Editing 1964 New York World's Fair (section)

== Operation ==
[[File:US NY NYC 1964-65 Worlds Fair Fountain of the Planets (processed 05-1965) 22 CE Family Coll (51906487232).jpg|thumb|The fair's Fountain of the Planets|alt=A lake with fountains and sculptures. Futuristic buildings line the far shore.]]

The WFC originally predicted a daily attendance of 225,000.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 20, 1964 |title=World's Fair Transportation Problem Huge |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=B11 |issn=0458-3035 |id={{ProQuest|168540287}}}}</ref> Deegan predicted at least 6.7&nbsp;million foreign visitors, out of an estimated total of 70 million.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 25, 1963 |title=Predicts 6,700,000 At Fair From Overseas |work=New York Amsterdam News |page=17 |id={{proQuest|226765072}}}}</ref> Visitors 13 and older were originally charged the adult admission price of $2.00 ({{Inflation|US|2|1964|r=2|fmt=eq|cursign=$}}), while children 2–12 years old were charged $1.00 ({{Inflation|US|1|1964|r=2|fmt=eq}}).<ref name="nyt19650113">{{cite news |last1=Arnold |first1=Martin |date=January 13, 1965 |title=Fair Increasing Admission to $2.50; 50-Cent Raise Does Not Apply to Children's Rates – Longer Run Possible |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/01/13/archives/fair-increasing-admission-to-250-50cent-raise-does-not-apply-to.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723093703/https://www.nytimes.com/1965/01/13/archives/fair-increasing-admission-to-250-50cent-raise-does-not-apply-to.html |archive-date=July 23, 2018 |access-date=April 25, 2016 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="McPherson 1964" /> The WFC sold discounted tickets in packs of 20;<ref name="McPherson 1964" /> some major companies like [[AT&T]] bought hundreds of thousands of tickets for their employees.<ref name="Samuel p. 12" /> Students paid 25 cents if they visited with their teachers,<ref name="The Christian Science Monitor 1963" /> and the WFC sold certificates that allowed a class of 25 students to enter the fair for $6.25.<ref name="nyt-1964-05-17">{{Cite news |date=May 17, 1964 |title=Irish Fair Pavilion Dedicated With a Challenge to Columbus |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/05/17/archives/irish-fair-pavilion-dedicated-with-a-challenge-to-columbus.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603175005/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/05/17/archives/irish-fair-pavilion-dedicated-with-a-challenge-to-columbus.html |archive-date=June 3, 2024 |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Moses predicted ticket sales of $120&nbsp;million<ref name="Samuel p. 11">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|page=11}}</ref><ref name="nyt-1964-01-06">{{Cite news |date=January 6, 1964 |title=World's Fair Forecast Is Rosy, With Profits for All-Even New York City |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/01/06/archives/worlds-fair-forecast-is-rosy-with-profits-for-alleven-new-york-city.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528235420/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/01/06/archives/worlds-fair-forecast-is-rosy-with-profits-for-alleven-new-york-city.html |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |access-date=May 28, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and a net profit of $40&nbsp;million.<ref name="nyt-1964-01-06" /> Initially, city officials predicted people would spend $5&nbsp;billion in the city due to the fair,<ref name="The Globe and Mail 1964">{{Cite news |date=April 22, 1964 |title=Affair Lacks World Status, But It's Bonanza for New York |work=The Globe and Mail |page=B1 |id={{ProQuest|1282813739}} |agency=The New York Times}}</ref> an estimate that was later reduced to $2.5&nbsp;billion.<ref name="Alden 1964" />

Though the fair employed up to 20,000 people<ref name="The Globe and Mail 1964" /> but the WFC directly employed only between 180 and 200 people.<ref name="nyt-1963-09-09" /><ref name="Sederberg 1964" /> There were 3,000 Pinkerton employees on the grounds, including firefighters, police officers, medics, matrons, and ticket sellers.<ref name="nyt-1964-02-08">{{Cite news |date=February 8, 1964 |title=3,000 Pinkerton Agents Will Be Going to the Fair Guard Exhibits, Sell Tickets, HeIp the Sick and Fight the Fires |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/02/08/archives/3000-pinkerton-agents-will-be-going-to-the-fair-guard-exhibits-sell.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240531182658/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/02/08/archives/3000-pinkerton-agents-will-be-going-to-the-fair-guard-exhibits-sell.html |archive-date=May 31, 2024 |access-date=May 31, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Nine garbage trucks, nine [[emergency medical services]] (EMS) vehicles, 25 police cars, and three fire engines traveled the fairgrounds.<ref name="nyt-1964-04-225" /> Nine city health inspectors examined all of the on-site restaurants.<ref name="nyt-1964-11-01" /> [[United Press International]] (UPI) was the fair's official photographer,<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 26, 1962 |title=World Fair Chooses UPI as Photographers |work=The Austin Statesman |page=18 |id={{ProQuest|1527723048}}}}</ref> while United World Films had exclusive rights to produce and publish films about the fair.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 7, 1963 |title=World's Fair, Film Co. Sign Contract |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/brooklyn-daily-worlds-fair-film-co-si/148380895/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608142453/https://www.newspapers.com/article/brooklyn-daily-worlds-fair-film-co-si/148380895/ |archive-date=June 8, 2024 |access-date=May 30, 2024 |work=Brooklyn Daily |pages=21 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Allied Maintenance was the only maintenance firm allowed to work at the fair; it charged exorbitant fees, earning $10&nbsp;million during 1964 alone.<ref name="Caro p. 1087">{{harvnb|Caro|1974|ps=.|page=1087}}</ref> Allied also handled deliveries during the 1964 season but was replaced the following year with Rentar Corporation.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 17, 1964 |title=World's Fair Replaces Official Trucker for 19651; Allied Corp. Out, Bat Keeps Its Maintenance Contract; Rentar of Queens Is Hired—Plans Efficiency Changes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/12/17/archives/worlds-fair-replaces-official-trucker-for-19651-allied-corp-out-bat.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608142453/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/12/17/archives/worlds-fair-replaces-official-trucker-for-19651-allied-corp-out-bat.html |archive-date=June 8, 2024 |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Other companies, such as [[Hertz Global Holdings|Hertz]] and [[Cities Service]], sponsored free services or events.<ref name="nyt-1964-08-16" /> The WFC selected symbols of a boy and a girl as the [[List of World's Fair mascots|fair's mascots]].<ref name="Yan 2024 c647" />

Exhibitors were required to operate from 10&nbsp;am to 10&nbsp;pm daily,<ref name="nyt-1964-04-22_Phillips" /> although the fairground opened at 9&nbsp;am.<ref name="Shipp 1964" /> Exhibits were prepared and cleaned throughout the night;<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 2, 1964 |title=Day at World's Fair Begins at 2 A.M. For Many; Tracks Roll in With Sapplies After Last Visitors Start Their Homeward Trips |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/06/02/archives/day-at-worlds-fair-begins-at-2-am-for-many-tracks-roll-in-with.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602185723/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/06/02/archives/day-at-worlds-fair-begins-at-2-am-for-many-tracks-roll-in-with.html |archive-date=June 2, 2024 |access-date=June 2, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> the Vatican pavilion was the only attraction with a live-in caretaker.<ref name="nyt-1964-07-25">{{Cite news |date=July 25, 1964 |title=Moses Says That 'Observers' Magnify Reports on 'Disorders' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/07/25/archives/moses-says-that-observers-magnify-reports-on-disorders.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602225109/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/07/25/archives/moses-says-that-observers-magnify-reports-on-disorders.html |archive-date=June 2, 2024 |access-date=June 2, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Many exhibitors hired racially diverse staff.<ref name="Samuel pp. 36–37" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=June 9, 1964 |title=Fair a Showcase for Civil Rights; Negroes and Whites Work Together in Many Phases |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/06/09/archives/fair-a-showcase-for-civil-rights-negroes-and-whites-work-together.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601013154/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/06/09/archives/fair-a-showcase-for-civil-rights-negroes-and-whites-work-together.html |archive-date=June 1, 2024 |access-date=June 1, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In addition, the WFC required each exhibitor to purchase insurance from Campo & Roberts, which earned $3&nbsp;million from insurance commissions.<ref name="Caro pp. 1087–1088">{{harvnb|Caro|1974|ps=.|pages=1087–1088}}</ref>

=== 1964 season ===
==== Opening ====
[[File:US NY NYC 1964-65 Worlds Fair Belgian Village (processed 06-1965) 28 CE Family Coll (51903556916).jpg|thumb|The Belgian Village was not completed until the end of the 1964 season.<ref name="Samuel p. 43"/>|alt=A crowded street with low-rise buildings and trees.]]

