Final Report of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission Part 63

Hanger, chairman; Mrs. Ernest, Miss Dawes. House Furnishing: Mrs. Daniel Manning, chairman; Mrs. Holcombe, Mrs. Montgomery.

INTRODUCTION

As it was designed that the St. Louis Exposition should afford an opportunity of demonstrating to other nations the progress that the United States had made in every branch of manufacture, agriculture, and art, the enormous field that existed from which to draw the great variety of material warranted the a.s.sumption that a wonderful display would be made. The sponsorship of our Government, and its invitation to other nations to partic.i.p.ate, vested in the citizens of the United States, not only as a nation but as individuals, the responsibility of acceptably placing before the eyes of the world the achievements and advancement not only of their own but of all civilized and semicivilized nations.

The importance of the event rendered it a fitting occasion for women again to exhibit to the world the record of their increasing development and progress. At the Centennial in Philadelphia the women's commission brought together the exhibits shown in the Woman's Department, raised funds necessary to build the Woman's Pavilion, suggested the Department of Public Comfort, and originated and carried to completion other useful and practical ideas. The board of lady managers at the World's Columbian Exposition achieved a most wonderful success; at the Cotton Centennial in New Orleans the women from each State and Territory did excellent work, as did those at Atlanta, Nashville, Omaha, and Buffalo. All this had thoroughly prepared the public mind for the cooperation of women in further exposition work.

The board of lady managers of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, was, therefore, created as an official organization, acting under the authority given it by the Government. Its most important duty--that of appointing woman jurors--was prescribed by Congress, and all others were secondary to it. The members realized the responsibility which rested upon them and the necessity of making such a record that at the close of the exposition they again might show that women's attainments and achievements were a factor of sufficient importance to warrant their partic.i.p.ation in an exhibition of such magnitude; they must continue to prove by practical demonstration that the rapid advancement and increased usefulness of women, made possible by the educational and other advantages that had been accorded them, rendered their work worthy of the examination and attention of the world.

Preparatory to accepting any responsibilities that might be required of them in order to represent woman's work officially, a formal request was made by the members of the board of lady managers to the National Commission, to define the full scope of their appointment and the duties to be a.s.signed to the board, careful inquiry being made as to what special and important work they would be expected to perform.

Pursuant to this request, an informal meeting of the eighteen members who had been appointed in the fall of 1901, was called by the National Commission, in the city of New York, for December 5 of that year. Hon.

Thomas H. Carter, president of the National Commission, in an address on that occasion, outlined their duties to a limited extent, and stated that a meeting would be called in March, 1902, for the purpose of perfecting their organization and determining the nature of their work.

This meeting was not called, as had been contemplated, however, and it was not until September 30, 1902, that the members of the board were again a.s.sembled, pursuant to a call of the Commission, the meeting place being in the city of St. Louis.

After formal organization of the board of lady managers they were again addressed by Hon. Thomas H. Carter, who said, in part, as follows:

The act of Congress left the number of lady managers optional with the National Commissioners.

Before the exercise of the discretion allowed by Congress numerous persons suggested a great variety of ways whereby the ladies of the country, and the world, if you please, might with force and propriety partic.i.p.ate in this coming exposition. The agency or organized clubs was for a time suggested as a proper method by which the a.s.sistance of womankind might be interjected into this great work, but many difficulties appeared in an effort to crystallize that thought in the proper shape.

Owing to the confusion existing during the sessions of Congress, the necessity as well as the desirability of allowing the National Commission to appoint a board of lady managers became from day to day more apparent, and, therefore, in pursuance of that authority it was determined, with the consent and approval of the local committee under whose auspices the exposition was given, to appoint a board consisting of twenty-one persons; and of the twenty-one nineteen members have now been appointed. * *

* It will rest with you ladies, and the two additional members hereafter to be appointed, whether or not you wish to increase the size of your board. * * *

