The specifications also stipulated that the full amount of the contract, less the amount of the certified check, held and to be appropriated by the Exposition Company, must be paid to the Exposition Company at the time the contract is signed.  I consider this out of all reason, and in itself would have a tendency to prohibit bidding.

The time-limit clause, namely, three months, from March 1 to June 1, 1905, in which all the buildings must be torn down and the grounds cleared, was entirely too short a time, and out of all reason, as it would be physically impossible for any contractor to do the work in the time specified, and no contractor would attempt it under the terms of the specifications unless he knew he would be favored with an extension of time later on.

The specifications appear to me to have been drawn up with the intent and purpose of discouraging bidders.  In all my experience I have never encountered such requirements as set forth in those specifications.

I told Mr. Taylor and President Francis that the time limit was too short, and that I would be glad to make a much higher bid if they would extend the time.  They said, “We cannot extend the time one day—­the grounds must be cleared by June 1, 1905.”

On the following Monday, November 14, 1904, I went to Mr. Taylor’s office at 10 a.m.  I was informed by Mr. Taylor’s private secretary that all bids had been rejected, and that I would be notified if further bids would be requested.  I returned to Chicago that night, and awaited some advice from the Exposition Company as to what disposition was to be made of the property, and if new bids would be requested.  For fear that something might happen that I would get slipped up on, and the contract be given to some one else, I sent my agent, Mr. John M. Dunphy, to St. Louis, so that he would be on the ground and be in touch with what was going on, and told him to watch the papers to see if new bids were requested.  Mr. Dunphy was in St. Louis from November 20 to 26, inclusive, and he informed me that during all this time he was unable to get any information as to what the Exposition Company was going to do with the property or whether new bids would be asked for.  Mr. Dunphy was compelled to return to Chicago on the night of November 26.  He asked a friend of his, a Mr. William H. Ranstead, who lives in St. Louis, to look out for news in regard to the wrecking of the World’s Fair buildings, and if new bids were requested to notify him immediately by telephone or by telegraph.  On November 28 I received a telegram from Mr. Ranstead, as follows: 

    ST. Louis, November 28.
    S. KRUG and John Dunphy,
    167 Dearborn street, Chicago, Ill.: 

Salvage committee met at 2 p. m.  At the adjournment Mr. Taylor and President Francis called me in and wished me to wire you to come on first train.  Everything looks well.  Meet me at the Lindell Hotel before you go to the grounds.  Also wire me in care Lindell Hotel when you leave.

    W.H.  RANSTEAD.