New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-01
FEATURES OF THE FAIR.
It's Inception and Cost-Countries
Represented and Exhibits.


transportation facilties-in fact q. complete con-
centration Of arts. manufactures and products
OF the soil, mine. forest and sea-had its incep-
ton in 1898, and was completed in April. 1904.
The exposition commentaries the centennial or
the purchase from France. in 1903, by the United
States, Of the vast strip Of territory stretching
from the Gulf Of Mexico to the Dominion Of
Canada, and extending from the Mississippi
River to the crest Of the Rocky Mountain range,
and known as "The Louisiana Purchase Terri
tory"
INCEPTION OF THE WORK.
In the early part Of 1898 an editorial was pub
Iished in a st. Louis paper to the effect that the
centennials Of the great events in the history Of
the United States were not all over, and predict
ing that the greatest was yet to be hsld-the
centennial of the acquisition Of the Louisiana
Territory. This editorial was taken UP in the
press and commented on, resulting in organized
agitation by the Missouri Historical Society. The
desire for a commemorative centennial became
so general that in response to public sentiment
Governor Stephens. OF Missouri issued a call
for a convention OF delegates, representing the
States and Territories embraced in the louisiana
Purchase Territory, to be held in st. Louis on
January 10, 1899. The convention was attended
by ninety-three delegates appointed by the re-
spective Governors. and it unanimously
voted TO hold exposition. international in its
scope in st. Louis The convention extended
an invitation to the United States government
to assist in the enterprise. and appointed an
executive committee. with David r. Francis as
chairman, and also committee Of fifty repre-
sentative citizens OF st. Louis to cooperate in
the work. Plans were devised for raising money
to build the exposition buildings and defray the
general expenses and it was fixed that $4,000
900, the amount paid for the territory, should be
raised, one-third by private subscription, one
third to be paid by the city. and one-third to be
asked from the United States government.
AID FROM THE GOVERNMENT.
The committee was increased in membership
to two hundred and work Immediately begun.
Congress passed a bill June 4. 1900, promising
government support and 100000 appropria-
ton II the citizens Of ST. Louis raised 100000
0O0 On January IL 1901, it was announced
that the st. Louis popular subscription list by
the sale Of stock, reached S50O00O0 and on
January 80, 1901. an ordinance passed by
the Municipal Assembly authorizing the issuance
Of city bonds to the amount of S5,000.0O0. The
bill appropriating $5.O00.00O was passed by the
House of Representatives February 9. and
by the Senate on March g. and the sum Of $15,-
100000 was assured. President Mckinley I'M
signed the bill and on March II. 1901.
Ine "a AA4llS A4SAIi-
bers. It was then decided to open the EXPOSE
ton on April 80, 1908. Oficers were elected. the
was incorporated, and the site for the
exposition was e"osen IN Forest Park, vast
natural park in the southwestern border Of ST.
Louis. Trees were felled, some hills were lew
elled. the course OF the River Des Peres which
ran through the park was in part changed. and
the enterprise was under way by the time that
on August 20, 1901, President Mckinley issued
a proclamation addressed to all the nations Of
the world and extending them, an invitation 20
take part in the Worlds Fair. Acceptances re-
ceived indicated the Official participation Of
nearly all the civilized governments Of the world.
SITE AND BUILDINGS.
The site was made ready. embracing 1.24O
acres Of ground, practically an area two miles
long and mile wide requiring six miles of
fence to inclose IT. The Worlds Columbian Ex-
position at Chicago embraced $50 acres. the
Paris Exposition in 1900 occupied 1856 acres
the Pan-American at Buffalo 800 acres
the Centennial at Philadelphia 236 acres and
the mississippi at Omaha $50 acres The
Chicago Exposition buildings covered 200 acres
while over 25O acres are covered with buildings
at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. The
main exhibit palaces at ST. Louis have under
roof 12S acres. Those at Chicago covered 50
acres. at Buffalo 10 acres and at Omaha
acres.
As the time passed and the exposition in
creased In magnitude the enthusiasm for the
project correspondingly increased Additional
appropriations for the erection of buildings and
exhibits were made by the United States gov
Missouri alone appropriated $1,000
600; foreign nations increased their original an
preparations and asked for larger allotnents of
space for their exhibits, and the exposition was
practically replanned the most liberal basis.
1t finally became apparent that the immensity
Of the enterprise would preclude its compilation
and formal opening to the world on the date
set. April 30, 1903 and the tine was
extended one year and officially announced.
On April 80. 1903, twenty months after the
first stake for the location of the exposition
buildings had been driven the exposition was
more than half completed. and on that day was
officially dedicated to its memorial purpose by
President Roosevelt and other national officials
and officers Of the exposition company. Some
OF the smaller buildings had been erected, most
Of the large exhibit palaces had been completed
although Machinery Hall and the Transporta-
ton Building. two Of the largest on the grounds
had Just been begun, and Mexico had the only
national pavilion on the grounds
In the dedication ceremonies ex-President
Cleveland also took part. In the years addi-
tlonal time granted. every effort was made 10
hurry the "OIh u complexion OF the eXposi- |
ton, and TO collect and rush forward the ex-
hibits to be installed from the four quarters Of
the earth. In the exposition grounds the force
Of five thousand workmen was constantly aug
mented. until twenty thousand were daily en-
gagged in rushing the work to a finished termina-
ton
COST ALMOST 100000.
At the opening, excepting in a few minor de- |
tails. the Louisiana Purchase Exposition stands |
practically completed. at a cost OF almost $50