After or about the time of the New York meeting the National Commission, acting under the authority of the law, prescribed certain general limitations or rules within which this board of lady managers would continue to exercise their functions. These rules were, I think, made very general, and were submitted to the local company for approval, as the statute requires. The company has suggested certain amendments, which are not of great importance and do not at this time limit your deliberations to any considerable extent. * * * The rule upon which your authority will rest reads: "The board of lady managers, appointed as authorized by section 6 of the act of Congress, shall have authority to exercise general supervisory control over such features of the exposition as may be specially devoted to woman's work." That rule is practically without any limitation whatever. It places under your control and supervision the work for the exhibits, whether appearing in the manner of artistic, industrial, or other tangible production, or whether appearing in the manner of woman's engagement in any part or portion of the exposition work. I think it will rest with you that girls under a certain age should not be permitted to be employed in the exhibits, or in any manner made a part of the coming exposition. * * * You will find in this rule the amplest authority with reference to any subject-matter over which you seek to exercise jurisdiction, composed in whole or in part by woman's work. That is all the limitation you will find.

That rule the company has approved without amendment, and in approving it * * * I believe that it is clearly the earnest desire of the company to secure and at all times approve of your cordial cooperation.

In the matter of executing the duties before you, it will be found necessary, I believe, at this meeting, after the election of your officers, to secure such quarters as may, in your opinion, be necessary for the convenient transaction of the business committed to your charge. It will likewise be necessary for you to begin to consider the scope of woman's work in connection with the exposition, and likewise form proper rules and regulations for the government of your officers and the direction of the general task that you have before you. It is needless to suggest that future success will, as you know, to a considerable extent, be dependent upon the thought and consideration given to your rules to start with. One feature of the rules heretofore commented upon to some extent, and perhaps both by the Commission and the company, has been subject to criticism. That is the limitation upon the incurring expense. It has been suggested that the board of lady managers at Chicago, which consisted of over one hundred persons, spent $150,000 or thereabout. They were limited, I think, and spent the limit.

Your expenses are not limited, except by a rule adopted by prudence, and applicable to all bodies having money to expend from the United States Government. The purpose of this rule, let me say to you, ladies, was to preserve ordinary system in the transaction of the business that must be dispatched very rapidly, and must be dispatched under a system.

The observations I have here made seem to about cover, for the present, at least, the matters that will come up before you for consideration:

First. The scope of your work, unlimited by this Commission, save in the particulars prescribed in the law, to that which is in whole or in part made up of woman's work.

Second. After determining the scope, the field within which you will act, and the rules that govern your officers, you will be called upon to determine other questions from time to time--the matter of investment, the matter of a special building, which shall be the ladies' home, and other questions such as may seem to you to be meet and proper.

I am quite sure that throughout this s.p.a.ce of time--two or three years--during which we are working together, you will find it quite easy to get along with this Commission. * * * Let me make this suggestion here, and one based upon an experience this Commission has had: You will find, as far as our observation has been extended, that you have here in the city of St. Louis and the surrounding country a body of earnest people, charged with a mighty work--the disburs.e.m.e.nt of the largest sum of money ever collected on the globe for an exposition of any kind--larger than Chicago, Buffalo, and Charleston combined--and the one overwhelming, all-absorbing thought uppermost in the mind is to make this exposition a success, commensurate with the mighty means placed at the disposal of the company, the Commission, and the board. The weather will be hot and difficulties will come, tempers will become disturbed, and patience sorely tried, but throughout it all bear in mind that the man who is somewhat irritating has simply too much vim and enthusiasm for the moment.

President Francis, the general counsel, the treasurer, are all devoting practically their entire time and attention to this work, and the things already accomplished indicate that their efforts have been well directed and their work well performed.

It is for you to say, you to determine in a general way, and upon your good judgment and earnest efforts will largely depend the extent to which women in this country and of the world at large are to partic.i.p.ate, directly or indirectly, in making this exposition the most beneficent for women that has or can be made in any age or ages.

At the close of Senator Carter's remarks President Francis, of the Exposition Company, said:

I have only come to say, ladies, that if we can be of any a.s.sistance to you we shall be more than glad to render that a.s.sistance. If you have any suggestions to make us, we shall be pleased to receive them and consider them by prejudging them in your favor. I do not know what your plans are, but I wish to say that if you desire permanent quarters, we will be very glad to provide them in the Administration Building. That might be a little inconvenient, perhaps, but we have all of our own offices there, and have all the accommodations one can require. I do not know if you propose to have a permanent secretary and establish headquarters here or not. I take it for granted that you are familiar with the provisions of the law. Of course, you know that the board is nominated by the National Commission, of which Senator Carter is president. All of the nominations that have been made by the National Commission have been confirmed. I believe the membership of your board is limited to twenty-one. I have heard of the organization of that body. I wish to say, that we think we have made adequate, if not liberal, provision for the expense of the board in this way: We have decided to tender you ladies, subject, of course, to your amendment, after first acknowledging your generosity, we have decided to say to you that we will allow you 5 cents per mile mileage from your homes to St. Louis, and 5 cents per mile back to your homes, or to your New York meetings, and in addition to that $6 per day for subsistence during the time you are in attendance at such meetings. If you do not think that sufficient, we are open to suggestions from you.

