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Cornell University Library 
 T 500.B1Je9 
 
 A history of the World's Columbian Expos 
 
 3 1924 021 896 331 ..„..i 
 
The original of this book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924021896331 
 
'"-WW'inMiviw\\UW 
 
 i- 
 
 A HISTORY 
 
 OF 
 THE 
 
 WORLD'S 
 
 COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION 
 
 HELD IN CHICAGO IN 1893 
 
 BY AUTHORITY OF THE 
 BOARD OF DIRECTORS 
 
 EDITED BY 
 
 ROSSITER JOHNSON 
 
 Jis^^amJ' 
 
Copyright, 1897, '^ — 
 By D. APPLETON AND COMPANY. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 For the purpose of preserving a record of the principal features and im- 
 portant events connected with the inception, development, and administra- 
 tion of the World's Columbian Exposition, together with a brief account of 
 the magnitude of the various departments, of the principal exhibits, and of 
 the World's Congresses, the Board of Directors, by resolution adopted Jan- 
 uary 26, 1895, authorized the publication of this History by Messrs. D. Ap- 
 pleton & Co., under the editorship of Rossiter Johnson, LL. D., and ap- 
 pointed the undersigned a committee charged with the duty of supervising 
 the publication. 
 
 Invaluable as are the reports of the chief officers of the Exposition, espe- 
 cially to those who may hereafter undertake a similar enterprise, still their 
 volume is so great that a full publication would be impracticable, and there- 
 fore nothing more than a condensed synopsis of these reports can be given. 
 
 The materials from which the History has been compiled are the records 
 of the proceedings of the Board of Directors and documents on file in the 
 general offices ; the reports of Harlow N. Higinbotham, President of the 
 Company ; George R. Davis, Director General ; Daniel H. Burnham, Di- 
 rector of Works ; Mrs. Potter Palmer, President of the Board of L^dy 
 Managers, and other reports by subordinate officers. 
 
 It has been the endeavor of the Editor and the Committee to select 
 from this material so much as might be of interest to the general reader, or 
 serviceable to those who may hereafter undertake a similar enterprise. It 
 has been our purpose to preserve a true record of every important feature 
 and function of the enterprise, and to offer it as a contribution to the litera- 
 ture of expositions, in the hope that its text and illustrations may serve to 
 
iv THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 perpetuate the memory of the most successful enterprise of the kind our 
 country has yet produced, and, in some important features, the most re- 
 markable that the world has ever witnessed ; and also in the further hope 
 that when another National and International Exposition shall be held under 
 the sanction and authority of the Congress of the United States, its ofificers, 
 by a careful study of this authoritative history, may be aided in attaining a 
 higher standard of beauty and excellence. Such was the purpose of the 
 Directors, and, with this object in view, the Committee has approved this 
 brief but impartial History of the World's Columbian Exposition. 
 
 Harlow N. Higinbotham, 
 Edwin Walker, 
 LvMAN J. Gage, 
 
 Committee. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The Occasion i 
 
 The importance of Columbus's discovery — Appropriateness of the great Exposition — Why it was held 
 in Chicago — Growth of that city — Difficulties encountered. 
 
 CHAPTER n. 
 
 The Inception 7 
 
 Origin of the movement — Summary of previous expositions — The first, Chicago committee — Organiza- 
 tion of the stock company — Competition of other cities — The arguments before Congress — Formation 
 of public sentiment — The act of Congress — Creation of the National Commission. 
 
 CHAPTER in. 
 
 Organization of the Company ........... 21 
 
 Subscriptions to the capital stock — First meeting of stockholders — First Board of Directors — Election 
 of officers — Appointment of committees — Appointment of consulting architects and engineer. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Election of a Director General 25 
 
 Difficulties of the dual organization — Selection of Colonel George R. Davis — Organization of the 
 departments — The Compact — The Board of Reference and Control — The Committee of Conference — 
 Election of new directors — List of departments. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Grounds and Buildings 33 
 
 Discussion of the Lake Front — Difficulties connected with it — Jackson Park — Midway Plaisance — 
 Appointment of landscape architects — Final decision of the question of a site — The historic ground 
 — A poetic vision — First plan for the Exposition — Creation of a Construction Department — Services 
 of John W. Root — Assignments of architectural work — Early plans and estimates — Preparation of the 
 ground — Accommodations for the World's Congress Auxiliary — Changes in the committee — Creation 
 of the Council of Administration. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Finance and Ways and Means 51 
 
 Difficulties of the situation — Obtaining subscriptions to the stock — Amendment of the State Constitu- 
 tion — Issuance of Chicago city bonds — Composition of the committees — The act of Congress — A 
 Budget Committee — Successive estimates — Appropriation of Columbian half dollars — Action of the 
 banks — Influence of the financial crisis — Unjust action of Congress — Bonds taken by railroads — Con- 
 cessions and privileges — The Midway Plaisance — Concessions in Jackson Park — Comments. 
 
vi THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. PAGE 
 
 Executive Department of the Directory ........ 84 
 
 Offices of the company — Powers and duties of President and committees — Execution of contracts 
 — Organization of the department — Important appointments — The Congress Auxiliary — Committees 
 — Transportation — Plans and estimates — Elevation of railway tracks — Terminal facilities — Method of 
 holding annual meeting — New list of committees. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 The Council of Administration 102 
 
 Necessity for concentration of authority — Pressure of time — Formation of the Council — Mr. Burnham 
 made Director of Works — Resignation of President Baker — Election of Mr. Higinbotham to succeed 
 him — Work of the Committee on Grounds and Buildings — Establishment of rules — The Bureau of 
 Admissions and Collections. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Promotion . .... ....... 109 
 
 Appointment of commissioners to foreign countries — Detail of G;vernment officers — The President of 
 the United States issues his proclamation — Departure of commissioners — Assistance from diplomatic 
 and consular agents — The diplomatic corps in Washington invited to Chicago — First commission to 
 Europe — Commissioners sent to Australasia and India — Co-operation by the Secretary of the Treasury 
 — Arrival of British, German, and Danish commissioners — Their conference with the Secretary of 
 the Treasury — Questions concerning tariff and sales — Suggestions for customhouse regulations — 
 Letters from foreign commissioners — The second commission to Europe — A letter from Pope Leo 
 XIII — Residents of Chicago appointed to represent foreign governments — Special effiDrts for the De- 
 partments of Electricity, the Fine Arts, and Transportation — Arrival of the first exhibit — Documents 
 circulated all over the world — Failure of the commission to China — Special arrangements with con- 
 cessionnaires — Japan's response — Difficulties with British manufacturers — Correspondence with foreign 
 commissioners — Arrangement of the offices and office work — Assistance from the Directory's Com- 
 mittee on Foreign Exhibits. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 Construction 134 
 
 The Committee on Grounds and Buildings — Messrs. Olmsted and Codman appointed Consulting 
 Landscape Architects — Messrs. Burnham and Root appointed Consulting Architects — Creation of the 
 office of Chief of Construction — Daniel H. Burnham appointed to it — Meetings and consultations of 
 architects — Discussion of plans — Development of the idea of the Court of Honor — Charles B. Atwood 
 appointed Designer-in-Chief — Francis D. Millet appointed Director of Color — Alexander Sandier 
 appointed Director of Arrangement of Exhibits — Death of Mr. Root and Mr. Codman — The question 
 of transportation — The engineers and superintendents — Labor strikes — Erection of the buildings — 
 Staff work — Entertainments — Analysis of the general design- -The inscriptions — Summary of the 
 various structures on the grounds — List of architects, engineers, and artists, and their works. 
 
 I8l 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Electrical and Mechanical Service . 
 
 Plans for arc lighting — Subways and cables — Statistics — Organization of the Electrical Department 
 
 Bids for lighting — Difficulty with the contracts — Machines used — Novel lighting — Organization of the 
 Mechanical Department — Engines and pumps — Water supply — Use of filters — Disposal of sewage — 
 Standpipes. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 The Board of Lady Managers. . ig6 
 
 Authorization and appointment of the Board — Its first meeting and organization — List of officers and 
 members — Definition of duties and powers — Plans for a building — Its construction — Congressional 
 appropriations — Appointment of committees — State work — List of State Boards — Foreign co-opera- 
 tion — Statistics of applications and exhibits — Erection of the Woman's Dormitory — Committee of 
 
 Awards — Seal and badges — Congresses in the Woman's Building — Industrial talks — Souvenir coins 
 
 Historical and collective exhibits — Difficulties encountered — Space assigned in the Liberal Arts 
 Building — The Woman's Building made an exhibit building— Representation in Committees of 
 
CONTENTS. vii 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Award— Diplomas of honor — Description of the interior of the Woman's Building — Establishment of 
 a salesroom — Restaurant and tea-rooms — Headquarters of organizations of women — The Assembly 
 Room — Ornamentation and special exhibits. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 The Children's Building 251 
 
 How the fund was raised — Description of the building — The nursery, kindergarten, and kitchen 
 garden — Number of children cared for — School of modeling — School for the deaf— The library — Gifts 
 — Receipts and expenditures. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Dedication of the Buildings 258 
 
 Choice of days — Official invitations — Order of exercises — The procession — Transportation of visitors — 
 Refreshments — The vast audience — Addresses of George R. Davis, Hempstead Washburne, Daniel H. 
 Burnham, Mrs. Palmer, Harlow N. Higinbotham, Thomas W. Palmer, Levi P. Morton, Henry Wat- 
 terson, and Chauncey M. Depew — The Columbian Ode. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 Last Months of Construction and Installation 307 
 
 Scenes at the Park — The Festival Hall and the Anthropological Building — Conflicting claims for 
 space — Speeding the final preparations — Obstacles from snow and cold — The power plant — With- 
 drawal of application for space — The temper of the press — Transportation — The final rush — Insurance 
 — A strike. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Bureau of Admissions and Collections 326 
 
 Complimentary tickets — Passes — Composition of the Bureau — Gate money and concessions — Use of 
 tickets^Photographic passes — Employment of experts. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 Opening of the Exposition . . ...... 340 
 
 Invitation to the Queen Regent of Spain — Her reply — Arrival of the Duke of Veragua — His reception 
 in Chicago — Stormy weather — The procession — The opening exercises — Mr. Croffut's poem — Direc- 
 tor-General Davis's address — The President starts the machinery — Reception of the delegations — The 
 naval review in New York harbor. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 Sunday Closing ... . . . .... 359 
 
 Difficulties of the question — Mr. Walker elected Solicitor-General — Arguments pro and con — Require- 
 ments of the act of Congress — Special regulations — The case in court — Sunday attendance — Religious 
 services on the grounds — Conflicting decisions. 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 Protection 3^8 
 
 Organization of the Guard — Colonel Rice appointed commandant — United States troops — Police — 
 Military drill — Fire drill — Compensation — Difficulties — Secret service — A special service corps — The 
 Fire Department and its apparatus — Medical bureau. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 Intramural Transportation 380 
 
 The Intramural Railway — Details of construction and management — The electric-launch service — 
 Detailed description of the launches — Their success and safety— The Venetian gondolas. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 First Three Months .... • ■ 386 
 
 A period of depression — Average attendance — Failure of the Chemical Bank — Pledges to pay deposi- 
 jQjg y^ panic Difficulties with concessionnaires — A month of experiments — Arrival of the Infanta — 
 
yiij THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Attendance increasing— Press reports — A daily paper issued — Declaration of the State Commissions 
 — Condition of the finances — Abolition of the Bureau of Admissions and Collections— Burning of the 
 Cold-storage Warehouse — The grounds kept open in the evening— The caravels — The Viking ship. 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 Special Days ..... 406 
 
 Assignment of dates — Reasons for their choice — The celebrations described in their order — Processions 
 on land and water — Speeches, poems, decorations, ringing of the Liberty Bell, fireworks, tableaus, 
 national songs, and excursions — Steady increase in attendance — Chicago's great day — The mournful 
 close. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 Music . .... ......... 464 
 
 Theodore Thomas made Musical Director — William L. Tomlins, Choral Director — Planning the con- 
 certs — Description of Music Hall — Paderewski — A difficulty about the piano — Discontinxtance of the 
 orchestra and resignation of Mr. Thomas — The band stands — The Grand Chorus — Musical societies — 
 Minor concerts — Expenses. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 August, September, and October .... .... 474 
 
 Average daily attendance — Payment on the bonds — Discharge of the Committee on Ceremonies — Mr. 
 Millet appointed Director of Functions — Methods of advertising — Illumination — Beauty of the scene 
 at night — Electrical effects — The Midway Plaisance. 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 Closing the Exposition .... . . ... 484 
 
 A financial success — The proposition to reopen — Plans for a brilliant close frustrated by a great 
 calamity — Assassination of Mayor Harrison — Addresses of Presidents Palmer and Higinbotham. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 The Fair as a Spectacle (written expressly for this work by Charles Mulford 
 
 Robinson) .... 493 
 
 How it seemed to a visitor — Strolling and dreaming by day and by night. 
 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 FULL-PAGE PICTURES. 
 
