Evening star., 1949-12-30

attraction of Washington's Ses-
quicentennial celebration is the
belief by many that there is not
enough time left to prepare for
it adequately.
Doubts have been expressed that
the tremendous amount of con-
struction work the big fair kaild-
ings involve-for both ino1stry
and amusements-cou be COM
pleted on time The project still
is in it's preliminary stages.
The demand for the suspension
Of activity was made by Repre-
sentative Gross. Republican, of
Iowa, in kilograms he sent to Con-
troler General Lindsay c. Warren
and Attorney General McGrath.
The messages are almost identical.
Wants Public Accounting.
The one to Mr.. Warren follows:
Insist you take immediate and
joint action with Attorney Gen.
eral McGrath suspending all
activities of the National Capital
Sesquicentennial Commission and
its subsidiaries pending a COM
plete investigation by the Federal
Bureau of Investigation and a
public accounting of funds by
your Office.
"The taxpayers, of the Nation
who are underwriting the cost of
this project have every right to
know whether their money is be-
ing dissipated and they look to
their public officials to protect
their interests.
Il voted against use of 5000, 900
in public funds for this so-called
celebration and I intend now to
see that honesty prevails. +"
Mr.. Gross is member of the
House Post Office and Civil Serv-
ice Committee.
Sesqui Committee Gathers.
These developments came as the
Executive Committee of the Ses-
Quicentennial Commission pre-
pared to meet this afternoon in
the boardroom of the Riggs Ma
tional Bank to discuss a number
of pressing problems.
In the matter Of the fairs post
ponement, Edward Boykin, direc-
tor for the commission, took a
philosophic attitude.
Fairs never open in time" he
said. He cited the Worlds Co.
lumbar Exposition at Chicago.
which was slated to open in 1892
to mark the 4o0th anniversary of
the Discovery Of America. did not
open until a year later. Sim
ilarly, he said. the New York
and Chicago World Fairs were
late in opening.
Commission members who were
interviewed declined to state fiat
ly that they believe the fair here
will open on July 4, the present
announced opening date. The
fair was originally scheduled to
open in April, but the commits
sion did not receive its funds from
Congress until October following
a long fight.
Utilities Permits Still Lacking.
District Building officials said
that permits for installation Of
public utilities-sewer, water. elec-
tricity. gas-necessary for the
Freedom Fair buildings have not
yet been obtained.
District officials said it now
would be difficult to have the
buildings constructed on time.
The uncertainty surrounding
the actual opening date of the
Fair is regarded as a fac
tor slowing up the sale of space
to exhibitors and interesting busi-
ness generally in the venture.
Slated for top billing at today's
session of the commission is the
case of Paul Alexander. Mr.. Alex
ander, minority stockholder in
the Sesquicentennial Leasing Bu-
reau, a private firm handling
space leasing for the fair, has
been charged with offering con-
struct1on work i'm return for a
kickback on the profits.
Although he has denied the
charges, made by a Derwood (Md.)
contractor, Mr.. Alexander was in
vited yesterday, at his own request.
TO appear before the executive
meeting today to discuss the
matter.
At a special meeting of the
leasing Bureau directors yester-
lay, Mr.. Alexander resigned as
an executive vice president Of
(See SESQUI, Page A-6.) ~