Final Report of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission

by Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission

It was my opinion that when the lists of classification were completed, there was nothing else to be inquired into; in that list, everything which includes the result of female labor, constitutes the class on which you are to appoint a juror. The general classification forms a list that would be used for this purpose.

But referring to another matter, I think that there should have been provided by act of Congress a fund set apart for the ladies, to be used by them. Because, as long as you are compelled to go to the Commission, or to go to the local board to ascertain what you can spend or what you can not spend, just so long you will not be able to do anything effectually. I know that the local board is going to object to all this, but when the local board finds that by consenting to your reasonable wishes it is enhancing the interests of the exposition, it will agree to a proper appropriation and other proper demands made by your board which relieve that board of any further duties on the subject. I believe that I have said all I care to say. But, referring to the rules: That board and the Commission can advise you not to enforce certain rules, when the enforcement of them would lead you into difficulties, but just as long as the rules you make for yourselves are within the scope of authority and duties granted us and prescribed to you, you can take directions from the board or from the Commission if you choose to, but you do not need to do this unless you choose to.

In response to the request of Mrs. Manning that Senator Thurston say a few words, he responded:

Perhaps everybody has been a little delinquent in getting this board organized and in position where it can take up some proper work that will be of benefit and be agreeable to the ladies. I think, perhaps, without going into past history, that the board of lady managers perhaps has failed to do what it might have done in the way of formulating a plan for its own participation in the exposition and that was growing out of circumstances which no longer exist. I believe now this board is organized with a president who is heart and soul for the success of the exposition. Without being tied up to anything in the way of local interests, it will be better able to compete with the coming situation. There is, and has been a great deal of hesitancy on the part of the National Commission about attempting to outline a plan of action for this board of lady managers. We provided for your appointment according to law, and we fell into the belief, I hope it was not an error, that the ladies on this board would know a great deal better what they wanted to do, what they ought to do, and what would be best for them to do than this board of men, who had never had anything to do with these ladies' departments except to participate in the enjoyment of them when so fortunate as to be present.

Now, you have prepared and outlined and accepted your rules and regulations which were approved by our Commission along in June, I think. They were prepared in April—those rules and regulations were more than regulations for the procedure of your board, as I recollect them, they very largely outlined the field of work for the board of lady managers. They were adopted and modified a little by the National Commission and sent to the local company. They were prepared in April, promptly sent to the local company because we thought without their action they could not go into effect and there they have been ever since. To a limited extent it was never necessary to send them there, so far as the organization and management of the board of lady managers is concerned—but, when you step over that or attempt to outline the scope of your work, and your participation in the affairs of the exposition, that part must go to the National Commission and be approved.

Suppose, for instance, these ladies decided they would like to participate in one of the National Congresses, that they would take charge of a certain Congress out at the exposition, I do not think any of them could do that without the sanction of the local company.

I am very positive in my views that when it comes to providing for the legislation of this board for its participation in the fair, it can not be done without the National Commission, and especially without the permission of the company. I do not think that they can decide to take up certain lines of work and go out there to do it without having some agreement on the subject.

At the meeting of the board on the day following, December 17, 1903, Mrs. Hanger tendered her resignation from the office of the secretary of the board of lady managers, and Miss Lavinia II. Eagan was unanimously elected to fill the vacancy. Upon this occasion Mrs. Coleman presented the following motion:

That the resignation of Mrs. Hanger from the office of secretary of this board be accepted with regret, and that Mrs. Hanger be extended a hearty vote of thanks for her faithful, painstaking, and efficient work for the board as such official.

One of the most brilliant courtesies tendered the board of lady managers was the reception given in its honor by the Woman's Club, at the club house, on December 17.