 FACING 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Portrait of Harlow N. Higinbotham Frontispiece 
 
 The Administration Building, from the northeast i 
 
 The entrance to the Terminal Station -42 
 
 The Manufactures Building, August II, 1892 176 
 
 The coronas in the Manufactures Building . . . . . . . . .184 
 
 The Woman's Building, from the east .......... 198 
 
 Interior of the Woman's Building . . . . . . . . . . .213 
 
 The Children's Building . ............ 252 
 
 Gymnasium in the Children's Building .......... 255 
 
 The grand stand in the Manufactures Building ........ 278 
 
 Scene in the Manufactures Building .......... 287 
 
 Portrait of Columbus 296 
 
 Opening Day ............... 346 
 
 The Court of Honor, looking east . . . . . . . . . . -352 
 
 The Peristyle, looking southeast 364 
 
 Princess Eulalia and escort on the Midway Plaisancc ....... 409 
 
 The German Government Building 412 
 
 The Turkish Government Building 433 
 
 The Brazilian Government Building 440 
 
 Chicago Day on the Plaza 454 
 
 A balloon ascension on Manhattan Day 459 
 
 The Court of Honor at night 482 
 
 The Court of Honor, looking west 486 
 
 The arch of the Peristyle, looking from the Lake 494 
 
 Looking northeast across the Court of Honor 496 
 
 The South Basin 499 
 
 Near the eastern end of the Midway Plaisance 503 
 
 The Peristyle and statue of Columbia, from the Agriculture Building . . .510 
 Colored map of the grounds 512 
 
 VIEWS IN THE TEXT. 
 
 Tympanum, " The Arts of Peace " . i 
 
 The Viking ship 3 
 
 Statue of Columbus . . . • S 
 
 Caravel " Santa Maria " . . ,. 6 
 
 Parade of war-vessels .... 7 
 View in Jackson Park . . . .10 
 View in Jackson Park before ground 
 
 was broken . . . . .17 
 
THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Armory ..... 
 Statue of Columbus 
 Warehouses for receipt of exhibits 
 Foundation test . . . . 
 The Lagoon, July i8, 1891 . 
 Boarding-house for workmen . 
 
 21 
 23 
 25 
 32 
 33 
 38 
 
 Raising a derrick for the dome of the 
 
 Horticulture Building . . 45 
 
 The Administration Building, January 
 
 8, 1892 48 
 
 Sculptors at work .... 50 
 
 Working on the Midway Plaisance 51 
 
 Sculptors at work in the Forestry Build- 
 ing . . ■ • ■ ■ S3 
 Electric transfer table . . . .58 
 The Electricity Building, March 25, 1892 60 
 A concessionnaire's booth 63 
 Statues for the Agriculture Building . 66 
 A concessionnaire's booth . .71 
 Raising arches of the Manufactures 
 
 Building ... • • 73 
 
 A concessionnaire's booth . -76 
 
 Columbia rolling-chair station 80 
 
 Electric-launch ticket-office . . 82 
 
 A section of McArthur Brothers' camp . 84 
 Dredging, June, 1891 . . 86 
 
 Railroad bridge over the Grand Canal, 
 
 July 30, 1891 . . 89 
 Sculptors at work, July i, 1891 . 91 
 Site of the Administration Building . 93 
 Grading for the Art Building. . 98 
 A gondola on the North Pond . 10 1 
 The Grand Basin, July 14, 1891 . 102 
 The Commissary Building . . 108 
 The Grand Basin, June 29, 1892 . . 109 
 Looking east from the Electricity Build- 
 ing, October 26, 1891 . . .111 
 " Traveler " on the floor of the Manu- 
 factures Building . . .116 
 Interior of the Woman's Building, De- 
 cember 30, 1891 . . .118 
 Building the battle-ship Illinois, Au- 
 gust 15, 1891 122 
 
 Battle-ship Illinois, October 23, 1891 124 
 North end of the Transportation Build- 
 ing, December 31, 1891 . . . 128 
 Horticulture Building, January 26, 1892 . 132 
 Temporary offices and hospital, Febru- 
 ary 5. 1892 134 
 
 Storm protection for workmen . . 137 
 The Government Building, January 29, 
 
 1892 139 
 
 The Agriculture Building, February 3, 
 
 1892 142 
 
 A portion of the electric subway, Feb- 
 ruary 13, 1892 ..... 144 
 
 Mr. Millet and assistants at work . . 146 
 Bronze tablets on Fine- Arts Building. 148, 149 
 Southwest corner of the Agriculture 
 
 Building, March 17, 1892 . 152 
 
 An arch joint in the Manufactures 
 
 Building, April 10, 1892 . . -154 
 North end of the Electricity Building, 
 
 April 26, 1892 . . . . ■ '55 
 
 Making a mold ..... 159 
 
 Group, " Plenty," for the Colonnade . 160 
 West side of the Manufactures Build- 
 ing after the gale, April 27, 1892 . 162 
 The inscriptions on the Peristyle . .164 
 Staff detail for the Manufactures Build- 
 ing . . . . . . .166 
 
 Staff application. Administration Build- 
 ing, February 3, 1892 . . 168 
 Road-making . ... 169 
 
 Construction of the north electric foun- 
 tain . . . . . . .171 
 
 Construction of the south electric foun- 
 tain . . ... 173 
 
 Sculptors' studio in the Horticulture 
 
 Building, August 24, 1892 . . 179 
 Tanks for purifying drinking-water . 180 
 The Agriculture Building, April 23, 1892 181 
 The electric subway, in front of the 
 Administration Building, March 25, 
 
 1891 183 
 
 A combination lamp-post . . . 186 
 Pump house ...... 187 
 
 Sewage-cleansing works . . . 192 
 Laboratory in the sewage-cleansing 
 
 works ...... 194 
 
 A hoisting engine 195 
 
 The Woman's Building and vicinity from 
 the roof of the Manufactures Build- 
 ing .... . . 196 
 
 Main entrance to the Woman's Build- 
 ing 201 
 
 Loggia of the Woman's Building . . 208 
 President's office. Woman's Building . 216 
 A corner in the Woman's Building. . 220 
 Badges (two) .... . 222 
 The California room. Woman's Build- 
 ing 227 
 
 The Cincinnati room. Woman's Build- 
 ing 230 
 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 XI 
 
 The Connecticut room, Woman's Build- 
 ing . 
 Fine-art exhibit 
 
 in the Woman's Build- 
 
 ing 
 
 French salon in the Woman's Building . 
 
 Library of the Woman's Building . 
 
 View of the Wooded Island . 
 
 Crlche in the Children's Building . 
 
 Sloyd in the Children's Building . 
 
 The Broom brigade . . . . 
 
 Railroad on the Lake Front during con- 
 struction 
 
 Form of invitation to the dedication 
 ceremonies . . . . . 
 
 Military review in Washington Park 
 
 Entering the grounds, Dedication Day . 
 
 Arrival of escort of officers, Dedication 
 Day 
 
 Medal presented to the architects of the 
 Exposition . . . . . 
 
 The Machinery Building, July 2, 1892 . 
 
 Head of the statue of the Republic 
 
 The Machinery Building, March 25, 1892. 
 
 Buildings approaching completion . 
 
 Unloading exhibits. . . . . 
 
 The Peristyle, January, 1893 . 
 
 The Machinery Building, August 11, 
 1892 ....... 
 
 A capital on the Fisheries Building 
 
 The Sixty-second Street entrance . 
 
 Souvenir admission ticket 
 
 Limited admission ticket. 
 
 Back of special ticket issued for Chicago 
 Day 
 
 Lake Front with the buildings near com- 
 pletion ...... 
 
 Opening day, officers and guests on the 
 platform 
 
 The electric key for starting the ma- 
 chinery 
 
 A single wheel-chair 
 
 Looking south from the roof of the 
 Manufactures Building . 
 
 Statue of the Republic . 
 
 The Service Building 
 
 A member of the Columbian Guard 
 
 Columbian Guard station 
 
 A police telegraph signal box 
 
 A fire signal box .... 
 The court of the Service Building . 
 The telephone station . 
 A fire-engine 
 
 233 
 
 235 
 243 
 248 
 
 251 
 254 
 256 
 
 257 
 258 
 
 262 
 263 
 269 
 
 276 
 
 277 
 3°7 
 310 
 
 313 
 315 
 318 
 320 
 
 323 
 325 
 326 
 
 329 
 331 
 
 332 
 
 340 
 
 348 
 
 352 
 358 
 
 359 
 367 
 368 
 
 370 
 371 
 373 
 375 
 376 
 378 
 379 
 
 The charging-station for electric launches 380 
 
 The power house 382 
 
 Interior of the power house . . . 383 
 
 Office of The Northern Trust Company 386 
 Branch office of The Northern Trust 
 
 Company 388 
 
 Half of a page of the Columbian . 394 
 
 Excursion train. Railway Day . . 406 
 
 Cadets of Michigan Military Academy . 414 
 
 The Guatemala Building . . . 416 
 
 Statue of General Simon Bolivar . . 419 
 
 The Colombia Building .... 420 
 Sweden Day, July 20 . . . .421 
 
 Statue of James Wilson Marshall . . 424 
 
 The Merchant Tailors' Building . . 429 
 
 Drill of West Point Cadets . . 430 
 As You Like it, played in the Sylvan 
 
 Dell 432 
 
 Office of the Turkish commissioners . 434 
 
 The old Liberty Bell .... 439 
 
 The transportation parade . 441 
 
 The Shoe and Leather Building . . 443 
 Group at the new Liberty Bell, Ohio 
 
 Day 445 
 
 Swimming contest in the South Basin . 447 
 The Costa Rica Building. . . 448 
 Members of the Mexican Band . .452 
 A souvenir coupon ..... 453 
 Entrance to the New York State Build- 
 ing on Manhattan Day . 460 
 The Michigan logging-camp . . .461 
 A double wheel-chair .... 463 
 The Peristyle, showing Music Hall on 
 
 the left and Casino on the right . 464 
 
 The Music Hall 466 
 
 One of the band stands .... 468 
 
 Festival Hall 471 
 
 Chime tower on Machinery Hall . . 472 
 
 Scottish pipers .... 473 
 The Columbian fountain illuminated by 
 
 search light 474 
 
 Fac-simile of check .... 476 
 
 A catalogue-seller ..... 477 
 
 Group of Alaskans 479 
 
 Emergency boat and crew . . . 480 
 
 Promenade on Wooded Island . . 482 
 One of the search-lights on the roof of 
 
 the Manufactures Building . 483 
 Group of sculpture, " The Four Sea- 
 sons "...... 484 
 
 The caravels moored in the South Inlet. 485 
 
 An electric launch ..... 492 
 
xu 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 The approach by water to the northern 
 
 part of the grounds . 
 The Administration Building, from the 
 
 bridge to the Wooded Island . 
 Japanese tea-house. .... 
 Javanese women ..... 
 A group of South-Sea-Islanders 
 
 
 A Kurdish dancer 505 
 
 493 
 
 A Turkish chair 507 
 
 
 A Bedouin ...... 508 
 
 498 
 
 A gala day on the Midway Plaisance . 509 
 
 SOI 
 
 Hindoos 510 
 
 502 
 
 Looking southwest across the Grand 
 
 5°4 
 
 Basin 511 
 
 PORTRAITS IN THE TEXT. 
 
 William K. Ackerman 
 Owen F. Aldis 
 Gorton W. Allen . 
 Samuel W. Allerton 
 John W. Alvord . 
 Mrs. Susan R. Ashley 
 Charles B. Atwood 
 William T. Baker 
 Mrs. Helen M. Barker 
 Paul Blackmar 
 John Bonfield 
 Edmond Bruwaert 
 Thomas B. Bryan . 
 Mrs. Edwin C. Burleigh 
 Daniel Hudson Burnham 
 Edward B. Butler 
 Benjamin Butterworth 
 William J. Chalmers 
 Grover Cleveland 
 Mrs. Susan Gale Cooke 
 Dewitt C. Cregier 
 William A. Croffut 
 George Davidson . 
 Chauncey M. Depew 
 Arthur Dixon 
 Mrs. George L. Dunlap 
 Senor Dupuy de Lome 
 Mrs. James P. Eagle 
 Howard O. Edmonds 
 James W. Ellsworth 
 Miss Lydia F. Emmet 
 H. R. H. the Infanta Eulalia 
 William Finlayson 
 Stuyvesant Fish . 
 Charles F. Foster . 
 Lyman J. Gage . 
 Mrs. Flora Beall Ginty 
 Ernest R. Graham 
 Benjamin Harrison 
 Carter H. Harrison 
 Mrs. Russell B. Harrison 
 Miss Sophia G. Hayden 
 
 334 
 
 Charles Henrotin . 
 
