Evening star., 1950-05-09
Return Of Sesqui
81 Million Fund
Urged in House
Pluns for Events,
Meanwhile, Outlined
For Civic Leaders

.SSSSuS
A demand for the return of
about So million in Sesquicen-
tennial funds was before Congress
today.
This development occurred yes
terday at about the same time
that 100 civic leaders were listen
ing to Sesquicentennial officials
outline elaborate plans, calculated
to bring thousands of visitors to
the Capital during the rest of
this year.
Representative Garfield, Re-
publican. of New Jersey. sounded
a call on the floor of the
House for immediate action by
Congress to determine whether
unspent Sesquicentennial funds
can be withdrawn. Altogether So
million was appropriated.
He suggested that a subcom-
mittee of the House Aprropria-
t1ons Committee hold immediate
hearings ito ascertain whether
the 81 million, said to be unex-
pended. can now be returned to
the Federal Treasury in the in
terests of all the taxpayers of the
United States"
Fast Action Urged.
Such action should be taken
before the House completes ac-
ton on the pending omnibus ap-
preparation bill for next year, the
legislator said.
Mr.. Garfield explained, after
his floor speech, that he had
made a move to rescind about So
million of the Sesquicentennial
money during a previous executive
meeting of the House Appropria-
tions Committee but had been
ruled out of order at that time.
The New Jersey legislator re-
newed his request on the floor
after relating difficulties facing
the Freedom Fair. Reading from
clippings from The Star, he ex-
planned Attorney General Nc
Grath has ruled the proposal to
set up a non-prof1t corporation to
lease space for the Freedom Fair
is OF doubtful legality"
Quotes Massmann.
He told the House that Paul M.
MaSSmann, general manager of
the Sesquicentennial, was quoted
as saying that, if the Freedom
Fair were not held, about So mil
lion, set aside for that purpose
would have to be returned to the
Federal Treasury.
The Freedom Fair got scant
notice yesterday at the meeting of
Sesquicentennial Commission off,
cials with the civic leaders in the
District Building. .,~..--.--
Although Carter T. Barron,
executive vice chairman of the
commission, invited questions
from the floor about the groups
work, not a single person asked
about Freedom Fair.
An Executive Committee meet
ing Of the commission later this
week is scheduled to decide the
fairs fate. The commission staff
has unsuccessfully sought a 200
acre level ground site. It wants
this area to save construction
costs and give exhibitors sufficient
space.
Lawrence B. Slater, assistant
general manager. said Indiana
plans to bring $4,000 to $4,000
people for Indiana Honor Day,
July II. Kentucky hopes to
bring 10000 persons here Oc-
tober 20. with a Blue Grass Bali
at the Armroy. he said. New York
plans a big parade, led by Gov.
Dewey, on July 26, he reported.
Other States are planning similar
demonstrations, he said.
Robert E. Fowler, commission
public relations director, said a
mammoth picnic is planned
for the Washington Monument
Grounds on July 4. On September
Is the "Cavalcade of Freedom"
will be marked by a great parade,
he explained.
Robert c. Simmons, Sports
Committee chairman. said plans
are being made for a ball game
at Griffith Stadium on September
20 between the Police and Fire
Department teams. Proceeds will,
go to the commission.