, 1904-04-30
The Opening Note a cannon's Boon

The Opening Vote a Cannon's Boom.
Roosevelt touched an electric button in
Washington today. AS he did so the
repor tot a mo was heard here by
the eXpectant multitude. flags unfurled
as if by magic. an avalanche of water
poured down the cascades, the great
power houses started throbbing-and
the Louisiana Purchase exposition was
open to the world.
The opening ceremonies were SO
simple and so plain that they were in
perfect harmony with the methods OF
President Francis and his efficient
aids, but they were at the same time
very impressive. and made a fitting
prelude to one of the most memorable
events in American history. The dedi-
cation ceremonies, a year ago, were at
tended by a military pageant that was
significant t the nations prowess, and
after the baptism of arms m the
sweet presence Of art and science. and
the formal opening today was marked
by the absence of soldiery in uniform.
The place Of rendezvous was the
great plaza to the north Of the Grand
basin and in the shadow of the impos-
ing Louisiana Purchase monument.
At 9 o'clock the board Of directors of
the fair, the members of the national
commission, the board Of lady manag-
ers and other officials met in the ad-
ministration building, where there was
an interesting little ceremony as a pre-
lude to the more important events of
the day. This consisted Of the pre-
sentation to President Francis Of a
gavel with which to call to order the
assemblage Of notables. The gavel
was made Of many pieces Of wood TAX
en- from various trees grown in the
Forest park portion of the exposition
grounds.
President Francis and his party
we're escorted from the administration
building to the scene Of the days cere-
monies, where they were Joined by the
foreign commissioners, who had as
sembled earlier at the British pavilion;
and the governors of states and state
commissioners and committees who
had rounded UP at the United States
government building. Secretary Taft,
as the representative Of President
Roosevelt, was escorted to the grounds
by a military guard, and proper escorts
were furnished also to the members
of congress and other specially invited
guests.
Promptly at half-past ten the exer-
cises of the day began. There was
formality, hardly any display to
attract the seekers Of the picturesque.
and still the program was carried out
amid surroundings and in a manner
all ways appropriate. The cere-
monies were opened with an invoca-
ton by the Rev. Frank w. Gunsaulus
of Chicago. The invocation was fol-
lowed by the rendering of America
by the bands, and an address by the
Hon. D. R. Francis, president of the ex-
position. President Francis was CIV
en- a great ovation. In a brief address,
he reviewed the history of the expo
sition enterprise from its inception to
the supreme moment now at hand,
eulogizing the work of his colleagues
and praising the public spirit of the
citizens of St. Louis in general. He
set forth the objects Of the exposition
to be to commemorate the past, pre-
sent the advantages of the present, and
inspire hope for the future-the past,
the present, the future of America and
the whole world. Loud and continu-
GUS cheering followed the conclusion
of President Francis remarks, and the
band struck up THE Star-Spangled
Banner amid tumultuous cheering
and waving Of hats and handkerchiefs.
William H. Thompson. chairman of
the committee on grounds and build
ings, stepped to the front of the speak
er's stand and introduced Isaac l.. Tay-
Continued on PAGE 2O