The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-01-16
MAKE OPTIONS GOOD
jamestown Exposition Re-
ceiVers to Help States.
VALUATION OF TITLES ASKED
Question of Claims to Sites of state
Buildings Discussed with State
Commissioners in Washington.
Statement Of Indebtedness Made.
Offer of ssOO,OOO for Equity.

OHeE OF SSDDs1DV Tor Equity
TO discuss the legal status of options
to certain parcels Of real estate within
the grounds of the jamestown ExposL-
ton, granted by the exposition authori-
ties 10 various States, which subsequently
erected buildings thereon. the receivers
Of the jamestown Exposition met with
the commissioners Of the States TO the
exposition yesterday afternoon at the
Raleigh Hotel
The result Of the meeting was an ami
mated debate which revealed the attitude
of the State commissioners toward the
exposition authorities and Of the receivers
toward the States, and their claims. the
financial condition Of the exposition in
respect to its present indebtedness, and
Of the legal status of the realty options
held by the States; III a statement by
the receivers that it had applied TO the
Federal courts for privilege to perfect
title to the parcels of realty on which
the States options are held, and in the
passage Of a resolution by the State com
missioners requesting the receivers TO
apply 10 the courts 70 extend ninety days
from the date Of decree validating such
titles, the options Of the States to such
realty.
Receivers Invited by Commissioners.
The receivers. Alvah + Martin. former
director general or the exposition. and
". II. Geddes. in charge of the govern
merit exhibition al the exposition. at
tended the meeting az the invitation OF
the States commissioners. They were
accompanied by Harry St George Tucker,
former president; Gwynn T. Shepperd,
former secretary. and Mr.. Wool. Of coun-
sci for the receivers.
Col John p Given. State commissioner
from Ohio. and president of the associa-
ton Of States commissioners TO the ex-
position. presided Edward L. Walbridge,
a Michigan State commissioner Is the
secretary Of the association OF commits
sioucrs-
In an extended statement. Receiver
Martin announced that the total indebt-
edness of the exposition Appropriated
81. $4,000. including a balance due the gov
eminent Of $4,000 Against this, the eX-
position has assets consisting Of its equity
in the exposition grounds and buildings
erected BY the exposition
Equity in Exposition Properties.
Mr. Martin stated that the buildings
erected by the exposition had cost be-
tween $4,000 and s700000, and that bet
terments, such as sewers. streets. side
walks, water mains. electric light con-
duits, &c, had increased this expenditure
to ali of a million dollars invested. eX-
elusive Of the equity in the land.
Mr.. Martin announced that he antici-
pated an offer of $4,000 for all the prop
erty Of the jamestown Exposition within
a few days. This price, it was explained,
was an advance from a former offer. The
receivers consider the price offered as
in no wise representing the real equity
in the property.
on the representation Of AIr. Martin
that the receivers had made application
TO the Federal court for leave 10 validate
title 90 the land on which the state build
tngs are erected by paying of all Ieins
against the property with the first
moneys received by the receivers. the
commissioners passed the resolution re-
questing the receivers to apply to the
court for an extension on the options
held by the States. which expire March ],
OF ninety days from the date Of decree
allowing the receivers TO validate title.
Expenditures of Government.
Mr.. Martin also explained that the gov
eminent had expended in cash about
$70o0)3 at the jamestown Exposition The
government pier had cost $4,000 Of this
sum. and the balance of S30a000 had been
expended upon the government buildings.
Former President Tucker. in an ami
mated speech. advocated the sale Of the
exposition properties TO the government
bv condemnation He suggested that for
the sum of s2,002,ooo, if paid b. the gov
eminent for the property, the exposition
would be enabled 10 pay off its entire
debt and with something 10 spare. and
that the government would receive not
only the expositi0ns equity. valued at
least al that figure but would have TO
pay in cash less than a million dollars.
canceling the exposition debt 10 the gov
eminent with the balance 81 the purchase
price and retaining its expenditures for
pier and buildings
The meeting finally adjourned subject
to the call of the president and secretary.
The State commissioners present were;
George b. Curtis and Samuel A Eddy. Of
Connecticut: J. L. Humphreys, Of Illi-
nois: Lynn r. Meekins, OF Maryland;
Arthur Lord of Massachusetts,; Edward
L. Walbridge. of Michigan: William II.
Topping. of New Hampshire, Lewis T.
Bryant. Of New Jersey; George L Powell.
Of North Carolina Col John p Given, OF
Ohio; James H Lambert, of Pennsyl-
vania Edgar o. Silver. OF Vermont and
\ 3. White, of West Virginia.