The salvage committee waited for proposals in response to this invitation, covering the physical property generally, until nearly the end of November.  Three bids were received.  The highest was $420,000; the next highest was $300,000.  After careful consideration and much negotiation with the various bidders, the salvage committee proposed to the highest bidder, namely, the Chicago House Wrecking Company, which had bid $420,000, to recommend the sale of the physical property to the board of directors, with the exceptions mentioned, for $450,000.  This, after some delay, was accepted by the Chicago House Wrecking Company on the 30th of November, and was reported to the board of directors on the 13th of December, and was ratified unanimously.

    The records and correspondence showing the proceedings
    throughout are on file in the office of the secretary, and are
    ready for inspection and investigation.

    The allegations set forth in the letter of the National
    Commission as having been made to that body and the answers to
    be given to such allegations are: 

    First.  That secrecy was observed in handling the bids for the
    wrecking of buildings.

Answer.  It was the judgment of the salvage committee that better results could be obtained if secrecy was observed, in so far that the amounts of bids were not made public until the sale was accomplished.  The wisdom of this judgment was vindicated in the amount realized for the salvage when compared with the lower bids.

    Second.  That the Chicago House Wrecking Company was favored from
    the beginning.

    Answer.  This is utterly false.

    Third.  That the exposition officials rejected higher bids than
    that of the Chicago House Wrecking Company, so that the latter
    might have further opportunity to raise its figures.

    Answer.  No higher bid was received either before or after the
    sum of $450,000 had been agreed upon to be recommended by the
    committee on salvage.

Fourth.  That only a partial list of the property, which did not include many valuable articles, was submitted to bidders outside of the Chicago House Wrecking Company, and that a complete list was refused other bidders.

Answer.  No complete list was submitted to the Chicago House Wrecking Company or to any other bidder.  The Exposition Company, through the salvage committee and the executive committee, with deliberate intent refused to furnish any list purporting to be complete.

    Fifth.  That a written offer of $400,000 cash, and more, if lists
    could be secured, was ignored.

    Answer.  No such offer was received.

    Sixth.  That a bid of $450,000, half cash, was presented to the
    Exposition Company after the announcement of the sale of the
    salvage to the Chicago House Wrecking Company for $386,000.