Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-07
BLAME The MANAGERS
NEGRO DEPARTMENT AT JAMES
TOWN Is CRITICISED.
Guards Dismissed and General Plan of
Economy Adopted-No More
Free Concerts.
Special Correspondence Of The Star
JAMESTOWN EXPOSITION.

September Z. 1907.
There is much dissatisfaction here over
the way the negro department of the ex-
position Is being managed. Criticism of
those in charge is heard on every side, and
fuel has been added to the flame by the
recent dismissal of five of the seven watch
men whose services were supposed to be
needed to protect the negro building and the
exhibits. Only two men are left to look
after the structure and its valuable con-
tents.
Exhibitors are becoming uneasy and
threaten to withdraw. Mr.. Daniel Murray
of the Library of Congress, 1t Is said, will
at once withdraw that part of the educa-
tonal exhibit which Is under his control.
The attendant at the exhibit of the How
ard University was dropped last month
as part of a general plan of so-calied re-
trenchment.
No Reason for Economy.
Those interested in the negro building
cannot understand the necessity for econ
omy in view of Mr.. Calloway's public state
ment on August that the management
still had $50. 900 to spend. Charges are free
ly made here that the real reason is to be
found In the alleged desire of the man
ayers to have balance on hand at the
close of the exposition with which to pay
some of the rejected vouchers of Jackson
& Co. If this is attempted there will be q
storm of protest.
Money not expended by the commission
in charge of the building cannot be diverted
into other channels except by act of Con-
gress. and any proposition looking to the
settlement of the Jackson vouchers will be
fought by colored people all over the coun-
try.
The Fisk University singers are no longer
one of the free attractions Of the building.
but persons who wish to hear them may
do SO by paying an admission fee of %
cents. This action of the management has
| raised a nice point which will interest the
Commissioners of the District of Columbia
The hall Where the Fisk students sing Is
partly occupied by the District exhibit. and
on several occasions persons wishing to see
the work of District colored people have
reached the hall at q concert hour and.
refusing to pay the fee, have been turned
away. The attention of the District Com
missioners will be called to this matter at
once.
No Food for Guests.
Those who were here when Booker Wash
ington spoke at the exposition are still de-
nouncing the shameful way in which his
reception was mismanaged. Up to the
hour of his arrival no provision had been
made to feed Mr.. Washington and the
other guests. For an hour and half they
sat at a table patiently waiting to be
served. Finally, 1t Is said, Mrs. Curtis one
Of the managers, told them no food could
be furnished, and the visitors We're forced
to find refreshments elsewhere and on
their own account. Some idea of the
feeling of the colored people of Norfolk
and Portsmouth toward the management
of the negro building may be gathered
when it Is known that the colored preach
ers publicly urged their people to boycott
the exposition. The daily attendance of
colored visitors, 1t Is said, does not aver
age twenty-five.