In group 53 there was nothing unusual displayed that would lead one to think that women were more capable of executing more advanced work than they accomplished eleven years ago.
In the Louisiana Purchase Exposition woman's work was installed in such a manner and not being specified, one could not tell where their work began and where it left off. As to the appreciation of woman's work, it was taken as a whole and was judged as a work of mankind. Women's work and men's work of to-day would be hard to separate. Perhaps if women's work could be brought out more prominently it would be better for them. No work was displayed in such a manner as to enable one to distinguish between the two. In the manufacture of personal effects, the larger proportion was women's work. No woman received an award in group 53 to my knowledge.
As has been said before, the operation of machines is especially women's work. Women were not the inventors, but they displayed ingenuity and skill in the operation—application. Although they are not the original inventors, it is a well-known fact that many improvements are women's suggestions. Their working at the machines and the ingenuity and taste displayed in the choice of work was of marked value as an exposition attraction.
Group 61. Various industries connected with clothing (processes and products).—Class 383, hats; hats of felt, wool, straw, silk; caps, trimmings for hats. Class 384, artificial flowers for dressing the hair, for dress and for all other uses. Feathers, millinery, hair: coiffures, wigs, switches. Class 385, shirts and underclothing for men, women, and children. Class 386, hosiery of cotton, wool, silk, and floss silk, etc.; knitted hosiery, cravats, and neckties. Class 387, corsets and corset fittings. Class 388, elastic goods, suspenders, garters, belts. Class 389, canes, whips, riding whips, sunshades, parasols, umbrellas. Class 390, buttons; buttons of china, metal, cloth, silk, mother-of-pearl or other shell, ivory, nut, horn, bone, papier-maché, etc. Class 391, buckles, eyelets, hooks and eyes, pins, needles, etc. Class 392, fans and hand screens.
Owing to Mr. Farmer being called to his home, Mrs. Ella E. Lane Bowes, secretary of group 53, served as secretary of group 61 also. Group 61 was composed of 11 individuals, 7 men and 4 women, with an American for chairman and a Frenchman for secretary, and two vice-chairmen.
Group 61 contained 30 classes. Within this group there was no especial exhibit by women, although their work stood out in prominence.
The most striking display was the corset display of Birdsey & Sumers, of New York. The corsets were shown on wax half-size figures, the color scheme being carried out in detail to match the corset. The most prominent figure was one done in white satin and real lace with jewel clasps, etc. This display, from its artistic arrangement and elegant materials was in conformity with the French exhibits. With the exception of the jewels, it was purely of American production; and the arrangement and display of the exhibit was due to an American woman, an employee of the manufacturer.
Another notable display was that of Kops Brothers, of New York. They exhibited the "Nemo" corset and the "Smart Set," in an artistic manner. The arrangement of this display was also due to a woman.
Strouse-Adler & Co., New York City, showed a practical exhibit
of what was termed by the exposition officials a "live exhibit,"
manufacturing garments from start to finish, and was an
attractive display. These demonstrations were by women.
In the exhibit of the American Hosiery Company, New Britain,
Conn., the goods were up to the high standard of the "Grand
Prix."