Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-04-30
TOday's Telegraphic News
The Worlds Fair.


port of a cannon was heard here by the
expectaut multitude, flags unfurled as
if by magic, an avalanche ofwater poured
down the cascades, the great engines and
the machinery palace and power houses
started throbbing-and the Louisian;
Purchase Exposition was open to the
world.
The opening ceremonies were simple.
The dedication ceremonies, year ago,
were attended by a military pageant,
but 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 imposing
Louisiana Purchase Monument. At 8
o'clock the board of directors OF the fair,
the members of the national commission,
the board of lady managers and other
officials met in the Administration Build
ing, where there was an interesting little
ceremony as prelude to the more i'm.
portant events of the day. This con-
sisted of the presentation 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
taken from various trees grown in the
Forest Park portion of the exposition
grounds. aih
President Francis and his party were
escorted tom the Administration Build
ing to the scene of the days ceremonies,
where they were joined by the foreign
commissioners, who had assembled
earlier at the British Pavilion, and the
Governors ofStates and State commissions
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 military guard, and proper
escorts were furnished also to the MEN,
bers of Congress and other specially in
vited guests.
Promptly at half-past ten the exercises
of the day began. There was little form
ality. hardly any display to attract the
seekers of the picturesque, and still,
the programme was carried out amid sur
roundings and in a manner in all ways
appropriate. The ceremonies were opened
with an invocation by the Rev. Frank
w. Gunsaulus, of Chicago. The inyOca-
ton was followed by the rendering of
"America" by the bands, and an address
by the Hon. d. R. Francis president of
the exposition. Loud cheering followed
the conclusion of President Francis re-
marks, and the band struck up "The
Star-Spangled Banner"
William H. Thompson, chairman of
the committee on grounds and build
iDgs, introduced Isaac l.. Taylor, d.
rector of works. He said that he had
worked many months on his speech,
and that in delivering it he would de-
liver the keys of the buildings to Presi-
dent Francis, which he did. The trans
fer of the exhibit palaces TO F. j. V.
Skih, director of exhibits, was then
made. Mr.. Skiff delivered brief adj
dress.
Addresses followed by Thomas ii.
Carter, president of the national COM
mission E. II. Hartman, speaking on
behalf of domestic exhibitors, and by
representatives of the congressional and
other committees thathave bad much to
do with the affairs of the enterprise.
Secretary Taft then delivered the Grafton
Il A. L. Uknn fbooa forr.o liftaa
were concluded there came a scene that
was notable for its intense impressive
ness. President Francis stepped to the
front of the stand and faced the expec-
tant multitude. 1t was few minutes
past the noon hour, and these words
came from the clearest of voices.
Ladies and gentlemen: / will now
dictate telegram:
ITO the President of the United States
of America, Washington, d. c.: The
representatives of the nations send greet
ings, and request that you put in motion
the machinery of the Louisiana Purchase
Exposition"
A few feet away sat the telegraph
operator who sent every word as it fell
from the lips of the speaker, who paused
at the end of every few words.
The report of a cannon was heard, the
people applauded, and the band played.
Those who fingered about the speakers
stand heard read the kilograms of con-
graduation exchanged between President
Roosevelt and President Francis. The
majority of the multitude, however, were
up and gone, eager to see what the great
exposition looked like now that it was
really an accomplished fact
Following the conclusion of the open
ing ceremonies the denizens of 'The
Pike" had their "innings." There was
a parade of all nations just to make
known the fact that the great amuse-
ment feature of The exposition was open
to the world and prepared to furnish
entertainment to all corners for the next
six months. Every cline was repre-
sented in the picturesque pageant that
wound about the exposition grounds,
starting from the Administration Plaza
and marching and 2 countermarching
through the principal avenues of the
Ivory City. japanese and Cossacks
walked side by eide and subjects of the
Shah hobnobbed with denizens of the
land of the white elephant. There were
diminutive Filipinos and giant Pata-
gonians, buxom matrons from the Alpine
country end scantily clad South Sea
islanders, whose home is near the
equator. There we're people ofall races,
creeds and colors, to say nothing of