The WFC did not host official press previews in the weeks before the official opening, though several exhibitors hosted previews of their pavilions.<ref name=p964068615>{{cite magazine |id={{ProQuest|964068615}} |title=N.Y. World's Fair Opening 'Cold'; Exhibitions to Set Their Own Parties |last=Green |first=Abel |volume=233 |issue=11 |date=Feb 5, 1964 |pages=1, 18 |magazine=Variety}}</ref> The night before the fair opened, the television series ''[[The Bell Telephone Hour]]'' broadcast an opening celebration.<ref name="Samuel pp. 30–31">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|pages=30–31}}</ref> When the World's Fair officially opened at 9:00&nbsp;am on April 22, 1964,<ref name="The Sun 1964" /><ref name="Samuel p. 32; Tirella p. 188">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=|page=32}}; {{harvnb|Tirella|2013|ps=.|page=188}}</ref> the first visitor was a college student from New Jersey.<ref name="Samuel p. 32; Tirella p. 188" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Spiegler |first1=William |last2=Molotsky |first2=Irv |date=April 22, 1964 |title=Jersey Student, 18, Is First Through Fair Turnstiles |work=Newsday |page=4 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|914371873}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 22, 1964 |title=5 College Men Are First in Line at World's Fair |work=Chicago Tribune |page=2 |issn=1085-6706 |id={{ProQuest|179440004}}}}</ref> The opening was celebrated with speeches by Robert Moses, [[Nelson Rockefeller]], and the U.S. president [[Lyndon B. Johnson]].<ref name="The Sun 1964" /><ref>{{cite web |date=22 April 1964 |title=Remarks at the Opening of the New York World's fair |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/remarks-the-opening-the-new-york-worlds-fair |access-date=18 June 2024 |website=The American Presidency Project}}</ref> The same day, Johnson dedicated the [[United States Pavilion]],<ref>{{cite web |date=22 April 1964 |title=Remarks at the United States Pavilion, New York World's Fair |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/remarks-the-united-states-pavilion-new-york-worlds-fair |access-date=18 June 2024 |website=The American Presidency Project |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |title=Shouts Mar Johnson's Talk at Pavilion |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |date=April 23, 1964 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/23/archives/shouts-mar-johnsons-talk-at-pavilion.html |access-date=June 18, 2024}}</ref> while Rockefeller and Moses dedicated the New York State Pavilion.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 24, 1964 |title=State Wins Praise for Fair Pavilion; Governor and Moses Urge It as Permanent Part of Flushing Meadow Park |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/24/archives/state-wins-praise-for-fair-pavilion-governor-and-moses-urge-it-as.html |access-date=May 15, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516004853/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/24/archives/state-wins-praise-for-fair-pavilion-governor-and-moses-urge-it-as.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

During the opening ceremonies, hundreds of civil-rights activists organized a sit-in and were arrested.<ref>{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|page=34}}</ref><ref name="The Sun 1964">{{Cite news |date=April 23, 1964 |title=World's Fair Opens To Picketing; Stall-In Fails: Johnson Foresees Global Peace Soon Rain, Racial Troubles Keep Crowd To 90,000; More Than 290 Integrationists Seized |work=The Sun |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|540050678}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 23, 1964 |title=Rain Soaks Crowd; Sit-Ins Mar Festivities at Some Pavilions—Attendance Cut |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/23/archives/rain-soaks-crowd-sitins-mar-festivities-at-some-pavilionsattendance.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514000810/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/23/archives/rain-soaks-crowd-sitins-mar-festivities-at-some-pavilionsattendance.html |archive-date=May 14, 2024 |access-date=May 13, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The civil-rights group [[Congress of Racial Equality]] (CORE) proposed a "stall-in" to block roads leading to the fair,<ref>{{cite news |date=April 7, 1964 |title=CORE Chapter Plans A Drive-In To Stall World's Fair Opening: Brooklyn Group Says Proposed Traffic Tie-Up, April 22, Will Spotlight Civil Rights Fight |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=6 |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|132950770}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=April 10, 1964 |title=CORE Maps Tie-up on Roads to Fair |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/10/core-maps-tieup-on-roads-to-fair.html |access-date=May 31, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240531192224/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/10/core-maps-tieup-on-roads-to-fair.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Samuel pp. 27–28; Tirella pp. 81–82">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=|pages=27–28}}; {{harvnb|Tirella|2013|ps=.|pages=81–82}}</ref> but few activists participated.<ref name="The Sun 1964" /><ref name="Tirella h843">{{cite web |last=Tirella |first=Joseph |date=April 22, 2014 |title=Fifty Years Ago Today, Rogue Civil Rights Activists Tried to Ruin Robert Moses' Greatest Triumph |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2014/04/cores-1964-stall-in-the-planned-civil-rights-protest-that-kept-thousands-away-from-the-worlds-fair-in-new-york.html |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=Slate Magazine |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110015345/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2014/04/cores-1964-stall-in-the-planned-civil-rights-protest-that-kept-thousands-away-from-the-worlds-fair-in-new-york.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The opening ceremony attracted 90,000 attendees, fewer than half of the predicted number,<ref name="The Sun 1964" /> in part due to inclement weather.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=April 23, 1964 |title=N. Y. Fair Debut Gets Foul Deal From Weather: Fair Opening Day Ardor Chilled by Clammy Rain |magazine=Women's Wear Daily |pages=1, 7 |volume=108 |issue=81 |id={{ProQuest|1565239518}}}}</ref>  The WFC banned picketing on the grounds, prompting lawsuits from civil-rights groups;<ref name="Samuel pp. 36–37">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|pages=36–37}}</ref> a federal judge later ruled protesters could give out handbills to passers-by.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 11, 1964 |title=Federal Court Allows 'Rights' Action at World's Fair: Groups May Pass Out Handbills on Protest |work=New Pittsburgh Courier |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|371626195}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=July 2, 1964 |title=Rights Picket Ban by Fair is Upheld; But Court Rules Handbills, May Be Given Out There |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/07/02/archives/righs-picket-ban-by-fair-is-upheld-but-court-rules-handbills-may-be.html |access-date=June 1, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608142454/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/07/02/archives/righs-picket-ban-by-fair-is-upheld-but-court-rules-handbills-may-be.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

''[[The New York Times]]'' reported fifteen pavilions and three amusement attractions were not finished by opening day.<ref name="nyt-1964-04-22a">{{Cite news |date=April 22, 1964 |title=15% Of the Fair Still Unfinished; 15 Pavilions and 3 Shows in Amusement Area Delayed |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/22/archives/15-of-the-fair-still-unfinished-15-pavilions-and-3-shows-in.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603175006/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/22/archives/15-of-the-fair-still-unfinished-15-pavilions-and-3-shows-in.html |url-status=live}}</ref> One pavilion, the Belgian Village, was not completed until the end of the 1964 season,<ref name="Samuel p. 43">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|page=43}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Long |first=Tania |date=October 17, 1964 |title=Belgian Village Finished at Last: Medieval 'City' Just in Time for World's Fair Closing |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/10/17/archives/belgian-village-finished-at-last-medieval-city-just-in-time-for.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |page=29 |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|115921553}} |archive-date=June 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603210802/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/10/17/archives/belgian-village-finished-at-last-medieval-city-just-in-time-for.html |url-status=live}}</ref> though it did operate for part of that year.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 31, 1964 |title=Belgium Village Upsets Neighbors; Fair Concessionaires Fear New Loss of Business |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/07/31/archives/belgium-village-upsets-neighbors-fair-concessionaires-fear-new-loss.html |access-date=June 2, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602225119/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/07/31/archives/belgium-village-upsets-neighbors-fair-concessionaires-fear-new-loss.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Some pavilions could not open on schedule because artifacts in the pavilions had been damaged<ref>{{cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=April 17, 1964 |title=Lebanese Treasures Damaged; Pavilion at Fair to Be Delayed |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/17/archives/lebanese-treasures-damaged-pavilion-at-fair-to-be-delayed.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |page=22 |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|115757755}} |archive-date=June 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603175000/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/17/archives/lebanese-treasures-damaged-pavilion-at-fair-to-be-delayed.html |url-status=live}}</ref> or were incomplete.<ref name="McPherson 1964">{{cite news |last=McPherson |first=William |date=April 19, 1964 |title=World's Fair Will Open Wednesday: What It Will Cost To Visit the Fair |work=The Washington Post, Times Herald |page=A32 |issn=0190-8286 |id={{ProQuest|142281829}}}}</ref><ref name="nyt-1964-04-22a" /> Exhibitors also accused workers of delaying some pavilions' construction to collect [[overtime]] pay.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 17, 1964 |title=Workmen Accused Of Lagging at Fair To Raise Overtime |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/17/archives/workmen-accused-of-lagging-at-fair-to-raise-overtime.html |access-date=May 31, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601041848/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/17/archives/workmen-accused-of-lagging-at-fair-to-raise-overtime.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Three incomplete pavilions were abandoned,<ref name="McPherson 1964" /> and work on other pavilions continued for several months after the opening.<ref name="Samuel p. 43" /> The rich and famous, including government officials and heads of state, visited the fairground in the weeks after it opened.<ref name="Samuel pp. 39–40">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|pages=39–40}}</ref><ref name="Tirella pp. 207–208">{{harvnb|Tirella|2013|ps=.|pages=207–208}}</ref>