 
 
 126 
 
 36 
 
 William H. Holcomb . 
 
 
 • 95 
 
 303 
 
 Edward T. Jeffery 
 
 
 ■ 31 
 
 312 
 
 Mrs. Dora Wheeler Keith 
 
 
 250 
 
 175 
 
 Elbridge G. Keith 
 
 
 . . 69 
 
 221 
 
 William D. Kerfoot 
 
 
 ■ 304 
 
 IS7 
 
 Rollin A. Keyes . 
 
 
 ■ 357 
 
 84 
 
 Milton W. Kirk . 
 
 
 403 
 
 224 
 
 Herman H. Kohlsaat . 
 
 
 • 307 
 
 83 
 
 Edward F. Lawrence . 
 
 260 
 
 372 
 
 William Lindsay . 
 
 114 
 
 130 
 
 William S. MacHarg . 
 
 193 
 
 25 
 
 Mrs. Mary F. Macmonnies 
 
 206 
 
 200 
 
 George V. Massey 
 
 
 
 102 
 
 134 
 
 Joseph Medill 
 
 
 
 338 
 
 326 
 
 Mrs. Virginia C. Meredith 
 
 
 
 225 
 
 29 
 
 Nelson A. Miles . 
 
 
 
 265 
 
 397 
 
 Frank D. Millet . 
 
 
 
 406 
 
 350 
 
 Miss Katharine L. Minor 
 
 
 
 215 
 
 196 
 
 Miss Harriet Monroe . 
 
 
 
 271 
 
 7 
 
 Levi P. Morton 
 
 
 
 288 
 
 345 
 
 Far-away Moses . 
 
 
 
 506 
 
 458 
 
 Edward W. Murphy 
 
 
 
 374 
 
 295 
 
 Joseph O'Connor . 
 
 
 
 435 
 
 404 
 
 John J. P. Odell . 
 
 
 
 78 
 
 251 
 
 Frederick Law Olmsted 
 
 
 
 24 
 
 485 
 
 John E. Owens . 
 
 
 
 377 
 
 249 
 
 John K. Paine 
 
 
 
 267 
 
 100 
 
 Anton von Palitschek . 
 
 
 
 491 
 
 19 
 
 Potter Palmer 
 
 
 
 27 
 
 239 
 
 Ferdinand W. Peck 
 
 
 
 51 
 
 392 
 
 Erskine M. Phelps 
 
 
 
 386 
 
 459 
 
 Montgomery B. Pickett 
 
 
 
 150 
 
 355 
 
 Richard H. Pierce 
 
 
 
 190 
 
 181 
 
 Eugene S. Pike . 
 
 
 
 324 
 
 21 
 
 Mrs. Charles Price 
 
 
 
 212 
 
 209 
 
 Alexander H. Revell . 
 
 
 
 298 
 
 140 
 
 Edmund Rice 
 
 
 
 368 
 
 286 
 
 Charles Mulford Robinson 
 
 
 
 493 
 
 343 
 
 John Wellborn Root . 
 
 
 
 33 
 
 211 
 
 Mrs. Rosine Ryan 
 
 
 
 . 228 
 
 203 
 
 Martin A. Ryerson 
 
 
 
 • 305 
 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 Xlll 
 
 James W. St. Clair 
 
 PAGE 
 1 06 
 
 Augustus St. Gaudens . 
 
 390 
 
 Mrs. Margaret Blaine Salisbury . 
 
 218 
 
 Amory W. Sawyer 
 
 107 
 
 Charles H. Schwab 
 
 104 
 
 Anthony F. Seeberger . 
 
 14 
 
 Mrs. Amanda Brewster Sewall 
 
 237 
 
 Edward C. Shankland . 
 
 177 
 
 Mrs. Frances Welles Shepard 
 
 246 
 
 Mrs. Amey M. Starkweather 
 
 240 
 
 Henry B. Stone .... 
 
 49 
 
 Bernard E. Sunny 
 
 380 
 
 Frederick M. Symonds 
 
 401 
 
 Theodore Thomas 
 
 464 
 
 William L. Tomlins 
 
 470 
 
 Mrs. Ralph Trautmann 
 
 231 
 
 Horace Tucker 
 Duke of Veragua . 
 Charles H. Wacker 
 Edwin Walker 
 Hempstead Washburne 
 Henry Watterson . 
 Sir Richard Webster 
 Herr Adolph Wermuth 
 Mrs. Candace Wheeler 
 Charles C. Wheeler 
 Peter A. B. Widener 
 Charles M. Wilkes 
 Mrs. Beriah Wilkins 
 Miss Enid Yandell 
 Charles T. Yerkes 
 Otto Young . 
 
 328 
 340 
 290 
 
 359 
 258 
 
 293 
 109 
 120 
 
 24s 
 474 
 300 
 189 
 247 
 205 
 282 
 55 
 
Note. — Many of the illustrations in these volumes are from photo- 
 graphs that are protected by copyright. For kind permission to use 
 them, our thanks are due to the official photographer, Mr. C. D. 
 Arnold. 
 
" The Arts of Peace," tympanum on Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building. By Gari Melchers. 
 
 A HISTORY OF 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 THE OCCASION. 
 
 The importance of Columbus's discovery — Appropriateness of the great Exposition — 
 Why it was held in Chicago — Growth of that city — Difficulties encountered. 
 
 F all secular events that have taken place since the dawn 
 of history, the discovery of this Western Hemisphere 
 in 1492 was by far the most important. Even if 
 conquest were to be classed with discovery — the mere 
 change of rulers with the opening of new fields for 
 industry and civilization — the rank of that great achieve- 
 ment would still remain unchanged. When we consider the 
 density of Europe's population to-day, it is appalling to 
 think what it might be had not this vast domain been wel- 
 coming immigration for four centuries. We should still 
 have but about three hundred thousand savages roaming 
 over the continent, 
 
 Claiming the soil for their hunting-grounds, while downtrodden 
 
 millions 
 Starve in the garrets of Europe, and cry from its caverns that 
 
 they, too, 
 Have been created heirs of the earth, and claim its division. 
 
 The area of the United States is three times as great as that of the entire 
 Roman Empire when Rome was mistress of the known world, and on 
 
2 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 our southern continent the area of Brazil alone is equal to that of the 
 United States. It was peculiarly fortunate for the race that when the 
 Dark Ages came to a close and learning was revived in Europe these 
 great fertile continents were thrown open to civilized labor and life. Nor 
 was that all ; for here might the producing class begin anew, largely freed 
 from the trammels of ancient custom and prescriptive right, to build such 
 structure of government as the progress of thought and the liberty of 
 men demanded. Not immediately, not even yet, has the perfection of 
 such government been reached ; but already every acre on these continents 
 is ruled after the manner that was modeled by the great men of 1776, and 
 all these countries save one are autonomous and republican. Still more for- 
 tunate, perhaps, was the fact that so many habits and traditions of labor it- 
 self could be left on the other side of the Atlantic, while the enterprising 
 and ambitious immigrants began here a new era of invention and industrial 
 betterment. So great was this opportunity, and so wisely has it been im- 
 proved, that in the use of the inventive faculty, as applied to the arts of 
 every-day life, both for new articles and for easier production of those 
 already well-known, the United States has surpassed all other nations. 
 
 The old-time regret that these continents received their name from 
 another than the original discoverer need no longer be entertained. The 
 name America is fixed forever ; but in all our commemorations and con- 
 gratulations there is little thought of Amerigo \''espucci. The man we think 
 of, the man we admire, the man we talk about, the man whose wonderful 
 story we read and re-read, is Christopher Columbus, the greatest human 
 benefactor of the human race. 
 
 The most eloquent of modern critics has laid down the rule that when 
 a great thing can be done at all, it can be done easily. By this he means, 
 probably, that genius is always superior to its creation. We are reminded of 
 it when we consider the story of Columbus, and see how quickly and easily 
 he could have accomplished his great work but for outside interference and 
 opposition ; and when we read that record it almost seems as if nothing could 
 have carried him through to success but the consciousness of some divine in- 
 spiration. For his clear vision, his steadfast purpose, and his final achieve- 
 ment we now honor him above all the heroes of history. 
 
 It was resolved to commemorate that event by means of an Exposition 
 showing, as no other ever has shown, the whole world's progress in the 
 arts of civilization, much of which never would have been accomplished but 
 for the new life, new energy, and new genius that sprang into being with the 
 opening of new lands. 
 
 " All life is from the sea " was the dictum of a scientist early in our cen- 
 tury. Whether this is accepted or not, it is observable that human life on 
 the several continents shows a tendency for the highest and most rapid de- 
 velopment in the region of the great inland seas. The best European and 
 Asiatic civilization sprang up, and for centuries remained, on the shores of 
 
THE OCCASION. - 3 
 
 the Mediterranean ; and when it moved northward it found the Baltic, the 
 North Sea, and the English Channel, essentially landlocked waters, afford- 
 ing free, perpetual means of transportation between the peoples on all their 
 coasts. When the continent of North America was opened to settlement it 
 might have been predicted that ultimately the swiftest growth and most en- 
 
 EXHIBIT OF VIKING SHIP. 
 
 An exact copy (with a little restoration) of a viking ship discovered in a burial mound at Gokstad, Norway, 
 in 1880. It is 75 feet long, 16 feet beam, and was built in Norway. Capt. Magnus Anderson, with a crew of 
 twelve men, brought it across the Atlantic in May. 
 
 ergetic life would manifest itself somewhere around the Great Lakes, which 
 are the most striking feature on its map. Of these lakes, only one lies 
 wholly within the territory of our Republic, the dwellers on all its shores ac- 
 knowledging one government and having one destiny. And on this lake, at 
 the point that gives directest communication with the most fertile portions 
 of the great Mississippi Valley lying around it, has grown up in a wonder- 
 fully short time the heart city of the continent. That such a city should 
 come into existence there at some time, was inevitable from the general tend- 
 encies of civilization ; that it came so swiftly, was the result of circumstances 
 peculiar to our age. Railroads were invented in England, but the Americans 
 have been pre-eminently the great railroad-builders, and in half a century 
 
4 ■ THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 have covered our country with a marvelous network, over which the iron 
 shuttles of transportation are flying to and fro by night as well as by day. 
 About the same time that this work was begun the American genius for in- 
 vention produced the machinery for sowing and reaping on a correspondingly 
 gigantic scale such crops as could only be produced by the prairie-land of our 
 interior States, thus revolutionizing the general scheme of agriculture and 
 drawing a large part of the best manhood from the rocky farms of the East 
 to the fertile plains of the West. Imperfect and outgrown implements of 
 husbandry these men left behind them, but their intelligence, their education, 
 their industry, and their traditions they carried with them ; and on every hand 
 school systems were organized, colleges and academies sprang up, and the ad- 
 vantages of both sections were united in the life that ensued. Nor this alone ; 
 for from European countries of corresponding climate came vast numbers of 
 industrious, earnest people who needed only the opportunities of a free coun- 
 try to place themselves in line with the foremost in all the arts and enjoy- 
 ments of modern civilized life. Here was no system of caste, no class privi- 
 lege, no hereditary rank, and in less than two generations the free mingling of 
 the best blood of all classes produced a people of wonderful enlightenment, 
 energetic, full of the spirit of liberty and enterprise, and essentially homogene- 
 ous. Those who study the philosophy of history have found that by some in- 
 herent force the dwellers about the head waters of a great river ultimately 
 control the stream to its mouth, or at least prevent any hostile occupation of 
 it, as if the sources of the water were also the sources of life. The latest and 
 most striking exhibition of this was seen when the men of the West refused 
 to endure any closing of the Mississippi to their commerce, and by force of 
 arms opened it from Cairo to the Gulf. There was once a dream of a Golden 
 Circle whose center should be Havana, and whose radius twelve hundred miles. 
 This illusive vision has long since passed away ; but we have learned that there 
 is in reality a golden circle whose center is not on any island of the sea, but 
 in the very heart of the continent, whose radius is at least five hundred miles, 
 and whose golden products are those most necessary to the welfare and en- 
 joyment of the human race. Here, for the present epoch at least, is the seat 
 of empire, and here was properly placed the great Exposition that fitly 
 marked the closing years of our century. " I well remember," said the of- 
 ficial head of the Exposition, who is still a young man, "when the fence of 
 my father's farm, only thirty-five miles from Chicago, was the last evidence 
 of civilization ; everything beyond was an unbroken sweep of prairie, an un- 
 tamed wilderness." When a little band of Chicago men labored and strug- 
 gled for the privilege of holding the Exposition in their city they were 
 moved especially by a desire to benefit an industrious population of twenty- 
 five million people, most of whom could hardly hope to visit such a display 
 unless it was located among them. Having obtained the privilege, and hav- 
 ing pledged their city to its support, these men contended bravely with the 
 many complex problems that arose, overcoming obstacle after obstacle, al- 
 
THE OCCASION. 
 
 ways keeping in mind the honor of the nation as well as the interests of their 
 own i-mmediate people, and ever having their faces to the front, until at last 
 their efforts were successful and the world pronounced the merited ver- 
 dict of approbation. In a new country and a new city had sprung up 
 a spectacle as awe-inspiring as it was unexpected. The site fi 
 that was chosen afforded scope for such a combination of 
 landscape and water features as had existed in no other 
 world's fair, and made it possible, with vast structures and 
 beautiful architecture, to produce not only 
 an exhibition of material and artistic 
 progress, but a dream city that 
 should rise as if by an effort of 
 the imagination, exist for a sea- 
 son with tens of thousands 
 walking wonderingly through 
 its streets, and then pass away 
 to be a beautiful remem- 
 brance forever. 
 
