Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-12-08
EXHIBITION A SUCCESS

st. Louis, Dec. 1.-The Louisiana
Purchase exposition, commcmoratins
the Tooth anniversary of the purchase
of the Louisiana territory has ended
The duration Of the exposition has
been seven months, during which time
nothing has occurred to have a damp
cnng effect on the interest or to de-
tract from the affair in any way.
St. Louis has proffercd her most
gracious hospitality to the world and
it has been accepted. Tho opinion ever
has been expressed that tie exposition
has been success
The man probably most prominently
known in connection with tho Worlds
Fair is the president, David II. Francis.
and it was deemed fitting that the final
day should be designated as Francis
day" in his honor,
This xposition has been the work Of
This exposition has been the work OF
Tt has consumed my entire time Tor
the past four years, but every hour has
been an hour of plas to me. ] have
exhausted my stock of adjcctives in
trying to describe this fair. 1t is as
difficult to do it justice as it is to paint
the lily"
The closing exercises were held at
the Louisiana Purchase monument in
the Plaza OF st. Louis. where were held
seven months ago the exercises that
formally opened the fair
Tho principal speeches delivered woro
by Governor Dockery of Missouri and
President Francis. Mayor Wells SPOKE
briefly and introduced the governor, who
referred to "tho kindly feeling expressed
toward this exposition ~ tho President
of the United States saying:
I'm the execution of this exposition We
have been Americans and not partisans.
We have united In doing everything pos
sihle to contribute towards its success.
md the President has shown unqualified
interest throughout"
The introduction of President Francis
was greeted with an ovation of cheering.
The speaker referred to the spirit of co..
operation which had prevailed through
out the years of preparation for the fair,
as we'll as during it's progress and he
said he was proud of the fact that tho
exposition had been successful.
After the cheering following President
Francis'S speech had died away F"stus
]. Waie of St Louis, a member OF tho
board of directors presented to Presi-
dent Francis n beautiful silver service
as a token of esteem from the exposition
management. a similar gift WAS present
ed to Treasurer VIM. H. Thompson
Promptly at four o'cloch all the great
exhibit palaces were closed and visitors
were secluded. In tn" palace of agricul-
tlro onslaughts were made on some oi
tho exhibits whore the settings were com
posed of straw and fragile material, and
for tirnc general demolition was
threatened. but prompt action prevented
il.
AS the nisht drew on throncs con.
centratoI in the main avenues to view
for the last time tho magnificent electric
illumination. Tho Pike was crowded from,
cnd to end
steadily the white electric bulbs
silhoucttcd the exhibit palaces against
the night, periodically tho iliumina :
ton of the terrace Of states surmount
ing Festival hill changed from white
to red. then To green. and then back
to white. Over on agricultural knoll
the great floral clock clicked off the
minutes Of the departing pageant. And
massive bell as the midnight hour was
tolled by the great clock. Instantly a
hush seemed to pcrvade the entire
grounds. The glowing electric bulbs
slowly began dimming the rulsations
OF tn" great engines that drove the
cascades gradually died down The
light faded steadily, diminishing until
but a faint glow was rcrceptible. sud
denly there was darkness, and the
Louisiana Purchase Exposition had
passed into the chronicles OF history
RECEIPTS or slocoooOo
Secretary Walter II. Stevens o. III,
worlds fair tonight estimated that tn,
attendance on "Francs day" Will n,
over 2hooo and that for tho exposition
period viii hc about ls.Soo,0nn.
In round numbers the exposition com,
pany has expended so22,Cr,,Gn stree the in.
ccption of the project and the expendi
lures oc tho several States and rcrritor e.
were S@,om0Io The receipts since tn,
opening day, April 80, have amounted /,
about slo,"0o'D, consisting OF admission.
and concession royalties.
Appropriat ions made hV Congress, the
state Of Missouri and the city Of st
Louis make up the deficiency between
the amount taken In and the expenses
All debts against the company have
been paid with the exception of few
current accounts, SUCH as salaries, etc
and these, II is thought, will consume
nearly all the surplus. so that there
will only be a small amount left for
the stockholders.
The concessionaires OF the Pike and
other parts OF the worlds fair grounds
prOha hlN luNn Il X on IL, NJ Innr4 TIA