Final Report of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission

by Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission

The Daughters of the American Revolution and the Federation of
Women's Clubs have already decided to meet in this city, the
former in June, the latter in May.
I return the letter, as requested.
Very respectfully, yours,
HOWARD J. ROGERS.

Hon. F.J.V. SKIFF,
Director of Exhibits' Building.

In the resolution adopted by the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission, in session assembled at the city of New York the 7th day of February, 1902, certain rules were made governing the board of lady managers. The first one recites the power given by Congress to this board of lady managers 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 female labor."

The committee on woman's work would suggest:

First. That our board make due preparation for the intelligent selection of one member of all committees authorized to award prizes for such exhibits as may have been produced in whole or in part by female labor, and that we request from the local executive committee a list of all work presented for competition before the Louisiana Purchase Exposition produced in whole or in part by female labor.

Under the resolutions of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition of February 7, 1902, second, we are to "exercise general supervisory control over such features of the exposition as may be specially devoted to woman's work."

This resolution is so vague in its phraseology that we are unable to outline just what we may be permitted to do, and the chairman wishes to call the attention of this board to the fact that one of the subjects which we were instructed to take up before the local executive committee was in regard to a resolution passed by this board at its first meeting on September 30, 1902, regarding indecent and immoral dancing. We were instructed by the board of lady managers to inquire what action had been taken in regard to this resolution, and were informed that it was acted upon immediately, and the company's attorney was instructed to make the contracts in the Midway Plaisance so as to exclude immoral and indecent dancing.

The third resolution, that we were "to take part in the ceremonies connected with the dedication of the buildings of the exposition, and in official functions in which women may be invited to participate, and in any other functions, upon the request of the company and Commission."

From the very gracious manner in which this board of lady managers has been provided for and permitted to participate in the opening ceremonies of the exposition, it would appear that the Government, Commission, and local company will see that we are properly cared for on all future occasions.

Fourth. That we confer and advise with the officers and chiefs of the exposition on the progress being made from time to time in exciting the interest and enlisting the cooperation of women in the several departments, and to appoint all committees necessary to carry out the purpose, and to procure information on the extent of woman's participation in the exposition.