 It is the purpose of this 
 History to put into perma- 
 nent form the story of the 
 Fair — ;why it was conceived, 
 how it was created, by 
 whom it was conducted, 
 through what means it was 
 made successful, and what 
 it accomplished. The story 
 involves not only the direct 
 exertion of skill and energy 
 toward the end in view, but 
 the solution of many difficult 
 problems and the overcoming of 
 the most serious obstacles. We 
 shall not dwell alone upon the glo- 
 ries of the Exposition, but shall tell 
 plainly how the rudeness of the site 
 was tamed, how the necessary millions 
 
 were obtained, how the difficulties of a dual authority were met, how preju- 
 dice and misrepresentation in foreign countries had to be faced, how unusual 
 problems of architectural construction were solved, how railroads had to be 
 lifted and piers and canals constructed, how sanitation had to be secured for 
 crowded and careless thousands, how a police protection was created and 
 maintained, how individual rapacity and dishonesty had to be thwarted, and 
 how all kinds of conflicting interests and jealousies tangled the task and 
 
 COLOSSAL STATUE OF COLUMBUS RAISING 
 THE STANDARD OF SPAIN ON 
 
 AMERICAN SOIL. 
 At entrance of Administration Building. 
 
 Augustus St. Gaudens and Mary B. Lawrence, sculptors. 
 
6 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 called for a constant exercise of firmness, judgment, and tact. No great 
 battle is gained without some loss to the victors ; and we shall make no 
 concealment of the mistakes that were committed and the incidental losses 
 that might have been averted. As a sufficient apology for all these, what- 
 ever they may have been, we have only to allude to the complete success of 
 the most extensive and beautiful Exposition that was ever undertaken. 
 Whether this great thing could have been done easily had no unnecessary 
 difficulties been thrown around it, may be conjectured, if at all, from the 
 wonderful energy, boundless liberality, persistent purpose, and unfailing re- 
 sources of the American people. 
 
 CARAVEL "SANTA MARIA," 
 
 one of the ihree caravels built as nearly as possible like the fleet of Columbus, of which the " Santa Maria" 
 was the flagship. Its dimensions are : Length, 71 feet 3 inches ; beam, 25 feet 8 inches ; depth of hold, 12 feet 
 5 mches. The fleet, under the command of Capt. Concas, crossed the Atlantic in April, and arrived in Chicaeo 
 by way of the lakes, early in July. ' 
 
Parade of War-vessels, New York Bay, October ii, 1892. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 com- 
 
 THE INCEPTION. 
 
 Origin of the movement — Summary of previous expositions — The first Chicago 
 
 mittee Organization of the stock company — Competition of other cities — The 
 
 arguments before Congress — Formation of public sentiment — The act of Congress 
 — Creation of the National Commission. 
 
 HE movement for the holding of a World's Fair in 
 Chicago, to commemorate the discovery of Ameri- 
 ca, was a growth. Various dates have been fixed as 
 the beginning of this movement, and various per- 
 sons have claimed the honor of first conceiving 
 the idea. Other cities, notably Washington, 
 have claimed priority in the conception, and in 
 1886 a plan was on foot in that city for an 
 exhibition extending over three years, begin- 
 ning with the centennial anniversary of the 
 adoption of the Constitution of the United 
 States (1889), and including the four-hundredth 
 anniversary of the discovery of America (1892). 
 This plan, continually agitated, grew at lengtli into 
 a competition with New York, St. Louis, and| Chi- 
 cago for the honor of holding the Columbian Expo- 
 sition. 
 
 There was nothing new in the mere idea of 
 an international exposition. This had been first exploited forty years be- 
 fore when Prince Albert, on June 30, 1849, at a meeting of the British So- 
 ciety of Arts, presented his scheme for an international exposition to be 
 
 DE WITT C. CREGIER, 
 Mayor of Chicago in 1889, 
 
 Chairman of the first Executive 
 Committee of the Exposition. 
 
g THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 held in London in 185 1. Six months later a royal commission was ap- 
 pointed for the purpose, architects of all nations were invited to compete 
 for the plan of the building, and of two hundred and thirty-three plans 
 that were submitted, all were rejected as unsuitable. A little later Sir 
 Joseph Paxton published a plan for a building of iron and glass, and this 
 met with such universal popular approval tha,t it was accepted, and work 
 on it was begun almost immediately. The Crystal Palace, as it was named, 
 was 1,851 feet long, covered a little more than twenty acres, and cost 
 a little less than one million dollars. It stood in Hyde Park, and was 
 open five and a half months. The number of exhibitors was 13,937, 
 almost exactly half of whom were from Great Britain and her colonies. 
 The number of visitors was 6,039,195, and the total receipts were $2,- 
 530,500. In 1853 a smaller structure, in the style of the Crystal Palace, 
 was erected in New York in what is now Bryant Park ; and at the same 
 time there was an exposition in Dublin, Ireland. The iron-and-glass 
 mode of construction has been used for all subsequent national exposi- 
 tions. The next international exposition was held in Munich in 1854, at 
 which there were 7,005 exhibitors. The first French exposition was held in 
 Paris in 1855, at which the exhibitors numbered 20,839, ^'^d the visitors 
 5,162,330. London had another in 1862, with 28,653 exhibitors and 6,211,- 
 103 visitors. The next was held in Paris in 1867, and attracted 50,226 ex- 
 hibitors and 8,805,969 visitors. The peculiarity of this fair was that the 
 building had a fanlike outline, and the exhibits were so arranged that the 
 visitor by walking through in one direction could inspect all the exhibits of 
 one country, and by passing through in the other direction could study ex- 
 hibits of the same class from all countries. A very successful world's fair 
 was held at Vienna in 1873, where there were 50,000 exhibitors and 6,740,- 
 500 visitors. The next was our Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia in 
 1876, the buildings of which covered sixty acres. There were 30,864 exhib- 
 itors and 10,164,489 visitors. Two years later one was held in Paris, which 
 was about equal in extent to that of Philadelphia, and attracted 40,366 ex- 
 hibitors and 16,032,725 visitors. In 1879 ^ small exposition to which ex- 
 hibitors of all nations were invited was held in Sydney, New South Wales, 
 and in 1880 there was a similar one at Melbourne, Victoria. Glasgow, Scot- 
 land, also had a small one in 1888. In 1889 Paris held her fourth exposition, 
 which covered two hundred acres and had 55,000 exhibitors and 28,149,353 
 visitors. The Columbian Exposition was therefore the fifteenth of the 
 world's fairs, all of which were held within a period of forty-three years. 
 There can be no doubt that these international expositions have greatly ad- 
 vanced the knowledge and industrial progress of the nations that partici- 
 pated. But that they have had the sentimental effect which was anticipated, 
 of bringing the peoples into closer sympathy, and tending to abolish warfare, 
 as was fondly hoped, must be doubted when we look at the record of con- 
 temporary history. The first world's fair, for which such an effect was con- 
 
THE INCEPTION. g 
 
 fidently predicted, had been closed but two years when five of the nations of 
 Europe engaged in a bloody war from commercial motives. And since that 
 time there have been six costly wars in Europe, several in South America, 
 and one in our own country, while most of the great powers have sent out 
 expeditions for foreign conquest. 
 
 The movement for a great exposition in Chicago to commemorate the 
 discovery of America became general when, in obedience to instructions 
 from the City Council, July 22, 1889, the Mayor, Hon. De Witt C. Cregier, 
 appointed a committee of one hundred citizens to carry out the project. 
 This committee, which was subsequently increased to two hundred and fifty, 
 was called together in August, in the Council Chamber, and the following- 
 named gentlemen were chosen as an Executive Committee : 
 
 De Witt C. Cregier, Chairman ; William Penn Nixon, Frank Lawler, 
 Lambert Tree, R. W. Patterson, Jr., Andrew McNally, W. J. Onahan, John 
 B. Carson, Joseph W. Fifer, John Q. Adams, Abner Taylor, J. Irving Pearce, 
 Harlow N. Higinbotham, Robert A. Waller, Jesse Spalding, S. S. Gregory, 
 Richard Prendergast, Solomon Thatcher, Jr., Arthur Dixon, Edward F. 
 Cragin, Charles L. Hutchinson, Lyman J. Gage, John R. Walsh, George R. 
 Davis, William D. Kerfoot, Shelby M. CuUom, Samuel W. Allerton, Thomas 
 B. Bryan, George M. Pullman, Ferdinand W. Peck, Otto Young, Edwin 
 Walker, Victor F. Lawson, Franklin H. Head, Edward T. Jeffery, E. F. 
 Cullerton, Charles B. Farwell, Charles H. Schwab, RoUin A. Keyes, Leroy 
 
 D. Thoman, Frederick S. Winston, George M. Bogue, E. St. John, George 
 
 E. Adams, John McGillen, William E. Mason, William C. Seipp, Robert 
 Lindblom, James W. Scott, George O'Neill, M. M. Kirkman, and Joseph 
 Medill. Edward F. Cragin was appointed secretary of the committee, and 
 performed active and efficient service in the work preliminary to the forma- 
 tion of the Exposition corporation. 
 
 One of the first steps taken was the formation of a corporation under 
 the name of the " World's Exposition of 1892," with an authorized capital 
 stock of $5,000,000, divided into 500,000 shares of $10 each. On August 14, 
 1889, the following-named commissioners were authorized by the Secretary 
 of State of Illinois to take subscriptions to the capital stock of the company : 
 De Witt C. Cregier, Ferdinand W. Peck, George Schneider, Anthony F. 
 Seeberger, William C. Seipp, John R. Walsh, and E. Nelson Blake. On 
 April 9, 1890, the capital stock had been fully subscribed, and articles of 
 incorporation were issued, the object being set forth as "the holding of an 
 International Exposition or World's Fair, in the city of Chicago, and State 
 of Illinois, to commemorate, on its four-hundredth anniversary, the discovery 
 of America." 
 
 During the eight months that elapsed between the appointment of the 
 citizens' committee of two hundred and fifty and the permanent organization 
 of the company the work was carried on vigorously, every effort being made 
 to awaken the proper enthusiasm in the city and State, to secure pledges of 
 
lO 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 financial support sufficient to launch the enterprise properly, and to convince 
 the nation at large and the Congress uf the United States of the desirability 
 of holding the Exposition in Chicago. Other cities were contending for 
 this honor. The principal reasons urged in favor of Chicago were these : 
 
 First, its central location with regard to all portions of this country. It 
 was pointed out that Chicago was about at the center of the population of 
 the United States, and that, by reason of the thirty-eight great railroads ter- 
 minating at this point, the opportunities for drawing together visitors from 
 all parts of the nation were greater than those possessed by any other city. 
 
 Second, foreigners and Americans 
 residing in the East would be given a 
 better opportunity than ever before to 
 become acquainted with the marvel- 
 ous development of 
 this country west of 
 the Alleghany Moun- 
 -"^ tains. 
 
 Third, the growth 
 of Chicago from a 
 frontier camp to an ac- 
 tive city of more than 
 million inhabitants, with 
 a corresponding advance 
 in commercial, indus- 
 trial, and intellectual 
 activities, best typifies 
 the giant young nation 
 that occupies the fair- 
 est portion of the 
 New World whose dis- 
 covery the projected 
 fair is to commemorate. 
 It was pointed out 
 that while the city of 
 New York was better 
 located for the con- 
 venience of Euro- 
 peans, the holding of 
 the Exposition in that 
 city would lead to but 
 little increase in knowl- 
 edge of our country among foreigners, most of whom would depart after 
 having come only to our Atlantic border ; and it was also urged that a site 
 adequate to the Exposition could be more readily secured in Chicago than 
 
 VIEW IN JACKSON PARK, 
 before ground was broken for the Exposition. 
 
THE INCEPTION. U 
 
 in any other city, together with accommodations for the comfort and con- 
 venience of visitors within a reasonable distance of such site. The truth of 
 all these representations, and particularly of the last, was abundantly proved 
 by the issue. 
 
