APPENDIX 5.

REPORT OF BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS TO THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPOSITION COMMISSION.

AUTHORIZED BY ACT OF CONGRESS MARCH 3, 1901.

* * * * *

NEW YORK, N.Y., June, 1905.

I have the honor to transmit herewith the report of the Board of Lady Managers of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, which was appointed by you as provided for by the act of Congress dated March 3, 1901.

Very respectfully, MARY MARGARETTA MANNING, President of the Board of Lady Managers Louisiana Purchase Exposition. The LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPOSITION COMMISSION.

Historical Data.[1]

[Footnote 1: Compilation.]

The territory originally known as Louisiana was taken possession of by the explorer La Salle in 1682, in the name of Louis XIV, and the first colony was founded by the French at Biloxi in 1699. The vast domain was transferred to Spain, by secret treaty, in 1763, and remained in the possession of that country until 1800, when the King of Spain, during the assistance of Napoleon in the erection of the Kingdom of Etruria for his son-in-law, the Duke of Parma, ceded the Louisiana Territory to France in return for that aid. It was part of Bonaparte's policy and earliest ambition to restore to France all her lost possessions, and by the significant treaty of San Ildefonso, signed by Manual Godoy, the Spanish minister of state (known as the "Prince of Peace"), and Marshal Berthier, minister of France at Madrid, all that vast and vaguely defined territory known as Louisiana, which France had originally transferred to Spain, was reconveyed to France.

Up to the end of the revolution the possession of the Louisiana Territory by one foreign power or another had not touched Americans closely, but now conditions changed. When rumors of the last treaty finally reached the United States, the planters in the Mississippi Valley became alarmed. The laws and customs regulations of the Spaniards at New Orleans were arbitrary, and their business methods antiquated, complicated, and irksome to the colonists, and there had already been friction between them, the Spaniards being aided by Indians hostile to the frontiersmen. The right of deposit was essential to the pioneers who journeyed down the river in their flat-bottom homemade boats; they required a place to store their goods at New Orleans while waiting the arrival of trading vessels. In the early nineties the Spanish authorities closed navigation and refused the right of way to the ocean, but in 1795 a treaty was signed which gave the right of deposit, with certain minor limitations, for three years, and the way to a market was kept open for that period, and thereafter until 1802; that year the Spaniards again withdrew the privilege, and therein lay a potent motive for the acquisition of at least the mouth of the Mississippi River, and, although the immediate demand of these early American settlers was simply an open seaport and waterway to the sea, the Louisiana Purchase was the direct outcome of our strained relations with Spain.

A resolution was offered in Congress authorizing the President to call out 50,000 militia and take possession of New Orleans, but the United States sought security, and a substitute resolution was adopted appropriating $2,000,000 for the purchase of the Floridas and New Orleans, the Floridas being at first the entire cession contemplated, even without the island of New Orleans. The chancellor, Robert R. Livingston, had been appointed as our minister to France at a time when the affairs of that country were in a somewhat precarious condition. Napoleon, then only 34 years old, was dictator, surrounded by enemies. President Jefferson wrote Livingston to make the best terms he could with Napoleon, either for the mouth of the river, site for a city, or place for deposit. He at no time spoke of acquiring the whole tract. Livingston, with great tact and judgment, kept the matter before Napoleon, realizing not only the importance of the small tract originally involved, but the incalculable advantage that would be derived by the United States could the accession of the whole territory be accomplished. He was, therefore, greatly surprised by a question from Talleyrand, in which he was asked "What we would give for the whole tract?" This was followed by a proposition from Napoleon's representative, Marbois, the state treasurer, in which he offered to sell all the Louisiana Territory to the United States for 100,000,000 francs ($20,000,000), with a provision that the United States should pay the claims of American citizens against France for depredations by French privateers, which amounted to 20,000,000 francs ($4,000,000). This offer Livingston declined, and Marbois asked him to name a price. Livingston, after a polite and politic disavowal of any anxiety to seek a larger expansion of territory, cautiously remarked, "We would be ready to purchase, provided the sum was reduced to reasonable limits," but refused to make an offer, postponing the matter until the arrival of Monroe, who, he was informed by the United States Government, had been appointed minister with special powers to negotiate this purchase of New Orleans.

Talleyrand told Livingston that if they gave New Orleans, the rest would be of little value, and Marbois dropped his price to 80,000,000 francs ($16,000,000) and the claims, and later said if we would name 60,000,000 francs and take upon us the American claims to the amount of 20,000,000 more, he would submit the offer to Bonaparte. Our minister declared that sum was greatly beyond our means, and wished Bonaparte reminded that the whole region was liable to become the property of England. The minister of the public treasury admitted the weight of this possibility, but said: "Try if you can not come up to my mark. Consider the extent of the country, the exclusive navigation of the river, and the importance of having no neighbors to disrupt you, no war to dread."

The American minister was not long in deciding to accept Napoleon's proposition to acquire the whole territory, but still waited to conclude negotiations until the arrival in Paris of Monroe.

The great treaty was, in its essential elements, the work of three days. On April 11 Talleyrand asked Livingston "whether he wished to have the whole of Louisiana?" On April 12 Monroe arrived, but was too ill to attend a conference. Livingston again saw Talleyrand, and on April 13 two conferences took place between Marbois and Livingston, lasting several hours and ending at midnight, in which both negotiators agreed upon a treaty of transfer and acquisition, leaving open the amount to be paid. Upon this point they did not widely differ. Livingston's memorable midnight dispatch, dated Paris, April 13, 1803, and finished at 3 o'clock in the morning, gives the authentic official history of the Louisiana purchase treaty. The Livingston letters tell that the decision to sell Louisiana was reached on Sunday, April 10, after Napoleon had had a prolonged conference with Talleyrand, Marbois, and others. The idea of selling originated in the active brain of Napoleon. It was opposed by Talleyrand, Berthier, and others, but Napoleon contemplated war with England, and needed funds. The Louisiana Purchase tract was so far away and would require so much money and so many men to protect it, that, in his estimation, it was probably better to dispose of it at a good price rather than hold, and he feared, in the event of war, which was imminent, he would lose the colony of Louisiana within sixty days after he took possession. The treaty of Amiens was at an end; Austria was threatening; a British fleet was in the West Indies; he was disgusted at the disastrous campaign in Santo Domingo, angry with Spain, and desired to be free for new campaigns in Europe. The First Consul, impressed by our minister's social rank in his own country, no less than by his merciless logic and solid understanding, had given his promise that debts due for the spoliation of our commerce should be paid. This promise, of which he was again reminded, could only be kept by realizing on sale of public lands, as he had no other resource. Small wonder that he wished to be rid of the whole irritating subject of Louisiana.

Monroe, on his arrival in Paris, found that the negotiations for the purchase were already far advanced by Minister Livingston. Owing to the illness of the special envoy, he was not presented to the First Consul until May 1, and hence, as a negotiator, had nothing officially to do with the treaty, which was virtually negotiated April 13, and finally concluded April 30. On that day the treaty was signed in the presence of Napoleon by Marbois and the two American representatives, and when the negotiations were completed Napoleon made the following prophecy: "This accession of territory strengthens forever the power of the United States. I have given England a rival."

The agreement, in the form of a treaty, reached Washington July 14 for ratification. Congress was called in special session October 17; the treaty was confirmed by the Senate after two days of discussion; a resolution was passed, to take effect immediately, but only after much opposition. Many persons were strongly opposed to the purchase, condemned the acquisition of a wilderness, and expressed their belief that the territory was not worth the price to be paid, and that its control would be difficult and unprofitable.

The exact cost ultimately agreed upon was 64,000,000 francs in the form of United States 6 per cent bonds, representing a capital of $11,250,000. In addition to this, the American Government agreed to assume and pay the obligations of France to American citizens for French attacks upon American shipping. These were estimated at 20,000,000 francs, or $3,750,000, making the total payment $15,000,000. The tract comprised 554,000,000 acres. Napoleon sold the territory for 2 cents an acre, or 10 acres for one franc. When the negotiations were pending, Marbois expressed to Napoleon the difficulty of reaching a definite conclusion as to boundary. When Talleyrand was questioned as to boundaries, he returned evasive answers, and said he did not know, and when pressed to be more explicit, said: "You must take it as we received it." "But what did you mean to take?" asked Livingston. "I do not know," replied Talleyrand. "Then you mean that we shall construe it our own way?" said Livingston again, to which Talleyrand made final reply: "I can give you no direction. You have made a noble bargain for yourselves, and I suppose you will make the most of it."

When we consider that Jefferson at one time was willing to give $2,000,000 for New Orleans alone, we can marvel that so vast an empire as the whole province should come to us for the price paid. We can afford to overlook any defects in the treaty details and forever hold in gratitude the illustrious men who, by their diplomatic skill, their earnestness of purpose, and well-directed efforts, achieved one of the greatest triumphs in the world's history. It well justified the assertion of Minister Livingston as he placed his name to the treaty of cession, and rising and shaking hands with Monroe and Marbois, said: "We have lived long; but this is the noblest work of our lives."

