New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-01
THE OPENING EXERCISES.
Fast Cro5cd on the Grounds-Taft
Makes the Principal address.

St. Louis. April 3O-The Louisiana Purchase
Exposition was formally opened at 1904 o'clock
this afternoon. with the ringing OF bells. the
music OF bands. the strains Of THE Star Span
gled Banner" sung by a thousand voices and the
cheers Of the greatest throng ever assembled in
st. Louis.
Although the Weather Bureau predicted rain
in the latter part OF the day and lowering skies
in the morning, st. Louis pat forth her best and
bravest efforts IN honor OF the opening OF tho
great exposition. The morning was bright and
the most was made OF It. The official hour for
the beginning Of the exercises was o'clock.
when the officials Of the exposition. members OF
the National Commission and the Board OF Lady
Managero were 10 meet at the Administration
Building. Long before this time the grounds
were filed with nearly half the population OF the
city, and the remainder were apparently throng
ing to the grounds. To the many thousands Of
the-local population were added the crowds who
came on excursion trains last night and this
morning. Although no special effort wes made
by the management TO secure a large attend
ance on the opening day, the crowd was fully as
great as that which filled the grounds a wear
ago. when the exposition buildings were dedI-
Gated.
PROCESSION IN THE GROUNDS.
Promptly at the hour set the exposition orB-
clals national commissioners and the hoard
of lady managers assembled at the AdmInistra-
tion Building, where they were formed into n
procession and marched TO the Plaza OF St
Louis, In the centre Of the grounds where the
formal opening exercises took place. At the
head OF the column was detachment of the
Jefferson Guards who are to do police duty in
the exposition grounds Then came the Pbilfp
pine Scouts band, followed by the PhIippine
scouts, good looking body OF men. who
marched we'll. Behind them, and leading the 1
officers and directors Of the exposition. came
sousa's Band. Next were the members of the
national commission and last of all. the board
OF lady managers. some OF whom were on foot.
while others took carriages.
As the column entered the plaza long line of
representatives Of foreign governments. who had
assembled in the Hall of Congresses, came pour
ing into the plaza from another avenue This
column was headed by a detachment OF Jefferson
Guards followed by band At the head OF
the line. Immediately behind the nusiciaps-I
We're the members of the exposition COMMITTEES
on foreign relations. and then came commits
sioners and representatives OF foreign govern
ments which have ambassadors to the United
States. marching in the order OF presentation
of credentials to the exposition. Next came
representatives Of governments having ministers
accredited to the United States. and then a
great number of other representatives of foreign
governments and colonies. also in the order Of
the presentation OF their credentials to the ex-
position. This column presented by far the |
gayest appearance Of the day. for the foreigners
made a prodigal display of gold lace and bright /
colors. in contrast to the black silk hats and /
dark frock coats worn by the officials of the ex-
position. A third column was formed OF repre-
sentatives of the States and Territories.
Those who took part in the exercises quickly i
took their places at the base of the louisiana
Monument. where small stand had been erect
ed for the speakers and seats provided FOR the /
listeners The asseHl5lage was called TO order
without delay by David r. Francis. president OF
the exposition company. who requested the au-
dience to rise and the Rev. DR. Frank ". Gun
sauIus Of Chicago. delivered the invocation.