Evening star., 1950-03-03
Chicago Expert
Named 10 Direct
Sesqui Exhibit
Mossmonn Will Take
Post Monday, Be
Senior to Boykin
By William A. MiIIen

the Sesquicentennial program
here.
The 49-year-old expert in ex.
hibits, who had a leading part ir
Chicago's 1948-49 successful Rail.
road Fair, is due to take Office
Monday. Officials said he will be
senior to Edward Boykin, Sesqui-
centennial Commission director
since it was organized.
Mr.. Boykin will have immediate
charge of special events and his.
torical aspects of the celebration
officials explained. Mr.. Massman
with extensive exhibit experience
will act as director general.
Intrigued by Challenge
Mr.. Massmann said he accepted
the appointment to the new posi-
because he was intrigued by its
great challenge" He issued this
statement:
ut seems to me that the Ma
tional Capitals 150th birthday
celebration should give every
American an opportunity to ex-
press and exhibit an intense per-
sonal and active pride in his
coun.ry's progress during the past
$50 years.
Mr.. Massmann estimated that
1t would take him 10 to Is days
to become acquainted with the
celebration phases already under
way. He indicated that he plans
no changes in the commission's
existing staff. He said: Il have
complete confidence in the ability
of the present organization"
He is a native of Chicago, where
he was born November 18, 1901
Married to the former Miss Caro-
lyn Blakeslee of Lewiston, ILL.,, Mr.
Massmann has two daughters
Marcia. Is, and Marilyn, 13.
The commissions announcement
said Mr.. Massmann's appointment
will free Mr.. Boykin to devote his
time to the "all-important his
torical and cultural activities" oi
the celebration.
The Problem of Money.
The Sesquicentennial Commits
sion also announced it was con-
sidering setting up a non-profit
corporation to furnish money for
erecting buildings for the Freedom
Fair. The alternative is for a
philanthropist to put up the SO
million required under present
plans.
Inasmuch as the commission
has been advised it probably can
sell up to nearly 2 million square
feet of exhibit space, revampine
of plans is under study. Original
plans called for the exhibit build
ings to be in the shape of the
letters "U. S. A." but this has
come in for some criticism because
of space that would be wasted.
If new plans 60 through, the
buildings will be erected in more
conventional style, insuring higher
revenue from space sales. Present
plans call for sale of some 400, ,00(
square feet of space at $50 6
square foot.
The fate of the Freedom Fair Il
expected to be decided at Whit,
House commission meeting with
in the next two weeks. This ses.
sion will be coducted by Presiden
Truman as commission chairman
Legal Problems in Way.
The Freedom Fairs future still
is beclouded with legal problems
chief among them the best way
to spend money expected from tht
sale of exhibit space. Money from
space sales would have to be usee
to erect the buildings planned il
Anacostia Park. But the Fedora
Government usually requires thai
all the money be on hand before
the buildings are started on pub.
lie property. Exhibitors woult
pay only half the fees for spac.
until the buildings are finished
and they can move in.
The commission is considerin,
abandoning the Anacostia Parl
site for the Freedom Fair, neal
East Capitol street. The reason
given for this is the cost of driv.
ing piles down to bedrock for tn.
buildings and the fact that tn,
filled-in land there might sink.
Under consideration are the
Blue Plains Home for the Aged
near South Capitol street. and th'
National Training School for Boy
near the District Line at Bladens'
burg road NE.
Mr.. Boykin aided in laying tn
groundwork for the entire pro
gram. He worked with the com
missions executive vice chair
man, Carter T. Barron.
Treasury Gets Projects.
The celebration to observ
Washington's 150th birthday thi
year is divided into two parts
One is called plan A"-a serie
of special events, including Pau
Green's symphonic drama in tn
Rock Creek Park amphitheater
now under construction. TIL
other is the Freedom Fair.
Mr.. Barron said regarding tn
proposed non-profit corporation
that this seems to provide an eff
cient business Like approach to tn
commissions broad program. H
pointed out that regardless OF tn
form of organization set up al
profits will 20 into the Fedora
Treasury.
Concerning other sites unde
study for the Freedom Fair. Mr
Barron declared one OF the com
missions problems is to provid'
SiIfHciept oxh;h;t cnora t0 NEE