The Louisiana Purchase Exposition was held to commemorate this most important event in the history of America—the purchase from France of the vast Louisiana Territory—an event second only in importance to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which constituted the first great advance of the United States toward national expansion, and at the same time insured to them the control forever of the greatest natural waterway on earth, the Mississippi River.

The Missouri Historical Society was the first organization to take formal steps toward the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the acquisition of this territory. In acknowledgment of the public sentiment expressed, Governor Stevens, of Missouri, called a convention of delegates to be appointed by the respective governors of the twelve States and two Territories that had been created in the Louisiana Purchase. Ninety-three delegates attended the meeting on January 10, 1899, and unanimously voted that an international exposition should be held in St. Louis as a means of giving expression, by practical demonstration, to the universal appreciation of what had been accomplished within this vast region during the century.

An executive committee was appointed, of which Hon. David R. Francis, of St. Louis, was made chairman. The aid of the United States Government was sought, and, after preliminary work on the part of the members of the committee in raising the $10,000,000, which Congress had made a condition should be secured before rendering material assistance, a bill was passed March 3, 1901, appropriating $5,000,000 toward "celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase Territory by the United States by holding an international exhibition of arts, industries, manufactures, and the products of the soil, mine, forest, and sea in the city of St. Louis, in the State of Missouri."

This enormous tract of land that for a century had been steadily contributing to the material advancement of the world was now to show that it was ready and able to assume its full share not only in practical life and progress but in the deeper phases of science and art, and to demonstrate the nature of its resources by participation in the greatest universal exposition ever held. By this exposition it was not only above all else to illustrate the marvelous development of the territory whose acquisition it was meant to celebrate, but it was likewise "to provide for a comparative display of the products, natural and artificial, of the nations of the world, to be arranged in classified groups, the exhibits of each nation in every class to be set down by the side of those of all other nations, thereby better to insure comparison and an intelligent verdict as to merit by the direct and practical contrast thus secured." It was to demonstrate the feasible combination of the artistic with the useful, the beautiful with the enduring, the graceful with the strong.

The three most significant dates historically connected with the acquisition of the magnificent domain known as Louisiana are April 30, 1803, when the great treaty was signed; October 19, when the treaty was ratified in the Senate of the United States by a vote of 24 to 7; and December 20, of the same year, when our Government received formal possession at New Orleans from the French prefect, Laussat. The council chamber of the Cabildo (which building was so ably reproduced at the exposition) and the balcony adjacent were the scene of the formal retrocession of Louisiana from Spain to France, and also of the event so much more momentous to us—the ceremony in which France delivered Louisiana into the keeping of the United States.

On August 20, 1901, by a proclamation of the President, "in the name of the Government and of the people of the United States, all the nations of the earth" were invited "to take part in the commemoration of the purchase of the Louisiana Territory, an event of great interest to the United States and of abiding effect on their development, by appointing representatives and sending such exhibits to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition as would most fitly and fully illustrate their resources, their industries, and their progress in civilization." This invitation was sent through the Department of State of the United States to the chief magistrates of all civilized governments, from nearly all of whom official acceptances were received in reply.

It has become a matter of history that ground was broken for the site of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition December 20, 1901, that day being the anniversary of the one on which the jurisdiction over the Louisiana Territory passed from France to the United States in 1803. The dedication exercises were held on the afternoon of April, 30, 1903, and were designed to commemorate not only the one hundredth anniversary of the signing of the treaty by Livingston, Monroe, and Marbois, transferring the territory from France to the United States, but also to dedicate in a formal manner the grounds and palaces of the exposition then rapidly advancing toward completion, though not to be opened before the following spring.

The exercises were participated in by representatives from nearly all civilized nations, and the presence on April 30, 1903, of the President of the United States, ex-President Cleveland, the Joint Committee of Congress, the ambassadors and ministers of twenty-six foreign governments, the governors and representatives of more than forty States and Territories, conferred upon it the official indorsement of the nations of the world, and added the weight and dignity which the sanction of governments alone could give.

When the treaty of cession was concluded in 1803 President Jefferson represented less than 6,000,000 people and there were but 50,000 white settlers in the Louisiana Territory. President Roosevelt in 1903 represented 80,000,000 people, the Purchase contained 15,000,000 inhabitants, and the 865,000 square miles which it comprised had been geographically divided into twelve States and two Territories. It was an area greater in extent and in natural resources than that of the original thirteen States, and constituted the largest real estate transfer ever known in the history of nations.

The price of $15,000,000 paid for it was considered exorbitant by those who were opposed to the purchase in 1803, yet the possibilities of the country, then so vague and ill-defined, so amply justified the prophetic faith of its advocates that a century later many millions of dollars in excess of the purchase money were spent in commemorating the transfer of a tract of land without which the present greatness of the United States would not have been possible. The present value of the agricultural products alone of the area for one year are a hundred times, and the taxable wealth more than four hundred times, the purchase money.

The board of lady managers was created pursuant to a clause in section 6 of the act of Congress of March 3, 1901, empowering the National Commission[A] of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition as follows:

[Footnote A: The creation of the National Commission of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition was authorized by act of Congress, March 3, 1901, and the members were appointed by President McKinley. According to section 12 of an act approved June 28, 1902, the Commission will cease officially to exist on the first day of July, 1905, at which time, also, will expire the term of appointment of the members of the board of lady managers.]

And said Commission is hereby authorized to appoint a board of lady managers, of such number and to perform such duties as may be prescribed by said Commission, subject, however, to the approval of said company. Said board of lady managers may, in the discretion of said Commission and corporation, appoint one member of all committees authorized to award prizes for such exhibits as may have been produced in whole or in part by female labor.

The following is the complete list and order of appointment of the members of the board of lady managers made by the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission, acting under the authority conferred by the aforesaid section 6 of the act of Congress of March 3, 1901:

Name. Date By whom. appointed. Miss Helen M. Gould Oct. 16, 1901 Hon. P.D. Scott. Mrs. John A. McCall Oct. 18, 1901 Hon. M.H. Glynn. Mrs. John M. Holcombe do Hon. F.A. Betts. Miss Anna L. Dawes do Do. Mrs. William E. Andrews do Hon. J.M. Thurston. Mrs. Helen Boyce-Hunsicker do Do. Mrs. James L. Blair do Hon. John M. Allen. Mrs. Fannie L. Porter do Hon. P.D. Scott. Mrs. Frederick M. Hanger do Do. Mrs. Richard W. Knott Nov. 19, 1901 Hon. William Lindsay. Mrs. Washington A. Roebling do Do. Mrs. M.H. de Young do Hon. Thomas H. Carter. Mrs. Belle L. Everest do Hon. John F. Miller. Mrs. Marcus P. Daly Nov. 20, 1901 Hon. Thomas H. Carter. Mrs. William H. Coleman Nov. 21, 1901 Hon. John F. Miller. Mrs. Edward L. Buchwalter do Do. Mrs. Lewis D. Frost do Hon. John M. Thurston. Mrs. Finis P. Ernest Nov. 22, 1901 Hon. George W. McBride. Mrs. James B. Montgomery Jan. 22, 1902 Do. Mrs. John Miller Horton Sept. 30, 1902 Hon. M.H. Glynn. Mrs. Daniel Manning Oct. 2, 1902 Do. Mrs. Carl von Mayhoff do Do. Mrs. James Edmund Sullivan do Hon. Thomas H. Carter. Mrs. Annie McLean Moores Oct. 3, 1902 Hon. John M. Allen. Miss Lavinia H. Egan Nov. 29, 1902 Do.

OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS, LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPOSITION

Mrs. Daniel Manning, president, Albany, N.Y.; Mrs. Edward L. Buchwalter, first vice-president, Springfield, Ohio; Mrs. Finis P. Ernest, second vice-president, Denver, Colo.; Mrs. Helen Boice-Hunsicker, third vice-president, Hoboken, N.J.; Miss Anna L. Dawes, fourth vice-president, Pittsfield, Mass.; Mrs. Belle L. Everest, fifth vice-president, Atchison, Kans.; Mrs. M.H. de Young, sixth vice-president, San Francisco, Cal.; Mrs. Fannie L. Porter, seventh vice-president, Atlanta, Ga.; Mrs. William H. Coleman, treasurer, Indianapolis, Ind.; Miss Helen M. Gould, New York, N.Y.; Mrs. Richard W. Knott, Louisville, Ky.; Mrs. John M. Holcombe, Hartford, Conn.; Mrs. Frederick M. Hanger, Little Rock, Ark.; Mrs. James Edmund Sullivan, Providence, R.I.; Mrs. Margaret P. Daly, Anaconda, Mont.; Mrs. Mary Phelps Montgomery, Portland, Oreg.; Mrs. Carl von Mayhoff, New York, N.Y.; Mrs. John Miller Horton, Buffalo, N.Y.; Mrs. Lewis D. Frost, Winona, Minn.; Mrs. W.E. Andrews, Washington, D.C.; Mrs. Annie McLean Moores, Mount Pleasant, Tex.; Miss Lavinia H. Egan, Shreveport, La. Miss Julia T.E. McBlair, Washington, D.C., hostess of the building of the board of lady managers.

