Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-05-08
THE WORLDS FAIR.
A Majority Of the Directors Prefer
Its Postponement Until 1904
STATEMENT OF PRESIDENT FRANCIS.
Both Domestic and Foreign Exhibitors
Ask for Postponement, Because There
Il Not Sufficient Time to Make .
Good Representation In 1908.

statement was given out yesterday
evening by President David R. Fran
els, Of the Louisiana Purchase Expo
sition company:
1.-THE sundry civil bill, which passed
the house several weeks ago and is
now going through the senate, con-
tains an appropriation Of $l,04s,0Oo
to provide for government exhibit,
= special Indian exhibit and the ad-
ditional cost Of the government
building at the Louisiana Purchase
exposition. 1t was deemed advisable
to have the date of the fair def
nltely fixed in that bill, in the event
any change from 1903 should be de-
cided on. For many months past the
fair has virtually been postponed for
one year. A decided majority Of the
directors prefer 1904, and have for
six months or more. The repeated
request of both domestic and foreign
exhibitors for postponement; ad-
Vices from foreign governments to
the effect that they had not suffi-
cient time in which to make prepare
ton for a representation in 1908;
the statement of Gov Taft that the
Philippines would not be able to in
stall their exhibits in a creditable
manner if the exposition should not
be postponed until 1904; the ex-
pressed fear of the government arch
itect that he could not procure ma
terial for a government building by
1908, and the fact that the general
public have for months past consid-
cred postponement a foregone con-
clusion, were some of the reasons
that moved the executive committee
to authorize me to inform the ma
tional 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, was received at $3.50 this
afternoon. Senator Cockrell wired
us this afternoon the sundry civil
bill would pass the senate on Satur-
day and if "A change of date was to
be incorporated therein congress
should be Immediately advised OF
the wishes of the local corporation.
There was not sufficient time in
which to call a meeting of the board
of directors to take action on the
subject, consequently the executive
commission authorized me to express
their wishes to the effect that post
ponement should be ordained by
congress.
after receipt Of Mr.. Carriers tele-
gram framed a reply, setting forth
the opinion of the executive COM
mission, but before sending the
message made effort to get the views
of every director in the city. Up to
this hour over SO of them have been
consulted, and without an exception
every one favored postponement.
have therefore replied to President
Carter, of the national commission.
to that effect and have asked that
our views be submitted to congress
and to the president. | think there
is no doubt as to the action congress
will take, and that it will be in favor
of postponement. An additional year
of preparation will enable us to hold
such an exposition as will be worthy
of the great event we propose to
celebrate. 1t will be truly interna-
tional in character, and will, in my
Judgment, be participated in by every
civilized country on the globe. we
have no more time than will be need
ed in which to make required prepa-
rations for the proper accommoda-
ton of the thousands of visitors
who will be within our gates. Our
streets and boulevards should be i'm
proved, the city water should be
clarified and our city embellished in
such a manner as will make a good
impression on the representatives OF