The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-23
ST. LOUIS WORLDS FAIR.
Its Promoters to UrEe an Approprf-
ntion by Congress-


Of Representatives. 1t is expected that
this hearing will be attended by the
Governors OF most OF the States
in the Louisiana Purchase. and St.
Louis will be represented by large dele
CATION OF its most prominent citizens led
by David r. Francis. former Secretary OF
the Interior. He is the Chairman OF the
Worlds Fair Executive Committee.
This committee was selected by the cen
vention of delegates from all the States
in the Louisiana Purchase held in St Louis
about a year ago. The purpose Of the
convention was to provide for celebrating
the one hundredth anniversary of the
purchase Of the Louisiana Territory by the
United States by holding an international
exhibition of arts, industries. manu-
features. and the products of the soil,
mine. forest, and sea. St Louis being
the largest city in the Louisiana Pur-
chase was designated without dissent as
the proper place for holding this exhi-
bition.
1t was agreed by all participating in the
convention that the Louisiana Purchase
most complete and magnificent exposition
ever held in the United States or In the
world. To make it an exhibition OF this
scope and character it was decided that
at least S15. coo, 900 should be raised. ex-
elusive Of the special appropriation TO tie
made by the States in the Louisiana Pur-
chase for their special exhibits. The dele
gates representing the city Of st. Louis
pledged that city to raise sl0.e0o.OOO Of
the SIS, 900 900 needed. The decision OF
the convention was that the Federal Gov
eminent should be asked to appropriate
the remaining 100000.
In pursuance of these plans the
Executive Committee appointed by the
convention to take charge Of preliminary
arrangements for the fair made plans for
the raising OF the $4,000. 900. which was
to be by the st. Louis contributions. It
was decided that s. 000. 600 of the st. Louis
fund should be raised by popular sub
scription, and that the remaining $1,000
900 should be raised by an increase in the
bonded debt OF st. Louis. To raise the
S5.000,000 by popular subscription hundreds
of committees were appointed to make a
canvass OF the business houses Of St.
Louis. AS a result Of their work nearly
s., 0000 eco has now been subscribed.
In order to increase the bonded debt
of the city OF St. Louis it was necessary
that permission be secured from the State
Legislature for the submission to the peO-
pie of a charter amendment. This per-
mission was secured. and at the same time
it was agreed by the Legislature that a
constitutional amendment should be sub
mitted to the people Of the State which
wou< permit Of an appropriation by the
State of $1,000. 600 for a State exhibit.
Both OF these amendments will be voted
at tho a1arffou ~ ba ha1 uavf M
vember. Unless the exposition can be car
ried out upon the lines which have been
planned the promoters OF it do not desire
that 1t be held
Several weeks ago Speaker Henderson
appointed a special committee to consider
all proposed legislation with regard to the
celebration OF the centennial anniversary
Of the Louisiana Purchase. Representative
Tawney of Minnesota was made chairman
OF this committee. which consists OF eight
other members. five Of whom, besides Mr.
Tawney, are Republicans, and three Of
whom are Democrats. To this committee
has been referred the bill for the Worlds
Fair introduced by Congressman Lane Of
Iowa II is upon this bill thai the hearing
next Friday will be given.
The bill provides for a commission, to be
designated as the Louisiana Purchase Ex-
position Commission, to consist of two
commissioners from each State and Terri
tory of the United States and from the
District Of Columbia. and eight commits
large. - The commissioners from
the States and Territories are to be ap-
pointed within thirty days from the pass
age of the act by the President of the
United States. on the nomination Of the
Governors Of the States and Territories
and the Commissioners Of the District Of
CpIuu1 afe
missiOners- at-large are to be appointed
by the President.
The commission is to be called together
by the SecTetary Of State of the United
States in the city OF st. Louis by notice
to the commissioners. as soon as con-
venient afCei their appointment, and with
in thirty days. The commissioners at this
first meeting will organize by the election
Of such officers and the appointment Of
such committees as they deem expedient
The commission has power, in its discre-
ton. to accept such site for the exposition
as may be offered. The commission will
also allot space for the exhibitors, pre-
pare q classification for exhibits, deter
mine the plan and scope Of the exposition,
and appoint all judges and examiners for
the exposition. award all premiums and
generally have charge CT all Intercourse
with exhibitors and representatives Of for
eign nations. The appointment of a lady
board Of managers is authorized.
All articles which shall be imported from
foreign countries for the sole purpose OF
exhibition at the exposition. upon which
there shall be a tariff or custom duty, shall
be admitted free Of payment Of duty IN
der such regulations as the Secretary Of
the Treasury shall prescribe Such arti-
cles when sold or drawn for consumption
-
the duty which would have been imposed
by the revenue laws in force at the date
Of the importation.
Provision is made for an exhibit at the
exposition by the Government Of the
United States. from it's executive depart
ments, the Smithsonian Institution the
United States Fish Commission. and the
National Museum. OF such articles and ma
terial as illustrate the function and ad-
ministrative faculty Of the Government in
time Of peace and its resources as a war
power; tending to demonstrate the nature
of our institutions and their adaptation to
the wants Of the people. To secure a
complete Government exhibit a board. to
be known as the United States Govern
ment Board shall be created The Secre-
tary of the Treasury is authorized to cause
a suitable building to be erected for the
exhibits at a cost not to ex-
coed the sum of $4,000 The provision
in the bill for the Federal appropriation Of
$1,000 600 is as follows;
That when the Louisiana Purchase Exposition
of lg3 shall have raised TO the satisfaction OF the
Secretary OF the Treasury slUuD.DoU for ani Oh
account Of and iuuu.urating and carrying forward
the said exposition, thou the United States VIII
authorize the expenditure OF the sum Of S71tJol /
f1r said exposition, On De disbur-ed under the d.
rcction Of the Lousiana Purchase Exposition Of
ffutfr rt'a- and regulations Co Dee prescribed