 Congressional committees were appointed to listen to such arguments as 
 might be advanced by the three cities that were contending for the Fair, and 
 eloquent pleaders appeared for each. Mayor Cregier, Thomas B. Bryan, 
 and Edward T. Jeffery appeared before a committee of the United" States 
 Senate and presented the claims of Chicago. Mayor Cregier said in the 
 course of his speech : "The people of the city of Chicago are united in the 
 hope and desire and determination that, wherever this Exposition is held, 
 wherever in the wisdom of this Congress of the United States it shall be 
 assigned, it shall excel all former events of the kind and not only prove 
 eminently successful, but comport with the grandeur and dignity of this 
 great and progressive nation. To this end Chicago stands ready to lend her 
 support. Chicago has been growing, under the name of a city, only fifty- 
 six years, but during those years the city was wiped out by the most ter- 
 rible calamity that history records. She has arisen, recuperated and resusci- 
 tated by the power of will and new blood, to the proud position of second 
 city on the continent and metropolis of the West." Mr. Bryan said, among 
 other things : "The argument against holding the Fair in the interior, based 
 upon the supposed loss of foreign visitors and exhibits, because it is not held 
 at the seaport, has been completely exploded by the prompt and hearty 
 responses from leading merchants and the ablest journals of Europe in favor 
 of Chicago." This assertion Mr. Bryan supported by numerous citations 
 from letters written by European manufacturers in answer to a circular of 
 inquiry. Continuing, Mr. Bryan said : "The conviction prevails in the West 
 that a denial now by Congress of the Fair to the only great section of the 
 country that has helped others and waited patiently for its turn would be an 
 act of injustice and sectional favoritism." Illustrating the ignorance that 
 once prevailed with regard to the value and importance of the West, which 
 he thought had not yet entirely disappeared from Eastern minds, Mr. Bryan 
 quoted the astonishing words of Daniel Webster uttered many years ago : 
 " What do we want with this vast worthless area, this region of savages and 
 wild beasts, of deserts, of shifting sands and whirlwinds of dust, of cactus, and 
 prairie dogs ? To what use could we ever hope to put those great deserts, or 
 those endless mountain ranges, impenetrable and covered to their very base 
 with eternal snow ? What can we ever hope to do with the western coast — a 
 coast of 2,poo miles, rock-bound, cheerless, uninviting, and not a harbor on 
 it. What use have we for that country ? " Mr. Jeffery presented to the 
 committee a document certifying that $5,000,000 had been subscribed for 
 the enterprise in Chicago. He also explained in detail by the aid of a map 
 the special facilities offered by each of several sites that might be chosen in 
 that city, and fortified his argument with a few striking statistics. He said : 
 
12 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 "The mechanics of Chicago constructed in 1888, at a cost of $21,000,000, 
 5,000 buildings upon a street frontage of 25 miles, and in the enlarged city 
 limits they constructed in 1889 buildings that occupy a street frontage of 55 
 miles. The receipts of flour and grain at Chicago in 1 888, the former being 
 reduced to bushels, aggregated 182,588,188 bushels. The shipments amounted 
 to 156,659,986 bushels. The live stock received during 1889 amounted to 
 11,000,000 head, valued at $204,000,000. The receipts of lumber in 1888 
 amounted to 2,066,927,000 feet. The number of manufactories was 2,400, 
 with a capital of $117,000,000, and products valued at $402,000,000. The 
 ability of Chicago to take care of visitors comfortably is rated at 150,000 a 
 day. There are arriving and departing 850 trains daily. Chicago is the 
 second port in the United States in tonnage ; in number of vessels arriving 
 and clearing it is the first. In 1889, 22,190 vessels arrived and cleared with a 
 registered tonnage of 8,900,000 tons. These figures do not include 3,500 
 canal boats. The energy of Chicago men has helped to build her up. The 
 territory tributary to her has made her what she is, and that territory is so 
 beautified, invigorated, bounded, and shaped by great inland seas that it was 
 an absolute impossibility for Chicago to avoid growing to its present dimen- 
 sions. West from Chicago to the base of the Rocky Mountains is about 
 900 miles, east to the Atlantic Ocean is about 900 miles, and south to the 
 Gulf about 900 miles. The attendance of foreigners is limited by the capa- 
 city of the ocean passenger vessels. Less than 100,000 cabin passengers were 
 landed at the port of New York during 1889." 
 
 The two most important tasks undertaken by the preliminary organiza- 
 tion were, first, the development of a sentiment throughout the country which 
 would insure the location of the Exposition in Chicago by act of Congress ; 
 second, the raising of a fund sufficient to establish confidence in the ability 
 of the city to carry out the plan. In furtherance of the first task, mis- 
 sionary work was carried on throughout the several States ; addresses were 
 delivered at many places in favor of Chicago, and persistent efforts were 
 made to win public sentiment in sections which had been indifferent or hos- 
 tile. State associations were formed in the city, composed of former resi- 
 dents of various States, living in Chicago. These associations undertook to 
 influence sentiment in their native States. The campaign culminated at 
 Washington, where the claims of four cities — New York, Chicago, St. Louis, 
 and Washington — were presented. 
 
 It was soon found that the Senate would not initiate the consideration of 
 the question of location, and the arena of discussion was transferred to the 
 House of Representatives. All arguments, hearings, and influence were 
 thereafter directed by the representatives of the competing cities to the mem- 
 bers of that body, before whom the real contest for location was made and 
 settled, and the Senate acquiesced in its decision. 
 
 The vote resulted in a triumph for Chicago. For the accomplishment of 
 this result great credit is due to Hon. George R. Davis, who conducted the 
 
THE INCEPTION. I 2 
 
 campaign at Washington, and who, by reason of his experience in public 
 life, was able to direct the work so as to secure the best results. His efforts 
 were seconded by Hon. Edwin Walker, subsequently Solicitor-General of 
 the Exposition, who aided in this campaign and afterward assisted in draft- 
 ing the law providing for the Exposition. In this work many other distin- 
 guished citizens participated, and permanent headquarters were maintained 
 in Washington for several months. 
 
 The vote of the House of Representatives in favor of Chicago did not 
 end the contest. A new difficulty arose almost immediately. The press in 
 various parts of the country, particularly in New York and St. Louis, began 
 to doubt the genuineness of the subscription list of the Exposition and to 
 question the possibility of realizing the $5,000,000 therefrom, or any consid- 
 erable part of that amount. These persistent criticisms had their effect upon 
 the members of both houses of Congress, and particularly upon their Com- 
 mittee on the World's Fair, and there appeared to be some danger that the 
 decision in favor of Chicago might be reconsidered. The preliminary organ- 
 ization in Chicago, being alive to this danger, set at work immediately to 
 classify the subscriptions to the capital stock. This was an enormous task, 
 as the subscriptions numbered more than 28,000. By working a large force 
 day and night, the subscriptions of $500 and over were copied from the sub- 
 scription books and classified, and immediately a committee, consisting of 
 Messrs. Lyman J. Gage, Otto Young, Edwin Walker, Thomas B. Bryan, 
 and George R. Davis, set out for Washington to convince the members of 
 Congress of the genuineness of the list. A hearing was given them before 
 the House Committee on the World's Fair, at which the list was examined, 
 and Senator Charles B. Farwell advised the Congressional Committee that, 
 in his opinion, it would not be worth more than two and a half per cent to 
 guarantee the payment in full of all the subscriptions of $500 and over. 
 These subscriptions amounted to about $4,500,000. 
 
 This unqualified statement at once disposed of the criticisms as to the 
 genuineness and financial strength of the. subscriptions ; but immediately the 
 committee was confronted with the statement that $5,000,000 would not be 
 sufficient ; that New York would be willing to give a site and $10,000,000 
 to obtain the Exposition ; that it would even go to the extent of paying 
 $5,000,000 for a suitable site, making $15,000,000 in all ; that under the cir- 
 cumstances it would not be possible to give the fair to Chicago with simply a 
 guarantee of $5,000,000 for its purposes, and that unless $10,000,000 could 
 be raised the fair would be located in New York. Confronted with this 
 difficulty, the committee had not the time to correspond, even by telegraph, 
 with its Chicago constituency, and, after a few minutes' hesitation and con- 
 ference with each other, the members of the Chicago committee pledged 
 their city for $10,000,000 instead of $5,000,000, and thereupon the law was 
 framed so as to provide that the President's proclamation and invitation to 
 all nations to participate in the Exposition should not be issued until satis- 
 
H 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 factory evidence had been furnished that $10,000,000 had been provided. 
 The committee at once telegraphed to Chicago a report of their action, and 
 received a dispatch approving of their course in these words : " We wish you 
 continued success in Washington. We will stand by you and the committee 
 in every way. Chicago will now, as in the past, prove equal to every emer- 
 gency. You can count on our hearty support." This dispatch was signed 
 by S. W. AUerton, capitalist ; John B. Drake, proprietor of Grand Pacific 
 Hotel ; G. B. Shaw, President of American Loan and Trust Company ; C. 
 L. Hutchinson, President of Corn Exchange Bank ; John C. Black, Presi- 
 dent of Continental National Bank ; James W. Ellsworth ; W. E. Hale, 
 President of Hale Elevator Company ; Potter Palmer, proprietor of Palmer 
 House ; R. T. Crane, President of Crane Bros. Manufacturing Company ; 
 H. F. Eames, President of Commercial National Bank ; A. L. Patterson, 
 Chicago Globe ; W. J. Huiskamp, Chicago Times ; John J. P. Odell, Presi- 
 dent of Union National Bank ; Victor F. Lawson, Chicago News ; E. St. 
 John, Vice-President of Rock Island Railroad Company ; Samuel M. Nick- 
 erson, President of First National Bank ; William T. Baker, President of 
 Chicago Board of Trade ; William Penn Nixon, Chicago Inter-Ocean ; 
 
 John M. Clark, Collector of Customs ; 
 Norman B. Ream, capitalist ; O. W. Pot- 
 ter, President of Illinois Steel Company ; 
 James W. Scott, Chicago Herald ; Her- 
 man H. Kohlsaat, capitalist ; Eugene S. 
 Pike, capitalist ; C. R. Crane ; Joseph 
 Medill, Chicago Tribune ; George Schnei- 
 der, President of National Bank of Illi- 
 nois ; George R. Davis, county treasurer ; 
 Anthony F. Seeberger, wholesale hard- 
 ware ; Stuyvesant Fish, President of Illi- 
 nois Central Railroad Company ; J. W. 
 Doane, President of Merchants' Loan 
 and Trust Company ; and the Hibbard, 
 Spencer & Bartlett Company. 
 
 This pledge of ten million dollars was 
 made at a critical point in the contest, 
 and Chicago fully redeemed it. This 
 action has called to mind the fact that 
 Congress, in an act approved April 23 
 1880, authorized the holding of an inter- 
 national exposition in 1883, in the city 
 of New York, and permitted proclamation to issue therefor when the 
 President was satisfied that provision had been made only for the erection of 
 suitable buildings. 
 
 The selection of the location for the Exposition was a novel proceeding in 
 
 ANTHONY F. SEEBERGER, 
 Treasurer of the Exposition. 
 
THE INCEPTION. 
 
 15 
 
 legislative practice. The House of Representatives determined to decide, 
 first of all, the question of place, leaving the other provisions of the bill to be 
 considered and reported by the special committee to whom the matter was 
 referred. The contest of the cities occupied the entire session of February 
 24, 1890, and eight ballots were taken before the result was reached. This 
 competition, which was always friendly and courteous, aroused public interest 
 to the utmost. As the voting proceeded, people throughout the country 
 assembled at the newspaper and telegraph offices as on the occasion of a 
 national election. And it was indeed a national contest, skillfully conducted 
 before the popular branch of Congress, with an incidental audience which in- 
 cluded all the people of the land. The interest thus manifested proved of 
 great service to the Exposition because of the exhaustive discussion and the 
 wider information which were everywhere elicited in its behalf. 
 
 The second task presented equal difficulties, and for its accomplishment 
 the credit is largely due to Mr. Otto Young, through whose persistent efforts 
 a most successful canvass was made, resulting in a few months in the secur- 
 ing of more that 28,000 subscriptions, ranging from $10 to $100,000. In 
 this work he was greatly assisted by Mr. D. K. Hill and other citizens. 
 
 In addition to the two lines of operation above referred to, the preliminary 
 organization availed itself of the services of Edward T. Jeffery and Octave 
 Chanute, who, in the interest of Chicago, visited the Universal Exposition 
 held in Paris in 1889, and prepared a report upon it which was afterward 
 published and used in the work of the World's Columbian Exposition. The 
 work of the preliminary organization closed with the first meeting of the 
 stockholders of the World's Exposition of 1892, held on April 4, 1890. 
 