====May to October====
[[File:6405 NY World's Fair 3 1964 (51190488619).jpg|alt=A huge, skeletal, globe-like structure representing Earth dominates a concrete plaza with trees and a bus, and a futuristic building rises in the background.|thumb|Looking south from the [[Unisphere]] toward the [[New York State Pavilion]]]]

The fair needed 220,000 daily visitors to recover its operating expenses of $300,000 per day.<ref name="Caro p. 1102" /> In its first week, the fair recorded nearly a million visitors,<ref name="Samuel p. 38">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|page=38}}</ref> and 150,000 daily visitors—60 percent of initial projections—in the first month.<ref name="Los Angeles Times 1964">{{cite news |date=May 24, 1964 |title=World's Fair Plagued by Lack of Customers |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=D18 |issn=0458-3035 |id={{ProQuest|168563620}}}}</ref> Several problems arose;<ref name="Samuel p. 422" /><ref name="Schwartz 1964">{{cite news |last=Schwartz |first=Jock |date=September 30, 1964 |title=The Fair: Review and Preview |work=Newsday |page=1C |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|914374708}}}}</ref> disputes occurred over labor unions,<ref name="Samuel p. 422" /><ref name="nyt-1964-06-27">{{Cite news |date=June 27, 1964 |title=Fair Moves to Counter Bad Publicity |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/06/27/archives/fair-moves-to-counter-bad-publicity.html |access-date=June 1, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> maintenance fees,<ref name="Samuel p. 422" /><ref>{{cite news |date=June 22, 1964 |title=Labor Costs Stir Storm at World's Fair: World's Fair Labor Costs Stir Up Storm |work=Chicago Tribune |page=1 |issn=1085-6706 |id={{ProQuest|179492570}}}}</ref> and a mural in the Jordan pavilion.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 10, 1964 |title=Jordan Pavilion Wins Legal Fight on Mural |work=Newsday |page=11 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|964283452}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=July 10, 1964 |title=Court Dismisses 2 Suits Against Jordan Mural; Finds No Legal Basis to Ban Work at Fair Attacked as Derogatory to Israel |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/07/10/archives/court-dismisses-2-suits-against-jordan-mural-finds-no-legal-basis.html |access-date=June 2, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Samuel pp. 53–54">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|pages=53–54}}</ref> Thefts and breakdowns regularly occurred.<ref name="Samuel pp. 45–46">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|pages=45–46}}</ref> Exhibitors complained about high rental rates and insufficient maintenance of the fairground.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 22, 1964 |title=High Costs Anger Pavilions at Fair; Protest Planned; Official to Hear Complaints of Industrial Group on Maintenance Rates |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/06/22/archives/high-costs-ange-pavilions-at-fair-protest-planned-official-to-hear.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>  The Lake Amusement Area was especially unprofitable;<ref name="nyt-1964-08-01" /><ref name="Tirella pp. 235–236">{{harvnb|Tirella|2013|ps=.|pages=235–236}}</ref> it had few attractions and was difficult to access.<ref name="Los Angeles Times 1964" /><ref name="Samuel pp. 46–47">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|pages=46–47}}</ref> Many of the most-popular exhibits charged an additional fee, and visitors often did not bring enough money for food or for high-priced exhibits.<ref name="Samuel p. 49">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|page=49}}</ref>

The WFC unsuccessfully attempted to entice visitors by offering discounts to taxi drivers and improving fairground lighting,<ref name="Samuel pp. 46–47" /> and the WFC was planning promotional campaigns by the end of June.<ref name="nyt-1964-06-27" /> The [[J. Walter Thompson]] Company advertised the fair in New York City–area media.<ref name="nyt-1964-08-07">{{Cite news |date=August 7, 1964 |title='Parable' Draws Crowds at Fair; Disputed Film Helps to Pay for Protestant Center |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/08/07/archives/parable-draws-crowds-at-fair-disputed-film-helps-to-pay-for.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> By mid-1964, some exhibitors had gone out of business,<ref name="Tirella pp. 235–236" /><ref name="Samuel pp. 47–48">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|pages=47–48}}</ref> including the two largest shows in the Lake Amusement Area.<ref name="nyt-1964-07-27">{{Cite news |date=July 27, 1964 |title=Last 2 Big Shows at Fair Go Dark; 'Ice-Travaganza' and Texas Pavilion Crowds Scarce |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/07/27/archives/last-2-big-shows-at-fair-go-dark-icetravaganza-and-texas-pavilion.html |access-date=June 2, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Employees, especially the 4,000 college students who worked the fair, faced [[occupational burnout]].<ref name="Samuel pp. 50–51">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|pages=50–51}}</ref> Despite the troubles, the WFC was able to buy back one quarter of its promissory notes in mid-1964,<ref>{{cite news |date=June 30, 1964 |title=World's Fair Will Pay Off Some Notes Ahead of Time |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=6 |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|132943218}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=June 30, 1964 |title=25% Of Fair's Debt to Be Paid Early; Reduction Aug. 1 Attributed to Advance Sale of Tickets |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/06/30/archives/25-of-fairs-debt-to-be-paid-early-reduction-aug-1-attributed-to.html |access-date=June 1, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Samuel p. 54">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|page=54}}</ref> and to attract visitors, exhibitors publicly downplayed their grievances with the WFC.<ref name="nyt-1964-07-04">{{Cite news |date=July 4, 1964 |title=Bad News Upsets Fair's Exhibitors; They Are Shifting Attitude on Their Own Complaints |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/07/04/archives/bad-news-upsets-fairs-exhibitors-they-are-shifting-attitude-on.html |access-date=June 2, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The industrial and international pavilions were more profitable than the amusement area,<ref name="Schmedel 1964">{{cite news |last=Schmedel |first=Scott R. |date=September 23, 1964 |title=World's Fair Payoff: Corporate Exhibitors Score Triumphs Though Festival Has Problems |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=1 |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|132905305}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |date=July 14, 1964 |title=Lights Are Shining at The Fair For Foreign Exhibitors There |magazine=Women's Wear Daily |pages=17 |volume=109 |issue=9 |id={{ProQuest|1565178184}}}}</ref> whose financial troubles did not bother Moses.<ref name="nyt-1964-08-01">{{Cite news |date=August 1, 1964 |title=Moses Shrugs Off Low Crowds And Folding Shows at the Fair |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/08/01/archives/moses-shrugs-off-low-crowds-and-folding-shows-at-the-fair.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

