The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-23
ST. LOUIS WORLDS FAIR.
Its Promoters to Urge nm Appropri-
attOn NV Congress-.


before a special committee OF the House
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 con-
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 hurdredth 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
Centennial Exposition should be made the
most complete and magnificent exposition
ever held in the United States or In the
world. To make 1t an exhibition OF this
scope and character it was decided that
at least SIS. coo, 900 should be raised. ex-
elusive of the special appropriation 10 he
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 $4,000. 900 of
the SIS 900, 900 needed. The decision OF
the convention was that the Federal Gov
eminent should be asked to appropriate
the remaining s5.0OO.000.
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. 000 which was
to be by the st. Louis contributions. 1t
was decided that s., 000. 600 OF the st. Louis
fund should be raised by popular sub
scription, and that the remaining $780,
900 should be raised by an increase In the
bonded debt of st. Louis. To raise the
$4,000. 900 by popular subscription hundreds
of committees were appointed to make
canvass OF the business houses of st.
Louis. As a result of their work nearly
$1,000. 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 H-o-
pie of charter amendment. This per-
mission was secured; and at tn. same time
it was agreed by the Legislature that a
constitutional amendment should be sub
mitted to the people of the State which
wouA permit of an appropriation by the
State of 100000 for a State exhibit.
Both OF these amendments will be voted
upon at the election to be held next No.
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 1t 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 Elk
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
sioners-at-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
Columbia. respectively. The eight COM
missioners- at-large are to be appointed
by the President.
The commission is to be called together
by the Secretary of State of the United
States in the City of st. Louis. by notice
to the commissioners, as soon as con-
venient aftal 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 exhibitor, pre-
pare a 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
in the United States shall be subject to
II han
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 its 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 it's resources as a war
power; tending to demonstrate the nature
of our institutions and their adaptation to
the wants of the people. To secure
complete Government exhibit board, TO
be known as the United States Govern
ment Board. shall be created. che Secre-
tary of the Treasury is authorized to cause
a suitable building to be erected for the
Government exhibits at cost not to ex
coed the sum OF 100000 Tie prov;aion
in the bill for the Federal appropriation OF
s., 600 600 is as follows:
That when the Louisiana Purchase Exposition
of 1g shall have raised TO the satisfaction Of the
Secretary OF the Treasury Sl0,GD0,G00 for and on
account Of and inaugurating and carrying forward
the said exposition, then the United States VIII
authorize the expenditure of the Of 500 900
for said exposition. to be disbuTsed under the d.
rection Of the LouisiAna Purchase Exposition of
1905 under rules and regulations to be prescribed
by the Secretary of the Treasury: Provided how
ever. That the sum Of S5O10,0OO shall not be eN-
pended until the said OF Sl0,Op,0O0 raised
hv said Louisiana Purchase Exposition OF DOB
L. ...r "a a.