 The verdict of Congress having been given in favor of Chicago, an act 
 providing for " celebrating the four-hundredth anniversary of the discovery 
 of America by Christopher Columbus, by holding an international exhibition 
 of. arts, industries, manufactures, and the product of the soil, mine, and sea, in 
 the city of Chicago, was passed by Congress and approved by the President 
 April 25, 1890. Its essential portions were as follows : 
 
 Be it enacted, etc.. That an exhibition of arts, industries, manufactures, 
 and products of the soil, mine, and sea shall be inaugurated in the year 1892, 
 in the city of Chicago, in the State of Illinois, as hereinafter provided. That 
 a Commission, to consist of two Commissioners from each State and Terri- 
 tory of the United States and from the District of Columbia, and eight 
 Commissioners at Large, is hereby constituted, to be designated as a World's 
 Columbian Commission. That said Commissioners, two from each State 
 and Territory, shall be appointed within thirty days from the passage of this 
 act by the President of the United States, on the nomination of the Gov- 
 ernors of the States and Territories, respectively, and by the President eight 
 Commissioners at Large, and two from the District of Columbia ; and in 
 the same manner there shall be appointed two alternate Commissioners from 
 each State and Territory in the United States and the District of Columbia, 
 
1 6 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 and eight alternate Commissioners at Large, who shall assume and perform 
 the duties of such Commissioners as may be unable to attend the meeting 
 of said Commission ; and in such nominations and appointments each of the 
 two leading political parties shall be equally represented. The said Com- 
 missioners at their first meeting shall organize by the election of such officers 
 and the appointment of such committees as they may deem expedient, and 
 for this purpose the Commissioners present at said meeting shall constitute 
 a quorum. That said Commission be empowered in its discretion to accept 
 for the purposes of the World's Columbian Exposition such site as may be 
 selected and offered, together with plans and specifications of buildings to 
 be erected for such purpose, at the expense of and tendered by the Corpo- 
 ration organized under the laws of the State of Illinois, known as " The 
 World's Exposition of Eighteen Hundred and Ninety -two." Provided, that 
 said Commission shall be satisfied that the said Corporation has an actual 
 bona fide and valid subscription to its capital stock which will secure the pay- 
 ment of at least five millions of dollars, of which- not less than five hundred 
 thousand dollars shall have been paid in, and that the further sum of five 
 million dollars, making in all ten million dollars, will be provided by said 
 corporation in ample time for its needful use during the prosecution of the 
 work for the complete preparation for said Exposition. That the said Com- 
 mission shall allot space for exhibitors, prepare a classification of exhibits, 
 and determine the plan and scope of the Exposition, and shall appoint all 
 judges and examiners for the Exposition, award all premiums, if any, and 
 generally have charge of all intercourse with the exhibitors and the represen- 
 tatives of foreign nations. And said Commission is authorized and required 
 to appoint a Board of Lady Managers of such number and to perform such 
 duties as may be prescribed by said Commission. Said Board may appoint 
 one or more members of all committees authorized to award prizes for ex- 
 hibits which may be produced in whole or in part by female labor. That 
 after the plans for said Exposition shall be prepared by said Corporation, and 
 approved by said Commission, the rules and regulations of said Corporation 
 governing rates for entrance and admission fees, or otherwise affecting the 
 rights, privileges, or interests of the exhibitors or of the public, shall be fixed 
 or established by said Corporation, subject, however, to such modifications, 
 if any, as may be imposed by a majority of said Commissioners. That the 
 President is empowered and directed to hold a naval review in New York 
 Harbor, in April, 1893, and to extend to foreign nations an invitation to 
 send ships of war to join the United States navy in rendezvous at Hamp- 
 ton Roads and proceed thence to said review. That said Commission shall 
 provide for the dedication of the buildings on the 12th day of October, 
 1892, with appropriate ceremonies, and said Exposition shall be open to 
 visitors not later than the ist day of May, 1893, and shall be closed at 
 such time as the Commission may determine, but not later than the •^oth 
 day of October thereafter. That whenever the President of the United 
 
THE INCEPTION. 
 
 17 
 
 States shall be notified by the Commission that provision has been made for 
 grounds, buildings, etc., he shall be authorized to make proclamation of the 
 
 VIEW IN JACKSON PARK, 
 before ground was broken for the Exposition. 
 
 fact, setting forth the time at which the Exposition will open and close, and 
 he shall communicate this to the diplomatic representatives of foreign nations 
 3 
 
jg THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 for publication in their respective countries, and he shall invite foreign na- 
 tions to take part in the said Exposition, and appoint representatives thereto. 
 That all articles which shall be imported from foreign countries for the sole 
 purpose of exhibition at said Exposition shall be admitted free of duty under 
 such regulations as the Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe ; but it shall 
 be lawful during the Exposition to sell for delivery at the close of the Ex- 
 position any goods or property imported for, and actually on exhibition in, 
 the Exposition buildings or on the grounds, subject to such regulations as 
 the Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe ; provided, that all such articles 
 when sold or withdrawn for consumption in the United States shall be sub- 
 ject to the duty imposed upon such articles by the revenue laws in force at 
 the date of importation. That it shall be the duty of the Commission to 
 make report from time to time to the President of the United States of the 
 progress of the work, and, in a final report, present a full exhibit of the re- 
 sults of the Exposition. That the Commission shall exist no longer than 
 until the ist day of January, 1898. That the United States shall not in any 
 manner be liable for any of the acts or representations of the Corporation or- 
 ganized under the laws of the State of Illinois. That there shall be exhibited 
 at said Exposition, by the Government of the United States, from its Exec- 
 utive Departments, the Smithsonian Institution, the United States Fish 
 Commission, and the National Museum, such articles and materials as illus- 
 trate the function and administrative faculty of the Government in time of 
 peace and its resources as a war power, tending to demonstrate the nature of 
 our institutions and their adaptation to the wants of the people ; and to se- 
 cure a complete and harmonious arrangement of such exhibit, a Board shall 
 be created to be charged with the selection, preparation, arrangement, safe- 
 keeping, and exhibition of such articles and materials as the heads of the 
 several departments and the Directors of the Smithsonian Institution and the 
 National Museum may respectively decide shall be embraced in such exhibit. 
 The President may also designate additional articles for exhibition. Such 
 Board shall be composed of one person, to be named by the head of each 
 Executive Department, and one by the Directors of the Smithsonian Institu- 
 tion and National Museum, and one by the Fish Commission, such selection 
 to be approved by the President. That the Secretary of the Treasury is au- 
 thorized and directed to place on exhibition one of the life-saving stations 
 authorized to be constructed on the coast of the United States. That the 
 Secretary of the Treasury shall cause a suitable building or buildings to be 
 erected for the Government exhibits, as provided in this act. But the con- 
 tracts for said building or buildings shall not exceed the sum of $400,000. 
 That for the purpose of paying the expenses arising out of this act the sum 
 of $200,000 is appropriated for the remainder of this fiscal year, and for the 
 fiscal year ending June 30, 1891 ; provided, that the United States shall not 
 be liable on account of the erection of buildings, or other expenses incident 
 to the Exposition, for a sum exceeding in the aggregate $1,500,000. That 
 
THE INCEPTION. 
 
 19 
 
 the Commissioners and alternate Commissioners appointed under this act 
 shall not be entitled to any compensation for their services out of the Treas- 
 ury of the United States, except their actual expenses for transportation, and 
 the sum of six dollars a day for subsistence for each day they are necessarily 
 absent from their homes on the business of said Commission. The officers 
 of said Commission shall receive such compensation as may be fixed by the 
 Commission, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury, which 
 shall be paid out of the sums appro- 
 priated by Congress. That no member 
 of said Commission, whether an officer 
 or otherwise, shall be personally liable 
 for any debt or obligation which may be 
 created or incurred by the Commission. 
 
 The striking feature of this legisla- 
 tion was that it put the Fair under a 
 dual authority. The act gave very large 
 powers to the Corporation known as the 
 World's Columbian Exposition, and it 
 also gave to the Commission certain 
 specific and important powers, some of 
 them supervisory, others direct, such as 
 allotting space for exhibitors, preparing 
 the classification of exhibits, and deter- 
 mining the plan and scope of the Ex- 
 position. In the planning of so great 
 and complicated an undertaking it is 
 never possible to anticipate all contin- 
 gencies, and in this instance it was in- 
 evitable that somewhere there should be 
 
 a clash of jurisdiction between the two governing bodies. As a matter 
 of fact, while many members of the National Commission served the Ex- 
 position faithfully and creditably, yet the Corporation not only provided by 
 far the greater part of the necessary funds, but also did the greater part of 
 the work. For brevity and convenience these two organizations will be 
 spoken of in this History as the Commission and the Directory. 
 
 The list of Commissioners was as follows : Commissioners at Large : 
 Augustus G. Bullock, Gorton W. Allen, Peter A. B. Widener, Thomas W. 
 Palmer, Richard C. Kerens (resigned ; R. W. Furnas, alternate), William 
 Lindsay (resigned ; Patrick Walsh, alternate), Henry Exall, Mark L. Mc- 
 Donald. District of Columbia : Alexander T. Britton, Albert A. Wilson. 
 Alabama : Frederick G. Bromberg, Oscar R. Hundley. Arkansas : John D. 
 Adams (died ; J. T. W. Tillar, alternate), Lafayette Gregg (died ; J. H. 
 Glendenning, alternate). California : Michael H. de Young, William For- 
 syth. Colorado : Roswell E. Goodell, Frederick J. V. Skiff (resigned ; 
 
 JAMES W, ELLSWORTH, 
 
 Member of the Directory, and Chairman 
 
 of the Committee on Liberal Arts, 1892-1893. 
 
20 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Joseph H. Smith, alternate). Connecticut : Leverett Brainerd, Thomas M. 
 Waller. Delaware : George V. Massey, Willard Hall Porter. Florida : 
 Joseph Hirst (resigned; C. F. A. Bielby, alternate), Richard TurnbuU. 
 Georgia : Lafayette McLaws, Charlton H. Way. Idaho : George A. Man- 
 ning, John E. Stearns. Illinois : Charles H. Deere, Adlai T. Ewing. In- 
 diana : Thomas E. Garvin, Elijah B. Martindale. Iowa : William I. Buch- 
 anan (resigned ; Joseph Eiboeck, alternate), William F. King. Kansas : 
 Charles K. Holliday, Jr., Reese R. Price (resigned ; J. R. Burton, alternate). 
 Kentucky : John Bennet, James A. McKenzie (resigned ; Harvey Meyers, 
 alternate). Louisiana : Davidson B. Penn, Thomas J. Woodworth. Maine : 
 Augustus R. Bixby, William G. Davis. Maryland : James Hodges, Lloyd 
 Lowndes. Massachusetts : Francis W. Breed, Thomas E. Proctor. Michi- 
 gan : M. Henry Lane, Charles H. Richmond (resigned ; George H. Barbour, 
 alternate). Minnesota : Matthew B. Harrison (died ; H. B. Moore, alter- 
 nate), Orson V. Tousley. Mississippi : Joseph M. Bynum, Robert L. San 
 ders. Missouri : Thomas B. Bullene, Charles H. Jones. Montana : Lewis H. 
 Hershfield, Armistead H. Mitchell. Nebraska : Euclid Martin, Albert G. 
 Scott. Nevada : James W. Haines, George Russell. New Hampshire : 
 Walter Aiken, Charles D. McDuffie. New Jersey : William J. Sewell, 
 Thomas Smith. New York : Chauncey M. Depew, John Boyd Thacher. 
 North Carolina : Alexander B. Andrews, Thomas B. Keogh. North Da- 
 kota : H. P. Rucker, Martin Ryan. Ohio : Harvey P. Piatt, William 
 Ritchie. Oregon : Henry Klippel, Martin Wilkins. Pennsylvania : William 
 McClelland (died ; R. Bruce Ricketts, alternate), John W. Woodside. Rhode 
 Island : Lyman B. Goflf, Gardiner C. Sims. South Carolina : A. P. Butler, 
 John R. Cochran. South Dakota : Merritt H. Day, William Mclntyre. 
 Tennessee : Louis T. Baxter, Thomas L. Williams. Texas : Archelaus M. 
 Cochran, John T. Dickinson. Vermont : Henry B. Mclntyre, Bradley B. 
 Smalley. Virginia : Virginius D. Groner, John T. Harris. Washington : 
 Henry Drum, Charles B. Hopkins. West Virginia : James D. Butt, J. W. 
 St. Clair. Wisconsin : Philip Allen, Jr., John S. Mitchell (resigned ; John 
 M. Coburn, alternate). Wyoming : Asahel C. Beckwith, Henry G. Hay. 
 Alaska : Edward de Groff, Louis L. Williams. Arizona : George F. Coats, 
 William Zeekendorf (removed ; George C. Waddell, alternate). New Mexico : 
 Thomas C. Gutierres, Richard M. White (removed ; John M. Webster, 
 alternate). Oklahoma : Othniel Beeson, John D. Miles (resigned ; Frank 
 R. Gammon, alternate). Utah : Frederick J. Kiesel, Patrick H. Lannan. 
 
