The broad ax., 1913-10-11
AFTERMATH OF
EXPOSITION
Managers Breathe Slghs Of Re-
lief as Festival Ends.
WORK OF ". j. EOBINSON.
Exhibition Showing Progress Of Color
ed Americans Since the Civil War
Proved Intelligence and Handn~orI<
Of Many individuals to Overcome
DifieuItiss-Editor Perry's Views.


of Many individuals to Overcome
DifieuItiss-Editor Perry's Views.
Philadelphia.-The emancipation proc
lamation exposition held here from
Sept. 10 to Sept. so inclusive Is over.
For the past year the public has been
kept informed on the purpose OF the
celebration and what it meant to those
who have made the struggle upward
through many difficulties for the past
fifty years. Taking all things into con-
sideratiOn. the efforts OF the commits
sion intrusted with the task were sue
cessful.
The festival proved the contention
that under given circumstances We
have men and women among us who
are capable of bringing things to pass
which count for equal worth and
achievement similar to the progress
made by those whose opportunities
have been more favorable. The pro-
gram rendered from day to day show
ed merit. The end Of this great event
brings relief to the managers, who
have worked faithfully for many
months to present some OF the marked
achievements which the race has made
since its freedom.
But of those who tOiled amid great
handicap to bring about the results
obtained no man had a more difficult
task to perform than William ]. Rob
insOn. the contractor, under whose d.
rectiOns the buildings I'm which the ex-
position was held were erected. OF
Mr.. RObinsOn's struggles Chris ]. Per
~, the venerable and long time editor
Of the Philadelphia Tribune, tells the
following story.
Mr.. Perry says: 1t so happened that
the emancipation commission appoint
ed by the legislature was composed of
white men, with one exception in the
person Of the Hon. Harry Bass The
gentlemen OF this commission. not be-
ing familiar with the ability which
colOred men possess. threw out the
hint that all the work, even down to
the erection Of the proposed exposition
buildings, ought to be designed and
erected by cOlOred mechanics.
AS soon as this gauntlet was thrown
down Mr.. Bass Immediately sprang to
his feet and in an earnest manner as
sured the gentlemen of the commission
that our people had men who are thor
Oroughly qualified to do all the work
necessary to be done. All they asked
was to lie furnished with the means.
After this meeting Mr.. Bass sent for
Mr.. w. ]. Robinson. the we'll known
contractor. and informed him Of the
views of the commission. Mr.. Bass
then told Mr.. Robinson where the plot
Of ground was located upon which the
buildings were to he constructed.
The following day Mr.. Robinson sur
veyed the ground. drew up his plans
and submitted his price for erection,
all Of which were speedily accepted,
and word was given to the contractor
to go ahead. 1t did not take long for
him to have tons Of lumber and other
material on the ground. with a large
force Of cOlOred artisans ready to
work. But another hitch halted the
operation-viz. the lease had not been
signed.
This was followed by some log roll
ing between the mayor and the city
solicitor. one declining TO sign this
lease until the other had done so. Then
came a cessation OF hOStilities, caused
by the mayor leaving the city for
rest in the Pocono mountains. Day by
day the contractor visited the mayors
office to get his signature, only to hear
in dulcet tones, The mayor is out Of
town" But the director was in town,
and he kept an officer on watch at
Broad and Oregon streets day and
night to see to it that not even the
skeleton Of n building should be erect
ed until the much sought for permit
was signed.
In this way the erection Of the build
ings was retarded. Thus weeks passed
by. Things were discOuraging. It Is
true, but a persistent man was at the
helm In the person OF william ]. Rob
inson, and eventually success crowned
his efforts. be secured the long looked.
for permit. but received 1t at a time
that left him only five weeks to CON-
mence and complete his work. Grave
doubts were expressed on all sides
Mr.. Robinson's ability to
get the buildings ready in time for the
opening Of the exposition.
But with a snap Of the eye and the
curl Of a defiant lip he replied. Get
me some good lamps and win put a
day and a night force at work" This
was done, and for weeks this deter
mined contractor labored with his men
day and night. and at the beginning Of
the fifth week he said. Gentlemen,
your buildings are ready TO receive ex-
hibits-r