Barr. Another report SAYS
that it is likely that no director gen.
eral will be named.
Mr. Barr's Letter.
Mr. Barr's letter to the committee
was. in part. rs follows:
Il beg to ask that you will kindly
take action at once to relieve me of
the drector-generalship of the James.
town Exposition"
When consented to accept this
Office, as public duty. without com.
pensation. to save the Exposition
from pending failure. it was with the
distinct condition that | be placed in
undivided control of the management
thereof. This condition was accepted
by the directors of the company, who
amended the bylaws so MS to place
such control in me.
THE president of the company has
recently set up the claim. in conflict
with bylaws, that he Is the social
head of the Exposition, and denies
my right to direct the manner of en-
tertaining distinguished visitors to
the Exposition. and in so doing has
failed to comply with your decision in
this connection, made August 5. last.
and has refused to transfer upon my
request. certain persons now employed
i'll his office TO assist Col Barton III.
Grundy. appointed by me to represent
me in this work. in pursuance OF the
understanding then reached with you.
AS the failure to treat distinguish
ed visitors to the Exposition on the
day of its opening, and since. with the
courtesy due them. has brought dis
credit and great loss thereto as is
commonly known, it. is clear their
treatment is n matter of business in
terest TO the Exposition ana vital to
its success.
As am practically powsssess un-
der the conditions existing, to aot In
this matter as the interests Of tna
Exposition demand. and as canAaa
continue to work for the Expositssn
under conditions existing without ssa-
rillce of self rcsnect. hnyc dccEIcd