Chapter XXXIII: Introduction (1)

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?"