Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-04-21
THE MAYOR AND THE FAIR
By GEORGE NOx Mccain

under the writer's signature containing an
outline of the proceedings at recent meet
ing of the Board Of Directors Of the Sesdui-
Centennial Association.
In that article 1t was stated, in a general
way, that Mayor J. Hampton Moore had
attacked Edward W. Box, member Of the
board, who was then absent from the city.
Mr.. Box. It will be recalled. had some
weeks previously offered personally to pay
a salary of $50, 900 year to Secretary Her
bert Hoover If he would accept the position
of director general Of the Sesqui- Centennial
exposition.
The meetings Of the Board Of Directors
of the Sesqui Centennial are held behind
closed doors. Neither is stenographer en-
ployed to report the addresses Of the various
members.
The remarks of Mayor Moore on the
occasion in question were given in substance
and from memory by those present. Exact
verbiage was not contemplated. The trend
Of thought behind the words was fully indi-
Gated. The facts were correct.
Mayor Moore has e'Nce taken occasion to
issue statement declaring the entire article
to be untrue. His exact language was,
raise from start to nnlsh.
'He denied fatty that he had ever criti.
cized Mr.. Box or cast any aspersions on his
offer to pay for director for the 1926
exposition" the reporters statement says.
1t Is unfortunate for Mayor Moore that he
Is the victim Of treacherous memory. or
he might have recalled certain things which
would have modified his vehement disavowal
Of any criticism Of Mr.. Box in this con-
nection.
The purpose Of the article in question,
as we'll as Of the preliminary publication of
March 20. criticizing the Mayor and little
toterie Of the Sesqui. Centennial directors,
was to call attention to the fact that this
vast project of international scope and ma
tional pride was IN danger of failure be-
cause of the manifestly dilatory methods
of Mayor Moore and few of his friends.
The improper reference to Mr.. Box, not
even veneered with parliamentary good
judgment, was not the first time that Mayor
Moore, despite his denial Of the fact, had
made resentful or satirical references to this
member of his board.
At Lions Club luncheon at the Adelphia
the Mayor aimed this shaft, which was
clearly understood to be intended for MI
Box:
MANY suggestions have come from abroad
and from those who sojourn in Maine III
the summer and Florida in the winter"
On another and later occasion he said:
II am tired Of getting letters from Maine
to Florida from people who are trying TO
show me how to do things. Why don't they
come here and do some work themselvcs"
From the very inception of the idea Of
obtaining a man Of national prominence to
head the Sesqui Centennial Mayor Moore
has displayed an almost childish objection.
He has denounced the suggestion and at
tackled 1t from various angles.
His first objection was that such an Off
cial was not needed; second, that it might
be possible to secure man Of international
prominence who would undertake the re-
sponsbilities of the position for 81 II year;
finally, he insisted that the great enterprise
could be brought to successful completion
through governing committees.
From the beginning all these objections
were apparently intended to delay, to divert
discussion, to keep the problem of selecting
a directing head in abeyance.
1t was understood that Mayor Moore was
a candidate presumptiye for the director
generalship. With the expiration of his
term, but little more than year and a
half distant, delay would facilitate the plans
of his immediate friends in his behalf.
Mayor Moores attitude concerning this
accepted ambition fostered the impression.
On February II, when the Box Hoover
offer was finally uncovered, Mr.. Moore was
asked. because OF the curious irritation he
then betrayed, If it was true that he aspired
to be the directing head of the exposition.
"I have absolutely nothing to say on that
point" he declared
To another reporter who approac ched him
on the same subject the Mayor replied sneer-
ingly:
"Is 1t possible that we have men in Phila-
delphia capable OF undertaking 80 vast an
enterprise? Would 1t be possible, according
TO some Of our spindle backed critics. to find
any one in Philadelphia who could do any
thing as we'll as it might be done by some
one from Idaho or Arizona?'
This outburst was delivered ut time
when Mayor Moore was privately dickering
with Victor Rosewater, of Nebraska, to be-
come publicity agent. Mr.. Rosewater was
NOT acceptable to the board and was then
designated assistant to President" Moore,
at a salary Of $500 and no definite duties
In sight.
Under the circumstances it was not 10 be
expccted that Mayor Moore would receive
with cquanimity or delight the suggested
offer Of Mr.. Box to pay Herbert Hoover
| $50, 900 year.
The above may also explain another lapse
| Of memory on the part of the Mayor
| Has he forgotten that after Mr.. Box wrote
70 him last December as chairman of the
| board Offering to pay Herbert Hoover
$50, 900 that he, Mayor Moore, pigeon =
| boled the letter for weeks;
| 1t was for the same reason, doubtless,
that Mayor Moore again pigeonholed Mr..
Bok's latest offer to pay "A salary of SJO, ,OOO
i Il. 4. /