Blair, the first president of the board, during the meeting at the time of the formal opening of the exposition on May 2, 1903.

This committee consisted of Mrs. Daniel Manning, chairman; Miss Dawes, Mrs. Knott, Miss Gould, Mrs. Holcombe, Mrs. Montgomery, Mrs. Moores, and Mrs. von Mayhoff.

On December 17, 1903, Mrs. Manning having been elected president of the board after the resignation of Mrs. Blair, Miss Dawes became chairman of the committee, and has so continued.

In pursuance of a policy inaugurated by Mrs. Manning, it was determined to send a circular to the women of the different countries of Europe, calling their attention to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, inviting their cooperation and presence, and offering to do what we could toward that end. At the request of the present chairman, Mrs. Manning conferred with the officers of the exposition as to what had already been done, and with the State Department in Washington as to what could be done, and prepared the circular appended, the State Department sending it out to its officials in the following countries:

Berne, Switzerland; Bucharest, Roumania; Belgrade, Servia; Brussels, Belgium; Constantinople, Turkey; Copenhagen, Denmark; Athens, Greece; Berlin, Germany; Habana, Cuba; Lisbon, Portugal; Rome, Italy; Paris, France; Madrid, Spain; Stockholm, Sweden; St. Petersburg, Russia; Sofia, Bulgaria; Vienna, Austria; London, England; The Hague, Netherlands; Egypt; Mexico; China; j.a.pan; Dominion of Canada.

The cordial cooperation of the Government, through the State Department, was a source of great satisfaction to the committee, giving, as it did, not only currency to the circular, but putting the weight and dignity of the Government behind our action. For this, and for the extremely valuable circular so finely adapted to the need, and so eloquently setting forth the objects of the exposition and the aims and desires of this board, we are, as in so many other things, indebted to the experience and ability of Mrs. Manning.

His Excellency the MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF ----.

EXCELLENCY: By an act of Congress of the United States, the board of lady managers of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition is directed to join with the other const.i.tuted authorities in commemorating the great event in the history of the United States when, a century ago, there was added to its territory a new field which to-day is the home of many people, and where earnest and sincere women, as well as men, are laboriously working out the problem of the progress of humanity and the advancement of the race.

No single individual, no one people, no separate country can supply that full knowledge from which may be fixed the conditions of mankind, its development in the industries, the arts, the sciences at the commencement of the twentieth century.

The entire world must contribute to this knowledge, and therefore the entire world has been invited to take part in this universal exposition and to bring hither the fruit of the lands, the products of other soils, the articles manufactured by foreign hands, and evidences of the achievements of the intellect and intelligence in the higher fields of thought.

While in gathering these things there is no distinction made between the product of man's hand and of woman's hand, nevertheless, it is the peculiar function of this board to act as the channel through which women, as individuals, and as organizations, may be brought into immediate communication with the exposition at St. Louis.

It is, therefore, with cordiality and eagerness that we invite the women of your country to join with us in presenting to the world the information of the condition, opportunities, development, and promises of their s.e.x in their own country and to exhibit at the exposition specimens of their productions and examples of their activities, manual and mental, scientific and artistic.

And coupled with this invitation, we would express the hope that we may be permitted to be of personal service to such women as may visit the exposition in person, or to give special attention to the exhibits of such as may not be able to come.

Requesting your excellency's good offices to the end that the publicity may be given to the invitation in order that it may come to the knowledge of the women of the country, we beg to a.s.sure you of the high consideration with which we are,

Your obedient servant, MARY MARGARETTA MANNING, President.

The honorable the SECRETARY OF STATE.

SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith invitations which the board of lady managers of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition have addressed to the women of foreign countries, through the respective diplomatic envoys, with a view to promoting women's interests at the exposition.

In view of the indors.e.m.e.nt which the Congress of the United States has given to the exposition, and the recognition it has accorded to the board of lady managers, I should be pleased were it found consistent with practice for the invitations to be delivered by the diplomatic envoy of the United States, and if they were instructed to give them their support.

I have the honor to be, sir,

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 a.s.sociations 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.

Circ.u.mstances 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:

The president of the board of lady managers having been elected active chairman of the house-furnishing committee, with power to select her own committee, named Mrs. Mary Phelps Montgomery and Mrs. John M. Holcombe as the other members.

