Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-02
IT MUST BE PUT OFF
POsTPoNEMENT OF ST. LOUIS Elk
POSITION.
Secretary Hays Statement to the Sem
ate Inclosing Communications
From officials.

Secretary Hay today sent to the Senate
letter stating the necessity for postponing
the Louisiana purchase. exposition from
1903 to 1904. Inclosed with 1t was a letter
from Chairman Carter of the government
commission and a telegram from President
Francis of the exposition company, show
ing the necessity for the postponement.
Senator Cockrell had the letter read in
the Senate and then offered an amendment
to the sundry civil appropriation bill now
pending in the Senate providing for the
postponement of the exposition in accord
ance with the request.
The postponement amendment provides
for the dedication of the buildings of the
exposition on April 30 1904, for the opening
of the exposition to visitors on the next
day, May l. and for it's closing not later
than December 1 following. The coinage
of S250,0OO in gold dollar pieces to be used
as a souvenir coin is also authorized. the
money thus provided to be a part of the
SJOO0,0OO appropriated by Congress for the
aid of the fair.
Gov. Francis Telegram.
The telegram from D. R. Francis, presi-
dent of the exposition company, is dated at
st. Louis, May 1. and is addressed to T H.
Carter, president of the national Louisiana
purchase exposition commission. 1t is as
follows:
IN view of the conditions to which you
call attention, and in the light of all the
facts within the knowledge of this COM
pany, it is very clear that. while the build
ings be completed the respective states
and territories and both foreign and do
nestle exhibitors cannot within the present
time limit construct the necessary build
ings and install exhibits upon the scale
commensurate with their desires and the
magnitude of the exposition enterprise.
The scope of the exposition is enlarging
from day to day. We are in continuous
ceipt of expressions from remote countries
manifesting desire to participate In the
exposition If more time can be had for
preparat ton. We feel that no effort should
be spared to fully meet the expectation of
this and other countries to the character
of this eXpositioH and that it should in
every respect be worthy of the great event
which 1t is held to commemorate. We can
use one additional year of preparation to
great advantage. 1t Is therefore in the
judgment of the company desirable that
the time for opening the exposition be ex-
tended one year, If such course meets the
approval of the government. and 1 am au-
thorized by the executive and the directors
to request that you present these conclu-
sons to the President and TO the Secretary
of State for transmission to Congress"
Chairman Carter's Letter.
Chairman Carter explains in his letter that
Mr.. Francis telegram is In reply to an in
quiry from himself. Mr.. Carter corrobo-
rates the statements made by Mr.. Francis
and adds: According to authorized facts
and reasonable probabilities. $40. 900. 900 will
be expended within the exposition grounds
for construction by the United States gov
eminent, foreign governments the EXPOSE
ton company. the states. the territories
and cOncessionaires. With the labor and
manufacturing forces of the country now
IN demand to their full capacity, it Is clear
that the successful marshaling Of the neces-
sary labor and material for the completion
OF this great task within, not to exceed, ten
months of fair weather, is questionable
and if accomplished will surely involve
wasteful expense and leave little time for
the proper installation of exhibits.
He, therefore, as president of the Louisi-
ana purchase exposition board, recon-
mends the transmission of the proposition
to Congress-