Standing committees.—Executive: Mrs. Daniel Manning, chairman; Mrs. Holcombe, Miss Egan, Mrs. Montgomery, Mrs. Coleman, Mrs. Buchwalter, Mrs. Moores, Miss Dawes, Mrs. Knott, Mrs. Hanger, Miss Gould. Entertainment: Mrs. Daniel Manning, chairman; Mrs. Porter, Mrs. Everest, Mrs. Sullivan, Mrs. Ernest, Mrs. de Young, Mrs. Horton, Mrs. von Mayhoff, Mrs. Hunsicker. Foreign Relations: Miss Dawes, chairman; Mrs. Knott, Miss Gould, Mrs. Holcombe, Mrs. von Mayhoff, Mrs. Montgomery, Mrs. Moores. Congresses: Mrs. Buchwalter, chairman; Mrs. Hanger, Mrs. Andrews. Press: Mrs. Knott, chairman; Mrs. Hanger, Miss Egan, Mrs. Moores. Woman's Work: Mrs. Montgomery, chairman; Mrs. Holcombe, Mrs. Daly, Miss Gould, Mrs. Buchwalter, Miss Dawes, Mrs. de Young. Legislative: Mrs. Buchwalter, chairman; Mrs. Montgomery, Mrs. Coleman. Awards: Mrs. Hanger, chairman; Mrs. Knott, Miss Egan, Mrs. Porter, Mrs. Hunsicker. Auditing Committee: Mrs. Andrews, chairman; Mrs. Ernest, Mrs. Montgomery.

Special committees.—Hall of Philanthropy: Miss Helen M. Gould, chairman. Creche: Miss Helen M. Gould, chairman; Mrs. Everest, Mrs. Andrews, Mrs. Sullivan. House: Mrs. Ernest, chairman; resident members of board and members of rotating committee on duty. Model Playground: Mrs. Holcombe, chairman; Mrs. Hanger, Miss Gould. Editing Minutes: Mrs. Hanger, chairman; Mrs. Ernest, Miss Dawes. House Furnishing: Mrs. Daniel Manning, chairman; Mrs. Holcombe, Mrs. Montgomery.

INTRODUCTION

As it was designed that the St. Louis Exposition should afford an opportunity of demonstrating to other nations the progress that the United States had made in every branch of manufacture, agriculture, and art, the enormous field that existed from which to draw the great variety of material warranted the assumption that a wonderful display would be made. The sponsorship of our Government, and its invitation to other nations to participate, vested in the citizens of the United States, not only as a nation but as individuals, the responsibility of acceptably placing before the eyes of the world the achievements and advancement not only of their own but of all civilized and semicivilized nations.

The importance of the event rendered it a fitting occasion for women again to exhibit to the world the record of their increasing development and progress. At the Centennial in Philadelphia the women's commission brought together the exhibits shown in the Woman's Department, raised funds necessary to build the Woman's Pavilion, suggested the Department of Public Comfort, and originated and carried to completion other useful and practical ideas. The board of lady managers at the World's Columbian Exposition achieved a most wonderful success; at the Cotton Centennial in New Orleans the women from each State and Territory did excellent work, as did those at Atlanta, Nashville, Omaha, and Buffalo. All this had thoroughly prepared the public mind for the cooperation of women in further exposition work.

The board of lady managers of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, was, therefore, created as an official organization, acting under the authority given it by the Government. Its most important duty—that of appointing woman jurors—was prescribed by Congress, and all others were secondary to it. The members realized the responsibility which rested upon them and the necessity of making such a record that at the close of the exposition they again might show that women's attainments and achievements were a factor of sufficient importance to warrant their participation in an exhibition of such magnitude; they must continue to prove by practical demonstration that the rapid advancement and increased usefulness of women, made possible by the educational and other advantages that had been accorded them, rendered their work worthy of the examination and attention of the world.

Preparatory to accepting any responsibilities that might be required of them in order to represent woman's work officially, a formal request was made by the members of the board of lady managers to the National Commission, to define the full scope of their appointment and the duties to be assigned to the board, careful inquiry being made as to what special and important work they would be expected to perform.

Pursuant to this request, an informal meeting of the eighteen members who had been appointed in the fall of 1901, was called by the National Commission, in the city of New York, for December 5 of that year. Hon. Thomas H. Carter, president of the National Commission, in an address on that occasion, outlined their duties to a limited extent, and stated that a meeting would be called in March, 1902, for the purpose of perfecting their organization and determining the nature of their work. This meeting was not called, as had been contemplated, however, and it was not until September 30, 1902, that the members of the board were again assembled, pursuant to a call of the Commission, the meeting place being in the city of St. Louis.

After formal organization of the board of lady managers they were again addressed by Hon. Thomas H. Carter, who said, in part, as follows:

The act of Congress left the number of lady managers optional with the National Commissioners.

Before the exercise of the discretion allowed by Congress numerous persons suggested a great variety of ways whereby the ladies of the country, and the world, if you please, might with force and propriety participate in this coming exposition. The agency or organized clubs was for a time suggested as a proper method by which the assistance of womankind might be interjected into this great work, but many difficulties appeared in an effort to crystallize that thought in the proper shape.

Owing to the confusion existing during the sessions of Congress, the necessity as well as the desirability of allowing the National Commission to appoint a board of lady managers became from day to day more apparent, and, therefore, in pursuance of that authority it was determined, with the consent and approval of the local committee under whose auspices the exposition was given, to appoint a board consisting of twenty-one persons; and of the twenty-one nineteen members have now been appointed. * * * It will rest with you ladies, and the two additional members hereafter to be appointed, whether or not you wish to increase the size of your board. * * *

After or about the time of the New York meeting the National Commission, acting under the authority of the law, prescribed certain general limitations or rules within which this board of lady managers would continue to exercise their functions. These rules were, I think, made very general, and were submitted to the local company for approval, as the statute requires. The company has suggested certain amendments, which are not of great importance and do not at this time limit your deliberations to any considerable extent. * * * The rule upon which your authority will rest reads: "The board of lady managers, appointed as authorized by section 6 of the act of Congress, shall have authority to exercise general supervisory control over such features of the exposition as may be specially devoted to woman's work." That rule is practically without any limitation whatever. It places under your control and supervision the work for the exhibits, whether appearing in the manner of artistic, industrial, or other tangible production, or whether appearing in the manner of woman's engagement in any part or portion of the exposition work. I think it will rest with you that girls under a certain age should not be permitted to be employed in the exhibits, or in any manner made a part of the coming exposition. * * * You will find in this rule the amplest authority with reference to any subject-matter over which you seek to exercise jurisdiction, composed in whole or in part by woman's work. That is all the limitation you will find. That rule the company has approved without amendment, and in approving it * * * I believe that it is clearly the earnest desire of the company to secure and at all times approve of your cordial cooperation.

In the matter of executing the duties before you, it will be found necessary, I believe, at this meeting, after the election of your officers, to secure such quarters as may, in your opinion, be necessary for the convenient transaction of the business committed to your charge. It will likewise be necessary for you to begin to consider the scope of woman's work in connection with the exposition, and likewise form proper rules and regulations for the government of your officers and the direction of the general task that you have before you. It is needless to suggest that future success will, as you know, to a considerable extent, be dependent upon the thought and consideration given to your rules to start with. One feature of the rules heretofore commented upon to some extent, and perhaps both by the Commission and the company, has been subject to criticism. That is the limitation upon the incurring expense. It has been suggested that the board of lady managers at Chicago, which consisted of over one hundred persons, spent $150,000 or thereabout. They were limited, I think, and spent the limit. Your expenses are not limited, except by a rule adopted by prudence, and applicable to all bodies having money to expend from the United States Government. The purpose of this rule, let me say to you, ladies, was to preserve ordinary system in the transaction of the business that must be dispatched very rapidly, and must be dispatched under a system.

The observations I have here made seem to about cover, for the present, at least, the matters that will come up before you for consideration:

First. The scope of your work, unlimited by this Commission, save in the particulars prescribed in the law, to that which is in whole or in part made up of woman's work.

Second. After determining the scope, the field within which you will act, and the rules that govern your officers, you will be called upon to determine other questions from time to time—the matter of investment, the matter of a special building, which shall be the ladies' home, and other questions such as may seem to you to be meet and proper.

I am quite sure that throughout this space of time—two or three years—during which we are working together, you will find it quite easy to get along with this Commission. * * * Let me make this suggestion here, and one based upon an experience this Commission has had: You will find, as far as our observation has been extended, that you have here in the city of St. Louis and the surrounding country a body of earnest people, charged with a mighty work—the disbursement of the largest sum of money ever collected on the globe for an exposition of any kind—larger than Chicago, Buffalo, and Charleston combined—and the one overwhelming, all-absorbing thought uppermost in the mind is to make this exposition a success, commensurate with the mighty means placed at the disposal of the company, the Commission, and the board. The weather will be hot and difficulties will come, tempers will become disturbed, and patience sorely tried, but throughout it all bear in mind that the man who is somewhat irritating has simply too much vim and enthusiasm for the moment.

