The St. Louis Republic., 1904-12-07
THE EXPOSITION AWARDS.

IL Is unfortunate that any controversy should
have arisen between the Louisiana Purchase Expo
siuon Company and the National Commission over
the awards to exhibitors. 1t is still more unfor-
funate that this controversy should become the oc
casson Of public discussion. Notwithstanding the
controversy, however 1t is apparent that the inter-
ests Of exhibitors will not be disturbed thereby or
intmfousIy affected in any manner
The position Of the Exposition is 80 clearly and
fully sustained by both the letter and the spirit of
the law that the protests Of the National Commis
sion do not appear to have alarmed exhibitors, and
the recipients Of awards seem to be entirely content
Uth The situation It is possible the final certifca
lions of the awards may not carry the engraved au-
tOgraph Of the honorable President Of the National
Commission but that omission will not affect the
authenticity OF the diploma detract from the
; honor II confefs
No exposition has been successful In protect
ing its awards from the blighting influence Of scan
dal or the crushing handicap Of incompetency as
the Louisiana Purchase Opposition And it's sue
cess In this respect grew out Of the splendid Jury
system which q carefully considered set of rules
and regulations created. With the benefit of ex-
pe44eDce and mindful Of the failures Of previous
great expositions, the Louisispa Purchase Exposi-
ti0 proposed to exhibitors scientific code OF laws
governing the determination of awards which be-
came a part Of the contract under which exhibits
;sinsfalled. It was promulgated with the sanc-
ti6h and approval OF the National Commission,
which no more than the Exposition Company can
either lawfully dcccntly raise objections to its
established method of operation at this late day.
Considered from the theoretical standpoint, the
code of rules and regulations governing awards
quite properly received the approval of the National
.Commsston. It was good in theory and It has been
found good IN practical operation Not least Of its
epel pofn1 b that the supreme and nnal power in
sule.mining swards was lodged in . body Of expert
--knoW4odge ard t1lned experience, which could be
sdepsu1A MON 70 work with intelligence, Industry
-a0d mVartialiy IN the performance Of distinctly
fJudicld tnsk. It was wise that the action Of this
Indy should be final and not subject TO review by
either the company or the commission. Neither of
these could directly undertake the onerous detail
work which the Jury system with eminent wisdom
intrusted to the Superior Jury Committee of Five
@--The act Of Congress requires that the awarding
Of prizes shall be done and performed by the Ex-
position Company, subject to the approval of the
National Commission. Until quite recently 1t was
universally understood that the rules and regula-
ticns creating the jury system constituted a full
compliance with the requirements of the law, and
there was no thought of contrary view until near
{ the Close Of the jury work the National Commits
sian snddenly nststed that the work Of the Superior
y ID not dna although the rules distinctly say 1t
sian be. These rules were promulgated months
lfore the Exposition opened, but not until the E1-
position was near the time Of closing fits gates was
there suggestion that the rules said what the law
ltself would not permit Even IL the contention now
raieed b warranted by reading Of the Law,
It would be most inexpedent and unwise course to
i've eject to such technical contention Mt this late
\ hem