The whole amount appropriated for the use of the board of lady managers was placed in their custody by the Secretary of the Treasury, and its expenditure has been most carefully guarded. With this money at its command, it has always stood ready to assist the Exposition Company in every way possible, and the report of the treasurer will show that the disbursements have been made in a manner befitting the greatest of all world's fairs.
Respectfully submitted.
C.B. BUCHWALTER.
MARY PHELPS MONTGOMERY.
SALLIE D. COLEMAN.
All of the members of the board of lady managers were inspired at an early period of their official existence with a desire to accomplish something that would be of lasting benefit to the interests of women, and one of the first committees to be appointed by the president was on woman's work, which seemed to offer great scope for the development of earnest efforts and good judgment. They realized that upon their activity would greatly depend the extent to which women in this country and of the world at large would participate, directly or indirectly, in making this exposition the most beneficent for women that had been, or could be, attained in any age or ages.
Specific action was restricted, however, by the Exposition Company, and the committee on woman's work was not enabled to give an international character to its work. While the life of its organization was in no way affected, the board was not allowed to expend any money except under the authority of the Exposition Company, and although the members believed that whatever action they might take in regard to sending a representative of the board abroad was legitimate exposition work and would be promptly ratified by the National Commission and local company, their request was denied by the executive committee of the company, and they were not permitted to extend their work on the broad lines for which they had hoped.
An effort was made by two members of the committee on woman's work, in conference with the heads of the departments in Washington, to secure information as to the details of the work performed by women in the various Government departments, and their salaries. This matter was brought before the board at its session held February 18, 1903, and it was believed by the members that if such a statement could be obtained it would be helpful in the development and organization of woman's work in connection with the board. As all arrangements had previously been planned in Washington to have the work done if desired by the board, the secretary was instructed to write to Hon. John R. Procter, president United States Civil Service Commission, and ask for statistics. In order to procure the data from all the departments, it was necessary to have an Executive order from the President. Mr. Procter made this request, and the President graciously issued the following:
Executive Order.
The HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS:
The board of lady managers of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition desires a statement prepared, showing the work performed by women in the departments, together with their official designations, salaries, etc. It is requested that so far as it will not inconvenience public work, such information may be supplied.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
WHITE HOUSE, March 21, 1903.