Final Report of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission

by Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission

Your obedient servant,
M. MARGARETTA MANNING.

MRS. M.M. MANNING,
President Board of Lady Managers of the
Louisiana Purchase Exposition,
The Arlington, Washington, D.C.

MADAM: I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 14th instant transmitting invitations which the board of lady managers of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition have addressed to the women of foreign countries, through the ministers for foreign affairs, with a view to promoting women's interests at the exposition.

In reply I have to inform you that these invitations, with suitable instructions, have been sent to-day to the diplomatic representatives of the United States in the countries mentioned by you.

I am, madam,

Your obedient servant, FRANCIS B. LOOMIS, Acting Secretary.

Letters were received from most of these countries expressing their gratification and cordial cooperation in the matter, a fact which was evidenced by many letters from associations and individuals with reference to exhibits, etc. For instance, a committee of women at Berne, through its secretary, sent a very remarkable consignment of pamphlets relating to the condition and work—philanthropic and otherwise—of the women of that nation. These were intrusted to the Department of Social Economy. Also in Italy a national committee of women of great consequence was formed.

Circumstances prevented any further initiative on the part of this committee outside the limits of the exposition itself. Within those limits it has, in common with the whole board, done much for the exposition, and for the country by social courtesies extended to the representatives of foreign lands and received from them—a service which has been performed by the board with success and dignity, and with great value to the interests of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition.

ANNA L. DAWES. EMILY S.G. HOLCOMBE. MARY PHELPS MONTGOMERY. ANNIE MCLEAN MOORES. DECEMBER, 1904.

Reaffirming the motion already made on February 16, 1903, providing that the furnishing of the building of the board of lady managers be under the supervision of the president of the board, on March 4, 1904, it was moved that Mrs. Daniel Manning be made active chairman of the house-furnishing committee and select her own committee. This motion being carried, it was also decided that the committee on house furnishing be limited to the expenditure of the sum of $20,000 for furnishing the building. The report of this committee is as follows: