The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1911-05-13
OVER THE FAIR

taste in the mouth.
CONTROVERSIES OVER THE FAIR.
The site for the 1915 fair hasn't
been selected as yet-neither has the
president of the fair been definitely
elected. Rather he has been selected,
but has not yet definitely accepted,
and thereby hangs a tale, or as much
of a tale as has so far escaped the
fair committee executive sessions.
It seems that when the Fair
Fighters returned from Washington
a majority of them felt that w. #.
Croker, the banker, would be an
ideal man for the position of presi-
dent. Enormously wealthy, with
palatial home. plenty of time for So
cial affairs, with a wife who was
born society leader, and he himself
an astute diplomat and business
man, there was no doubt but what
he would be the ideal man for the
office. And it was so ordered
nearly
AS the story goes, word of the de-
cision reached Governor Johnson's
ears, and for reasons best known to
himself he objected to Crocker. AS
the state has a 100000 interest in
the fair, and as the governor has the
appointing of the committee which
is to handle the state funds, Johnson
was decidedly lin the reckoning" He
wrote strong letter to r. B. Hale.
acting president of the fair. The lat
ter who led the fight in Washington,
was a harmonizer, a believer in team
work and its efficiency, a hard worker
and loyal friend to the exposition.
He believed in Crocker for that posi-
ton, and wrote his views of the mat
ter to the governor in such a straight
forward, right-to-the-point manner as
to make the governor sit up and take
notice.
As the story continues, these let
ters came to the notice of Crocker
in due course of time, and the man
ner in which Hale had handled his
candidacy, unknown to himself, filled
him with admiration. Furthermore,
he discovered the rift in the lutte,
and not wishing to take the Office if
there was to be a division in the
committee, he got behind R. B. Hale,
believing him to be the one man who
could effectually do the work and
I harmonic the factions, and Crocker
" was willing to make any personal
sacrifice that the fair work might be
started the best way.
Things seemed serene for a day
or two, when another faction devel
oped with a candidate of it's own
1t is rumored that this group wished
a newspaper man to get the honored
spite his executive ability, was per
sonally unpopular, and could not get
enough votes. Rather, then, than
- have Hale get the position, Charles
= c. Moores name was brought for
ward, without his knowledge, it is
said, and also without his consent.
Moore's popularity and ability were
unquestioned. Mr.. Hale was himself
willing to get behind him, but hac
to run for the office to redeem his
promises to the men who got behind
him. In the vote Moore won out, ant
the election was then made unani
nous, and Hale dictated a telegram
to Moore, who was then in the East
acquainting him with his election.
Moore responded favorably, ano
Is threw himself into the work of gath
Re ering information about fairs as hi
1t worked his way Westward. Once ar
irving in San Francisco, however NJ
learned the full details of matters
II leading up to his election. Known!
ID the heart-breaking struggle whicl
would be before the committee
they devoted their entire energies u
getting the fair ready, he realized
how much harder it would be with
IN "house divided against itself. H
W. stopped short right there, and recon
v. sidering his words, refused to accep
It, the presidency unless the entir
H. committee would get behind him a
or one man. He gave them an oppol
s. tunity to do this, Aand until the tim
IL came when he felt assured that h
IS. had every man of the committee wit
IS, him he refused to proceed as head n
the worlds fair organization.
S: The matter has not been full
II threshed out at this writing, but
o. is more than probable that Moore
nc determined stand will bring the eI
IS tire committee into line at an earl