President Francis, the general counsel, the treasurer, are all devoting practically their entire time and attention to this work, and the things already accomplished indicate that their efforts have been well directed and their work well performed. It is for you to say, you to determine in a general way, and upon your good judgment and earnest efforts will largely depend the extent to which women in this country and of the world at large are to participate, directly or indirectly, in making this exposition the most beneficent for women that has or can be made in any age or ages.

At the close of Senator Carter's remarks President Francis, of the Exposition Company, said:

I have only come to say, ladies, that if we can be of any assistance to you we shall be more than glad to render that assistance. If you have any suggestions to make us, we shall be pleased to receive them and consider them by prejudging them in your favor. I do not know what your plans are, but I wish to say that if you desire permanent quarters, we will be very glad to provide them in the Administration Building. That might be a little inconvenient, perhaps, but we have all of our own offices there, and have all the accommodations one can require. I do not know if you propose to have a permanent secretary and establish headquarters here or not. I take it for granted that you are familiar with the provisions of the law. Of course, you know that the board is nominated by the National Commission, of which Senator Carter is president. All of the nominations that have been made by the National Commission have been confirmed. I believe the membership of your board is limited to twenty-one. I have heard of the organization of that body. I wish to say, that we think we have made adequate, if not liberal, provision for the expense of the board in this way: We have decided to tender you ladies, subject, of course, to your amendment, after first acknowledging your generosity, we have decided to say to you that we will allow you 5 cents per mile mileage from your homes to St. Louis, and 5 cents per mile back to your homes, or to your New York meetings, and in addition to that $6 per day for subsistence during the time you are in attendance at such meetings. If you do not think that sufficient, we are open to suggestions from you.

During your stay in cities where meetings will be held you are allowed $6 per day subsistence, whether you choose to expend that or not; if you do not think $6 per day sufficient, make a suggestion accordingly.

In regard to your duties, the law prescribed those. I suppose the report which was made by the Commission to the local company and approved by the local company, has been forwarded to the board. You know that you have the right to appoint one member to every jury of awards that passes upon work wholly or partly made by women. I do not know what provision the law makes, if any, for your duties, but this exposition, comprehensive as its scope may be, can not be a success without the hearty cooperation of the ladies, and that is what we wish.

I do not know what plans you have about a Woman's Building. I wish to say that any suggestions you have to make us we will take under serious consideration. A great deal has been said about permanent structures. We have no objections to permanent structures, we rather court them, provided always some means are furnished for the maintenance of those buildings after the exposition is over. There is another condition that must be observed, and that is in regard to the permission of the city for these buildings to remain. You, of course, understand that the exposition proper does not own any of the ground within the site. We have 1,200 acres, which is much larger than any exposition ever held, about 688 acres being the property of the city. About 112 acres of the site is the property of the Washington University, for which we pay it a specific rental; that makes a total of 780 acres. In addition to that we have 410 acres which we have leased from private owners. That property must be returned to them free of all incumbrances. Therefore, if a permanent structure be contemplated it must be erected on city property.

Ladies, I will be very glad to answer any questions you may desire to ask in connection with the exposition, and, as I said, any suggestions of yours I shall submit to our local company, executive committee, and board of directors, and Senator Carter will submit the same, I have no doubt, to the National Commission.

At a meeting of the Commission held the same day (September 30) the resignation of Mrs. John A. McCall from the board of lady managers was read and accepted by the Commission.

The statements of Senator Carter, as well as those of President Francis, stimulated the interest of the members of the board; they comprehended anew that it involved not only a heavy responsibility, but constituted a national trust to represent the women who to-day stand upon the advanced but firm ground secured by the steady and persistent efforts of other women in their long struggle to obtain intellectual advantages and recognition.

By reason of the sacrifices and endurance of those pioneers, every opportunity is now afforded to women not only to acquire any trade or profession, but also to practice it without hindrance; in many cases the same money value is placed upon their labor as upon that of men for similar work, and no longer is the line of demarcation rigidly drawn between the woman of leisure and the self-supporting woman. It, therefore, devolved upon the members of the board of lady managers to advance, to the best of their ability, the conditions under which women might continue to maintain their social, intellectual, and financial independence.

At this first formal meeting of the board of lady managers held in St. Louis the president and board of directors of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company tendered to the members a most delightful evening reception at the Southern Hotel. This was the first official entertainment given to the board of lady managers.

On Wednesday, October 1, 1902, the election of the following officers was effected:

Mrs. James L. Blair, president; Mrs. Edward L. Buchwalter, first vice-president; Mrs. Finis P. Ernest, second vice-president; Mrs. Helen Boice-Hunsicker, third vice-president; Miss Anna L. Dawes, fourth vice-president; Mrs. Belle L. Everest, fifth vice-president; Mrs. M.H. de Young, sixth vice-president; Mrs. Fannie L. Porter, seventh vice-president; Mrs. Frederick Hanger, secretary; Mrs. William H. Coleman, treasurer.

Miss Helen M. Gould then offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That it is the earnest desire of the board of lady managers of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition that there be no indecent dances or improper exhibits in the Midway during the exposition, and that the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company be urged to use the utmost care in awarding the concessions for shows, in order that there may be no objectionable features.

The motion was carried unanimously, and its observance by the local company was largely instrumental in lowering to a minimum the number of objectionable features on the "Pike."

In a joint conference of the National Commission and President Francis the latter consented that the Commission should make the number of lady managers 24 instead of 21, and on October 2, 1902, the following resolution was offered by the first vice-president, Mr. Glynn, and adopted by the Commission:

Resolved, That the board of lady managers of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition shall consist of 24 persons, including those heretofore appointed, together with Mrs. Daniel Manning, of Washington, D.C.; Mrs. A.I. von Mayhoff, of Monticello, Va.; and Mrs. Josephine Sullivan, of Providence, R.I.; also the two additional members to be nominated by Mr. Allen.

Be it further resolved, That the appointments thus made now fixes the membership of the board at 24, and that no vacancy which may hereafter occur, on any account whatever, shall be filled until the board is reduced below 21 members, and that at no time shall any vacancy be filled hereafter so as to increase the board above 21.

After the election of officers, appointment of committees on woman's work, rules and regulations, hall of philanthropy, and the transaction of other routine work, the board of lady managers adjourned to meet in New York, November 17, 1902.

In response to a request from the board of lady managers for permanent headquarters for their accommodation during the exposition period, to be afterwards used as a hall of philanthropy, President Francis, on November 5, 1902, referred to the fact that the Missouri State Federation had instructed its delegates to the convention of the General Federation of Women's Clubs to be held at Los Angeles to recommend such a memorial of woman's work, but that the federation had failed to take action in the matter.

The Exposition Company afterwards offered to contribute $50,000 toward the erection of such a building if the board of lady managers would raise $150,000—$50,000 of which should be applied toward the building and $100,000 as a permanent endowment fund.

The meeting of the board of lady managers was called on November 17, 1902, pursuant to adjournment of the meeting of September 30, 1902, and at that time the hall of philanthropy was fully considered, and the above-mentioned proposition of the Exposition Company declined.

At the session held on the 19th of November a motion was made and carried that there should be an eighth vice-president, and Mrs. Daniel Manning was elected to fill that office.

President Carter, of the National Commission, was invited to be present at this meeting, and again emphasized his views in regard to the prerogatives of the members of the board in performance of the duties which might be assigned them. He also spoke as follows:

With the power comes the responsibility. This exposition, if the general tone of business continues, ought to be, in the matter of attendance and universal interest, a pronounced success. The matter of interesting the world, securing attendance, securing exhibits, attracting the attention of different classes of people, would insure success. The law of Congress is pretty thoroughly considered. It was pretty thoroughly debated in the House of Representatives particularly. No part of the law was more thoroughly considered than this part, which contemplated the interesting of the women of the world in the exposition about to be given.

Determine at the earliest day practicable what the view of this board is as to what part women are to take in the exposition. That subject can not be too promptly considered or decided upon. You are to plan the scope of women's work in this exposition. Give the representation of women's work in this exposition a national or international character. If of an international character, will this board undertake to select the people who are to go abroad to represent the women of this country in appealing to the women of other countries? * * * It is a matter of supreme consequence that the women of the country shall be represented in a manner that will be approved by themselves at least. * * * I think it rests with you to formulate plan and scope, and transmit that formulated plan and scope to this Commission, to be approved by the Commission and approved by the local company, as a part of the programme of this exposition. It was the intention when this board was appointed to get together a body of representative women from all over the United States, and that this body when assembled would become a directing force along general lines. In the matter of women's work there is no limit. You exercise "general supervisory control." I would say that, in pursuance of authority granted the board of lady managers, that this board adopt resolutions stating that no woman shall be appointed to represent the exposition by either the National Commission or the local company until the name of such representative shall have been submitted to and ratified by this board of lady managers. You will find in talking with this company a keen anxiety to quickly adopt any suggestions that will bring about success in any line. Claim whatever you think in the form of a rule, assert your right to approve or confirm if you please everyone appointed to push this woman's work anywhere. In regard to a building, say what you want; submit your plans to this Commission; place your wants in the form of a resolution to be approved by the Commission and the local company; the approval will carry with it the expense. We will regard any expenditure which you may make as "legitimate exposition work"—commissioners to go abroad, or whatever it may be.

There is a large amount of money available for this exposition. It has been handled with the utmost care, skill, and excessive prudence by the company, but that shows merely a good, sound economical management; however, there is ample means, means that will unquestionably apply to meet every want.

At the session on November 20 the committee named to prepare resolutions to be presented through the National Commission to the Exposition Company offered the following, which were adopted, and copies forwarded to the Commission and company:

First. The board of lady managers respectfully call the attention of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company to the act approved March 3, 1901, under which act this board has the power to appoint one member of all committees authorized to award prizes for such exhibits as may have been produced in whole or in part by women. The board of lady managers decline to accept the amendment of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company to this act of Congress expressed in a resolution of the executive committee of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company, as follows: "To nominate one member of all committees authorized to award prizes for such exhibits as shall have been produced in whole or in part by female labor."

Second. The board protests against the appointment, without its authority, of any representative at home or abroad connected with work for which this board is responsible.

Third. That the board of lady managers select, with the approval of the local company, two of its members to awaken interest in the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company among women in other countries.

Fourth. That the president of this board be authorized, at her discretion, to appoint committees to visit each State to enlist the cooperation of the women in securing the proper representation of woman's work at the exposition in St. Louis; and in furtherance that the governor of each State be formally requested to name two women on the State commission.

Fifth. That the local company be requested to appropriate $50,000 for the erection of a woman's building on the fair grounds to be used after the close of the exposition as a hall of philanthropy.

Sixth. The board of lady managers request the directors of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company to provide money to meet the current expenses of this board. They are further requested to notify this board in writing of the amount appropriated for this purpose. It is the sense of this board that an allowance of 5 cents per mile and $10 per diem be allowed; the per diem to cover the time from the day of departure until the day of return.

Seventh. That the board of lady managers of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, acting in harmony with the local committees appointed by the president of this board, shall have supervisory control of the entertainments of all women's organizations desiring to hold meetings in the building that will be appropriated to the use of this board.

Respectfully submitted.

Mrs. JAMES L. BLAIR, President. Mrs. RICHARD W. KNOTT, Chairman.

To the copy of the above resolutions which was sent to the National Commission, President Carter replied as follows:

St. Louis, U.S.A., November 29, 1902.

Dear Madam: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of a set of resolutions adopted by the board of lady managers at their meeting in New York City on November 20, 1902.

You are informed that the resolutions have been transmitted with proper recommendations to the local company for consideration You are also informed that correction of objectionable rule in the "rules and regulations governing the system of awards," to which reference is made in the first subdivision of the resolutions, has been made. The rule referred to, as corrected, will embrace the word "appoint" instead of "nominate."

You are also informed that the Commission deems it inexpedient to apply to Congress for an appropriation to aid in the construction of the proposed hall of philanthropy. The Commission does not wish to be understood as being opposed to this commendable enterprise, but instead favors the proposition. The disinclination to appeal to Congress for aid arises from an understanding with the company and leading members of committees of Congress, that no further appropriation would be sought from the General Government in connection with the fair.

After a conference with the president and the secretary of the Exposition Company, the Commission is gratified to be able to inform you of the disposition of those officers to consult the board of lady managers with reference to the appointment of all persons intended to in any manner represent the board or its work in the exploitation of the exposition at home or abroad. We are also able to convey to you the assurance which has been conveyed to the Commission by President Francis, that it is the disposition of the Exposition Company to furnish the board of lady managers adequate and comfortable accommodations upon the grounds controlled by the company. The president of the company will communicate with your honorable board with reference to this and other subjects referred to in the resolutions.

You are informed that, agreeable to an arrangement made nearly twelve months ago, the accounts of the board of lady managers will be paid direct by the Exposition Company. It is desirable that your board should transmit all accounts direct to Mr. W.B. Stevens, secretary of the Exposition Company, by whom all settlements will be made.

Yours, very truly,

Thos. H. Carter, President.

Mrs. Apolline M. Blair, President Board of Lady Managers, St. Louis, Mo.

This meeting adjourned subject to the call of the president.

The next meeting of the board of lady managers was called by the president, Mrs. Blair, at the Murray Hill Hotel, New York City, N.Y., February 16, 1903, at which time a letter was read that had been received by the president of the board from the Exposition Company, in which an offer was made to the board, for its exclusive use, of one of the permanent buildings to be erected for the Washington University (and subsequently to be used by it as a Hall of Physics), to be known during the exposition period as the "Building of the Board of Lady Managers." This structure appealed specially to the members of the board, from the fact that it had been endowed by a woman, Mrs. Eliza Eads How, of St. Louis, and the offer was accepted. The building was finished about the middle of April, 1904, and thereafter remained the headquarters of the board during the term of the exposition. While it was not perfectly adapted for a woman's building, they made it as attractive as possible, and it served for their entertaining and occupancy far better than had been anticipated. Upon motion, it was decided that the furnishing of the building for the board of lady managers be under the supervision of the president of the board.

On February 16, 1903, a communication was received from Mr. Corwin H. Spencer, first vice-president of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company, stating that $3,000 had been appropriated by the executive committee of the Exposition Company for the use of the board of lady managers.

Although the members of the board were not only willing, but anxious, to settle upon some definite line of action, the vagueness of their powers outlined by the members of the Commission, together with the obstacle presented by the lack of funds, had caused them to be most conservative in action; without the positive assurance of financial aid they were not in a position to decide definitely upon a plan of future work. This condition led to the appointment by the president, Mrs. Blair, of two committees, one known as the "committee to confer with the National Commission on matters pertaining to the board of lady managers," and which consisted of Miss Lavinia H. Egan, chairman, Mrs. Finis P. Ernest, Mrs. Helen Boice-Hunsicker, and Mrs. William E. Andrews; and the second, known as a "committee on woman's work," consisting of Mrs. Mary Phelps Montgomery, chairman, Mrs. John M. Holcombe, Mrs. Daniel Manning, and Mrs. Edward L. Buchwalter. Both of these committees were to confer with the National Commission and the latter committee with the local company.

Upon motion, duly seconded and carried, the meeting adjourned, to meet in St. Louis April 29, 1903.

A reception was given by the board of lady managers to the president-general, officers, and members of the Daughters of the American Revolution of the Twelfth Continental Congress, at the New Willard Hotel, Washington, D.C., on February 26, 1903. The committee consisted of Mrs. Horton, chairman, Mrs. Holcombe, Mrs. Montgomery, Mrs. Andrews, Mrs. Moores, Mrs. Coleman, Mrs. Hunsicker, Mrs. Porter, and Mrs. Hanger. Invitations were extended to the President of the United States and his Cabinet, Diplomatic Corps, officers of the Army and Navy, members of the Senate and House of Representatives, the Government Board, the National Commission of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, and officials connected with the exposition resident in Washington. The Exposition Company was most generous in allowing $600 for the cost of this reception. The two committees appointed to confer with the National Commission and local company on matters pertaining to the board of lady managers, met at the Southern Hotel, St. Louis, March 11, 1903, and were admitted to a conference with the National Commission on that day. The subject in regard to the work and duties of the board was reopened by the following questions:

First. What special work does the Commission desire the board to perform before the opening of the exposition?

Second. What service will the Commission require from the board between the opening and closing of the exposition?

to which Senator Carter replied as follows:

The plan and scope of your work must first be determined, and, in an advisory or suggestive sense only, I venture to submit for your consideration a plan and scope which would require your board—

First. To make due preparation for the intelligent selection of one member of all committees authorized to award prizes for such exhibits as may have been produced in whole or in part by female labor.

Second. To advise the Commission from time to time as to the desired extent and the appropriate manner of woman's participation in the ceremonies incident to the dedication, opening, and conduct of the exposition.

Third. To confer and advise with the officers and chiefs of the exposition on the progress being made from time to time in exciting the interest and enlisting the cooperation of women in the several departments, and to appoint all committees necessary to carry out the purpose, and to procure information on the extent of woman's participation in the exposition.

Fourth. To encourage the presentation of exhibits by women by correspondence, advertising, or such other means as the company may approve.

Fifth. To collect statistics of women's work in connection with the exposition for publication.

Sixth. To encourage, by correspondence or otherwise, attendance at the exposition of societies and associations of women and the holding of conventions, congresses, and other meetings of women.

Seventh. To maintain within the grounds during the period of the exposition an organization for the relief of women and children who may be found in need of aid, comfort, or special protection.

Eighth. To receive and officially entertain women when requested so to do by the Exposition Company and the Commission.

Ninth. To commission members of the board or others, with the approval of the Commission and the company, to travel in the interest of the exposition, either at home or abroad.

Tenth. To provide for the constant attendance, in rotation, of at least three members of the board at the exposition grounds from April 30 to December 1, 1904.

