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TLS, one page, 8 x 10.5, Department of Commerce (Office of the Secretary) letterhead, May 29, 1922. Letter to Edward W. Bok of The Academy of Music in Philadelphia, offering advice at the very early planning stages of the 1926 Philadelphia Sesqui-Centennial Exposition, in full: “I would suggest that you should have a discussion with Mr. Moore before you decide on taking on any formal staff for the operation of the exposition. I have a very high opinion of Mr. Connick but it does seem to me that any man who is to be the president will want to have a voice in who is to be director of works. For the actual construction of the exposition on plans that are determined by other people I have no doubt that Mr. Connick is probably the best bet in the United States, but it seems to me to be putting the cart before the horse in choosing subordinates before you have arrived at your principal. The same would apply to Colonel Woods, of whom I have the highest possible opinion.” In fine condition, with some light creasing and a light paperclip impression.
The Philadelphia Sesqui-Centennial International Exposition was first proposed by John Wannamaker (1838-1922), who previously sat on the Finance Committee for the 1876 Centennial Exposition, and thought it appropriate to celebrate the birth of the nation with an industrial and commercial fair. The Sesquicentennial Exhibition Association (SCEA) was incorporated in 1921 but languished amid a power struggle between Philadelphia Mayor J. Hampton Moore (1864-1950) and editor Edward Bok, the son-in-law of Philadelphia publishing giant Cyrus H. K. Curtis (1850-1933). Moore and the Chamber of Commerce favored a fair that emphasized commerce and industry, while Bok championed a vision promoting progress in arts and sciences. Bok upped the ante in 1922 by offering to personally finance an annual salary of $50,000 for a Director General of the exhibition. He offered the position to Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover, who declined but continued to engage Bok with advice, opinions, and options as is evident from this letter.
Harris de Haven Connick, a vice president of the American International Corporation in New York, was Director of Works of the Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco in 1915. Colonel Arthur H. Woods served as an assistant to the US Secretary of War, New York City Police Commissioner, and chairman of committees in the Harding and Hoover presidential administrations.
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