The Washington times., 1904-04-30
Presses Golden Key mi
White House at
1:14.30 O'clock.
Starts Flood of Waters
and Machinery in
St. Louis.
Fair Weather Draws
Thousands to the
Grounds.

Promptly at 1:14 80 o'clock the
President standing in the East Rooni
of the White House touched the gol-
den key which started the machiE-
cry of the Worlds Fair.
The same impulse openad the
gates and allowed the waters beneath
the exposition tower to flow over
the cascades.
On the instant the first of a salute
of twenty-one guns thundered from
the steel-throated field piece on the
Monument Lot.
The first to congratulate the Pres
ident after he touched the key was
Secretary Shaw, followed by Repre-
sentative Bartholdt of Missouri, and
Count Cassini, the Russian ambassa-
dor.
The guests assembled in the Blue
Room. whence they nled into the East
Room. preceding the President and
Mrs. Roosevelt. who entered 10 the
strains Of Hail to the Chef. played by
the Marine Band, in the vestibule.
Presidents Address.
Before pressing the key the Prcs'-
dent addressed the assemblage In the
East Room as follows
Il have received from the Exposition,
Grounds the statement that the man
agtnent of the Louisiana Purchase Ex-
position awaits the pressing of the but
ton. which is to transmit the electric
energy which is to unfurI the flag and
start the machinery of the exposition
II wish now to greet all present, ana
| especially the representatives OF the for
eign nations here represented. in the
name of the American people. and 10
| thank these representatives for the parts
| their several countries have taken IN De
| ing represented in this centennial ami
| versary of the greatest step IN the move
/ ment which transformed the American
! republic from a small cOnfederacy or
] States lying along the Atlantic sea-
/ board to continental nation
Progress in Industry.
| This exposition is one primarily In
tended to show the progress in the in
dustry, sciences, ans arts, not only
of the American nation. but of all other
nations, in the great and wonderful GEN.
tury which has Just closed. Every de-
partment of human activity will be rep
resented there; and perhaps l may be
allowed as honorary president Of the
athletic association, which. under Euro
/ pean management. started TO reSive the
memory of the olmypic games. TO say
that l am glad that. in addition TO pay
! ing proper heed TO the progress OF in
| duStry. of science. OF art. we have also
paid proper heed 10 the development OF
the athletic pastimes, which are useful
in themselves. which are useful as
showing that il is wise for nations 10
be able TO relax as well as work
| Il greet you all l appreciate our
having come here on this occasion, and
in the presence OF you. representing the
American Government. and the govern
ments of the foreign nations, here
open the Louisiana Exposition.
AT the conclusion OF his remarks the
President stepped TO the tahl.' whereon
rested the golden key on iss pedestal
and made a strong downward push with
his right thumb.
Congratulations Pour In.
While the President was receiving
congratulations from all those pres
ent TeIegrapher Smithers. of the Bureau
of Telegraphy. was sending and receiv-
ing the following messages:
Letters Exchanged.
The following messages We're inter
changed between President Francis. Of
the exposition, and President Roosevelt:
Exposition Grounds,
st. Louis, so. April 50.
President David r. Francis. president
| of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition,
presents his compliments 10 the PreSl-
dent Of the United States and begs TO
( say that the mana cement Of the Louis
lana Purchase Exposition awaits the
pleasure Of President Roosevelt. who is
to transmit the electrical energy which
is To unfurl the flags and start the ma
chinery Of the great exposition
washington. April 30
u cOngra tulate you and your associ-
ates on this memorable occasion l wish
well to all who have joined in working
for the success -of this great enterprise;
and ON behalf of the American people
greet the representatives OF foreign
countries who have come here 10 CO.
= operate with US in celebrating In appro-
pirate fashion the Tooth anniversary Of
= that event which turned US into cOnti-
mental nation.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
a Simple Movement.