The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-05-02
NO FAIR NEXT YEAR.
Louisiana Purchase Affair is
Certain to Be Postponed.

St.Louis, May 2.-The following state
ment was given out this evening by
David r. Francis of the Louisiana Pur-
chase exposition:
THE sundry civil bill. which passed
the house several weeks ago, and is now
going through the senate contains an
appropriation of 81 048, 900 to provide for
a government exhibit, a special Indian
exhibit and the additional cost of the
public building at the Louisiana Pur-
chase exposition. It was deemed advis-
able to have the date of the fair de-
finitely fixed in that bill. in the event
any change from 1903 should be decided
on. For many months past the fair has
virtually been prepared for one year
later. A decided majority of the direc
tors prefer 1904 and have for six months
or more. The repeated request of both
domestic and foreign exhibitors for
postponement; advises from foreign
governments to the effect that they had
not sufficient tine in which to make
preparation for a representa- ton IN 1913;
the statement of Governor Taft that the
Philippines would not be able to install
their exhibits in q creditable manner,
if the ex0osition should not be post
poned to 1904; the expressed fear of the
government architect that he could not
procure material for government
building by 1903 and the fact that the
general public have for months past
considered postponement foregone
GOnClQSlOns were SDIilG u lilE ICdSDtio
that moved the executive committee to
authorize me to inform the national
commission that any action of congress
changing the time of the exposition
from 1903 to 1904 would be acceptable.
The telegram from President Carter Of
the National commission has been re-
ceived. Senator COckren wired US that
sundry civil bill would pass the senate
on Saturday and If change OF date
was to be Incorporated therein, congress
should be Immediately advised of wishes
of the local corporation There was not
sufficient time to call meeting of the
board Of directors to take action on the
subject consequently the executive COM
mittee authorized me to express their
wishes to the effect that postponement
should be ordained by congress.
After receipt of Mr. Carriers tele-
gram framed reply setting forth the
conclusion of the executive commission
but before sending the message, made
effort to get the views of every director
in the city over 80 of them have been
consulted, and without an exception
every one favored a postponement. l
have therefore replied to President Car
ter, of the national CON mission, to that
effect and have asked that our conclu-
sion be submitted to congress and to
the president. I think there is no doubt
as to the action congress Will take and
that it will be in favor Of postponemenr.
An additional year of preparation viii
enable us to hold such an exposition as
will be worthy of the great event we
propose to celebrate. 1t will be truly
international in character and will, in
my judgment be participated in by ev-
Hery civilized country on the globe We
have no more time than will be needed
in which to make required preparations
for the proper accommodations of the
thousands of visitors who viii be with
in our gates. Our streets and boule-
wards should be improved, the city wa
ter should be clarified and our city en-
bellished in such manner as viii make
a good impression on the representa-
tives OF every country"