Eleventh. To issue bulletins from time to time as the company and the Commission may approve, for the special information of women and the exploitation of their contributions to the success of the exposition.

These suggestions may be supplemented by others, and some of them may be disregarded by you entirely. They will, however, serve to convey to you the views of the Commission on the general range of work you can, if you wish, undertake to perform, subject only to the limitation that you submit your plan when agreed upon to the Commission and the company for consideration and approval, to the end that harmony may prevail.

Let us not at any time lose track of this one important fact, that the exposition will be enormously expensive at best, and that it does not befit us to look up ways and means of expending money exclusively but to have some regard for the income of the Exposition Company. Widespread and indiscriminate entertainment of societies will be quite impossible. Within the scope of your work there should be some committee or subdivision of the board to begin at once to ascertain what different societies, organizations, and women's congresses could be assembled here, and then bring them in within the scope of your work for submission to the company. We will gladly submit to the company a plan for the disposal of matters that will involve a reasonable limit of entertainment, and have means placed at your disposal for correspondence, exploitation, and entertainment. Your committees ought to be at work now and continue diligently at work until the exposition gates open. After that you will have ample work to do in connection with carrying out the projects you will have previously originated.

The meeting set for April 29 was called by the president of the board one day earlier, and the members met in the Administration Building, exposition grounds, April 28, 1903.

The announcement of the death on February 27, 1903, of Mrs. Washington A. Roebling, the member of the board from New Jersey, was read and received with regret, and a committee was appointed to draft suitable resolutions, to be spread upon the minutes of the board.

On that day the following rules and regulations were adopted by the board, a copy being submitted to the National Commission and subsequently approved by that body on April 29, 1903, and by the Exposition Company January 12, 1904.

Rules and Regulations.

No. 1. Meetings.—All the meetings of the board shall be held in the city of St. Louis. The regular meetings shall be held at such times as may be designated by a majority vote of the board. Special meetings shall be subject to call of the president of the board, the president of the National Commission, or written request of five members of the board. The president shall convene the board in accordance with the terms of the request.

No. 2. Officers.—The officers of the board shall consist of a president, eight vice-presidents, a secretary, and a treasurer.

No. 3. Duties of officers.—The president shall preside at all meetings of the board and shall sign all requisitions for funds to be advanced to the treasurer, and examine and approve all accounts to be paid by the treasurer.

No. 4. Duties of vice-presidents.—In the absence of the president the vice-presidents shall preside alternately from session to session, in the order of their official designation.

No. 5. Duties of secretary.—The secretary shall keep a correct record of the proceedings of the board, and shall attend to the giving or serving of all notices of meetings. She shall conduct the official correspondence of the board of lady managers, and shall perform such other duties as the board may assign to her. She shall notify all committees of their appointments, and also the work assigned to them. Previous to each meeting she shall make out an order of business for the chair, and also a list of standing and special committees. She shall make her headquarters in the city of St. Louis.

No. 6. Duties of treasurer.—The treasurer shall have the care and custody of all funds coming into the possession of the board, and shall disburse the same only upon order of the board and the approval of its president. At each regular meeting of the board she shall render an itemized statement of all receipts and disbursements from the date of the last report, and shall whenever directed by the board deposit the unexpended balance with the treasurer of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company.

No. 7. Quorum.—Nine members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

No. 8. Executive committee.—The board shall elect an executive committee of seven members. It shall be the duty of the executive committee to devise plans relative to the work within the legal jurisdiction of the board and submit, from time to time, recommendations to the board for consideration and action with the view of making arrangements to appropriate committees. The executive committee shall elect its own chairman and secretary.

No. 9. Standing committees.—The following standing committees shall be constituted and shall be elected by ballot, unless otherwise specifically provided therein: First, a committee on rules; second, a committee on work; third, a committee on awards; fourth, exposition rotating committee; fifth, an auditing committee.

No. 10. Committee on rules.—The committee on rules shall consist of three members, and shall prepare and present to the board such amendments to the rules and regulations as may from time to time be found necessary.

No. 11. Committee on work.—The committee on work shall consist of five members, and shall prepare and present to the executive committee a plan covering the scope of woman's work.

No. 12. Committee on awards.—The committee on awards shall consist of three members, whose duty it shall be to collect and report to the board such information as will enable the board to execute intelligently the provision of section 6 of the act of Congress approved March 3, 1901.

No. 13. The exposition rotating committee.—A committee of six members of the board, to be designated by the executive committee, shall be in attendance at the exposition from April 30 to December 1, 1904, in the discharge of such duties as may be prescribed by the National Commission, or may arise from time to time within that period, and appropriately require consideration and action of such committee. Four members of each committee shall be appointed at the end of each calendar month, beginning May 31, 1904. The appointments shall be so made that no member shall serve more than two consecutive months.

No. 14. Auditing committee.—The auditing committee shall consist of three members, elected by the board, and shall examine and audit the accounts of the treasurer, and present to the board a written report concerning each settlement, which shall be made promptly upon the receipt of the treasurer's itemized statement required by rule 6.

No. 15. Special committees.—Special committees may be appointed by direction of the board to consider matters not included within the jurisdiction of any committee provided for herein.

No. 16. Amendments.—These rules and regulations may be amended at any regular meeting of the board by a two-thirds vote of the members present, written notice of proposed amendment having been given at least one day in advance of action thereon.

No. 17. Order of business.—Reading of the minutes; reports of standing committees; reports of special committees; unfinished business; new business; adjournment. This order of business may be suspended at any regular meeting by two-thirds vote of the members present.

No. 18. Roberts's Rules of Order shall govern the proceedings of this board.

Upon the centennial of the day the Louisiana Territory was sold by Napoleon to the United States, the exposition, which embodied all that the vast territory now represents, was consecrated to its purpose. In the presence of 50,000 persons the Louisiana Purchase Exposition was formally dedicated; 12,000 troops, the pick of the United States Regular Army, and the best militia of the country, moved past a given point for one hour and a half, under Maj. Gen. Henry C. Corbin, U.S. Army, grand marshal. Governors and their staffs were loudly cheered as they appeared at the head of their State troops. Gathered on the reviewing stand was a notable assembly—our Chief Executive, President Roosevelt; ex-President Cleveland, ambassadors and diplomats, cabinet officers, the lieutenant-general of the Army, Nelson A. Miles; Cardinal Gibbons and Bishop Potter, Senator, Representatives, governors, State and Territorial representatives, Government officials, President Francis, and the board of directors of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company, the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission, and the board of lady managers.

At the meeting in the Liberal Arts Building following the parade, President Carter of the National Commission addressed the great assembly. The enthusiasm was unbounded when, in turn, the President and ex-President spoke to the vast multitude. After the meeting an adjournment was made to the Administration Building, where President Roosevelt and ex-President Cleveland received many of their friends, and the board of lady managers entertained a distinguished company at 5 o'clock in their rooms in the Administration Building. Among the guests present at the dinner tendered in the evening by Hon. David R. Francis to President Roosevelt, in the building of the Hall of Congresses, were several members of President Roosevelt's Cabinet, ex-President Cleveland, Lieut. Gen. Nelson A. Miles, diplomatic representatives of thirty foreign governments, governors, Senators, National Commissioners, and the board of lady managers.

The second, or "International Day," the procession was arranged as on the first day, the introductory oration being delivered in the Palace of Liberal Arts. President Francis extended greeting to representatives of foreign governments and responses were made by Ambassador Jusserand, of the French Government, and Señor Don Emilio de Ojeda, Spanish minister to the United States. In the evening a reception was given at the St. Louis Club in honor of the diplomatic corps, and a banquet was tendered to visiting journalists in the Hall of Congresses on the exposition grounds.

The third, or "State Day," the visiting governors were specially entertained, and the closing exercises held, after which the governors and representatives of different States proceeded to the sites that had been allotted their respective State pavilions and broke ground and laid corner stones with appropriate ceremonies.

In all of the exercises of the three opening days the members of the board of lady managers, by their participation in the ceremonies, represented the women of the country.

On Saturday, May 2, 1903, the following resolution was offered by Mrs. Edward L. Buchwalter, the first vice-president:

Whereas the board of lady managers of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition find it necessary to have funds at their disposal for the proper conduct of the business of the board; therefore be it

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to take the necessary steps to secure such an appropriation from Congress at the earliest possible date; that said committee be, and is hereby, directed to take immediate action in such matter, and that said sum shall not be less than $100,000.

Upon the adoption of this resolution Mrs. Daniel Manning was made chairman, and in accepting the appointment she asked the members of the board to use their influence with the Senators and Congressmen of their States for the passage of the bill.

At this meeting (May 2, 1903) the president announced the appointment of the following standing committees: Executive, entertainment, foreign relations, women's congresses, and press, and the committee on women's work was enlarged.

An invitation was received from the Wednesday Club of St. Louis, in which a reception was tendered by that organization to the board. The courtesy was greatly appreciated and promptly accepted, and the occasion brought together the intellectual women of that city.

No further meeting was held until December 15, 1903, which was called by the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission and held in St. Louis, at the Southern Hotel, Mrs. E.L. Buchwalter, first vice-president, presiding. The following communication was then read by the secretary:

St. Louis, U.S.A., October 21, 1903.

LADIES: I herewith tender to you my resignation from the office of president, to which you did me the honor to elect me. Begging you to accept the same, with my best wishes for the welfare and success of the board in the future, I remain,

Always faithfully, yours, APOLLINE M. BLAIR. BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS, LOUISIANA PURCHASE.

The resignation was accepted by the board, and a committee appointed to prepare suitable resolutions. At the afternoon session Miss Dawes, chairman of this committee, presented the following:

Resolved, That the board of lady managers of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition accepts with regret the resignation of Mrs. James L. Blair as president; that it places upon its records its appreciation of her service to the board of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. Her large abilities and her experience in social and public affairs have been freely given to this work, and she has served the board and the exposition with unwavering zeal and with conspicuous ability. Her enthusiasm for the exposition, her far-reaching sense of its aims and scope, her large conception of the possibilities of our connection therewith as a board, and her interests in its needs inspired her administration of its affairs and called for the recognition and thanks of this board, whose head and representative she was, and of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition which she served.

Resolved, That this board of lady managers express its recognition and gratitude by adopting these resolutions and that the secretary be directed to send a copy to Mrs. Blair.

ANNA L. DAWES. HELEN MILLER GOULD. FRANCES MARION HANGER. JENNIE GILMORE KNOTT. EMILY S.G. HOLCOMBE.

On motion of Mrs. Manning, seconded by Mrs. Coleman, the resolution was unanimously adopted.

President Francis then appeared before the board of lady managers, and, upon the request of the chairman, made an address, in which he said, in answer to a request to give to the board some idea concerning the cost of the exposition:

I only can give you the comparisons with other of the largest expositions ever held in this or any other country. I will state as compared with the Paris Exposition, we are now nearer a state of completion than that exposition was on the date of its opening. That no exposition was ever so near completed four and a half months prior to its opening. Of course we have a great deal of work to do, and we must bear in mind that although we use a vast amount of material, 90 per cent of the cost is put in labor—not only the labor out on the grounds, but the labor in the lumber districts, in the loading and unloading of the lumber—and this comprises the greater part of our buildings as they are built almost exclusively of lumber—the value of it is comparatively small as compared with the cost of preparing it for market and getting it here.

Then the matter of wages—we have to pay 33 per cent higher wages than were paid at the Chicago Exposition. At that time carpenters got 35 cents per hour—you may remember that was the year of the panic, 1893. When we first began carpenters in this town were getting 45 cents an hour; they are now getting 55 cents an hour, and when you bear in mind that we have 5,000 carpenters at work there, an advance of 25 per cent in wages means something.

We broke ground on December 20, 1901, but we did that because it was the anniversary of the transfer of this territory from the French Government to the United States. But that was two years ago, and in those two years wages have gone up in St. Louis from 45 to 55 cents; plumbers' wages have advanced 25 per cent; plasterers were getting $4.50 per day—we are now paying them $6, and on last Friday they struck for $7. The hodcarriers who carry plaster for the plasterers are getting $4 per day—count twenty-five working days in the month, our hodcarriers are receiving $100 per month, which is more than educated clerks receive. A while ago these hodcarriers struck for $4.50 per day. * * * This is an Universal Exposition—we do not want to take a stand against union labor, but if it is to be a Universal Exposition we must stand by the laws of the United States so as to admit contract labor from abroad—men who work on erecting the foreign exhibits.

We were paying our day laborers 22 cents an hour and the railroads throughout the country were giving them 22 1/2 cents an hour; on the 25th of September they wrote that they had four demands: One was the recognition of the union (no one ever knew they had a union); second, that eight hours should constitute a day; third, they should get 30 cents an hour, and fourth, time and one-half for overtime. Well, in order not to stop our work I told the men to pay them 25 cents an hour, but that we could not limit our work to an eight-hour day; it was in the fall and we had to take advantage of the fine weather—we would pay them 25 cents an hour and work as long as we wished them to work—ten hours. I said to the laborers this is not a commercial enterprise; we are not running this for gain; we have put up $10,000,000 or $16,000,000; we are doing a patriotic duty, celebrating an historical event. * * *

We have 50 per cent more of buildings under roof than Chicago had at this time. We have 1,240 acres of ground space covered by buildings, while Chicago had 679 acres, which is nearly twice as much. When we say that the Chicago Company spent $22,000,000 I think you will say that under the circumstances $19,500,000 is a small amount for us to spend. Of course we have profited by their experience, which should be valuable to us.

A committee was appointed on December 16, 1903, to confer with President Carter, and place before him the following resolution:

Resolved, That the board of lady managers respectfully request the National Commission to suspend its rules limiting the further appointments upon the board, for the purpose of appointing a representative from the city of St. Louis upon the board of lady managers.

On the same day the following communication was received in reply:

DEAR MISS DAWES: The Commission has under consideration the question propounded by you, understood to be substantially as follows: "Is it the intention of the Commission and the Exposition Company to suspend the rule heretofore adopted, whereby it is provided that no appointment will be made on the board of lady managers, until the number shall be reduced below twenty-one?"

In reply, I am authorized by the Commission to say that the Exposition Company, speaking through its president, has intimated that the executive committee of the company will present a request to the Commission for the suspension of the rule referred to, to the end that a lady residing in the city of St. Louis may be appointed a member of the board of lady managers, under such suspension of the rule.

This request, we are advised, will be presented by the company to-day, and the Commission is disposed to suspend the rule by unanimous consent in conformity to the request when presented, and to appoint the lady recommended by the executive committee of the company. You will be advised of the action of the Commission on the subject under consideration the earliest practicable moment.

Very respectfully, THOMAS H. CARTER, President.

MISS ANNA L. DAWES, Chairman of Committee, Board of Lady Managers.

On December 18 the following letter was received from the president of the National Commission on the same subject:

ST. Louis, December 17, 1903.

MADAM: By direction of the Commission I am authorized to acknowledge receipt of your resolution recommending that the Commission suspend the rule restricting the membership of the board of lady managers, to the end that an appointment may be made of a representative from the city of St. Louis. In reply thereto you are informed that the rule referred to can not be suspended, save by the joint action of this Commission and the Exposition Company. The Commission feels indisposed to initiate any movement looking to its suspension. If requested by the Exposition Company to suspend the rule for the purpose of naming some lady residing in St. Louis, recommended by the Exposition Company, the Commission would probably, by unanimous consent, suspend the rule for that purpose.

Very respectfully, THOMAS H. CARTER, President.

MRS. DANIEL MANNING, President Board Lady Managers.

As no decision could be reached by the executive committee of the Exposition Company in regard to a choice of representative from the city of St. Louis on the board of lady managers, the board felt the necessity of selecting a president from its existing membership, and at the next session, on December 16, 1903, again held in the Administration Building, Mrs. John M. Holcombe moved that "we proceed at once to elect a president of this board."

Mrs. Buchwalter, the chairman, stated that it was in order to proceed with the election of a president of the board, and asked for nominations. Miss Helen M. Gould spoke as follows:

I would like to nominate Mrs. Daniel Manning for this office. Mrs. Manning has had large experience in matters of this kind as head of the Daughters of the American Revolution, having resided in Washington as the wife of one of the members of Mr. Cleveland's cabinet, and in representing our country abroad, having been one of our representatives at the Paris Exposition. I understand that Mrs. Manning is one of two women from this country who received the decoration from the French Government, and I take pleasure in nominating her for the office of president of this board. This nomination was seconded by several members, and, as no other nominations were made, the tellers announced the result of the vote: For Mrs. Manning, 13 votes: one blank, Mrs. Manning not voting.

The chairman then thanked the members of the board for the sympathy and help they had given her.

In reply the secretary extended to Mrs. Buchwalter the sincere thanks of the members of the board for the efficient work she had performed as their first vice-president and honorable chairman, and Miss Dawes spoke for the entire board in expressing her thanks to Mrs. Buchwalter for her impartiality, confidence, good management, and elegance in presiding.

Mrs. Daniel Manning, the newly elected president, then took the chair and thanked the board for the honor conferred upon her.

The order of business was then proceeded with, and, pursuant to a wish expressed by the National Commission to meet the board of lady managers, the members of the Commission were announced and Mrs. Manning said:

Mr. President, and Gentlemen of the Commission: We understood that you would graciously come over and talk with us a little while. We are starting in on a new lease of life. We want to work for the exposition to the best of our ability. We want your advice and wish to consult you about a number of matters, but, first, we would like to hear from you.

