New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-14
WORLDS FAIR A WARDS.
WORK OF THE WOMEN IN DISTRIBUTE.
ING THEM.
THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF EXPOSE
TONS THAT THEY HAVE TAKEN PART
IN CoNFERRING INCONSISTENCIES
TO SKILLED LABOR.
Icy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

icy TELEGRAPH TO TRIBuSEl
Washington May BIT is pretty we'll known that
the hitch caused by the rejection Of the St. Gaudens
model has thrown the Bureau OF Awards into
fever Of disappointment and delay. and Is prevent
ing Worlds Fair exhibitors from getting their
medals and diplomas. But II IL not so we-known
that on the other hand. the Board OF Lady Man.
ayers is under full sail sending out diplomas OF
honorable mention to designers, inventors ana ex-
pert artisans who assisted in the production ana
perfection of exhibits for which medals and dipo-
mas were awarded.
IL will be remembered that at the nrst meetin8
OF the Womans Board. In November, 1881. reso-
luton looking to the direct recognition OF skiiieo
labor was passed by unanimous vote. Whatever
differences the board may have had on other points
later on IL was unit on this. 1t became the pet
scheme OF the president, Mrs. Palmer, who set
her heart on Its Mrs. Meredith. the chair
man Of the Womans Committee on Awards, was
good second to Mrs Palmer, and the two worked
together with ability and enthusiasm overcoming
opposing influences in way that would make an
interesting story II space permitted its recital here
II must be said that Congress stood firmly by the
women giving them the authority ana money 10
carry out the scheme of direct recognition TO men
and women whose genius and skill made the glory
of the Fair. The Secretary Of the Treasury also. In
spite of efforts brought to bear against 1t, ruled
In favor OF the women.
When all this had been accomplished. new and
unexpected obstacle confronted the women ana
threatened for a time. to be most formidable.
During the Exposition. while foreign exhibitors al
most to a man were In favor OF reward for their
skilled employees the American exhibitors held out
against II on the ground that II would work to the
disadvantage of employers in more ways than one
The women then brought their efforts to bear on
their countrymen. and before the Exposition closed
all opposition had vanished and the American ex-
hibitors as an association Endorsed the scheme
OF course. the work is going on in Chicago
where. in the Columbian year its symbol was the
big statue OF a woman crowned with the words
IL will" There the Woman's Board, through Its
committee. has practically set up its own little
bureau of awards, and Mrs Meredith with her
force OF women clerks, is sereney and systematic
ally sending out diplomas of honorable mention to
designers inventors and expert artisans in all parts
of the world. The authority vested in the Woman's
Board by the act OF Congress is direct and manda-
tory.
The diploma of honorable mention is beautifully
engraved and ornamentec with a laurel branch and
a medallion of Columbus.
1t is signed by Bertha Honore Palmer. president
OF the Womans Board. ana Virginia c. Meredith.
chairman OF the woman's Committee on Awards
With the exception OF the las; Paris Exposition It
is the first time in the history OF International ex-
positions that skilled labor has received direct recog-
exposition that women have had any Part IN con
rs cfns Of
American exhibits as rule the expert artisan nad
porcelain, except the Royal Worcester. every fine
piece bore the name OF the man or woman whose
genius and skill had made 1t a work OF art. This
was conspicuous the famous Dou,ton pottery.
every piece OF which was marked by the name OF
manufacturers declared they had found 1t altogether
to their interests thus to recognize employees. II
was an incentive the part OF the latter TO excel.
Among American exhibitors at the Columbian Expo
stion. the Tiffanys and Gorhams were the most pro-
nounced in favor OF direct recognition to skilled
labor. Charles L. Tiffany, the head OF the Tiffany
firm believes In II. At the Paris Exposition eight
expert artisans in his employ, whose skill rep.
resented In the Tiffany exhibit received medals.