The Washington herald., 1909-06-23
TUCKER AT GATE CITY
Explains His Connection with
jamestown Fair.
NOT ITS BUSINESS MANAGER
Former Exposition Head Says His
Work Was 10 Look After State
and Governments Participation,
and Not Direct the Business End
of Enterprise-seIdOm in Norfolk.
SPECIAL to The Washington Herald.

Special 10 The Washington Herald
Gate City, Va, June 22.-In a speech
here to-day. Harry St George Tucker.
candidate Tor governor. entered a vigor-
Gus defense Of his record as president Of
the jamestown Exposition. which Judge
Mann attacked in a speech at Chester
last Friday night. Mr. Tucker said in
part:
The best answer 1 can make to Judge
Mann's attack upon me about the expo
sition is 10 refer 10 the papers OF Nor
folk and vicinity, who are thoroughly
familiar with the circumstances, and 10
the board Of governors OF the exposi-
ton. who had charge Of the business
affairs Of the company.
The day after his first attack upon
me every paper in Norfolk, Portsmouth.
and Newport News came out in strong
editorials vindicating me against his un-
just attack They knew the circum-
stances. Judge Mann. according TO his
own admissions. was only there twice.
for part Of a day each time. The men
who employed me. and those among
whom the services were rendered, all
vindicate me. and the board Of govern
ors, the business arm Of the exposition
Immediately passed resolutions denying
the charges in toto. I ask in all can
dor. who could better know whether /
discharged my duties properly. Judge
Mann at Petersburg or the people OF
Norfolk and the board Of governors OF
the exposition?
Not Given Credit for Merits.
Judge Mann comes back and renews
the attack. and after having assailed not
only me but the whole exposition he
now says that he did not mean 10 attack
the exposition. that he thought II was a
beautiful and splendid exhibition Of Vir-
ginia's resources. II was a credit 70 those
who conceived IL and TO those who col
lected the many beautiful and interest
ms exhibits. but which. according 20 the
board of governors Mr.. Tucker had
nothing 20 do. That is. Judge Manns IN
seeking to hold me responsible for the
business end OF the exposition. charges
me with mal-administration OF the ex-
position. vet comedies that Il was beauti-
ful. but that I had nothing 10 do with
the beautiful features. but only with the
bad ones II I was the responsible head
as he states. must have credit for It's
beauties. II I am 20 be charged with its
failures.
Seldom I'm Norfolk.
A simple statement OF facts is enough
10 answer the whole matter. No man
could be responsible for the business end
of the exposition when he accepted en-
ployment that would keep him away from
Norfolk most OF the time except during
the exposition. One simple fact Is sufi-
cient 10 show that I was not employed by
the Exposition Company TO manage its
business affairs. Il Is this-by the terms
OF my employment / was 10 undertake
10 aid in getting the appropriation from
Congress. the participation OF the States
OF the Union. and the representation Of
foreign countries al the exposition. This
would necessarily keep me from Norfolk
a large part Of my time. and 1 could not
have undertaken work that required me
TO be at Norfolk constantly. as the busi-
ness side of the exposition exacted.
Il was elected president Of the expo
sittOn the last OF August. 1905 without
my knowledge, and was notified OF the
fact while presiding over the American
Bar Association as its president, at Mare
ragansett Pier. On my return home
was confined 10 my bed by sickness until
October !. and did not accept the presi-
dency finally until about October 10
In order 10 get foreign countries 20
participate II the exposition. I sailed for
Europe on November :. not having been
IN Norfolk over a week. and returned
January q. 1906. and at once started
the work before Congress in Washington
FOR the appropriation. where I was kept
continually until June 30. 1906. when the
bill passed lending US 100000 From
this time until March. 1907. two months
before the exposition opened. I was con-
stantly travelling in the interests Of the
company, visiting the different States
and the city OF Washington. addressing
legislatures and getting appropriations.
ITO have undertaken this work and
also a responsibility for the business
side OF the exposition, while absent so
much from Norfolk. would have been
the height OF folly.
i never took such responsibility. and
the board Of governors have without my
knowledge met and sustained my views.
and showed how entirely ignorant Judge
Mann was Of the conditions there"