 The following were the ofificers of the Commission : President, Thomas 
 W. Palmer ; First Vice-President, Thomas M. Waller ; Second Vice-President, 
 Michael H. de Young ; Third Vice-President, Davidson B. Penn ; Fourth 
 Vice-President, Gorton W. Allen ; Fifth Vice-President, Alexander B. 
 Andrews ; Secretary, John T. Dickinson ; Director General, George R. 
 Davis ; Vice-Chairman of the Executive Committee, James A. McKenzie 
 (resigned ; succeeded by Harvey P. Piatt). 
 
J- 
 
 Armory of Battery D, Chicago, where the First Meeting of Stockholders was held. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 ORGANIZATION OF THE COMPANY. 
 
 Subscriptions to the capital stock — First meeting of stockholders — First Board of 
 Directors — Election of officers — Appointment of committees — Appointment of 
 consulting architects and engineer. 
 
 A 
 
 CORPORATION was formed composed of near- 
 ly thirty thousand stockholders, or subscribers to 
 the capital stock, from every walk of life. The 
 subscriptions had been given out of the abundance of 
 the capitalist, the competence of the business man 
 of moderate means, and the wages of the poor, 
 all being animated by public spirit and a feeling of 
 pride in their city. Few expected to receive back 
 any considerable amount of their subscriptions. 
 The hope was expressed that, after fulfiUing every 
 requirement of the occasion, some considerable 
 repayment might be made at the close of the Ex- 
 position, as in the case of the Centennial Exposi- 
 tion at Philadelphia, in 1876, when about one third 
 of the amount subscribed was returned ; but no one 
 expected that the Exposition would be conducted 
 with this object in view. Nevertheless, this hope would undoubtedly have 
 been realized but for the financial panic which the Exposition encountered 
 shortly after its gates were opened. In the face of this, however, about fifteen 
 per cent, of the amount of the subscriptions was returned to the stockholders. 
 
 LYMAN J. GAGE, 
 President ol the Directory, 
 iSgo-iSgi. 
 
22 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 The call for a meeting of the stockholders was made, and resulted in a 
 gathering of several thousands at the building known as " Battery D," upon 
 the Lake Front, on the morning of April lo, 1890. The meeting was pre- 
 sided over by the Mayor, Mr. Cregier, and James W. Scott was chosen 
 secretary. It was an unwieldy body, and had some difficulty in perfect- 
 ing an organization and proceeding to the transaction of business. The 
 first step necessary was the election of a Board of Directors. Proposals 
 for the election of a board of forty-five were urged on one hand, and for a 
 board of seventy-five upon the other. Finally it was ordered that a board of 
 forty-five be chosen, and the meeting proceeded to elect this board. Nearly 
 all the stockholders were present, or were represented by proxy. The fol- 
 lowing directors were chosen : Owen F. Aldis, William T. Baker, Edward B. 
 Butler, De Witt C. Cregier, George R. Davis, John V. Farwell, Jr., Lyman 
 J. Gage, Charles L. Hutchinson, Elbridge G. Keith, Rollin A. Keyes, Ed- 
 ward F. Lawrence, Cyrus H. McCormick, Andrew McNally, Adolph Nathan, 
 Ferdinand W. Peck, Potter Palmer, Eugene S. Pike, Anthony F. Seeberger, 
 Charles H. Schwab, Robert A. Waller, Frederick S. Winston, John R. 
 Walsh, Charles T. Yerkes, Samuel W. Allerton, Thomas B. Bryan, W. H. 
 Colvin, Mark L. Crawford, James W. Ellsworth, Stuyvesant Fish, Harlow 
 N. Higinbotham, Edward T. Jeffery, Herman H. Kohlsaat, Marshall M. 
 Kirkman, Thies J. Lefens, Joseph Medill, Robert Nelson, John J. P. Odell, 
 Erskine M. Phelps, J. C. Peasley, Martin A. Ryerson, W. E. Strong, Charles 
 H. Wacker, Edwin Walker, C. C. Wheeler, and Otto Young. 
 
 In selecting this Board, the leading spirits in the movement aimed to 
 choose from among the prominent citizens men whose business ability was 
 recognized, and who could be counted upon as possessing both the time and 
 the inclination to serve the interests of the proposed Exposition. The latter 
 qualifications were considered most essential, and gentlemen of the greatest 
 prominence and business ability in several instances withdrew in favor of 
 younger men, who could be more easily drawn upon for hard service. 
 
 The first meeting of the Board of Directors was held April 12, 1890, at 
 the Sherman House. Hon. Edwin Walker was chosen chairman of the 
 meeting, and the first actions were the appointment of committees on finance 
 and by-laws. 
 
 The choice of the Board for President fell upon Mr. Lyman J. Gage, at 
 that time Vice-President of the First National Bank of Chicago, there being 
 but one doubt — viz., as to his willingness to undertake the task in addition to 
 his already heavy responsibilities. Mr. Gage was chosen President on April 
 30, 1890, and Messrs. Thomas B. Bryan and Potter Palmer were chosen first 
 and second Vice-Presidents on the same date. Mr. Bryan assumed many of 
 the active functions of the executive in order to relieve Mr. Gage as far as 
 possible. On May 6, the Board elected William K. Ackerman Auditor and 
 Anthony F. Seeberger Treasurer. The office of Secretary was not perma- 
 nently filled until July 11, 1890, when Hon. Benjamin Butterworth, then a 
 
ORGANIZATION OF THE COMPANY. 
 
 23 
 
 member of Congress from Cincinnati, was elected to it. Prior to this date 
 Rollin A. Keyes, one of the directors, acted as secretary of the Board. 
 By-laws were adopted, which provided for certain 
 committees with jurisdiction over various 
 branches of the work. These committees 
 were appointed by the President, as follows : 
 
 Finance. — Ferdinand W. Peck, Chair- 
 man ; John J. P. Odell, Otto 
 Young, Elbridge G. Keith, 
 John R. Walsh. 
 
 Grounds and Buildings. — De Witt C. 
 Cregier, Chairman ; George R. Davis, Eugene 
 S. Pike, Potter Palmer, Owen F. Aldis, Jo- 
 seph Medill, Charles H. Schwab. 
 
 Legislation. — Edwin Walker, Chairman ; 
 W. H. Colvin, George R. Davis, William 
 T. Baker, Frederick S. Winston. 
 
 National and State Exhibits. — 
 Erskine M. Phelps, Chairman ; John 
 V. Farwell, Jr., Edward T. Jeffery, 
 Samuel W. Allerton, Anthony F. 
 Seeberger. 
 
 Foreign Exhibits. — William 
 T. Baker, Chairman; James W. 
 Ellsworth, Harlow N. Higinboth- 
 am, Thies J. Lefens, Martin A. Ry- 
 erson. 
 
 Catalogue and Printing. — Rollin A. 
 Keyes, Chairman ; Cyrus H. McCor- 
 mick, Herman H. Kohlsaat, Mark L. 
 Crawford, Andrew McNally. 
 
 Transportation. — Stuyvesant Fish, Chairman ; Marshall M. Kirkman, 
 J. C. Peasley, W. E. Strong, C. C. Wheeler. 
 
 Fine Arts. — Charles L. Hutchinson, Chairman ; Robert A, Waller, 
 James W. Ellsworth, Charles T. Yerkes, Potter Palmer. 
 
 Machinery and Electrical Appliances. — Adolph Nathan, Chairman ; 
 De Witt C. Cregier, Charles H. Wacker, Edward B, Butler, Robert Nelson. 
 
 Ways and Means. — Otto Young, Chairman ; Harlow N. Higinbotham, 
 Adolph Nathan, Rollin A. Keyes, Charles H. Wacker, Herman H. Kohl- 
 saat, Edward B. Butler, Edward F. Lawrence, W. H. Colvin, Cyrus H. Mc- 
 Cormick, Stuyvesant Fish, Andrew McNally, Robert A. Waller. 
 
 These committees were created to cover every feature of the work which 
 it was conceived at the time the company would be called upon to perform. 
 No committee on awards was appointed, because the matter of awards was 
 
 STATUE OF COLUMBUS, 
 
 on the Venezuela Building. 
 
 C. Turini, sculptor. 
 
24 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 clearly withheld from the company by the act of Congress and placed within 
 the jurisdiction of the World's Columbian Commission. In other respects 
 the jurisdiction of certain of these committees was soon found to clash with 
 the ideas entertained by the World's Columbian Commission as to its func- 
 tions, and in several cases the committees above named became passive, ex- 
 cept that the chairman of each was a member of the Executive Committee, 
 which committee was clothed with the entire powers of the Directory when 
 the latter was not in session. 
 
 The Committees on Grounds and Buildings and Ways and Means were 
 the most active and were charged with functions necessitating almost daily 
 sessions for three years. The Committee on Finance took charge of the 
 general financial policy of the company ; the Committee on Legislation, 
 of matters connected with the national and State legislation in the interest 
 of the Exposition and legal questions that arose. The Committee on For- 
 eign Exhibits took steps to awaken an interest abroad, and the Commit- 
 tee on Catalogue and Printing (subsequently Press and Printing) to awaken 
 interest at home. The Committee on Transportation began the work of 
 providing transportation facilities between the city and Jackson Park, and 
 perfected arrangements for the Traffic Department, including the handling of 
 exhibits sent by rail to the Exposition. The Committee on Fine Arts began 
 at once a quiet canvass to ascertain what could be done in this field, using 
 the greater energy and discretion because it had been urged by critics that in 
 
 this field Chicago would be able to accom- 
 plish little. 
 
 On June 12, 1890, a special meeting 
 of the stockholders was called, at which 
 the name of the company was changed 
 from the "World's Exposition of 1892" 
 to the " World's Columbian Exposition," in 
 view of the act of Congress which ren- 
 dered the former name unsuitable. The 
 act provided for the holding of an Exposi- 
 tion in 1893, and as it recognized this com- 
 pany as an active and responsible organiza- 
 tion for performing the great works contem- 
 plated in the law, the change of name was 
 necessary to conform to the spirit of the 
 law. At the same meeting the authorized 
 capital stock of the company was increased 
 from $5,000,000 to $10,000,000. 
 The World's Columbian Commission held its first meeting on June 
 26, 1890, and from this date began a series of differences between that 
 body and the Board of Directors. These differences were usually con- 
 ducted in a spirit of forbearance and courtesy, but they delayed the work. 
 
 FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED, 
 Consulting Landscape Architect. 
 
Warehouses for Receipt of Exhibits, outside the Exposition grounds. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 ELECTION OF A DIRECTOR GENERAL. 
 
 Difficulties of the dual organization — Necessity of a single executive head — Selection 
 of Colonel George R. Davis — Organization of the departments — The Compact — The 
 Board of Reference and Control — The Committee of Conference — Election of new 
 directors — List of departments. 
 
 T 
 
 ' WO directive bodies had now been ful- 
 ly organized— the World's Columbian 
 Exposition, acting through its Board 
 of Directors, and the World's Columbian 
 Commission. There was wide diversity of 
 opinion in these organizations as to the 
 limitations of authority in their respective 
 bodies, and it soon became apparent that 
 mutual concessions would be necessary if 
 a continual clash of authority was to be 
 avoided. The most obvious remedy for 
 this impending conflict of authority was 
 seen to be the uniting of the two bodies 
 upon a single executive officer representing 
 both. Early in the first session of the 
 Commission a proposition was brought 
 forward and adopted for the election for 
 such an officer, to be entitled Director 
 The Committee on Permanent Organization 
 appointed at that meeting gave this subject special consideration and study. 
 By an exhaustive investigation of the public records of expositions, national 
 
 25 
 
 THOMAS B. BRYAN, 
 First Vice-President of the Directory, 
 
 General of the Exposition. 
 
26 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 and international, and by the consensus of opinion of gentlemen of large 
 experience in public affairs, with whom they conferred, they were led to con- 
 clude that the controlling and paramount condition of the success of any 
 great fair is a concentration of authority, giving to some official having chief 
 control a power limited only by that body from which it is derived. 
 
 In its report on organization the Committee on Permanent Organization 
 submitted a provision directing the Executive Committee of the Commis- 
 sion to select and recommend a suitable person, to be known and recognized 
 as the Director General, whose office should be at the headquarters of the 
 Commission in Chicago, and whose duties, powers, and compensation were to 
 be fixed by said committee. When this report was under consideration by the 
 Commission, several substitutes were offered and rejected, and finally, after 
 a long debate, Mr. Waller, of Connecticut, offered a resolution, which was 
 adopted, providing that the Executive Committee, after conference with the 
 Directory, should recommend to the Commission a suitable person, to be 
 known and recognized as the Director General, whose duties, powers, and 
 compensation should be fixed by the Commission. 
 
