Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1904-05-04
WORLDS FAIR IS NOW OPEN
GATES OF BIG FAIR ARE THROWN
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC,
Foreign Countries Represented-Pres
ident Roosevelt Touched Button that
Put the Machinery In Motion-Fine
Weather Brought Out Large Crowds
of People.

| Worlds Fair Grounds, St Louis
April 30.-Notwithstanding the predic
ton Of the government forecaster, who
prophesied rain for the latter part OF
the day and lowering skies for the
morning. st. Louis put forth her best
and bravest effort in honor Of the
opening Of her great exposition. The
morning was bright. The crowd was
fully as large as that which filed the
grounds one year ago when the expo.
sition buildings were dedicated.
| Promptly at the hour set the Off.
GERS and directors of the exposition,
the members of the national commits
sion and the board Of lady managers
were gathered at the administration
building, where, as rapidly as posi-
BILE, they were formed into q process.
sion and moved to the plaza Of St.
Louis, where the formal exercises were
conducted.
At the head of the column were a
detachment of guards. Then came
the scouts band. followed by the Phil
ippine scouts. an imposing body Of
men, who marched well. Behind them
and leading the ofacers and directors
Of the exposition came Sousa's band.
Following the officers and managers
were the national commission, and last
Of all were the lady managers.
A third column formed of repre-
sentatives of the state and territorial
governments of the union then came.
At the base OF the Louisiana mOnu-
ment small stand had been erected
for the speakers and seats provided for
the listeners. The assemblage was
called to order without delay by Pres
ident ID. r. Francis of the exposition,
who requested the multitude to rise
while Rev. Frank w. Gunsaulus Of Chi
cago delivered the Invocation.
DR.. Gunsaulus concluded his eloquent
invocation with the Lords prayer. In
which the audience Joined. President
Francis. as the chief executive Of the
exposition. then delivered an address.
At the conclusion Of his address
President Francis recognized William
H. Thompson, of the committee on
grounds and buildings, who presented
Isaac S. Taylor. the director Of works.
Mr.. Taylor delivered to President Fran
cis the keys of the exposition and pre-
sented diplomas of merit to the chiefs
Of his staff.
After the rendition of the march
Louisiana" by Sousa's band. Presi-
dent Francis transferred the exposi.
tion buildings to Frederick J. v. Skiff.
the director of exhibits. the perform
ance being emblematic OF the fact that
the buildings had been erected by the
men in charge Of that portion OF the
work and were now ready and waiting.
The grand chorus Hymn Of the
West" was then sung by choir led by
Alfred Ernst. The music Of the hymn
was by John Knowles Payne and Its
words by 4. Clarence Stedman.
| President Francis then introduced
Mayor Rolla Wells Of st. Louis. who
spoke briefly. extending to the people
Of the country cordial welcome to the
exposition.
Hon. Thomas H. Carter. president Of
the national commission. then spoke
on behalf OF the body Of which he is
the head.
| At the conclusion OF Mr.. Carter's ad.
dress President Francis introduced q
member OF the senate. This was Sen.
ator Burnham Of New Hampshire, who
made an address.
| Following him came James A. Taw-
ney OF Minnesota, who spoke for the
national house Of representatives. He
congratulated those who conserved
and accomplished this marvellous re.
suit as a means of celebrating the an.
niversary Of the purchase Of the terri
tory Of Louisiana" ON their magnificent
success.
For the domestic exhibitors, Edward
II. Hartman, president of the New
York commission, delivered an address.
The speakers for the foreign exhib.
ltors was Commissioner General M.
La Grave of France.
The chorus America" was then sung
and the Hon. Mr.. Taft. as the repre-
sentative of the president of the Unit
ed States, delivered the last address
of the day.
The conclusion Of the speech Of
Secretary Taft was the signal for the
opening of the fair. In the White
House President Roosevelt was wait
ing for the signal which was to tell
him that the moment had arrived to
touch the golden key that would open
the fair in earnest and set its mani
fold machinery in full operation.
Machinery Started.
Secretary Taft had not turned to
resume his seat after concluding his
speech before the signal had been
flashed to Washington over the wires
of the Postal Telegraph company. In.
stantly there was a fash which start.
ed the machinery In machinery hall
In operation. Strictly speaking. this
was all that was accomplished by the
presidential touch on the button at
Washington. Operators here were on
the watch for the fash from the White
House. and as quickly as 1t came they
touched the keys which released the
fastenings Of thousands of banners
that were secured to the stats on the
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