In the matter of executing the duties before you, it will be found necessary, I believe, at this meeting, after the election of your officers, to secure such quarters as may, in your opinion, be necessary for the convenient transaction of the business committed to your charge. It will likewise be necessary for you to begin to consider the scope of woman's work in connection with the exposition, and likewise form proper rules and regulations for the government of your officers and the direction of the general task that you have before you. It is needless to suggest that future success will, as you know, to a considerable extent, be dependent upon the thought and consideration given to your rules to start with. One feature of the rules heretofore commented upon to some extent, and perhaps both by the Commission and the company, has been subject to criticism. That is the limitation upon the incurring expense. It has been suggested that the board of lady managers at Chicago, which consisted of over one hundred persons, spent $150,000 or thereabout. They were limited, I think, and spent the limit. Your expenses are not limited, except by a rule adopted by prudence, and applicable to all bodies having money to expend from the United States Government. The purpose of this rule, let me say to you, ladies, was to preserve ordinary system in the transaction of the business that must be dispatched very rapidly, and must be dispatched under a system.
The observations I have here made seem to about cover, for the present, at least, the matters that will come up before you for consideration:
First. The scope of your work, unlimited by this Commission, save in the particulars prescribed in the law, to that which is in whole or in part made up of woman's work.
Second. After determining the scope, the field within which you will act, and the rules that govern your officers, you will be called upon to determine other questions from time to time—the matter of investment, the matter of a special building, which shall be the ladies' home, and other questions such as may seem to you to be meet and proper.
I am quite sure that throughout this space of time—two or three years—during which we are working together, you will find it quite easy to get along with this Commission. * * * Let me make this suggestion here, and one based upon an experience this Commission has had: You will find, as far as our observation has been extended, that you have here in the city of St. Louis and the surrounding country a body of earnest people, charged with a mighty work—the disbursement of the largest sum of money ever collected on the globe for an exposition of any kind—larger than Chicago, Buffalo, and Charleston combined—and the one overwhelming, all-absorbing thought uppermost in the mind is to make this exposition a success, commensurate with the mighty means placed at the disposal of the company, the Commission, and the board. The weather will be hot and difficulties will come, tempers will become disturbed, and patience sorely tried, but throughout it all bear in mind that the man who is somewhat irritating has simply too much vim and enthusiasm for the moment.
President Francis, the general counsel, the treasurer, are all devoting practically their entire time and attention to this work, and the things already accomplished indicate that their efforts have been well directed and their work well performed. It is for you to say, you to determine in a general way, and upon your good judgment and earnest efforts will largely depend the extent to which women in this country and of the world at large are to participate, directly or indirectly, in making this exposition the most beneficent for women that has or can be made in any age or ages.
At the close of Senator Carter's remarks President Francis, of the
Exposition Company, said:
I have only come to say, ladies, that if we can be of any assistance to you we shall be more than glad to render that assistance. If you have any suggestions to make us, we shall be pleased to receive them and consider them by prejudging them in your favor. I do not know what your plans are, but I wish to say that if you desire permanent quarters, we will be very glad to provide them in the Administration Building. That might be a little inconvenient, perhaps, but we have all of our own offices there, and have all the accommodations one can require. I do not know if you propose to have a permanent secretary and establish headquarters here or not. I take it for granted that you are familiar with the provisions of the law. Of course, you know that the board is nominated by the National Commission, of which Senator Carter is president. All of the nominations that have been made by the National Commission have been confirmed. I believe the membership of your board is limited to twenty-one. I have heard of the organization of that body. I wish to say, that we think we have made adequate, if not liberal, provision for the expense of the board in this way: We have decided to tender you ladies, subject, of course, to your amendment, after first acknowledging your generosity, we have decided to say to you that we will allow you 5 cents per mile mileage from your homes to St. Louis, and 5 cents per mile back to your homes, or to your New York meetings, and in addition to that $6 per day for subsistence during the time you are in attendance at such meetings. If you do not think that sufficient, we are open to suggestions from you.
During your stay in cities where meetings will be held you are allowed $6 per day subsistence, whether you choose to expend that or not; if you do not think $6 per day sufficient, make a suggestion accordingly.
In regard to your duties, the law prescribed those. I suppose the report which was made by the Commission to the local company and approved by the local company, has been forwarded to the board. You know that you have the right to appoint one member to every jury of awards that passes upon work wholly or partly made by women. I do not know what provision the law makes, if any, for your duties, but this exposition, comprehensive as its scope may be, can not be a success without the hearty cooperation of the ladies, and that is what we wish.