The fair had difficulty attracting more than 200,000 daily visitors, even during July and August when students were on [[Summer vacation|summer break]].<ref name="Caro p. 1102" /> The fair recorded 13.4&nbsp;million visitors by the season's midpoint in July 1964,<ref name="nyt-1964-07-21">{{Cite news |date=July 21, 1964 |title=News Analysis; Fair's Halfway Mark; Attendance Is Below Expectations but Visitors and Bondholders Are Happy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/07/21/archives/news-analysis-fairs-halfway-mark-attendance-is-below-expectations.html |access-date=June 2, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="The Hartford Courant 1964">{{cite news |date=July 22, 1964 |title=Failure, Success Mixed In $Billion World's Fair |work=The Hartford Courant |page=2 |issn=1047-4153 |id={{ProQuest|548447209}}}}</ref> and it received 5.8&nbsp;million visitors that August, the highest of any month during the 1964 season.<ref name="Samuel pp. 56–57">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|pages=56–57}}</ref><ref name="nyt-1964-08-31">{{Cite news |date=August 31, 1964 |title=Fair Attendance Climbs in August; 5.8 Million Paid Admissions Expected by Tomorrow |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/08/31/archives/fair-attendance-climbs-in-august-58-million-paid-admissions.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Nearly half of visitors came from the New York City area,<ref name="Samuel pp. 56–57" /> and prospective visitors expressed fears about crime and unrest.<ref name="Samuel pp. 56–57; Tirella pp. 234–235">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=|pages=56–57}}; {{harvnb|Tirella|2013|ps=.|pages=234–235}}</ref>  Attendance declined significantly in September<ref name="Schmedel 1964" /><ref name="The Hartford Courant 1964" /> when children returned to school.<ref name="Samuel p. 57">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|page=57}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=September 12, 1964 |title=Post-Labor Day Doldrums Bring Sudden End to Fair's Long Lines |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/09/12/archives/postlabor-day-doldrums-bring-sudden-end-to-fairs-long-lines.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In response, Moses said journalists were tarnishing the fair's reputation<ref name="Samuel p. 57" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=September 15, 1964 |title=Moses Upbraids Foes of the Fair; 'Sharpshooters' Attacked in Address to Publishers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/09/15/archives/moses-upbraids-foes-of-the-fair-sharpshooters-attacked-in-address.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and accused them of suppressing attendance.<ref name="Samuel p. 57" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Long |first=Tania |date=October 15, 1964 |title=Moses Says Press Harmed the Fair: 'Tricks' of Journalism Are Blamed for Cut in Crowds |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/10/16/archives/fair-planning-for-65-season-as-it-approaches-hibernation.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |page=18 |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|115617892}}}}</ref> An exhibitors' committee made several recommendations for increasing attendance but Moses rejected nearly all of them.<ref name="Tirella p. 268">{{harvnb|Tirella|2013|ps=.|page=268}}</ref>

The fair closed for the season on October 18, 1964.<ref name="nyt-1964-10-19a">{{Cite news |date=October 19, 1964 |title=Young Employes Say Farewells Gather to Reminisce on Six Months at Fair — Few Expecting to Return |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/10/19/archives/young-employes-say-farewells-gather-to-reminisce-on-six-months-at.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516194354/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/10/19/archives/young-employes-say-farewells-gather-to-reminisce-on-six-months-at.html |archive-date=May 16, 2024 |access-date=May 16, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |last=Cassidy |first=Joseph |date=October 19, 1964 |title=Fair's Last Day Draws Crowd |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-fairs-last-day-draws-crowd/147511723/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516195531/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-fairs-last-day-draws-crowd/147511723/ |archive-date=May 16, 2024 |access-date=May 16, 2024 |work=New York Daily News |pages=67  |issn=2692-1251}}</ref><ref name="Hornaday 1964">{{cite news |last=Hornaday |first=Mary |date=October 19, 1964 |title=N.Y. World's Fair Closes on Gay Note: Financial Arrangement |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=7 |issn=0882-7729 |id={{ProQuest|510663645}}}}</ref> There had been 33 million visitors, including 27&nbsp;million who paid admission.<ref name="Hornaday 1964" /><ref name="Variety 1964">{{cite magazine |date=October 21, 1964 |title=N.Y. World's Fair: Fair's 27,100,000 Gate NSG; 'Wait 'Til Next Year' |magazine=Variety |pages=62, 66 |volume=236 |issue=9 |id={{ProQuest|962979014}}}}</ref> ''The New York Times'' cited several reasons for the reduced attendance figures; these included fears of crime, lengthy queues, and high prices.<ref name="Alden 1964">{{cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=October 18, 1964 |title=Fair Appraises Its First Season And Finds It Relatively Good |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/10/18/archives/fair-appraises-its-first-season-and-finds-it-relatively-good-major.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |page=83 |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|115545985}}}}</ref> The WFC had significantly overpaid several contractors,<ref name="Caro p. 1089">{{harvnb|Caro|1974|ps=.|page=1089}}</ref><ref name="Caro 1965">{{cite news |last=Caro |first=Robert A. |date=March 15, 1965 |title=Portent for the Fair: 1 Wrong Move: Newsday Closeup |work=Newsday |page=5 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|914436877}}}}</ref> and the fair's operating expenditures during 1964 amounted to $33.3&nbsp;million, twice the original budget.<ref name="Caro p. 1089" /> Moses had projected a $53&nbsp;million surplus, but the surplus stood at only $12.6&nbsp;million at season's end, barely enough to pay back the city government.<ref name="nyt-1964-10-14">{{Cite news |date=October 14, 1964 |title=Fair's 1964 Profit Below Estimate; Costs Found High; Attendance Also Cuts Net to Indicated $12.6 Million—Moses Is Hopeful |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/10/14/archives/fairs-1964-profit-below-estimate-costs-found-high-attendance-also.html |access-date=May 23, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Samuel p. 58">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|page=58}}</ref> The WFC reduced its estimated total profit for both seasons to $30&nbsp;million.<ref name="Variety 1964" /> Despite the financial problems, many industrial pavilions had long queues and tens of thousands of daily visitors,<ref name="Schmedel 1964" /><ref name="Alden 1964" /> and the [[General Motors]] and [[Vatican City|Vatican]] pavilions each saw more than 10 million visitors during 1964.<ref name="Samuel p. 54" /> ''The New York Times'' reported many international exhibitors were pleased with the fair but wanted someone else to operate it.<ref name="nyt-1964-10-19b">{{Cite news |date=October 19, 1964 |title=Exhibitors Hoping For Many Changes In Second Season |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/10/19/archives/exhibitors-hoping-for-many-changes-in-second-season.html |access-date=May 31, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

=== Off-season ===
Between the 1964 and 1965 seasons, the WFC hired 400 security guards to oversee the fairground,<ref name="Frederick 1964"/> though exhibitors were obligated to maintain and guard their own pavilions.<ref name="Frederick 1964">{{cite magazine |last=Frederick |first=Robert B. |date=October 21, 1964 |title=N. Y. World's Fair: Hibernating N. Y. Fair Eyes Finale Anni; Seeks New Face for Fun ... |magazine=Variety |page=62 |volume=236 |issue=9 |id={{ProQuest|962978940}}}}</ref><ref name="Long 1964" /> The WFC planned to spend $1.3&nbsp;million on renovations,<ref name="Hornaday 1964" /><ref name="Long 1964">{{cite news |last=Long |first=Tania |date=October 16, 1964 |title=Fair Planning for '65 Season As It Approaches Hibernation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/10/16/archives/fair-planning-for-65-season-as-it-approaches-hibernation.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |page=31 |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|115597479}}}}</ref> and 3,000 workers began [[Winterization|winterizing]] the fairground in November 1964.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wiemer |first=Robert |date=November 30, 1964 |title=Fair Is Anything But Fair As It Awaits Snow |work=Newsday |page=11 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|913625981}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=November 23, 1964 |title=Fair Buttoning Up for Winter Cold; Maintenance Carried On in Silent Surroundings of 600-Acre Ghost Town |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/11/23/archives/fair-buttoning-up-for-winter-cold-maintenance-carried-on-in-silent.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>  The WFC planned to create a promotional film and advertisements for the fair,<ref name="Schmedel 1964a">{{cite news |last=Schmedel |first=Scott R. |date=October 14, 1964 |title=World's Fair Slates Some Changes to Lift Attendance Next Year |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=11 |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|132932541}}}}</ref> and it kept some of the paths and fountains illuminated.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 29, 1964 |title=Fair Acts to Keep Light in Window; Pavilions Urged to Continue Signs During Off Season |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/09/29/archives/fair-acts-to-keep-light-in-window-pavilions-urged-to-continue-signs.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Deegan said several pavilions would be renovated and 12 new restaurants would be added.<ref name="nyt-1964-11-17">{{Cite news |date=November 17, 1964 |title=World's Fair Plans Sportsmens' Show And a Farm Exhibit |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/11/17/archives/worlds-fair-plans-sportsmens-show-and-a-farm-exhibit.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Samuel p. 59">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|page=59}}</ref> Moses also traveled around the world to persuade foreign exhibitors to display additional artifacts, such as a [[Gutenberg Bible]] and Spanish artwork, during 1965.<ref name="Caro p. 1106" />

WFC officials said attendance would rise during the 1965 season,<ref name="Samuel p. 58" /><ref name="Tirella p. 270">{{harvnb|Tirella|2013|ps=.|page=270}}</ref> and anticipated 37.5&nbsp;million visitors.<ref name="Caro 1965" /> The prediction was unrealistic; previous world's fairs typically had fewer visitors during their second season<ref name="Samuel p. 58" /> and no new pavilions were being planned.<ref name="Tirella p. 270" /><ref name="Frederick 1964" /> In its [[balance sheet]], the WFC counted profits from advance ticket sales as part of its income for 1964, which meant revenue would be much lower than expected during 1965.<ref name="Caro p. 1103">{{harvnb|Caro|1974|ps=.|page=1103}}</ref> Unless the fair had at least 37.5&nbsp;million visitors in 1965, it would not be profitable.<ref name="Caro 1965"/> WFC officials, fearing reprisal from Moses, waited weeks to tell him about the fair's financial troubles.<ref name="Caro p. 1103" /> In November 1964, Moses told Wagner the WFC might not be able to repay the city's $24&nbsp;million loan.<ref name="Samuel p. 59" /><ref>{{cite magazine |date=November 25, 1964 |title=N.Y.C. Holds The Bag for $24-Mil. On World's Fair |magazine=Variety |pages=1, 20 |volume=237 |issue=1 |id={{ProQuest|1505734743}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Knowles |first=Clayton |date=November 24, 1964 |title=City Not Counting on Fair's Money |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/11/24/city-not-counting-on-fairs-money.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>  The WFC's financial advisors raised suspicions of financial mismanagement the next month.<ref name="Caro pp. 1104–1105">{{harvnb|Caro|1974|ps=.|pages=1104–1105}}</ref>

In January 1965, several of the WFC's financial advisors quit following bitter disputes,<ref>{{cite news |date=January 19, 1965 |title=Five Top Bankers Quit World's Fair Group, Score Financial Policy: First National City President Says New York Fair Needs Substantial Funds by April 22 |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=8 |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|133056052}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Devlin |first=John C. |date=January 19, 1965 |title=5 Bank Advisers to Fair Quit in Financial Dispute; 5 Banker Advisers to Fair Resign in Dispute Over Finances |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/01/19/archives/5-bank-advisers-to-fair-quit-in-financial-dispute-5-banker-advisers.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Samuel p. 70; Tirella pp. 274–275">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=|page=70}}; {{harvnb|Tirella|2013|ps=.|pages=274–275}}</ref> and the WFC requested $3.5&nbsp;million to reopen the fair.<ref name="Samuel p. 70; Tirella pp. 274–275" /><ref name="The Christian Science Monitor 1965">{{cite news |date=January 23, 1965 |title=New York World's Fair Seeks $3.5 Million: 'Brighter Show' |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=3 |issn=0882-7729 |id={{ProQuest|510690042}}}}</ref> The city controller [[Abraham Beame]] began auditing the WFC,<ref name="Samuel p. 71; Tirella p. 276">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=|page=71}}; {{harvnb|Tirella|2013|ps=.|page=276}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=January 27, 1965 |title=New York World's Fair Doesn't Hope to Repay $24 Million City Spent |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=9 |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|133044216}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=January 27, 1965 |title=Fair Unable to Repay City Or Finance Queens Parks; But Moses Says Notes Will Be Redeemed – Beame Orders Audit – $4 Million Is Sought to Prepare for April Opening |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/01/27/archives/fair-unable-to-repay-city-or-finance-queens-parks-but-moses-says.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and the WFC fired Deegan's public-relations firm, which had been receiving $300,000 annually for four years, following criticism over the firm's compensation.<ref name="Tirella p. 276">{{harvnb|Tirella|2013|ps=.|page=276}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=January 31, 1965 |title=Firm Pulls Out of Fair in Latest Foul-Up |work=The Washington Post, Times Herald |page=B10 |issn=0190-8286 |id={{ProQuest|142498793}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=January 29, 1965 |title=Deegan Company Leaves the Fair; Publicity Concern Is Headed by Exhibition Executive |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/01/29/archives/deegan-company-leaves-the-fair-publicity-concern-is-headed-by.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The WFC's internal audit found a $17.5&nbsp;million deficit,<ref>{{cite news |date=February 8, 1965 |title=World's Fair Corp. Had $17,540,100 Loss in 1964, Audited Report Shows: Executive Tells Holders of Notes Of Efforts to Reduce Costs, Boost Attendance This Year |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=7 |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|133063089}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=February 6, 1965 |title=World's Fair Had Deficit Of $17,540,100 in 1964; Audited Report Puts Cash on Hand at $629,063 on Dec. 31 – Official Cites Drastic Cuts in Costs for 1965 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/02/06/archives/worlds-fair-had-deficit-of-17540100-in-1964-audited-report-puts.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> but lawsuits delayed Beame's audit for several months.<ref name="Samuel p. 71; Tirella p. 276" /><ref>{{cite news |date=May 21, 1965 |title=Top New York Court Rules World's Fair Open Records |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=14 |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|133027787}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Apple |first=R. W. Jr |date=May 21, 1965 |title=Beame's Demand for Audit at Fair Upheld by Court |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/05/21/archives/beames-demand-for-audit-at-fair-upheld-by-court-appeals-bench.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> By February 1965, at least 14 exhibitors in the 1964 season had declared bankruptcy.<ref name="Samuel p. 65">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|page=65}}</ref><ref name="nyt-1965-02-13">{{Cite news |last=Phalon |first=Richard |date=February 13, 1965 |title=The World's Fair: A Fiscal Scrutiny; 14 Bankruptcy Pleas Filed Since Opening in April |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/02/13/archives/the-worlds-fair-a-fiscal-scrutiny-14-bankruptcy-pleas-filed-since.html |access-date=May 23, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> [[Franklin National Bank]] offered to lend the WFC $3.5&nbsp;million,<ref name="Tirella p. 276" /><ref>{{cite news |date=February 10, 1965 |title=Fair Banks on Franklin For $3.5 Million Loan |work=Newsday |page=15 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|914425535}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=February 9, 1965 |title=L.I. Bank Plans to Lend Fair $3.5 Million Needed to Open; Head of Franklin National Says He Will Do All He Can To Help Second Season |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/02/09/archives/li-bank-plans-to-lend-fair-35-million-needed-to-open-head-of.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> but the WFC indicated it needed only $1&nbsp;million.<ref name="The Wall Street Journal 1965">{{cite news |date=February 25, 1965 |title=New York World's Fair Cuts Immediate Need For Cash to $1 Million: Executive Committee Expresses Confidence in President Moses; Efforts to Remove Him Go On |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=7 |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|133042754}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=February 25, 1965 |title=Fair Executives Divided on Moses; He Gets Vote of Confidence, but 6 Abstain, Including the Mayor's 3 Men |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/02/25/archives/fair-executives-divided-on-moses-he-gets-vote-of-confidence-but-6.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Though city officials wanted to remove Moses as the WFC's president,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=February 18, 1965 |title=Top-Level Talks on Fair Consider Replacing Moses; Mayor and Governor Join Parleys – A Better Image Sought for Exposition |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/02/18/archives/toplevel-talks-on-fair-consider-replacing-moses-mayor-and-governor.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> he retained his position.<ref name="The Wall Street Journal 1965" /><ref name="Tirella pp. 277–278">{{harvnb|Tirella|2013|ps=.|pages=277–278}}</ref> When Moses said he would spend $6.4&nbsp;million to renovate Flushing Meadows–Corona Park before repaying debts,<ref name="Samuel pp. 71–72; Tirella p. 278">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=|pages=63–64}}; {{harvnb|Tirella|2013|ps=.|page=278}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=February 15, 1965 |title=Fair's Priorities Revised by Moses; He Says Rebuilding Parks Comes Before Repaying Noteholders and City |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/02/15/archives/fairs-priorities-revised-by-moses-he-says-rebuilding-parks-comes-be.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> the WFC's finance chairman resigned.<ref name="Samuel pp. 71–72; Tirella p. 278" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Illson |first=Murray |date=February 24, 1965 |title=Fair Aide Resigns, Assailing Moses on Fund Proposal; McLaughlin Says He Seeks to Shift $6.4 Million From Triborough Authority Fair Aide Quits in Dispute With Moses |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/02/24/archives/fair-aide-resigns-assailing-moses-on-fund-proposal-mclaughlin-says.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Two [[Marine Midland Bank]] branches provided a $1&nbsp;million loan to the WFC that March,<ref>{{cite news |date=March 15, 1965 |title=New York World's Fair Gets $1 Million Loan; Indonesia Pulls Pavilion: Moses Sees Financing by 2 Banks More Than Adequate for Needs Through Reopening on April 21 |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=12 |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|133065529}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=March 13, 1965 |title=2 Banks Lend Fair $1 Million Needed To Open '65 Season |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/03/13/archives/2-banks-lend-fair-1-million-needed-to-open-65-season-fair-announces.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Samuel p. 73">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|page=73}}</ref> which the WFC repaid two months later.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 20, 1965 |title=World's Fair Announces Repayment in Advance Of $1 Million Bank Loan: Moses Says Fair Corp. Is Current With Creditors, Expects Gains In Attendance, Which Trails '64 |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=10 |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|133044234}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=May 20, 1965 |title=Fair Repays Loan Of $1 Million Early |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/05/20/archives/fair-repays-loan-of-1-million-early-the-fair-repays-1-million-loan.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Newsday 1965a">{{cite news |date=May 20, 1965 |title=Fair Paying Its Debts |work=Newsday |page=11 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|914383744}}}}</ref>