President Carter responded as follows:

Madam President and Ladies: We have come to say a few words to you and to have you consult with us upon any subjects you desire to bring up. I do not know how graciously we have come, but we come very cheerfully. The subject of your remark has been under consideration for a long time and we all regret that a more definite conclusion has not been reached relative to the sphere of your activity in connection with the World's Fair. I think your report, the report of your committee, of which Mrs. Montgomery is chairman, and which she recently submitted, crystallizes into close compass about the line of action the board might appropriately pursue. The report referred to dealt not only with the conclusion reached, but the details whereby those conclusions were reached. It included discussions, formal and informal, and certain correspondence relating to the subject. The Commission has approved that report in so far as it prescribed in definite form the sphere of your work, and, with the approval of the Commission, that report has been forwarded to the local company. These resolutions or statements made by your board, which in your judgment would constitute a proper sphere of action, seem to embody a field sufficiently broad to be worthy of your intentions. It was hoped by the Commission that during the present session of the board, the members of the local company, together with the Commission, would be present for a conference—more informal than formal—which might result in a correct and definite understanding as to just what you were to do, and how you were to do it.

The only conclusion which has been reached is that which gives you a contingent fund, which seems to have been adequate for the meager necessities of the past, but I believe that up to this hour the exact part your board is playing in connection with making this exposition a success, is far too indefinite to be satisfactory to you, and it is certainly not satisfactory to the Commission. Our Commission will adjourn to meet on the 10th of January, and we hope by that time to be in receipt of some communication from the Exposition Company announcing their disposition of the report I have referred to, and the scope of the work of the board of lady managers. Notwithstanding that will be at a very late date, it is well to have it in sight.

The ladies of your board have been engaged without much credit being given to the board or to the ladies themselves, in the work of exploitation. A number of the ladies have done most efficient work in their respective States—and some, in the adjoining States—calling the attention of the people at large, and in some instances the legislative sessions, to the vastness, scope, and policy of the exposition. It is unfortunate that your board does not receive the credit which this line of meritorious effort deserves. In the end, I doubt not, that in the final reports you will be accorded full measure of credit for what you have done individually and collectively. The past has been devoid of results because of a lack of understanding to start with. I think you are now beginning an era more promising than any outlook you have had in the past. I congratulate you upon having reached a condition of harmony within your own organization, which speaks well for the future. The earnestness of this board, the disinterestedness of its members, leading them in the first instance to volunteer their services to this great enterprise, has been an example to the whole country of national devotion, which has been of great advantage to the exposition management; your gratuitous and earnest effort has been a means of making the exposition favorably known throughout this country, at least. Your expenses have been very light—I believe, up to this time, less than $20,000, in the neighborhood of $20,000—which, considering the long distances traveled, and the number of meetings, is a trifling sum in comparison with what has been spent by similar boards of former expositions.

As you are aware, the act of Congress, under which both the Commission and your board find warrant for existence, granted to the local company an appropriation of $5,000,000 for the purposes of giving this exposition. We have probably in moments of inconsiderate feeling been too prone to find fault—I speak of the Commission, not of the ladies—prone to find fault with the people here who have been doing the best they could. There has been a disposition to assume the control, to the exclusion of outside agencies; and this is but natural because it is inseparable—or is in evidence with reference to all official places in our Government—in fact, it has been noticed that a man, who is ordinarily indolent, when placed in power will become very energetic in this respect.

The Exposition Company has assumed a full measure of the responsibilities—and possibly some of our responsibilities as well—for which we have not been duly grateful. Nevertheless, we are not inclined to blame these people, because they have contributed very largely and generously of local means to aid this enterprise, which leads them to the desire to supervise each and every detail in connection with this work. This desire to assume full responsibility is possibly responsible for the failure to assign to the ladies any particular work, and is also responsible for the curtailing of the jurisdiction of the National Commission. As the work progresses, however, I think that the company realizes the necessity of drawing upon all the forces available to make the exposition a success.

This Commission had a long and pleasant interview with the president of the exposition, at which time he brought out a desire for cooperation and assistance that had not yet been manifested. I believe now, as your body is organized, from the harmonious work accomplished at these meetings, and its cordial relations with the Exposition Company, and certainly with the Commission, the future promises more than has been accorded to similar organizations in the past. * * * We thank you, ladies, for the privilege of being before you, and cheerfully extend our salutations on the election of your president and upon the good will and spirit of harmony which prevails among you.

Mr. Lindsay then spoke as follows:

The board of lady managers exists by operation of law, the same that called the National Commission into existence. It was the duty of the National Commission to create it. It was the duty of the National Commission and of the local board to prescribe the powers and duties of the board of lady managers. Of course, these duties could not be accurately and technically laid out; we could only confer the power, and that would suggest what duties—what power within that general grant they should exercise. It is not the duty of the board of lady managers to be supervised by or to be subject to the local board. I was struck when I read the report made by Mrs. Montgomery of her interview with the local board, not by the gracious manner in which she was received and the graceful questions that were asked, but by the absolute failure in any particular to give definite reply or take any action upon any of the recommendations made by that committee.

What I think this board ought to do is to outline or prescribe the actual things it intends to do, report that to the National Commission and the local board, and then go ahead, not waiting to know whether this or that is within its powers or whether or not this is expedient and whether it can be carried out. Let some one take the responsibility of saying you can not do this or can not do that. As long as you deal in generalities with the National Commission, or agree to everything that is brought up by the local company, this board of lady managers will never become an active part or parcel of this great exposition.

I do not agree with my friend, Senator Carter, on another thing, and that is that these people are entitled to any consideration on account of the money they have expended. They came to Congress and asked Congress for authority to do this very thing; they did not come to Congress for any benefit that they expected to result to the country, but on account of their own local interests and to glorify the Louisiana Purchase and the people of the Louisiana Purchase, and, upon agreeing that they would do these things, privilege was granted by Congress, and the appropriation made. That appropriation is not part of their fund—that is the fund of the United States which is being distributed in the city of St. Louis, preeminently for the city and generally for the United States. And was not this board of lady managers created by the very act of Congress, and have you not some rights in this matter, to the end that you may accomplish the work that has been assigned to you?

I say the time has come when we have got to talk plainly and make some one responsible for your action or nonaction. If either board considers that you are going beyond your powers they will have the right to make restrictions, but as long as you keep within these powers and what you think you ought to do, I doubt if your work will be restricted in any way.

It is now only four months before the exposition opens, and if there is ever going to be anything accomplished by this board it is none too early to begin. For instance, the act of Congress provides that this board name a judge on all the juries that are to pass upon the results of female labor; we agreed to it and the local board agreed to it. Now, then, have you any notice of on which juries you are to be allowed to name a juror? Have any steps been taken to indicate on which of these committees you are to make appointments? The time has come for this work and if you are to have any authority, or if you are to do any of this work, it will not be of credit to this board unless you are able to make the proper preparations for these appointments. But if you have three months to look around, you will be able to find the proper persons and make these appointments intelligently. I hope before the next meeting of the National Commission you will have agreed specifically upon what you can do, what you desire to do, and what you are ready to do, so that the scope of action and authority of this board can be conferred upon it and insisting that the local board here either approve or disapprove of your action.

I appreciate all the troubles and difficulties these people have had, and it is my earnest hope that they will be able to give the members of this board a decided answer within the next month. * * *

In reply to a statement made by a member of the board that in an interview with the executive committee of the Exposition Company, Mr. Skiff, the director of exhibits, had said he could not give a list of exhibitors (or exhibits) until near the time of the opening of the exposition, because he did not know what would be entered, and the lists would not be completed until about that time. Mr. Lindsay further said:

It was my opinion that when the lists of classification were completed, there was nothing else to be inquired into; in that list, everything which includes the result of female labor, constitutes the class on which you are to appoint a juror. The general classification forms a list that would be used for this purpose.

But referring to another matter, I think that there should have been provided by act of Congress a fund set apart for the ladies, to be used by them. Because, as long as you are compelled to go to the Commission, or to go to the local board to ascertain what you can spend or what you can not spend, just so long you will not be able to do anything effectually. I know that the local board is going to object to all this, but when the local board finds that by consenting to your reasonable wishes it is enhancing the interests of the exposition, it will agree to a proper appropriation and other proper demands made by your board which relieve that board of any further duties on the subject. I believe that I have said all I care to say. But, referring to the rules: That board and the Commission can advise you not to enforce certain rules, when the enforcement of them would lead you into difficulties, but just as long as the rules you make for yourselves are within the scope of authority and duties granted us and prescribed to you, you can take directions from the board or from the Commission if you choose to, but you do not need to do this unless you choose to.

In response to the request of Mrs. Manning that Senator Thurston say a few words, he responded:

Perhaps everybody has been a little delinquent in getting this board organized and in position where it can take up some proper work that will be of benefit and be agreeable to the ladies. I think, perhaps, without going into past history, that the board of lady managers perhaps has failed to do what it might have done in the way of formulating a plan for its own participation in the exposition and that was growing out of circumstances which no longer exist. I believe now this board is organized with a president who is heart and soul for the success of the exposition. Without being tied up to anything in the way of local interests, it will be better able to compete with the coming situation. There is, and has been a great deal of hesitancy on the part of the National Commission about attempting to outline a plan of action for this board of lady managers. We provided for your appointment according to law, and we fell into the belief, I hope it was not an error, that the ladies on this board would know a great deal better what they wanted to do, what they ought to do, and what would be best for them to do than this board of men, who had never had anything to do with these ladies' departments except to participate in the enjoyment of them when so fortunate as to be present.