The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-05-01
OPENING OF THE BIG SHOW. Exercises Are Smoothly
 Carried Out. IDEAL WEATHER PREVAILS Roosevelt Gives the signal
 at lz:l5 O'clock. Program Had Not Been Completed, However, and It Was 1:o4 Be- fore the Opening Ceremonies
 Were Completed.
IDEAL WEATHER PREVAILS

St. Louis. April se.--Representing a larger expenditure than any similar enterprise heretofore attempted in this country, greater in its ambition and wider in its scope than any previous effort Of its kind, the Louisiana Pur- chase Exposition was formally open ed to-day.
 The inaugural exercises could hard- iy have been improved upon. They were simple and were carried through with out delay. The weather, notwffhstand- ing the pessimistic. predictions of the Weather Bureau. which promised a gloomy morning. a threatening noon and rainy evening, was without flaw No fairer day from dawn to sunset could have been hoped for.
 The handling of crowds, the guart- ing of enclosures sacred to the partici- pants In the exercises, and the police work generally, could not have been bettered. This work was in the hands of officers of the regular army, who directed the exposition guards in all their duties.
 Program Too Long.
 Extreme care had been taken in the. arrangements of the days program. Its length had been calculated to a nicety that all things might be finish ed exactly at noon. but as Is usually such, cases, the program dragged out beyond its expected time. It was arr ranged that President Roosevelt should press the button at exactly 12 o'clock, but when that hour arrived, several of the addresses had not been completed. At approximately I2:15 o'clock, St. Louis. time, in order that his time might not be encroached upon, the sig nal was given to President Roosevelt that all things were ready.
 His response Aas quick and in few seconds came the answering touch over the wire from the White House. This officially opened the exposition, but 1t was determined to conclude the pro- gram and the signal for the actual opening. the unfurling of the fiaRs the ringing of bells and the operation of the great cascades. was not given by Director of Works Taylor until .o4 II was several minutes later than that when President Francis of tine exposi- tlon Committee. announced that the fair was opened to the world.
 Francis A Little Late.
 He made the declaration with a laugh, for the bands were playing, the crowds were cheering and the people were scrambling from their seats to watch the rise of the curtain on the drama, with its prologue of five years, they were all waiting. The time that Director of Works Taylor waved his baton with the fluttering ribbon of white as a signal for the actual open ing, the exposition as the epitome of human achievement, was the thing with the people. and speeches of men were in the background.
 The Official Hour.
 The official hour for the commence ment exercises was o'clock, at which time the officials of the exposition. members of the National Committee and of the Board of Lady Managers, were scheduled to meet at the administration building.
 Long before this time the grounds were filled with nearly half the popu- lation of the city of St. Louis and the remainder apparently was thronging to the Exposition grounds.
 To the many thousands of the local population were added many more who came in on excursion trains last night and this morning. Although no special effort was made by the management of the Exposition to secure a large at- tendance for the opening day, the crowd was fully as large as that which filled the grounds one year ago. when the Ex- position buildings were dedicated with so much pomp and ceremony.
 Marched to the Plaza.
 Promptly at tn hour set the officers and directors of the Exposition, the members of the National Commission and of the Board of Lady Managers were gathered at the administration building where as rapidly as possible they marched to the plaza of St. Louis in the center of the grounds, where the formal exercises of the opening were conducted.
 At the head of the column was a de- tachment of Jefferson Guards who are to do police duty within the exposition while it continues. Then came the Phil ippine scouts, an imposing body of men Behind them and leading the officers and directors of the exposition came Sousa' $ band.
 Following the officers and directors were the members Of the national com mission, and last of all the board of lady managers some of whom went on foot while others preferred the more luxurious method of riding In carriages.
 All Nations Represented.
 As the column from the administration building entered the plaza a long line formed of representatives of foreign gov. ernments which had assembled in the han of congress came pouring into the plaza from another avenue
 This column was also beaded by A de. tachment of the Jefferson Guards foI. lowed by a band.
 At the head of the line immediately behind the music were the members of the exposition committee on foreign re. lations
 Then came commissioners and repro. sentatives of foreign governments which have ambassadors accredited to the Uni. ted States, marching in the order Of pre- sentation of credentials to the exposition
 Following these came representatives Of governments having ministers accredit- ed to the United States government, and then a great number of other represents a. lives of foreign governments and colo nies alsc in the order of presentation oi their credentials to the exposition.
 Gold Lace Predomlnated.
 This column presented by far the gayest appearance of the day. for the foreigners made prodigal display fof gold lace and bright colors in glitter ing contrast to the black silk hats and dark frock coats which were so promi-