Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-04-30
WORLDS FAIR.
St. Louis Thrown Open to
Whole World, Today.
Thirty Thousand Men Apply Finishing
Touches to Grounds.
...,s;ve Pro1ram Planned for Open
ing Oay-Detsiis.

.;aht il prepared. for, the greatest
80, her history. Tomorrow, at noon,
49, rreat exposition, upon which the
a.. t,s lavished millions of money,
',bicb her people have devoted years
- ,bair best endeavor and for which
~ have Ia bored 18th Infinite patience.
III no thrown open to the world.
An of today and all of tonight tn.
,.o,,,c have worked to accomplish this
md and the things that always remain
a. n. done at the last moment. AT the
.xncs;tion grounGs 10000 men have
worked all day putting the hnal touches
.,,on the grounds buildings, sidewalks,
cleaning buildings, renewing. scaHoio-
ND arranging exhibits. This work
viii continue until dawn and it is con-
1dentIy expected that when the 1alr
onens at noon, tomorrow, everything
viii have been done to advance the
work TO the farthest limit of prepara-
ton
In the downtown districts and in the
,aeidcnco districts the decorations are
,rofuse and beautiful. There Will be
romparatively little of the glitteriEg
r,araant that marked the dedication eX-
ercisns a wear ago. but the ceremonies
preceding the formal opening VIII lie
rome the loss interesting.
AIS 4. NJ. all the high dignitaries OF
thn exposition will meet at the Admin
:.,ratinr building and headed ny b';ni
will march to the Plaza Of St. Louis,
in the center OF the exposition grounds
Representatives of foreign govern
ments will meet at the Hall of Con-
~ hInr and i'll tlnNn
their parade to the plaza SO as to ar
rive 1T the same n.Cmcnt the exposition
officials march in from the opposite
direction. 1T the same time repre-
sentatives of state and territorial gov
ernments will enter the plaza from
third avenue having previously forret
at the United State, building.
After the gathering has been for
maiIy called to order by President
Francis, Rev. Frank W. Gunsaulus of
chicago will deliver the invocation. AT
the conclusion of the prayer Director
of Works Isaac S. Taylor will deliver
the keys of the buildings to President
Francis. who in turn. will transfer the
buildings to Frederick j. V. Skiff. TIE
director of exhibits
The chorus Hymn Of the West" the
words by Edmund Clarence Stedman
and mIsir bv John Knowles Paine. will
then be sung and addresses will be
made by the following gentlemen:
Mayor Wells Of St. Louis; Hon.
Thomas 7. Carter, president of the
natiopqT commissions; Senator Henry
Rurnii4m of New Hampshire, in behalf
ossha United States Sen ate; Congress
4 nF Ninnacnt1
for the national House Of Representa-
tivcS, Commissioner General Albira Rs
Nunco Of Mexico in behalf Of the for
cigr commissioners r. Fl. Hartman
OF Now York for tn" exhibitors.
The last speech of the day will be
l,y Secretary Of War VIM. II. Taft. and
at its conclusion the signal will be
:-ivcn to President Roosevelt in the
White House, the golden key will be
pres I'D. the cascades will send dos II
their fools. the thousands Of banners
will be unfurlrd and the great Louisi :
ana Purchase Exposition win be opcE
Ia the WorlG.
II is expected that an, enormous;
crowd will attend the exposition. as
excursion trains are coming. in by the
score ana tomorrow will be officially
leclarcd a legal holiday by Mayor
Well%.
Among tho distinguished visitors 20
arrive. today, were Secretary of War
VIM. u. Taft, " no represents the Pres
idcnt. ard Con. A. Il. Chafee. They
reached III" city ut S o'clock. tonight
and were met by Gen. Bates. President
Francis and other officials.
The special CongresSir nal train bear
Ing i0a persons, including the commit
tee OF the House of Representatives
appointed TO attend rhe opening exer-
rises, ais" arril cd. tonight as did gov
'rn"rs from / number of states and
'cve'al notable foreign visitors.
During the day the United States
%uhho1t Nashville and the torpe do boat
destroyer Lawrence. which will repre-
''ht the navy at the fair. arrived ir
- Louis harbrr. Although the boats
arrived at an hour somewhat uneXpect-
ed, which caused disarra nge,nent Of
llans tor a more elaborate dcmonstra
non by thousands who had planned t.
so down the river to meet them. the
greeting TO the craft was nevertheless
httinS. AS the ships came into tn.
hirtor they We're greeted by choru!
"i Whistles and shouts of welcome
from crowds on excursion steamers
Saiutes were fired. after which a dele
CATION of Worlds Fair officials. includ
ing members of the reception commit
lee, left their yachts ard boarded tIi
Nashville. Commander John Hubbar,
received the party. and after comm,
ashore, went to the City hall. wher
he was formally recei, ed by Mayo
WnHs No,
Gals. Later Commander Hubbard wa
received by President Francis
E.