During your stay in cities where meetings will be held you are allowed $6 per day subsistence, whether you choose to expend that or not; if you do not think $6 per day sufficient, make a suggestion accordingly.

In regard to your duties, the law prescribed those. I suppose the report which was made by the Commission to the local company and approved by the local company, has been forwarded to the board. You know that you have the right to appoint one member to every jury of awards that pa.s.ses upon work wholly or partly made by women. I do not know what provision the law makes, if any, for your duties, but this exposition, comprehensive as its scope may be, can not be a success without the hearty cooperation of the ladies, and that is what we wish.

I do not know what plans you have about a Woman's Building. I wish to say that any suggestions you have to make us we will take under serious consideration. A great deal has been said about permanent structures. We have no objections to permanent structures, we rather court them, provided always some means are furnished for the maintenance of those buildings after the exposition is over. There is another condition that must be observed, and that is in regard to the permission of the city for these buildings to remain. You, of course, understand that the exposition proper does not own any of the ground within the site. We have 1,200 acres, which is much larger than any exposition ever held, about 688 acres being the property of the city. About 112 acres of the site is the property of the Washington University, for which we pay it a specific rental; that makes a total of 780 acres. In addition to that we have 410 acres which we have leased from private owners. That property must be returned to them free of all inc.u.mbrances. Therefore, if a permanent structure be contemplated it must be erected on city property.

Ladies, I will be very glad to answer any questions you may desire to ask in connection with the exposition, and, as I said, any suggestions of yours I shall submit to our local company, executive committee, and board of directors, and Senator Carter will submit the same, I have no doubt, to the National Commission.

At a meeting of the Commission held the same day (September 30) the resignation of Mrs. John A. McCall from the board of lady managers was read and accepted by the Commission.

The statements of Senator Carter, as well as those of President Francis, stimulated the interest of the members of the board; they comprehended anew that it involved not only a heavy responsibility, but const.i.tuted a national trust to represent the women who to-day stand upon the advanced but firm ground secured by the steady and persistent efforts of other women in their long struggle to obtain intellectual advantages and recognition.

By reason of the sacrifices and endurance of those pioneers, every opportunity is now afforded to women not only to acquire any trade or profession, but also to practice it without hindrance; in many cases the same money value is placed upon their labor as upon that of men for similar work, and no longer is the line of demarcation rigidly drawn between the woman of leisure and the self-supporting woman. It, therefore, devolved upon the members of the board of lady managers to advance, to the best of their ability, the conditions under which women might continue to maintain their social, intellectual, and financial independence.

At this first formal meeting of the board of lady managers held in St.

Louis the president and board of directors of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company tendered to the members a most delightful evening reception at the Southern Hotel. This was the first official entertainment given to the board of lady managers.

On Wednesday, October 1, 1902, the election of the following officers was effected:

Mrs. James L. Blair, president; Mrs. Edward L. Buchwalter, first vice-president; Mrs. Finis P. Ernest, second vice-president; Mrs. Helen Boice-Hunsicker, third vice-president; Miss Anna L. Dawes, fourth vice-president; Mrs. Belle L. Everest, fifth vice-president; Mrs. M.H.

de Young, sixth vice-president; Mrs. Fannie L. Porter, seventh vice-president; Mrs. Frederick Hanger, secretary; Mrs. William H.

Coleman, treasurer.

Miss Helen M. Gould then offered the following resolution:

_Resolved_, That it is the earnest desire of the board of lady managers of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition that there be no indecent dances or improper exhibits in the Midway during the exposition, and that the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company be urged to use the utmost care in awarding the concessions for shows, in order that there may be no objectionable features.

