Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-02-23
Report Of Exposition
Managers TO GOUernOT
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sources are not equal to those OF the
county Of Chaves in our state alone,
our board was at loss what sort OF
building should be constructed with
the pauclty of funds at It's disposal. to
say nothing of the cost of making an
exhibit representative Of the re-
sources Of state almost as large as
tho great state Of California Itself,
one county Of which was able TO ex-
pend half million dollars as It's part
Of the cost Of construction of the
structure erected by group Of cOun-
ties IN the southern part of that state.
Discouraglng Conditions.
Coupled with the fact Of the small
appropriation at the disposal of the
board was the fact that the amount
was not available except as paid into
the state treasury during period
covering the years 1914 and 1915.
With these discouraging conditions
the board, relying upon the patriotism
which stood behind the act creating
the board, determined 60 go ahead
even though II had no money and
begin the fulfillment Of the duty i'm
posed upon us by law. Ideas were
presented to the board and it was de-
tormined To construct a replica of the
Acoma church as the New Mexico
building and to install therein an ex-
position of our own, made up OF ex-
hibits which should forever remain as
permanent assets of the state-eXhl-
bits of character which could be
brought back 10 New Mexico and al
a.. 40 ia
citizenship-an invitation TO the trav-
eler, the homeseeker, the builder and
to capital, that much needed factor
in the building of great common
wealth
In the oct Of creating the board and
providing for the exhibit the legisla-
ture, well knowing that the state, I'M
der the constitution. was limited in
the amount which IL could appropfi-
ate for the purpose, specially provided
that the several counties might aid
in making the state and county ex-
hlbit. thereby inviting and expecting
the counties TO provide the means for
a suitable exhibit which the state
could not do under the constitutional
limitations
Plans of the Building.
With all OF these matters in mind
the hoarl organized In August, 1919,
and finally adopted plans submitted
by Messrs. l. 1t. and W. NJ. Rapp
Company for building which II was
hoped could be erected for a sum
within the possible funds Of the board
yet to be received. The hopes of the
board were justified through the aid
of MIR. /. H. Rapp who personally Wis
tied san Diego and. With a view to the
cheapest and best construction, fin
ally secured fourteen bids from con-
tractors. each one OF which demon
strated that the board could erect the
building as contemplated. This mas
been dom, the entire cost of eonstruc-
ton and the furnishing OF which, to-
gethor with the lighting, plumbing
power. landscaping and decorating
will have cost approximately twenty
thousand dollars. an itemized state
ment Of which is annexed, properly
grouped showing the cost of each
item, with the exception of certain
accounts not yet closed but presented
under tho statement of bills paya-
Bile"
A visit TO nearly every county OF
the state by the chairman of the
hoard or It's members or represent
alive, with an appear Tor ana undcf
the statute met with responses which
are 10 he found enumerated in the
same statement, some Of which were
very gratifying and others very dis
appointing. considering the wealth
and prominence of the counties and
the fact that whether aid was granted
or not. the board felt it to he its duty
to give 70 each county In the exhibit
! it's fun share of publicity Fourteen
counties contributed in sums varying
! from two thousand TO a minimum Of
| five hundred dollars Twelve coun-
ties declined 20 render any aid, sew
eral OF which notified the board that
| they had been advised by the district
attorney that any aid was unlawful
| and unauthorized, notwithstanding
4 the fact that the board was advised by
/ the chief law officer of the state that
the state and county appropriations, II
made. were entirely legal, and opinion
| fully coneurred in by the chairman
| of your hoard.
large sums Spent.
Relying upon the authority by law
given to the counties in some in