Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-06-18

features of the Exposition bill APP
propriating money for building and ex-
hbit at Omaha pointing out the magnitude and
scope of the Exposition and the interest felt in it
throughout the west Speaker Reed was assured
that the people all favored the measure and he re-
luctanty promised that the bill should receive
sideration Passage of the bill by congress now
felt to be assured"
Thus the bill which the life or death of the
exposition was finally put through, although a Me-
braska congressman, Omar Madison KEN, who
therein msrepresented the Sixth district and Joseph
Bailey then congressman from Texas, opposed it, and
very nearly defeated it, the measure being sent
through during their temporary absence from the
house. 1t made the exposition certainty and its pas
sage due to the influence and success of Edward
Rosewater editor of The Bee in winning over
Speaker Reed.
When the Exposition association permanently
organized by the election of board of directors by
the stockholders Mr.. Rosewater was selected on the
board and was made member of the executive
mittee being director of the department of publicity
few months later in 1897. the department Of pro-
motion consolidated with 1t as one, under the
direction of Edward Rosewater He conducted this
important part OF the exposition management until
the close Of the great undertaking. organized the work
of advertising the show securing for support
other states and from the great corporations that
subscribed most literally to the stock donated large
sums Of money outright to its support arranging for
special attractions at the grounds and in many ways
adding to its interest and Importance. One of the
great achievements of his administration was to In
duce Postmaster General Charles Emory Smith 70
authorize the issuance of special series of stamps
commemorative Of the undertaking. These stamps
were In general by the United States postoffice
during several months of the year 1898. and had
much effect in the advertising of the exposition
Another notable accomplishment by Mr. Rose
waters department the securing of an additional
Rrr rfattN lon
to be held in connection with the
and International Exposition This feature of the ex-
position was considered of its most important
aspects 1t was pronounced by Professor James
Mooney Of the Smithsonian institution the noted
ethnoogst to be the greatest chronological exhibit ever
arranged IN the world. At other time were so
many representatives of the Indian tribes of North
America gathered together in place. and the value
OF the data thus secured not yet be closely est
ated. The exhibit attracted the greatest attention
from the visitors, who thus given close glimpse
at the actua life OF the Indians, who had set up their
tepees and carried on their domestic affairs Just as
they did at home The of this Indian congress
was always source of much qualification to Mr. Rose
water who realized its value fully than others
me great Peace Jubilee, in October, 1898 when
the president of the United States his cabine the
foreign ministers and other digntares and notables
from washington, the leaders of the army and navy
OF the United States and distinguished men and wo
men from all parts of the country gathered AZ the
exposition TO celebrate the close of the spapish-
American war, was another of great events In CON-
nection with the exposition which was conceived and
suggested by Mr.. Rosewater, who had a powerful
part In the execution. 1t brought such throngs OF
people to Omaha as had never before been seen here
nor SINCE for that matter On the day President
Mckinley spoke at the Exposition grounds over $4,000
people paid admission at the gates, and the total
number admitted swelled the attendance up over
10000. That week the top of Omaha's achieve.
ments as host to the muttudes of the world and il
likely to remain so for a long time
When the exposition had finally been brought 10
lts Close and its affairs had been wound up paying
back to the original stockholders a dividend of 95
per cent OF their subscriptions, Mr.. Rosewater was
one OF the committee appointed to prepare history
OF the association and the exposition The other men,
bers Of the association Charles F. henderson
Isaac W. Carpenter, Charles W. Lyman and Carroll
B. Montgomery Mr.. Rosewater died before the COM
mites had completed its work and made report and
George F. Bidwell was named in his stead.
The members OF the executive committee NJ the
Exposition Association were: 2. 7. Lindsey depart
ment Of ways and means; Edward Rosewater, depart
ment Of publicity aud promotion; e. e. Bruce de-
partment OF exhibits A. L. Reed department Of con-
cessions and priveges F. P. Kirkendall department
of grounds and buildings W. N Babcock, department
of transportation
On September 10. 1902. the last meeting of the
executive committee held at the Omaha club and
the occasion made memorable by the presents
ton OF gold medals to the members commemorative
OF their share in the great enterprise they had so
successfully directed.