The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-04-30

country to erect a pavilion on the ex-
position grounds
Senior Nuncfos had been prevented by
many duties from preparing his ad-
dress IN advance and was compelled
TO speak extemporaneously. He CRATE
fully expressed the thanks of the for
elgn exhibitors for the treatment
which had been accorded them, and
prophesied eloquently for the brilliant
success of the exposition The chorus
OF - America was then sung and
Wllllam k Taft secretary OF war,
acting as the representative of the
president of the United States. deliv-
cred the last address of the day.
The conclusion of the speech of Sec
rotary Taft was the signal for the OPP
enlng OF the fair. In the White House
at Washington, President Roosevelt
was waiting for the signal which was
TO tell him that the proper moment had
arrived to touch the golden key that
would open the fair in earnest and set
tion-
Roosevelt Presses Button
Secretary Taft had not turned to re-
sumo his seat after concluding his
speech before the signal had been flash
ed to washington over the wires OF
the Postal Telegraph company. IN
stantly there was a returning flash
which started the machinery in ma
chinery hall in operation.
Strictly speaking. this was all that
touch on the button at Washington.
Operators here were waiting for the
response from the White House, and
as quickly as it came they touched
the keys which released the fasten-
ings of the thousands of banners that
were secured to the STATS on the roofs
of all the large exhibition palaces.
This portion of the work, as far as
could be seen from any one section
of the grounds, was perfect. Every
banner apparently caught the same
breeze of air and they unfurled and
noated out as one AT the far end of
the lagoon the Louisiana monument
was the place of the cascades.
This portion of the ceremonies had
greater interest for the people than APP
parently any other feature. Hundreds
OF eyes We're focused on the three white
inclineS that extend from the colonades
OF states to the lagoon basin. The first
CLINT of white foam at the summit of
the lnclines was greeted with a ire
mendous cheer which deepened as the
great flood of water came splashing
unanimously down to the lagoon below.
1t was a sight full of beauty and the
great crowd which witnessed it appre-
ciated and applauded to the full.
simultaneously with the rush of the
water all the bands burst forth at
once and into the strains of the Star
Spangled Banner Every man in the
ground uncovered and when the last
strain of the martial song had died
away the exercises were finished and
the exposition proper had commenced.
The first feature of the exposition
was the concessionaires' parade. This
was made up of all the different fea-
lures which will figure on The Pike
during the life of the exposition
The Pike is to the St. Louis expOsi-
ton exactly what 1.-The Midway was
to the Columbian exposition in Chi
cago. The features, though different
in character, furnish practically the
same form of amusement. There
were in this parade some who had
actually been present upon the IA
nous Midway eleven years ago, and
many which had not been seen OF
heard of at that time. The procession
with diverse and unique attractions
gave much pleasure and delight to the
crowds, which cheered it most enthu-
siastically during the entire length
of its line of march.