Durango semi-weekly herald., 1904-05-02
FORMALLY OPENED WITH I'M
POSING PARADE AND
CEREMONIES

WASHINGTON, April 30.-In com
piance with the request of the direct
ors of the Louisiana Purchase exposi-
tion the President opened the eAposi-
ton by wire from the White House
at 1903 today. The arrangements
We're simple in detail. Immediately
upon the completion of the wire cir
cult into the exposition grounds the
President was notified and he repaired
to the East Room where there were
assembled the justices OF the United
States supreme court, the members of
the diplomatic corps. and number of
other guests of note. The arrange
ments contemplated prompt opening
of the exposition at noon, central time,
but there we're few minutes delay in
making the final preparations. Presi-
dent Roosevelt stood at the key chat
ting with those about him In the
course OF the conversation he express
ed regret at his inability to be present
at the opening of the exposition in
person. but said that he hoped he
might be able to visit the great fair
later in the year A few minutes aft
er / o'clock message from President
Francis saying that all was ready and
requesting that the machinery of the
exposition be starred was tcked off
the wire and handed to President
Roosevelt Mr. Roosevelt then gent
ly pressed on the Morse key, which
action instantly gave the signal to the
st. Louis end and put in motion the
whole OF The exposition. A few min
utes after a message of congratulation
was sent BY the President and a reply
received from Mr.. Francis saying that
the program was carried out success.
fully and everyone was in wild hur
rah over the opening.
ST. LOUIS. April 30-President
Roosevelt touched an electric button
in the White House today. AS he did
so the report of a cannon was heard
here by the eXpectant multitude, flags
unfurled as If by magic an avalanche
of water poured down the cascades.
thousands of fountains began to play,
the great engines in the machinery
palace and power houses started
throbbing The immense throng stood
silent for an instant and then a trem-
endous cheer rose from the grounds.
and the Louisiana Purchase exposition
was open to the world.
The opening ceremonies were SO
simple and so plain that they We're
i'm narfart harmnuv with he. unathndS
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 ded-
ication ceremonies, a year ago were
attended by a military pageant that
was significant of the nations PROV
ess, and after the baptism OF arms
comes the sweet presence of art and
science, and the formal opening today
was marked by the absence of soldiery
in uniform.
Promptly at half-past ten the exer-
cises of the day began. There was
little formality. hardly any display to
attract the seekers of the picturesque.
and still the program was carried out
amid surroundings and in a manner in
all ways appropriate. The ceremon-
les were opened with an invocation
by the Rev. Frank w. Gunsaulus OF
Chicago The invocation was followed
by the rendering of America" by the
bands and an address by the Hon. ID.
Il. Francis, president of the exposi-
ton. President Francis was given a
great ovation. In a brief address. he
reviewed the history of the exposition
enterprise from its Inception to the
supreme moment now at hand, eulo-
gizing the work OF his colleagues and
praising the public spirit of the citi.
zens oil st. Louis in general He set
forth the objects of the exposition 70
be to commemorate the past, present
the advantages of the present. and in
spire hope for the future-the past
the present, the future of America and
the whole world.
William II. Thompson, chairman of
the committee on grounds and build
!ngs was the next speaker. An ova-
. tion was rendered to Mr. Taylor who
had managed a great part OF the huge
task of preparing the exposition and
had done many things that only a
great man of remarkable versatility
can perform. 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
President Francis, which he did
The transfer of the exhibit palaces
to F. j. V. Skin, director OF exhibits,
was then made. Mr.. Skin delivered q