This great Government exhibit was under the direction and control of a board, consisting of the following-named gentlemen:
Members United States Government Board.—Mr. Wallace H. Hills, Treasury Department, chairman; Mr. William H. Michael, Department of State; Mr. John C. Scofield, War Department; Mr. Cecil Clay, Department of Justice; Mr. John B. Brownlow, Post-Office Department; Mr. B.F. Peters, Navy Department; Mr. Edward M. Dawson, Department of the Interior; Mr. S.R. Burch, Department of Agriculture; Mr. Carroll D. Wright, Department of Commerce and Labor; Dr. F.W. True, Smithsonian Institution and National Museum; Mr. W. de C. Ravenel, Bureau of Fisheries; Mr. G.W.W. Hanger, Department of Labor; Mr. Williams C. Fox, Bureau of the American Republics; Mr. Roland P. Falkner, Library of Congress; Dr. A.C. True, Agricultural Colleges; Mr. William V. Cox, secretary; Mr. William M. Geddes, disbursing officer; Mr. C.S. Goshert, clerk of board.
The members of this board cooperated in a united effort to install a Government exhibit in every way representative and creditable. To their success the millions of visitors bore cheerful witness in expressions of unbounded satisfaction. The board was at all times harmonious within itself, and it is pleasing to note that its relations with the National Commission were always of the most cordial character. From the report of the Government board a fair but an inadequate estimate may be formed of the extent and brilliant success of this feature of the exposition.
Under the law the life of this Commission expires on the 1st day of July, 1905. The Commission has delayed closing its final report to the last day of its existence in the hope that before that time a full and final report might be received from the Exposition Company. Unfortunately, however, no such report has been received, and therefore the Commission is unable to submit the same to the President.
The monthly financial reports of the Exposition Company have been received up to and including the month of April, 1905, and have been transmitted as received to the President in accordance with the act of Congress.
After repeated and urgent requests for a complete report from the
Exposition Company the following final answer was received:
[Telegram.]
St. Louis, June 17, 1905. Hon. John M. THURSTON, President National Commission, Portland, Oreg.:
Think it will be several weeks before report of two divisions can be completed, and several months before president's report will be ready. Impossible to close up as rapidly as desired.
WALTER B. STEVENS, Secretary.