Final Report of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission

by Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission

With the power comes the responsibility. This exposition, if the general tone of business continues, ought to be, in the matter of attendance and universal interest, a pronounced success. The matter of interesting the world, securing attendance, securing exhibits, attracting the attention of different classes of people, would insure success. The law of Congress is pretty thoroughly considered. It was pretty thoroughly debated in the House of Representatives particularly. No part of the law was more thoroughly considered than this part, which contemplated the interesting of the women of the world in the exposition about to be given.

Determine at the earliest day practicable what the view of this board is as to what part women are to take in the exposition. That subject can not be too promptly considered or decided upon. You are to plan the scope of women's work in this exposition. Give the representation of women's work in this exposition a national or international character. If of an international character, will this board undertake to select the people who are to go abroad to represent the women of this country in appealing to the women of other countries? * * * It is a matter of supreme consequence that the women of the country shall be represented in a manner that will be approved by themselves at least. * * * I think it rests with you to formulate plan and scope, and transmit that formulated plan and scope to this Commission, to be approved by the Commission and approved by the local company, as a part of the programme of this exposition. It was the intention when this board was appointed to get together a body of representative women from all over the United States, and that this body when assembled would become a directing force along general lines. In the matter of women's work there is no limit. You exercise "general supervisory control." I would say that, in pursuance of authority granted the board of lady managers, that this board adopt resolutions stating that no woman shall be appointed to represent the exposition by either the National Commission or the local company until the name of such representative shall have been submitted to and ratified by this board of lady managers. You will find in talking with this company a keen anxiety to quickly adopt any suggestions that will bring about success in any line. Claim whatever you think in the form of a rule, assert your right to approve or confirm if you please everyone appointed to push this woman's work anywhere. In regard to a building, say what you want; submit your plans to this Commission; place your wants in the form of a resolution to be approved by the Commission and the local company; the approval will carry with it the expense. We will regard any expenditure which you may make as "legitimate exposition work"—commissioners to go abroad, or whatever it may be.

There is a large amount of money available for this exposition. It has been handled with the utmost care, skill, and excessive prudence by the company, but that shows merely a good, sound economical management; however, there is ample means, means that will unquestionably apply to meet every want.

At the session on November 20 the committee named to prepare resolutions to be presented through the National Commission to the Exposition Company offered the following, which were adopted, and copies forwarded to the Commission and company:

First. The board of lady managers respectfully call the attention of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company to the act approved March 3, 1901, under which act this board has the power to appoint one member of all committees authorized to award prizes for such exhibits as may have been produced in whole or in part by women. The board of lady managers decline to accept the amendment of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company to this act of Congress expressed in a resolution of the executive committee of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company, as follows: "To nominate one member of all committees authorized to award prizes for such exhibits as shall have been produced in whole or in part by female labor."

Second. The board protests against the appointment, without its authority, of any representative at home or abroad connected with work for which this board is responsible.

Third. That the board of lady managers select, with the approval of the local company, two of its members to awaken interest in the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company among women in other countries.

Fourth. That the president of this board be authorized, at her discretion, to appoint committees to visit each State to enlist the cooperation of the women in securing the proper representation of woman's work at the exposition in St. Louis; and in furtherance that the governor of each State be formally requested to name two women on the State commission.

Fifth. That the local company be requested to appropriate $50,000 for the erection of a woman's building on the fair grounds to be used after the close of the exposition as a hall of philanthropy.

Sixth. The board of lady managers request the directors of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company to provide money to meet the current expenses of this board. They are further requested to notify this board in writing of the amount appropriated for this purpose. It is the sense of this board that an allowance of 5 cents per mile and $10 per diem be allowed; the per diem to cover the time from the day of departure until the day of return.