World's Fair Commission Cleared of Dishonesty, But Spending Called Extravagant
A joint legislative committee finds no evidence of dishonesty in the World's Fair Commission, but criticizes excessive expenditures and recommends $50,000 more to finish the work.
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OLYMPIA, Feb. 25.—[Special.]—The joint committee appointed to investigate the World's Fair Commission reported as follows:
First—That they have made a full, complete and careful examination of the books and vouchers and reports of the commission, and have thoroughly weighed the evidence presented under oath, pro and con, to your committee, and find,
Second—That there is not the slightest evidence of dishonesty or neglect.
Third—That in some instances there have been excessive and extravagant expenditures for the results achieved, attributed, apparently, to an utter lack of sources of reliable information pertaining to the work.
Fourth—That we find the work of the commission well in hand, and believe irreparable injury would be done should the further conduct of the work be given to new and inexperienced hands.
The report was signed by all the members of the joint committee except Judson of Pierce.
Accompanying the report was Senate Bill No. 271, appropriating $50,000 for the further work of the commission, and $5,000 additional for the woman's department of the World's Columbian Exposition. At the close of the fair the buildings are to be sold, together with the exhibits, but efforts will be made, so far as possible, to have the exhibits placed in permanent museums. The bill was considered in committee of the whole, with Senator Eshelman in the chair, and was reported back with the recommendation that it pass. It was made a special order for Monday at 2 p. m.
“There is not the slightest evidence of dishonesty or neglect.”
Government oversight of big public spending is nothing new. In 1893, legislators grilled the World's Fair Commission and found waste but no corruption—a familiar verdict in today's debates over stadiums, expos, and mega-events.
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