Evening star., 1950-06-02

have determined whether sufi-
cient funds would be forthcoming
to finance it.
Carter T. Barron, executive vice
chairman Of the commission, who
presided. pointed out that, under
the legislation, the commission is
empowered to accept gifts and
contributions.
The commission received a re-
port from its general counsel,
Walter M. BaStian, which rejected
a plan offered by Mr.. Massmann.
This plan included use of a 200
acre site near the Pentagon, an
appeal to the President to detail
high-level Government officials to
aid in running the fair and moves
for complete commission, govern
mental and civic support. It would
have permitted leasing of sites to
private industry for its own ex-
hibit buildings.
ClteS Responsibility.
"Any attempt to have the fair
without additional legislation
might lead to serious financial
liability and even criminal respon-
sibility on the part of the men,
bers OF the commission" wrote
Mr.. BaStian in his report. 1T
seems unlikely that additional
legislation could be obtained at
this time"
MIR. MaSsmann pointed out his
plan was based on the experience
Of the Century of Progress Fair in
Chicago in 1888 and 1884. He
estimated that either under public
or private direction the Freedom
Fair would require 200 acres, an
initial fund of SIS million and q
minimum total of SO million.
Mr.. Barron said he believes pri-
vate enterprise first should make
a survey and then come in and
make a proposal to the commits
sion. It should present evidence
of the amount of square feet of
exhibit space and number of
buildings required and should
draw its plan in conformity with
legal and financial requirements
of the Government, Mr.. Barron
said.
The chairman declared the offer
of 200 acres near the Pentagon,
made to the commission by Nor
ris Cafritz, real estate man, and
Charles H. Tompkins, builder,
would have to be "graciously de-
clined." Likewise. he said, that Of
Leo M. Bernstein, real estate man,
who offered tract south of the
District along the highway to
Indian Head, Md. would have to
be turned down.
Plans Would Be Considered.
Every plan that is brought to
the commission for Freedom Fair
will be given consideration based
on the legal rights of our COM
mission as Government agency"
said Mr.. Barron.
If the fair, privately financed,
were sponsored officially by the
Government through the commits
sion. Mr.. Barron pointed out, it
would have to measure up to Ger
tain standards. He said the Gov
ernment would have something to
say about the buildings and land
scape and other treatment and
the exhibits shown.
Mr.. Barron declared the fal,
would have to be historical and
institutional in character" not
purely commercial.
The commission met in it's closed
session for more than two hours
For nearly an hour and half, a
large delegation from the Greater
Washington Business and Citi-
zens' Freedom Fair Committee
waited to be admitted.
Kamerow Heard.
Then the group was permitted
to appear before the commission.
j. A. Kamerow, Washington insur-
ance man and chairman of the
committee, explained the Fedora
ton of Businessmen's Associations
had sponsored the movement that
led to formation Of the group last
week. He said, at a meeting in
the Hamilton Hotel Wednesday
night, 66 organizations repre-.
Sented urged the holding of Free
dom Fair.
Jerome B. Mckee. secretary OF
the groups executive committee,
declared failure to hold the fair
would give the Russians a propa-
ganda advantage and serve to
offset all the money spent by