The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1907-11-07
EXPOSITION A FAILURE +!


ment viii he lucky III IL RECEIVERS
$50, COO OF the 81 .0po, 900 which was
loaned the jamestown exposition. 1t
Il understood that up 10 tho present
time the exposition has paid hack
only $3.50. 600, and unless the gate re-
eeipts take an unexpected jump or
unless the stockholders waive all
claim 10 future receipts, the manage
meat viii have great trouble in ac.
eumulaiing another sioa. au for the
government before the exposition
closes.
: 1t was expected bg the manage
ment that October and November
would he the two popular months at
jamestown, and the heaviest attend
ance was locked Tor during tie last
two months OF The fair. Contrary "a
expectation, the attendance has teen
declining steadily through October.
and from present indications, the at
tendance will be even lighter during
November. Expeditions have never
been drawing cards In cold weather,
and IL h hardly likely that James.
town. with It's reputation, will prove
mn exception tn the rule.
How tue government will recover
the bulk OF Its loan Ii a problem that
would perplex Wall street tinancier,
II Is impossible to squeeze water
out of stone. Some OF the friends
OF The exposition propose that the
government take over the site, but
that would be poor security. The
jamestown exposition IL built on, a
sand spit; low, HAT ground that could
not be used for any government pur.
poses. IL II had good water front
IL might be converted into navy
yard, but the water In front OF the
exposition Is shallow, and could not
he dredged for anything like the
worth OF the land Itself. Moreover
there Is navy yard on deep water
near Norfolk. and there Ii ma neees.
sity for another navy yard In TINT
locality. Nor III there need III light
house or lie saving reservations.
Fortress Monroe. across Hampton
Roads, provides M ideal army post,
and the exposition grounds are there
fore af no use for military purposes.
IL Is therefore apparent that the
government could not make use of
the site II IL took possession. Ii
might pnt the land on the market,
but 1t Is TO be remembered that this
land lay Idle, or practically 20. since
the creation aud never before did II
attract private capital. IL Is there.
fore To he presumed that the govern.
meni would have great difficulty In
selling It, and altogether out OF the
realm OF probability to suppose thai
II could be sold for the amount OF
the unpaid loan.
The probability is that the govern.
ment will not recover anything on
It's loan above what Ii turned In
from the gate receipts up to the time
the exposition closes Southern men
in congress Will unite In support OF a
bill at the coming session, proposing
To convert the unpaid loan into a
gift, thus eaneelling The obligation
OF the jamestown exposition. The
south Is strong In congress, and IL
acts la unison, and In view OF the
prospect tina, the government could
not get Its money nut OF II con1seat.
ed the property. such bill IL very
apt TO pass.
All these circumstances are mos,
unfortunate from the yiewpnipi of
| the northwest, which Will ask con.
eress for a liberal appropriation for
the Alaska .Ynkon.P Pacific exposition
Exposition bills have never been par
tlollafiy popular In congress, but
they have never been 30 unpopular as
they will he next session, On account
OF the jamestown failure. 1t Is true
the jamestown directors are consid
erina the adyisability OF teopenlng
th.ir exposition next summer. ard II
they adopt this Idea They may staye
OF the loan on a promise To pay next
season. bat no reasonable mar
would even have courage 10 tpe tina,
the exposition could he run success.
fully seeona season, after the fail.
ure that has been recorded this year.
Nevertheless q decision 10 reopen
next year might tend To relieve The
hostility towards exposition sppre.
priatinns la euag ress, and might be
Of slight aid 10 the friends Of the
seattle PROJECT. llut viewed Ia its
most sanguine light. The Seattle ct
position project Is not preordained q
receive hearty Endorsement at the
hands Of congress. IT All he the
greatest good fortune II toe Seattle
people got one halt or one.tbitd this