During the off-season, several exhibitors renovated and modified their pavilions,<ref name="Samuel p. 65" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Murray J. |date=March 28, 1965 |title=Fair Re-Opens Soon; Some Changes Made |work=The Hartford Courant |page=33A |issn=1047-4153 |id={{ProQuest|548738120}}}}</ref> spending over $7&nbsp;million between them.<ref name="nyt-1965-04-21">{{Cite news |last=Schumach |first=Murray |date=April 21, 1965 |title=$7 Million Spent in Improvements; History and Space Exhibits Added – More Restaurants |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/04/21/archives/7-million-spent-in-improvements-history-and-space-exhibits-added.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> At least 50 exhibits were upgraded<ref name="Kursh 1965">{{cite news |last=Kursh |first=Harry |date=April 13, 1965 |title=World's Fair Reopens April 21 |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=13 |issn=0882-7729 |id={{ProQuest|510789503}}}}</ref> and five major attractions were added,<ref name="The Wall Street Journal 1965a">{{cite news |date=April 19, 1965 |title=World's Fair Reopens Wednesday, Seeking To Lure More Visitors: New Exhibits Part of Attempt To Better 1964's Attendance, But Admission Cost Is Higher |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=15 |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|133045801}}}}</ref> along with free entertainments and science demonstrations.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hornaday |first=Mary |date=April 21, 1965 |title=N.Y. World's Fair Offers Thrilling 'College Courses': Chinese Splendor Space Rendezvous Visits by Astronauts |work=The Christian Science Monitor |page=4 |issn=0882-7729 |id={{ProQuest|510781727}}}}</ref> New artworks and films were added to several pavilions.<ref name="nyt-1965-07-20">{{Cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=July 20, 1965 |title=Seasoned Fairgoers Seek Out New – and Old – Sleeper Exhibits; Having Seen All the Hit Shows They Turn Up Interesting Ones They Have Missed |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/07/20/archives/seasoned-fairgoers-seek-out-new-and-old-sleeper-exhibits-having.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The struggling Lake Amusement Area became the Lake Area.<ref name="Joseph 1965">{{cite news |last=Joseph |first=Richard |date=January 24, 1965 |title=World's Fair Closed for Winter, But It's Still Busy: Officials Polishing Extravaganza |work=Chicago Tribune |page=H3 |issn=1085-6706 |id={{ProQuest|179713143}}}}</ref><ref name="Samuel pp. 67–68">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|pages=67–68}}</ref> The WFC asked the [[New York City Transit Authority]] to increase subway service to the fair, and 26 exhibitors collaborated on a promotional campaign.<ref name="Samuel pp. 63–64; Tirella p. 273">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=|pages=63–64}}; {{harvnb|Tirella|2013|ps=.|page=273}}</ref> Fifty-three exhibitors proposed naming the first week of the 1965 season Fair Festival Week,<ref name="Samuel p. 73" /><ref name="nyt-1965-02-05">{{Cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=February 5, 1965 |title=Fair's Exhibitors Plan a Campaign; Ask City for 'Festival Week' to Improve Prospects |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/02/05/archives/fairs-exhibitors-plan-a-campaign-ask-city-for-festival-week-to.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> to which Wagner agreed.<ref>{{cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=April 7, 1965 |title=Mayor Predicts Success for Fair: Proclaims Festival Week for Second Season Opening |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/04/07/archives/mayor-predicts-success-for-fair-proclaims-festival-week-for-second.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |page=32 |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|116827402}}}}</ref> The WFC produced a promotional film titled ''To the Fair'',<ref name="Samuel pp. 63–64">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|pages=63–64}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Carlson |first=Walter |date=January 31, 1965 |title=Advertising: A Fair in Search of Promotion; World's Fair Seeks to Publicize Plans for New Season Promotional Moves Are Being Made in Several Areas |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/01/31/archives/advertising-a-fair-in-search-of-promotion-worlds-fair-seeks-to.html |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and individual exhibitors produced their own films.<ref name="Samuel pp. 63–64" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Schmedel |first=Scott R. |date=March 1, 1965 |title=Troubled World's Fair Gets Help on Publicity From Big Exhibitors |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=1 |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|133042063}}}}</ref> To reduce its debts, the WFC decreased its budget for the 1965 season and dismissed some employees.<ref name="nyt-1965-04-212">{{Cite news |last=Benjamin |first=Philip |date=April 21, 1965 |title=Remedy for Debt: Belt-Tightening; Budget and Staff Are Cut After a Hard Winter |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/04/21/archives/remedy-for-debt-belttightening-budget-and-staff-are-cut-after-a.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

=== 1965 season ===
[[File:US NY NYC 1964-65 Worlds Fair Transportation and Travel Pavilion and Port Authority Heliport (processed 06-1965) 23 CE Family Coll (51910456830).jpg|thumb|alt=In a misty aerial view, a large building, a major road, a helipad, and two colored domes are visible.|Aerial view of the Transportation and Travel Pavilion and Port Authority Heliport]]

