The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-09-15
PEOPLE MUST AID WORLDS FAIR
COMMISSION.
IN NEED OF MORE MONEY
President Mantle Makes Suggestions
to the Executive Committee Re-
sardins Several Matters.

Because OF sickness the Honorable
Lee Mantle, president of the Montana
commission of the Louisiana Pur-
chase exposition, was unable to attend
either of the executive committees
two meetings held last week, the first
last Friday in this city, and the Sec
ond the following day at Butte. He
submitted the following communica-
ton, the committee acting on the sew
eral recommendations contained
therein:
To the Executive Committee of the
Montana Worlds Fair Commissions:
Gentlemen: I regret beyond meas
sure that a sudden and rather severe
illness prevents my melting you and
sharing in your deliberations. The
primary object of this meeting of the
executive committee is for the pur-
pose Of opening the bids for the con-
struction of the Montana state build
ing at st. Lauis and the awarding of
the contract for the same. This be-
ing disposed of, there are other mat
tiers relating to the work of the com
ton.
Careful Estimates Necessary.
In anticipation of this meeting, l
wrote to the various gentlemen having
in charge the several exhibits, sug-
costing that they make out a report
for presentation to the committee, and
that in their reports they should state
what progress has been made, and
should also furnish estimates showing
what amount, in their Judgment, will
be necessary for the work allotted to
them. l also suggested that they es-
innate as nearly as possible the
amount of space which in their judg-
ment will be required for the various
exhibits at st. Lauis. In this con
nection / beg to suggest that while it
is imperative, of course, that we Sc
cure all the space required, at the
same time it will be unwise to ask for
more than we need. l understand
from the heads of the several depart
ments at st. Louis that the requests
for space in the various buildings al
ready far exceed their capacity, which
is another reason why we should make
as close an estimate as possible and
as early as possible. The more space
we use, the greater, of course, will be
the expense of maintaining and keep
ing it filled. This is a very important
item to keep in mind, especially when
considering the horticultural exhibit.
Railway Arrangements.
Following the instruction of the
committee, I have had some consider.
able correspondence with the various
railroads running through the state
upon the subject of freight rates and
transportation for those employed in
gathering exhibits. The Oregon Short
Line Railroad company has met our
request in a very friendly spirit. II
has already issued annual transpOrta-
tion for four or five of our agents and
has signified its willingness to grant
trip transportation when specially ap-
piled for. | have not yet arrived at
any satisfactory understanding with
the other railroads, although from con-
v~ersations had with the agents repre-
senting them very recently | think
there is very little doubt that they
will meet the requests of the commits
sion in a spirit of fairness and liber-
ality.
In my correspondence | have striven
to impress upon the railway compan-
les the necessity for Immediately
granting us the free freight rate within
state lines, for the purpose of gather
ing and assembling u exhibits at
once at some common point, for Ill
innate shipment to st. Lauis, so that
we might be doing this work as fast
the exhibits can be secured and
without unnecessary delay.
/ beg to say that Mr.. David G. Muir
ray, general manager of the Rocky
Mountain Bell Telephone company,
has kindly placed at the disposal OF
|khe commission for it's use in worlds
E4kfr business, 500 worth of coupons.
The Historical Exhibit.
beg to submit herewith a letter
from Mrs. Laura Howey, who is in
Charge of the historical library at
Helena Mrs. HoWey took a very act
i've part in the Chicago exposition OF
1893. and accumulated some expert
ence which / think will be valuable to