New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-20
EXPERIENCE AT ST. LOUIS.
Total Inadequacy Of Preparation Alleged
by d New-Yorker.

To the Editor Of The New-YoTk Tribune.
Sir: It is most ungracious to speak i'll of host.
and perhaps to enter into controversy
with who speaks well of Just what fixed
the point of view of William H. Wiley,
Der of the New-Jersey commission, in relation to
courtesy at the St. Louis Exposition, cannot de-
termine from reading his letter There is no doubt
that the city of st. Louis contains great deal Of
Southern and Western courtesy, and a great many
of her citizens have given evidence OF It which is
much appreciated by the visitors from the East,
but it would not contribute to the truth of history
TO the comfort Of the great majority, believe,
of her citizens themselves to have such i'm
preston as one must gain from reading Mr.. Wileys
letter, partially. obtain.
Speaking not who has attended receptions
abroad held by kings, princes petty dukes but
acquainted with some large functions for
small towns, think safely say that there
never was such total inadequacy of preparation,
great Unpreparedness and lack of order, IN any
notable ceremonial event. great or small, that
witnessed. At the st. Louis Club reception
there was no one to present arriving guests to the
receiving party when I arrived which was in time
to form part of d large attending line Of guests.
Being in company with a lady and eminent
official from New-York, I introduced myself to
President Francis, then presented the lady, then
the eminent official During this operation the
eminent official who formed the right Of line,
naturally swung around toward the line of hosts.
and being nearest to the next host, presented the
lady and then myself and by that time, my end of
the line having swung forward, l repeated, and
thus to the end. 1t all very pleasant and at
the end Of the line found ex-President Cleve-
land. While we had never done just that way be-
fore, we were pleasantly received and had resorted
to this proceeding to avoid being thrown upon our
hosts without any announcement whatever We af-
tervard observed with amusement the tactics
of those who followed which varied according
to the temper and experience Of the guests.
At the reviewing stand there was a pretence OF
assigning guests to the seats for which they held
tickets. You pointed to section and scram-
bled for your seats. As the line of review
long some one discovered that there luncheon
counter where hot coffee and sandwiches could be
had It was in a tent convenient, and so patron
lied After it had been visited by crowds the Presi
dent and his party, the Governors and the diplo-
mats took what there was left
At the Liberal Arts building I had checks for
seats specifying section and number, in the
atre. After nquiring from six attendants, there
being placards to point out the sections found
q boy who said he knew where the section was.
offered him q half dollar II he would show myself
and the lady our seats. On bringing to the
ton, he said the seats not marked, and we
could take any found Occupying two places at
hand and desrably located waited for about
ten minutes. when a great and motley crowd.
without reference to previous or present condition
of servitude, overcame US, and decided to with
draw from the building before it was too late
Succeeding in getting out and enjoying breath of
fresh air, we determined to go upon the grand
stand, which did without difficulty, being of
official party although at that time without tickets.
We found most of the diplomats and Governors
pleased to occupy standing only in front.
congratulated ourselves and enjoyed ourselves for
about ten minutes before the Speechmaking began,
when a great mob containing every variety of the
human species, without tickets and without right,
swept up the centre aisle Of the grandstand from
the front and made it uncomfortable and created
stand itself again withdrew. The Liberal
Arts building Enclosed and seats apparently
well arranged 1t would not have taken a very
large of TO have properly seated all those
having tickets and kept in restraint all those not
having tickets. My recollection is that We were
only able to pass the outer door on the presentation
a ticket Of admission but from the faces saw
in my reighborhood- both on the grandstand and
on the floor. ] should judge that there were parts
the building where attention was paid TO this
rule.
From my conversation with men in St. Louis
I concluded that, while the Worlds FAR Com.
mission had done exceIently UP to the time or
this ceremonial event in advancing the enter
prise they had utterly failed to avail themselves
of the assistance which at hand to PROVIDE Tor
the reception of invited guests or 70 arrange the
details Of the ceremonial which was TO take place
This was q Of great pain and Illumination 10
all with whom / talked Mr.. Wiley Is the hTst one
TO appear in print who would seek 10 create an
other impression. On the whole had very Soo1
time at St Louis If I shall be connected with
another such occasion or lesser occasion OF the
same sort shall make great efforts TO AVOID the
mistakes l there witnessed. 1t has occurred 10 me
that the mistakes great that they are
likely 10 work important cure in the manage
rn@nt of the St Louis Exposition, which l predlct
Will he the grea test Of all eEpositlons. ana wen
worthy Of the patronage of every American
WATERFOWL n Y. May 13 A NEW-4ORhEh.