The motion was carried unanimously, and its observance by the local company was largely instrumental in lowering to a minimum the number of objectionable features on the "Pike."

In a joint conference of the National Commission and President Francis the latter consented that the Commission should make the number of lady managers 24 instead of 21, and on October 2, 1902, the following resolution was offered by the first vice-president, Mr. Glynn, and adopted by the Commission:

_Resolved_, That the board of lady managers of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition shall consist of 24 persons, including those heretofore appointed, together with Mrs. Daniel Manning, of Washington, D.C.; Mrs. A.I. von Mayhoff, of Monticello, Va.; and Mrs. Josephine Sullivan, of Providence, R.I.; also the two additional members to be nominated by Mr. Allen.

_Be it further resolved_, That the appointments thus made now fixes the membership of the board at 24, and that no vacancy which may hereafter occur, on any account whatever, shall be filled until the board is reduced below 21 members, and that at no time shall any vacancy be filled hereafter so as to increase the board above 21.

After the election of officers, appointment of committees on woman's work, rules and regulations, hall of philanthropy, and the transaction of other routine work, the board of lady managers adjourned to meet in New York, November 17, 1902.

In response to a request from the board of lady managers for permanent headquarters for their accommodation during the exposition period, to be afterwards used as a hall of philanthropy, President Francis, on November 5, 1902, referred to the fact that the Missouri State Federation had instructed its delegates to the convention of the General Federation of Women's Clubs to be held at Los Angeles to recommend such a memorial of woman's work, but that the federation had failed to take action in the matter.

The Exposition Company afterwards offered to contribute $50,000 toward the erection of such a building if the board of lady managers would raise $150,000--$50,000 of which should be applied toward the building and $100,000 as a permanent endowment fund.

The meeting of the board of lady managers was called on November 17, 1902, pursuant to adjournment of the meeting of September 30, 1902, and at that time the hall of philanthropy was fully considered, and the above-mentioned proposition of the Exposition Company declined.

At the session held on the 19th of November a motion was made and carried that there should be an eighth vice-president, and Mrs. Daniel Manning was elected to fill that office.

President Carter, of the National Commission, was invited to be present at this meeting, and again emphasized his views in regard to the prerogatives of the members of the board in performance of the duties which might be a.s.signed them. He also spoke as follows:

With the power comes the responsibility. This exposition, if the general tone of business continues, ought to be, in the matter of attendance and universal interest, a p.r.o.nounced success. The matter of interesting the world, securing attendance, securing exhibits, attracting the attention of different cla.s.ses of people, would insure success. The law of Congress is pretty thoroughly considered. It was pretty thoroughly debated in the House of Representatives particularly. No part of the law was more thoroughly considered than this part, which contemplated the interesting of the women of the world in the exposition about to be given.

Determine at the earliest day practicable what the view of this board is as to what part women are to take in the exposition.

That subject can not be too promptly considered or decided upon.

You are to plan the scope of women's work in this exposition.

Give the representation of women's work in this exposition a national or international character. If of an international character, will this board undertake to select the people who are to go abroad to represent the women of this country in appealing to the women of other countries? * * * It is a matter of supreme consequence that the women of the country shall be represented in a manner that will be approved by themselves at least. * * * I think it rests with you to formulate plan and scope, and transmit that formulated plan and scope to this Commission, to be approved by the Commission and approved by the local company, as a part of the programme of this exposition. It was the intention when this board was appointed to get together a body of representative women from all over the United States, and that this body when a.s.sembled would become a directing force along general lines. In the matter of women's work there is no limit. You exercise "general supervisory control." I would say that, in pursuance of authority granted the board of lady managers, that this board adopt resolutions stating that no woman shall be appointed to represent the exposition by either the National Commission or the local company until the name of such representative shall have been submitted to and ratified by this board of lady managers. You will find in talking with this company a keen anxiety to quickly adopt any suggestions that will bring about success in any line. Claim whatever you think in the form of a rule, a.s.sert your right to approve or confirm if you please everyone appointed to push this woman's work anywhere. In regard to a building, say what you want; submit your plans to this Commission; place your wants in the form of a resolution to be approved by the Commission and the local company; the approval will carry with it the expense. We will regard any expenditure which you may make as "legitimate exposition work"--commissioners to go abroad, or whatever it may be.