More than 150,000 people attended the reopening of the fair on April 21, 1965.<ref name="Alden 1965n">{{Cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=April 22, 1965 |title=158,000 Open the Fair's Second Year; Paid Admissions Are 3 Times More Than First Day's in '64 158,000, Half of Them Children, Attend World's Fair on Crisp, Sunny Opening Day |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/04/22/archives/158000-open-the-fairs-second-year-paid-admissions-are-3-times-more.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516213745/https://www.nytimes.com/1965/04/22/archives/158000-open-the-fairs-second-year-paid-admissions-are-3-times-more.html |archive-date=May 16, 2024 |access-date=May 16, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |last=O'Neill |first=Maureen |date=April 22, 1965 |title=The Natives Return—They're Hardy Lot |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-suffolk-edition-the-natives-re/147516845/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516213738/https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-suffolk-edition-the-natives-re/147516845/ |archive-date=May 16, 2024 |access-date=May 16, 2024 |work=Newsday |pages=91  |issn=2574-5298}}</ref><ref name="Samuel pp. 73–74">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|pages=73–74}}</ref> The Ethiopian long-distance runners [[Abebe Bikila]] and [[Mamo Wolde]] participated in a ceremonial [[half marathon]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Phillips |first=McCandlish |date=April 22, 1965 |title=Lo, A Magic City Awakens and Wizard Rejoices; People Flock in to the Music of Clicking Turnstiles But for a Moment a Cannon Seems to Fire at Them |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/04/22/archives/lo-a-magic-city-awakens-and-wizard-rejoices-people-flock-in-to-the.html |access-date=May 31, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news|date=1965-04-21|title=Moses's Fair is the World's Again|first=Robert|last=Caro|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-suffolk-edition-mosess-fair-i/153757767/|access-date=2024-08-22|work=Newsday|issn=2574-5298|via=newspapers.com|pages=3, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-suffolk-edition-mosess-fair-i/153757824/ 106]}}</ref> running from [[Central Park]] in Manhattan to [[Singer Bowl]] at the fairground.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=April 21, 1965 |title=The Fair Resumes Today With Many New Exhibits |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/04/21/archives/the-fair-resumes-today-with-many-new-exhibits-the-worlds-fair.html |access-date=May 31, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Unlike the 1964 opening ceremony, no protests occurred at the fair's reopening,<ref name="Samuel pp. 73–74" /> and almost all exhibits were completed on time.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=April 28, 1965 |title=Vaudeville: Delayed Openings Of Some Exhibs At World's Fair |magazine=Variety |pages=53 |volume=238 |issue=10 |id={{ProQuest|1017114843}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=April 21, 1965 |title=Show's Ready – Except For New Exhibits |work=Newsday |page=3 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|914422823}}}}</ref> For the 1965 season, adult admission fees were raised to $2.50 ({{Inflation|US|2.50|1965|r=2|fmt=eq|cursign=$}}).<ref name="nyt19650113" /><ref name="The Christian Science Monitor 1965" /><ref name="Samuel pp. 63–64; Tirella p. 273" /> During the first 20 days of the 1965 season, attendance declined 22 percent compared with the same time period in 1964,<ref>{{cite news |date=May 11, 1965 |title=World's Fair Attendance Still Falling |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=2 |issn=0458-3035 |id={{ProQuest|155183856}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=May 11, 1965 |title=Fair Attendance Is 22% Lower Than in First 20 Days Last Year |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/05/11/archives/fair-attendance-is-22-lower-than-in-first-20-days-last-year-fair.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> putting many exhibitors at risk of bankruptcy.<ref name="nyt-1965-05-13">{{Cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=May 13, 1965 |title=Fair's Financial Woes; Experts Say Debts Are Reaching Critical Stage as Attendance Lags |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/05/13/archives/fairs-financial-woes-experts-say-debts-are-reaching-critical-stage.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In addition, fewer visitors were paying at the gates because more than half of them carried advance tickets.<ref name="nyt-1965-05-13" /> Exhibitors requested a reduction in admission fees,<ref name="Newsday 1965a" /><ref>{{cite news |date=May 7, 1965 |title=People Want Cut in Fair Admission Price |work=Newsday |page=4 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|914454238}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |date=May 6, 1965 |title=Pavilions Ask Cut in Fair Admission; International Group Calls for Immediate Action |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/05/06/archives/pavilions-ask-gut-in-fair-admission-international-group-calls-for.html |access-date=May 23, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and that a reduced-price evening admission ticket be sold.<ref name="Samuel p. 75">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|page=75}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=March 23, 1965 |title=Lower Night Fee at Fair Debated; More Directors Press for Cut in Admission Charge |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/03/23/archives/lower-night-fee-at-fair-debated-more-directors-press-for-cut-in.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Moses refused both proposals,<ref name="Samuel p. 75" /><ref>{{cite news |date=May 28, 1965 |title=Pennyweight Fight: Exhibitors Vs. Fair |work=Newsday |page=5 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|914441233}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=May 28, 1965 |title=Fair Bars a Cut in Its $2.50 Price; Some Foreign Concessions Threaten Boycott in Face of Lagging Attendance |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/05/28/archives/fair-bars-a-cut-in-its-250-price-some-foreign-concessions-threaten.html |access-date=May 23, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and several exhibitors threatened to close their pavilions before retracting.<ref name="Samuel p. 75" /><ref name="nyt-1965-05-29">{{Cite news |last=Dougherty |first=Philip H. |date=May 29, 1965 |title=Foreign Exhibits Bar Fair Closings; They Agree Not to Protest Over Rebuff on Price Cut |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/05/29/archives/foreign-exhibits-bar-fair-closings-they-agree-not-to-protest-over.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

At the beginning of the 1965 season, there were issues such as race-related protests,<ref name="Samuel pp. 76–77; Tirella pp. 294–295">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=|pages=76–77}}; {{harvnb|Tirella|2013|ps=.|pages=294–295}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=April 26, 1965 |title=100 CORE Pickets at Fair Challenged by Youths |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/04/26/archives/100-core-pickets-at-fair-challenged-by-youths-100-core-pickets-in.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Vietnam War protests,<ref name="Samuel p. 78" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Dougherty |first=Philip H. |date=June 6, 1965 |title=Fairgoers Ignore a Peace Protest; Students Giving Pamphlets on Vietnam Are Unnoticed |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/06/06/archives/fairgoers-ignore-a-peace-protest-students-giving-pamphlets-on.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> a controversy over a racially insensitive song in one pavilion,<ref name="Samuel pp. 76–77; Tirella pp. 294–295" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=June 2, 1965 |title=N.A.A.C.P. Wins Bid To Have 'Dem' Taken From Pavilion Song |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/06/02/archives/naacp-wins-bid-to-have-dem-taken-from-pavilion-song.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and disputes between Jewish and Arab exhibitors.<ref name="Samuel pp. 76–77; Tirella pp. 294–295" /><ref name="nyt-1965-05-02">{{Cite news |last=Long |first=Tania |date=May 2, 1965 |title=Fair Arabs Spurn Kosher Luncheon; U.S.-Israeli Pavilion Pickets Confronted With Food Offer |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/05/02/archives/fair-arabs-spurn-kosher-luncheon-usisraeli-pavilion-pickets.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Vandalism also increased due to the reduced police presence,<ref>{{cite news |last=Ferretti |first=Fred |date=May 31, 1965 |title=Vandalism Increases at New York World's Fair: Economies Result in Police Cut, Rise in Violence, Rowdyism, Reporter Says |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=10 |issn=0458-3035 |id={{ProQuest|155207539}}}}</ref> and a fairgoer was murdered that May.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dougherty |first=Philip H. |date=May 23, 1965 |title=Two Boys Arrested at Fair |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/05/23/archives/two-boys-arrested-at-fair-fairgoer-is-slain-outside-pavilion.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Samuel p. 78">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|page=78}}</ref> WFC officials also tried to invalidate their January 1964 agreement for disbursing the fair's profits,<ref name="nyt-1965-05-212" /> and exhibitors continued to lose money due to lower-than-expected attendance.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=June 2, 1965 |title=World's Fair Exhibs Still Jittery Despite Memorial Weekend Spurt |magazine=Variety |pages=1, 71 |volume=239 |issue=2 |id={{ProQuest|1017117090}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=June 1, 1965 |title=Fair Exhibitors Still in the Red; More Jammed Days Needed to Bring in the Profits |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/06/01/archives/fair-exhibitors-still-in-the-red-more-jammed-days-needed-to-bring.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Fewer visitors came during the evening,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=June 29, 1965 |title=Crowds Desert World's Fair at Night |work=The Atlanta Constitution |page=30 |id={{ProQuest|1557057345}}}}</ref> but the WFC again rejected a proposal for discounted evening admission in July 1965.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 9, 1965 |title=New York World's Fair Panel Rejects Admission-Price Cut |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=4 |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|133000948}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=July 9, 1965 |title=Fair Rejects Bid to Cut $2.50 Fee; Motion by Screvane Urging $1 Admission in Evening Is Soundly Defeated |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/07/09/archives/fair-rejects-bid-to-cut-250-fee-motion-by-screvane-urging-1.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Despite increased attendance in mid-1965, the fair continued to record decreased revenue compared with 1964.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 2, 1965 |title=World's Fair Attendance Rises Sharply |work=Chicago Tribune |page=B17 |issn=1085-6706 |id={{ProQuest|180065924}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=August 2, 1965 |title=Fair Attendance Shows Sharp Rise; But Total Is Still 27% Below '64 Figure |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/08/02/archives/fair-attendance-shows-sharp-rise-but-total-is-still-27-below-64.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Many exhibitors recorded substantial losses from the costs of their pavilions.<ref name="nyt-1965-08-16">{{Cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=August 16, 1965 |title=Industries Wary of Future Fairs; Major Exhibitors Here Point to High Costs of Pavilions |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/08/16/archives/industries-wary-of-future-fairs-major-exhibitors-here-point-to-high.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> By August 1965, the WFC was preparing to clear the fairground after the fair,<ref name="nyt-1965-08-01">{{Cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=August 1, 1965 |title=Anybody Can Have Fair Pavilion Free |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/08/01/archives/anybody-can-have-fair-pavilion-free-pavilions-at-fair-are-offered.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Johnson 1965">{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Thomas A. |last2=Schwartz |first2=Jack |date=August 3, 1965 |title=Fair Pavilions For Sale Free (Pretty Nearly) |work=Newsday |page=4 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|914378034}}}}</ref> though 13 exhibitors had declared bankruptcy and could not afford to demolish or move their pavilions.<ref name="nyt-1965-08-11">{{Cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=August 11, 1965 |title=A Legacy of Fair: Unwanted Relics; Exhibitors Are Required to Raze Pavilions, But 13 Have Gone Bankrupt |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/08/11/archives/a-legacy-of-fair-unwanted-relics-exhibitors-are-required-to-raze.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

