The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-01

| SSAuA Pua pOSGI. ulIt lbSs iA"S "
,nanent buildings on these grounds has g
been the admiration and tue wonder
OF all who have seen them. IN th ,e
creation Of these buildings. IN the
streets, Of asphalt sidewalks, Of water.
mains, Of sewerage, of eiectric wiring
and and appliances. OF gas fixtures ana ap-
p'iiainces. besides the planting or nun
lowers and plants, the Exposition
Company has expended on these
grounds to October !31. 1907, S1,s4S,-
1T was confidently expected at the
opening of the exposition that there
would be not less than three or Tour
million of paid admissions, whereas
far Seiow s hat u nt we ays TIE eota
number Of admissions will be about
100000, and the paid admissions
about 1,5oo.0O0.1t
Why People Kept Away.
MANY reasons have been assigned
FOR the failure of the people of the
country to visit the exposition. Per-
imitted that under the compulsion Of
Wis major that required the exposition
to be opened on the 2stl, of April in
'tributed something to this result; and
even alter the exposition had com
pletcd Its work, the evil Impressions
made by It's unfinished condition at the
opening were kept up in certain d.
coming here 81 the false reports in
reference to the prevalence ofltyphoid
fever, reports which had no founda-
ton IN fact, as these grounds ana the
camps of the soldiers were practically
free from any such scourge. and the
adjoining communities enjoyed re-
markalile immunity from such trouble.
While the exposition was completed
In all details by the LIST Of August we
undoubtedly suffered grently from the
unfinished condition of the Government
Pier. which not only up to the LIST Of
August added to the unfinished con-
dition OF the grounds by reason OF Its
prominent place In front Of Raleigh
Square, but 1t remained unfinished
until tho 18th of September During
this time the visitor who looked out
from the Auditorium found his eye
resting upon piles Of coal. lumber and
freight cars instead of the beautiful
exhibit which now eets hlsleye; and
dition OF this pier. promised to us
early In May. contributed more because
of Its prominent size and position to
the uncompleted aspect of the grounds
than all other causes together.
Besides the amount expended by the
Exposition Company. 1t Is estimated
that there has been expended from
other sources in the betterment Of this
y
million dollars. Our land cost us 1890
an acre. and shortly after we pur-
chased. the Tidswater Railroad bought
a large tract adjoining us at $500 an
this community have declared that our
land without any improvements on 1t
Is worth $1,000 per acre.
Must Find Purchaser.
Our inde btedness con lists Of the fol-
lowing: 4 first mortgage of 100000:
s sss SeSso t5 salanSs o Sss
600. SO that it will be sc en-. If we ca n
realize from this property two-thirds
of what has been expended upon It, we
ness. And. II we. could realize what
the property Is fully worth. we would
be able to ray the stockholders In full.
In order, therefore. to pay our cred
can pay s2,ooo.ooo for the property
purchaser who viii pay 81 s6o.ooo.
"A man who owns house that he
gage on il for $1,000 cannot be '0 re-
garded as bankrupt: and the question
to- which the minds OF the directors
and those interested in the exposition
should be directed is that OF Hecuri,ng
This. OF course. will require time for
property of this size and value cannot
be narketed at once. But. the united
efforts Of all parties interested in the
ton should be directed to the one
end OF securing purchaser at z
st,1 rhe g ;Syes Of the United
again. shown Its interest In the exposi-
ton by directing that its exhibits
should be. held here for thirty days af-
ter the close of the exposition. In or
der tt, to give an opportunity to- those
ton can be opened again. This seems
to me to be most de1irable step.
.'"rhe use of these grounds for an
other year. instead OF detracting from
the value Of the property. would
greatly enhance 1t. The. exposition car
cost than it has been this year. ant
in IT'S completed form would prove.
doubt not. a most attractive resort fol
the people of the country.
Grateful TO Associates.
81 cannot close this exposition with.
out u. EXPRESSING pulley my gr q, r.
rectors who first honored me Will
their condolences: for their uniform
courtesy to me under all clrcumstances
and tire cordial way In which they have
upheld my hand; nor. in this hour OF
composed the old board of governor
with whom have worked SO steadily
and so cordially for nearly two years
and to whom feel a debt Of gratitude
that can never repay; their fidelity
to duty. their unselilsh devotion to thi.
great cause. will receive as 1t deserves
the unstirt ted praise of future genera
lions OF V'rgirians: and from the da,
THAT received from the hands OF tws
of them the summons to this duty ant
| the pledge OF their loyal support have
they ever failed me In; one Instance.
| Needed the Call.
"And now ! ask that you permit m