At the same meeting of the board at which the chairman was named, the sum of $20,000 was fixed as the maximum amount that might be expended for house-furnishing purposes by the committee. This sum was to cover all expenditures for electric wiring and fixtures, electric bells, push b.u.t.tons, and annunciators; tinting of walls and staining of floors; water connections, filters, water heaters, bath tubs, sinks, etc.; all wooden part.i.tions in dormitories; window shades, screens, and awnings; arrangements for butler's pantry; rugs, carpets, matting, and all floor covering; furniture, gla.s.s, china, and kitchen utensils; table and bed linen, blankets--indeed, every expenditure attending the fitting out and appointing of the building.

The committee was fortunate in arranging for part of the work, in preparing the building for occupancy, by securing the workmen that were employed by the Government on its building, and had been brought from Washington for that purpose; these men could contract for a longer stay at better rates than were obtainable in St. Louis. The tremendous advance in the price of labor about this time led the committee to be most cautious in its expenditures, not knowing the extent of the demands that might be made upon their fund before the arranging of the building was completed. President Francis, in his address to the board on December 15, 1903, has already given some of the difficulties experienced by the Exposition Company on the question of the cost of labor up to that date. By the time of the opening of the exposition the members of this committee had to meet even greater prices, as, instead of time and one-half for overtime, the demands of the workmen had risen to double time for overtime. This involved paying $1.50 per hour instead of 75 cents for certain kinds of work necessary to be completed by opening day.

Most of the furniture, rugs, carpets, curtains, gla.s.s, and china were purchased in New York City, but some interesting pieces of antique furniture were obtained by one of the committee in Connecticut, while others were secured in Albany, N.Y.

Material and substantial aid was rendered the members of the committee by the generous gifts and loans which added greatly to the attractiveness and comfort of the building.

Mrs. Roosevelt, wife of the President, by request, very graciously presented a picture of herself, which was the only picture hung in the salon of the building of the board of lady managers.

The committee is but echoing the sentiments of the entire board in expressing their thanks and appreciation to the following firms for their handsome and useful gifts, all of which were most acceptably used by the members of the board and their guests:

Cheney Brothers, of New York and Connecticut, most generously contributed one of their handsome pieces of silk damask for the covering of the walls of the salon, also the material for the curtains for that room, yellow silk curtains for the tea room, and pink silk curtains and furniture covering for the president's room. The thanks of the board can not be too warmly expressed to this firm for their generosity in aiding the board in such a substantial manner and beautifying their house by their gifts.

Steinway & Co., New York City: Manufactured for our use and loaned to us one of the handsomest pianos they could make, with beautiful Louis XV decorations in ormolu, which was used on state occasions or when some well-known singer or pianist was available. It was the admiration of all visitors.

Chickering & Co., New York City: Loaned one of their beautiful pianos, which was placed in the large hall in which was held informal meetings and dances.

Tiffany & Co., New York City: Silver-plated tea set, consisting of tray, hot-water kettle, with lamp, teapot, coffeepot, hot-milk pitcher, sugar bowl, cream pitcher, and slop bowl. This set was used every afternoon on the tea table, and was greatly admired by all who were the guests of the board at their informal afternoon teas.

Black, Starr & Frost, New York City: Gift of four silver-plated candlesticks of attractive antique colonial design; also a set of four silver-plated trays.

Gorham Manufacturing Company, New York City: Gift of two silver-plated candelabra of beautiful design, which were in constant use at the afternoon teas and on the private table of the board, and also at the more formal dinners and entertainments where lights were used on the tables.

Layc.o.c.k & Co., of Indianapolis, Ind., generously loaned the bra.s.s beds and mattresses used in the dormitories in the building at a nominal price.

Macy & Co., New York City: Gift of 10 dozen plates, cups, and saucers, of Limoges china, specially decorated and of unique design, that were very handsome and in constant use by the board.

Higgins & Seiter, New York City: Gift of set of creaming dishes of most delicate pattern, in handsome white case.

International Nickle Company, New York City: Gift of chafing dishes, tea-kettles, and trays, of especially neat design, and most useful.

Mrs. Eva B. Leete, Guilford, Conn.: Loaned a rare antique sideboard of semicircular shape, and a "pie-crust" table.