The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-04-26

order named there were detachments
of marines anu seamen from foreign
warships. the Twenty-third regiment
of United States infantry, a battalion
of United states coast artillery. six
ba attaHons of the naval brigade from
the United States Atlantic feet, the
third battery of United States field ar
tilIery, the second squadron OF the
United States Twelfth cavalry, the
Seventy first regiment of Virginia vol
unteers and batteries c and D, First
battalion OF artillery, Virginia volun-
teers Full dress uniform was worn.
The foot organizations were formed in
double rank and passed in review in
company front, while the cavalry and
artillery passed in columns of pla-
rOons. No hOnors were paid along the
line of march except the salute TO the
president. After the review the United
states and foreign naval detachments
returned to their vessels and the army
detachments went to camp Captain
John Smith. which is the name given
in an order by General Grant to the
post at the exposition grounds
A reception will be rendered the
president in the rotunda of the audi
torium this afternoon by the officers
and directors of the exposition All Cf
the distinguished guests who occupied
positions in the grand stand were in
vired- 1t is not planned that the pres
ident shall visit any of the exhibition
buildings as he intends to pay a visit
June Immediately after the recep-
ton the president will proceed to Nor
folk on either the Mayfiower or the
Sylph. In the evening he will be the
guest of Mr. Tucker and Barton Ny
ers Of the exposition management AT
dinner given at Mr. Myers home.
Little Machinery Started
The pressing of the proverbiaI gold
button invaria bly, used in connection
with the opening OF an exposition was
aF-0
had been expected on account Of
the uureadineSs of the buildings and
the grounds there was little maclin-
cry 10 set in motion and many of the
buildings had not been supplied with
flags 10 be unfurled- The coolest and
most backward spring in the annals
OF virginia, marked by severe rain
storms IN the past month, is reSpOnsi-
Bile for the opening ceremonies being
Earred ~ incompIetad structures
and uniEstalled machinery. Although
the exposition management displayed
marked energy in meeting a situation
that for several weeks has been over
WnclmlnS they were pOWerless TO
chaotic condition Contractors were
unable to complete many of The
buildings in time for the installation
of exhibits and as for the removal of
the debris with which the grounds are
strewn and the scanoIding that en-
closes large part Of the buiidinEs
the effect must be likcned unto ants
trying TO move q mountain Freight
congestion on the railway and steam
ship lines delayed the arrival of shin
m=nts and il was utterly Impossible
10 unload. unpack and install the
thouSa nds Of cOnsignments of ex-
hibits
Realizing that the exposition is far
from ready many of the officials have
ceased t. dissembIe and are taking
the situation cOurageousIy. They be-
lieve that first visitors will be willing
10 concede that within a short time
the arrangement can offer an attrac-
tfcn OF which the nation will be
proud 10 acknowledge the sponsor
ship proclaimed today by President
Roosevelt A. the same time they
nave been brought to see that the re-
ports OF these early visitors will not
be favorable and therefore some
heroic measures must be taken to
counteract them Therefore It has
been announced that some of the
buildings are unrsady and must be
closed - the public. Nav Is has
been fXed IS the day when the di-
TeCtOrS o. the exposition hope TO be
ahle 70 open all features of the show.
There seems ample ground for the
oeliaf that most of the buildings and
streets will De ready in 4 few weeks.
some Of the exposition officials ad-
vlSed several weeks ago that the in
iugurdl date be postponed TO Nav 13
-Ae Spo-u anniversary OF the settle
rnent OF jamestown, instead of hav-
ing II To-Day. the tercenIenniaI of the
landing of the English at Cape Henry
but the contracts with concessionar rf-s
prohibited the change II is agreed
in these contracts that the exDositfon
should be opened from April IS until
80. This does not Interfere
how with the closing of the main
buildings provided the gates remain
open TO the public. The United
States government building forming
ore Of the most interest
ing features of the exposition is all
ready and will Of course be opened
today The states exhibit palace is
also complete in every detail of con-
struCtion and installation