Beame's interim report, which was published at the end of August, found the WFC had squandered money by not awarding contracts through competitive bidding and by spending nearly everything it had on expenses it incurred before and during 1964.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 31, 1965 |title=Beame Raps Fair's Fiscal Policies |work=Newsday |page=1 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|915310376}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=September 1, 1965 |title=World's Fair Mismanaged, Beame Charges in Report; Says Audit Shows 'Poor Planning' and 'Improper Payments' – Moses Scoffs at Controller's 'Political Comment' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/09/01/archives/worlds-fair-mismanaged-beame-charges-in-report-says-audit-shows.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Samuel p. 79">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|page=79}}</ref> Despite Moses's denials of wrongdoing,<ref name="Samuel pp. 79–80; Tirella p. 313">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=|pages=79–80}}; {{harvnb|Tirella|2013|ps=.|page=313}}</ref> Queens district attorney [[Frank D. O'Connor]] opened a criminal inquiry into the WFC shortly afterward.<ref>{{cite news |date=September 2, 1965 |title=O'Connor Joins the Let's-Probe-Fair Club |work=Newsday |page=98 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|915182149}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=September 2, 1965 |title=O'Connor Orders Inquiry Into the Fair |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/09/02/archives/oconnor-orders-inquiry-into-the-fair.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Moses installed highway signs promoting the fair and refused to remove them, even after city traffic commissioner [[Henry A. Barnes]] called the signs a safety hazard.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 11, 1965 |title=Barnes Withdraws In Battle of Signs But Is Still Fighting |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/09/11/archives/barnes-withdraws-in-battle-of-signs-but-is-still-fighting.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Samuel pp. 78–79; Tirella p. 313">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=|pages=78–79}}; {{harvnb|Tirella|2013|ps=.|page=313}}</ref> By mid-September, estimates of the fair's total attendance had been reduced from 70 to 50 million.<ref>{{cite news |last=O'Neill |first=Maureen |date=September 21, 1965 |title=Big Weekend Turnout Too Late to Save Fair |work=Newsday |page=21 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|914412921}}}}</ref> By the end of September, the fair had recorded 17 million visitors during the 1965 season, less than half the number of visitors needed to break even. At this point, the WFC had barely enough money to pay its weekly expenses.<ref name="Caro p. 1112">{{harvnb|Caro|1974|ps=.|page=1112}}</ref>

Toward the end of the 1965 season, there was a sustained increase in attendance,<ref name="Samuel p. 82" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Neill |first1=Maureen |last2=Smith |first2=Edward G. |date=October 11, 1965 |title=Now the Fair's In; That's the Way It Goes: The Last-Minute Rush Is On at the World's Fair |work=Newsday |page=4 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|964248996}} |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=October 11, 1965 |title=Record Crowds Rush to the Fair; New Attendance Mark Set As Sunday's Closing Nears |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/10/11/archives/record-crowds-rush-to-the-fair-new-attendance-mark-set-as-sundays.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and the fair recorded more than 250,000 daily visitors for three consecutive weeks.<ref name="Caro p. 1112" /> Exhibitors worried potential visitors would be dissuaded by the overcrowding.<ref name="nyt-1965-10-13">{{Cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=October 13, 1965 |title=Fair So Crowded Managers Worry; Pavilions Fear Long Waits in Final Days Stir Ill Will Instead of Goodwill |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/10/13/archives/fair-so-crowded-managers-worry-pavilions-fear-long-waits-in-final.html |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The architect and writer [[Robert A. M. Stern]] attributed the increase in attendance to a prevailing feeling the 1964 fair would be one of the last lavish world's fairs.<ref name="Stern (1995) p. 1055">{{harvnb|Stern|Mellins|Fishman|1995|ps=.|p=1055}}</ref> [[Pope Paul VI]] visited the fair on October 4, 1965, during the first-ever papal visit to the United States.<ref>{{cite web |last=Glass |first=Andrew |date=October 4, 1965 |title=Pope Paul VI Visits the U.S., Oct. 4, 1965 |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2012/10/this-day-in-politics-081968 |access-date=June 4, 2024 |website=POLITICO}}</ref> The fair closed on October 17, 1965,<ref name="Abrams 1965">{{cite news |last1=Abrams |first1=Arnold |last2=Smith |first2=Edward G. |date=October 18, 1965 |title=Drunks and Vandals Close the Fair: They Dig the World's Fair on Its Last Day |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-suffolk-edition-drunks-and-van/149444310/ |work=Newsday |pages=5, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-suffolk-edition-drunks-and-van/149444344/ 79] |access-date=2024-06-16 |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|914444914}} |postscript=none}}; {{cite news |last=Alden |first=Robert |date=October 18, 1965 |title=Vandalism Mars Last Day Of the Two-Year Exposition; Weeping Children, Sad Employes and Vandalism Abound as World's Fair Closes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/10/18/archives/vandalism-mars-last-day-of-the-twoyear-exposition-weeping-children.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516215354/https://www.nytimes.com/1965/10/18/archives/vandalism-mars-last-day-of-the-twoyear-exposition-weeping-children.html |archive-date=May 16, 2024 |access-date=May 16, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Samuel p. 83; Tirella pp. 320–321">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=|page=83}}; {{harvnb|Tirella|2013|ps=.|pages=320–321}}</ref> and recorded its highest-ever daily attendance of 446,953 on its final day.<ref name="Los Angeles Times 1965">{{cite news |date=October 18, 1965 |title=World's Fair Closes as Financial Flop |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=12 |issn=0458-3035 |id={{ProQuest|155292449}}}}</ref><ref name="Samuel p. 83; Tirella pp. 320–321" /> The fair's final day was chaotic, with reports of vandalism and theft.<ref name="Abrams 1965" /><ref name="Los Angeles Times 1965" /> In total, the fair had recorded 51,607,448 admissions,<ref name="Los Angeles Times 1965" /><ref name="Samuel p. 83">{{harvnb|Samuel|2007|ps=.|page=83}}</ref> seven million more than the 1939 fair and ten million more than [[Expo 58]].<ref name="Samuel p. 83" /><ref name=nyt-1965-10-17b>{{Cite news|last=Alden|first=Robert|date=October 17, 1965|title=Despite Controversies, Attendance Passes All Other Expositions; World's Fair, Closing Today, To Establish Record With More Than 51 Million Visitors in 2 Years|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/10/17/archives/despite-controversies-attendance-passes-all-other-expositions.html|access-date=June 5, 2024|work=The New York Times|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The GM and Vatican pavilions had been the most popular.<ref name="nyt-1965-10-17b" /> The fair had lost an additional $1&nbsp;million in 1965<ref name="nyt-1967-04-08">{{Cite news |last=Grutzner |first=Charles |date=April 8, 1967 |title=2d Year of Fair $1-Million In Red; Decreased Costs and Rise in Admission Fee Cut Loss |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1967/04/08/archives/2d-year-of-fair-1million-in-red-decreased-costs-and-rise-in.html |access-date=June 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and had a deficit of up to $40&nbsp;million at its closing;<ref>{{cite magazine |date=October 15, 1965 |title=Color Ny World's Fair Red To Cool Tune Of $40 Million |magazine=Women's Wear Daily |pages=8 |volume=111 |issue=75 |id={{ProQuest|1523533780}}}}</ref> ''The New York Times'' partly attributed the fair's underperformance to Moses's stubborn attitude and refusal to take advice.<ref name="nyt-1965-10-17b" />