The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-05-04
WORLDS FAIR READY TO Open.
Outline of the Simple but I'm
pressive Opening Ceremonies.

ST.. Louis, Mo-. april 29.-At noon
tomorrow the Louisiana Purchase
EXPOSITION, upon which months of
labor and millions of dollars have
been expended. will become an accom-
plished fact. The great fair will be
opened with exercises of simple, but
impressive, character. The completed
programme for the ceremonies is as
follows:
9 a. m.-The board OF directors of
the Worlds Fair. the members Of the
natl cnal commission, the board of lady
managers will meet in the Office Of
President Francis at the Administra-
tion building, where President Francis
will receive the special gavel.
$40 a. m.-The entire party will be
escorted to the Louisiana Purchase
monument, where they will be joined
by the foreign commissioners, who will
assemble earlier at the British pavil-
ion; and the Governors of States and
State commissions and committees,
who will first assemble at the United
States Government building Secre-
tary Taft, as the representative Of
Pres dent Roosevelt, will he escorted
to the exposition grounds by a mil
itary guard. The committees from
the United States senate and the
house Of representatives will have es-
corts provided who will meet them
at their respective hotels.
0.30 a. m.-Presioent Francis will
call the assemblage to order, and the
invocation will be made by the Rev.
Frank W. Gunsaulus, of Chicago.
An address by President Francis will
follow
William H. Thomson, chairman of
the Committee on Grounds and Build
ings, will present Isaac S. Taylor,
Director of Works. The latter will
deliver the keys of the several exhibit
palaces to President Francis.
The transfer of the exhibit palaces
to F. J. v. Skif, Director of Ex-
hibits, will then be made. Mr.. Skif
will deliver an address.
Address by Thomas Fl. Carter, pres
ident of the national commission.
Addresses by a senator and repre-
sentative in behalf of the Congressional
committees.
Address on behalf of domestic ex-
hibitprs by Edward H. Hartman,
president Of the New York State Com
mission.
Address by William H. Taft, secre-
tary of War.
At the conclusion of Secretary Taft's
address, President Roosevelt will press
an electric button in the East Room
of the White House at Washington,
which will start all the machinery
Of the Worlds Fair IN motion.
3 p. m.-Opening of "The Pike, S"
Immediately after "a .sparade of all
natio1s,'' in which all the strange
people Of the Pike attractions will
take part.
The people of st. Louis today get
clear idea of the conditions that
will confront them during the next
six months. Passenger trains by
the score rolled in all day, Governors
and Governors stats and other distin-
guished visitors poured through the
gates il what seemed a never-ending
stream. The visitors whoi wore no
gold lace and came merely to see,
arrived by the tens of thousands.
They came from all parts of Missouri,
Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky,
Tennessee, Arkansas Oklahoma,
Indiana and other States and Terri
tories still more distant. It vas the
first day Of the coming rush, and it
came :a::tL.e tidal wave. Everybody
was cared for promptly. All the dis
tinguished guests were met by escorts
an escorted to quarters previously ser
apart for their comfort and entertain
ment. Those of the multitude who
had made no previous arrangement for
rooms were compelled to hunt for
what they wanted. The hotels were
full, but not overcrowded. Hundreds
of visitors sought cheaper acccmoda-
tions a; boarding houses and rooming
houses. The bureaus of information
established at the railway stations
and other public places were kept busy
answering questions and providing
quarters for those who applied for
them.
The. exposition grounds resembled'
veri;able bee hive of industry
Hundreds and hundreds of workmen
we're literally working with their
coats of getting things in spick and
span Sudpc lOI 1uO OpOuiuS ooJ. ~
small army was employed in clearing
the grounds of debris and rubbish,
hundreds of others were putting the
finishing touches to the decorations
and the arrangements for illumination,
while still others of a countless NUN
Der swarmed through the great build-
ings ard gave their attention to the
final preparation of exhibits. The
Pike, also was a scene Of activity.
From ell indications this part of the
great fair will be ready tomorrow with
nearly every one of its many and in
teresting features in completed state.
Another busy lot of men today were
the fire and police forces upon whom
will devolve the welfare and protec
ton of visitors and exhibits in the ex
position grounds. Fire houses and
police stations are located in various
parts Of the grounds and experts who
have examined the arrangements along
this line declare that no previous ex-
position has provided such ample pro-
lection.