 At the first meeting of the Executive Committee, September 17,1 890, on 
 invitation of the President of the Commission, the Executive Committee of 
 the Directory met with it in the city Council Chamber to hold a confer- 
 ence on the subject of the selection of a Director General. The views of 
 the Commission were fully set forth by several members of its Executive 
 Committee, and the President of the Exposition company was invited to 
 make a statement in behalf of that Corporation as to whether its Directors 
 would recommend to the committee a suitable man for Director General. 
 A long interchange of views followed, and the President of the Exposition 
 company engaged to call a meeting of the Directory for the next evening, 
 which was expected to make a report immediately thereafter to the Execu- 
 tive Committee of the Commission as to the result of the deliberations on 
 this subject. The Executive Committee of the Commission was in session 
 again on the 19th, and received an official communication informing it that 
 a majority of the Board of Directors had expressed a preference for Colonel 
 George R. Davis for Director General. In expressing a preference for 
 Colonel Davis for the office of Director General, the Directory merely 
 assisted in the selection of the Executive Officer of the Commission, who 
 should exercise such powers as the Commission might confer upon him. 
 The Directory did not by this act confer upon Colonel Davis any of its 
 corporate powers. Meantime, in the National Commission a resolution 
 had been adopted which provided that as soon as the Executive Com- 
 mittee should report their choice for Director General it should be in 
 order for any member of the Commission to nominate a candidate for 
 that office, and that the election should be by a written ballot. On the 
 19th the chairman of the Executive Committee made a report recom- 
 mending the election of Colonel Davis, and after an informal ballot Mr. 
 
ELECTION OF A DIRECTOR GENERAL. 
 
 27 
 
 McClelland, of Pennsylvania, offered a resolution that, as the informal bal- 
 lot showed a majority for Colonel Davis, the next ballot be regarded as 
 formal and conclusive, and that the election be made unanimous by the 
 President casting the ballot of the Commission in favor of Colonel Davis. 
 This resolution was adopted by a unanimous vote, and Colonel Davis was 
 elected Director General accordingly. It had been supposed that on the 
 election of a Director General — taken from the Directors, for whom that 
 Board had expressed its preference — the antagonisms that had thus far 
 existed would cease ; but, unfortunately, this did not prove to be the case. 
 
 The first report submitted by the Director General to the Commission re- 
 lated to the necessity of agreeing upon a policy for the work in hand. In 
 this report, regardful of the lessons of former successful expositions to be 
 found in the writings and reports of those who had taken part in their ad- 
 ministration, which he had given careful thought and study, he recommended 
 that the business of the Exposition be conducted through administrative de- 
 partments. He said : "We should profit by the experience of other exposi- 
 tions, and adopt the system which has generally proved a success — a sys- 
 tem which would vitalize the energy of every 
 officer and committee, and assign to each 
 his appropriate function, thus prevent- 
 ing the work assigned to one officer 
 or committee from being interfered 
 with by another. Besides, its tend- 
 ency would be to lessen expense, 
 avoid confusion, and give charac- 
 ter, dignity, and confidence to the 
 enterprise." The plan of organi- 
 zation that he described was very 
 closely followed in that which was 
 finally agreed to in joint conference 
 of the committees of the two gov- 
 erning bodies. 
 
 A special committee had been ap- 
 pointed to secure harmonious action, but 
 had made no headway when the Com- 
 mission met for its third session, Novem- 
 ber 18, 1890, and the relations of the two 
 governing bodies had been considerably 
 strained. The Directory had vested large 
 powers in its Committee on Grounds and Buildings, of which the Director 
 General was a member, and had appointed an Advisory Board of Archi- 
 tects and Engineers and a Chief of Construction. 
 
 Various resolutions were suggested and adopted ; but all deliberations 
 finally culminated in the appointment of a joint committee consisting of 
 
 POTTER PALMER, 
 
 Second Vice-President of the Directory, 
 
 1890-1892. 
 
28 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 eight members from each body. This committee submitted a report, which 
 was adopted by the Directory on the 24th of November, and by the Com- 
 mission on the 25th. This report was known as the Compact, because it 
 was generally understood that under it the Exposition would be operated to 
 the end, and because it was supposed to meet every requirement of the situa- 
 tion. It proved so important in the accomplishment of the great task that 
 we give it here in full, omitting only the formal introduction and the list of 
 departments, which will be found below : 
 
 " Your committee have deemed it best to avoid all discussion upon legal 
 issues and technicalities, and adopt such measures as to them seem advisable 
 for the harmonious administration of the affairs of the Exposition. In pur- 
 suance of that intent, they recommend the adoption by your respective 
 bodies of the plan of procedure outlined as follows : 
 
 " The work of the Exposition shall be divided into the following great 
 departments, and, to properly administer and systematize the Exposition, 
 there shall be established a head or chief officer of each of these departments, 
 such departments to be at all times open to the inspection of the appropriate 
 committees of the two bodies respectively. Each chief shall have under his 
 control a bureau of clerks, and shall generally have charge of correspondence 
 with intending exhibitors in his department. 
 
 " The salaries of the chiefs of the several departments hereinafter enu- 
 merated and their subordinates, together with the current expenses of each, 
 shall be paid by the World's Columbian Exposition, the salaries to be fixed 
 by the Director General, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors of 
 said Exposition ; and the right is reserved to the said Board of Directors to 
 discontinue or reduce the appropriations for any one or more of said de- 
 partments when, in their opinion, the interests of the Exposition shall so 
 require. 
 
 "The chiefs of departments shall be appointed by the Director General, 
 subject to confirmation by the National Commission and Board of Directors 
 of the World's Columbian Exposition, and not by any committee of either. 
 The Director General shall also have power to appoint all subordinates neces- 
 sary to the proper administration of the departments. Removals for cause 
 may be made by the Director General of all officers and employees appointed 
 by him. [Here follows a list of the departments, but without the names of 
 the chiefs, who were appointed subsequently.] 
 
 " The creation of this Department of Foreign Affairs is not to contravene 
 the rights and powers of the Committee on Foreign Affairs to control the 
 disbursement of the $20,000 heretofore placed under their control ; but the 
 manner of such expenditure shall be reported to, and be made part of, the 
 record of this department, and in all other respects the Committee on For- 
 eign Affairs shall bear the same relation to this department as other standing 
 committees bear to their corresponding departments. 
 
 "The Director General may, in his discretion, and with the consent of 
 
ELECTION OF A DIRECTOR GENERAL. 
 
 29 
 
 the Executive Committees of the two bodies— National Commission and 
 Local Directory — place two or more of these departments under the control 
 of one chief, and so continue them until necessity shall require independent 
 chiefs. 
 
 " The expenses of the Director General's ofl&ce and his clerk hire shall be 
 paid out of the Government funds, under the provision made for the pay- 
 ment of contingent expenses as set forth in Section 
 18 of the Act of Congress. 
 
 " Any material changes, modifications, or exten- 
 sions in the plans of the grounds or buildings, as 
 adopted by the Commission and the Directory, 
 will be subject to the joint approval of the 
 Board of Reference and Control of the Com- 
 mission and the Committee on Grounds and 
 Buildings of the Directory. The Commis- 
 sion, through its Director General, or other 
 officer selected for the purpose, shall at all 
 times have access to the grounds and build- 
 ings, for the purpose of inspection and infor- 
 mation. 
 
 " It being deemed essential that representa- 
 tives of the Exposition should be duly accred- 
 ited, it is recommended that all persons here- 
 after officially authorized to promote the in- 
 terests of the Exposition shall be commissioned by the Director General, 
 under the seal of the Commission. 
 
 " Resolved, That a Board of Reference and Control be created, consisting 
 of the President, Vice-Chairman, and six members of the Commission, to be 
 hereafter appointed by the President of the Commission, upon whom shall 
 be conferred all the powers and duties of the Executive Committee when 
 not in session, and which, with a like committee of the Directory, to be ap- 
 pointed by their President, shall constitute a Committee of Conference, to 
 which shall be referred all matters of difference, and the action of which 
 thereon shall be conclusive. 
 
 " Your committees respectfully suggest that, in their opinion, the adoption 
 of the foregoing plan will render immaterial all questions of controversy as 
 to the relative rights, powers, and duties of the two bodies they represent, 
 and insure harmonious action in the future." 
 
 The report that set forth this plan of compact was signed for the Direc- 
 tory by Lyman J. Gage, Thomas B. Bryan, Ferdinand W. Peck, Edwin 
 Walker, Edwai-d T. Jeffery, Potter Palmer, Frederick S. Winston, and De 
 Witt C. Cregier, and for the Commission by J. W. St. Clair, William Lindsay, 
 Thomas M. Waller, Elijah B. Martindale, William J. Sewall, Michael H. de 
 Young, George V. Massey, and Virginius D. Groner. 
 
 BENJAMIN BUTTERWORTH, 
 
 Secretary of the Directoiy, 1890-1892, 
 
 and Solicitor General, 1891-1892. 
 
-,Q THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 The National Commission at once amended its by-laws in accordance 
 with the requirement of the Compact, and among the duties and powers of 
 the Director General specified the following : " He shall exercise such super- 
 vision, direction, and control of the operation of the World's Columbian 
 Exposition, within the domain of the powers possessed by the Commission, 
 as will tend to promote the efficiency of every agency employed. He shall 
 be authorized and instructed to assume and exercise all such executive 
 powers and functions as shall be necessary to secure promptness, efficiency, 
 and good faith in every department of the work within the purview of the 
 authority of this Commission, and shall make report of his proceedings to 
 the Executive Committee at such time and in such manner as shall be 
 required by said Committee, and shall in all matters be subject to the direc- 
 tion and control of the Executive Committee. It shall also be his duty and 
 privilege to attend the meetings of any of the standing committees for the 
 purpose of suggestion and conference, and to the end that all the agencies 
 of the Commission may be rendered more efficient. It shall also be his 
 duty to make a report to the World's Columbian Commission at each regu- 
 lar meeting thereof of his proceedings and of the progress made in the 
 work of the Exposition since the last meeting of said Commission, with 
 such recommendations and suggestions as he may deem best to make to said 
 Commission. He shall have power by himself, or through such other officer 
 as he may select, to inspect the grounds and buildings during the process 
 of their preparation and construction ; and it shall be his duty from time 
 to time to give information in relation to the progress of the work, and 
 the manner of its performance, to the Executive Committee or the Board 
 of Reference and Control. He shall have power, and it shall be his duty, 
 to commission all such representatives of the Exposition as shall be officially 
 authorized to promote the interests thereof." 
 
 The following-named commissioners were selected as the Board of Ref- 
 erence and Control : Thomas W. Palmer, of Michigan, President ; James A. 
 McKenzie, of Kentucky, Vice-Chairman ; George V. Massey, of Delaware ; 
 William Lindsay, of Kentucky ; Michael H. de Young, of California ; 
 Thomas M. Waller, of Connecticut ; Elijah B. Martindale, of Indiana ; J. 
 W. St. Clair, of West Virginia. Subsequently Messrs. Lindsay and Mc- 
 Kenzie were succeeded by R. L. Saunders, of Mississippi ; and Harvey P. 
 Piatt, of Ohio. 
 
 This board practically succeeded to the duties of the Executive Commit- 
 tee of the Commission. It was a compact organization of strong men, and 
 its influence and work were powerful in securing the success of the Exposi- 
 tion. The Committee of the Directory, which with the board just de- 
 scribed constituted the Committee of Conference, was composed of the 
 following-named gentlemen : Lyman J. Gage, President ; Thomas B. Bryan, 
 Potter Palmer, Ferdinand W. Peck, Edward T. Jeffery, Edwin Walker. 
 Frederick S. Winston, De Witt C. Cregier. Messrs. Bryan, Palmer, Jef- 
 
ELECTION OF A DIRECTOR GENERAL. 
 
 31 
 
 .,^,^0^-'^m 
 
 fery, Winston, and Cregier were subsequently succeeded by Harlow N. 
 Higinbotham, Robert A. Waller Henry B. Stone, Edward P. Ripley, and 
 John J. P. Odell. These gentlemen were among the leading professional 
 and business men of Chicago, and gave their services freely in the interest 
 of the Exposition, often to the sacrifice of their own private affairs. The 
 Committee of Conference was seldom called upon for definite action ; but it 
 frequently held informal conferences and consultations 
 during the period of development. 
 
 The full benefits of the Compact were not im- 
 mediately realized ; because there were misunder- 
 standings as to the powers of the various of- 
 ficers and committees, and in both bodies 
 there were committees who were reluctant 
 to surrender their jurisdiction to the ex- 
 ecutive officers, not seeing that such sur- 
 render was necessary to the official work- 
 ing of the whole great scheme. 
 
 Upon the adoption of the Compact 
 the Director General began the organiza- 
 tion of the departments provided for there 
 The chiefs first appointed were those 
 
 m, 
 
 EDWARD T. JEFFERY, 
 
 Chairman of Committee on Grounds 
 
 and Buildings, April to October, 
 
 iSgi. 
 
 of the Departments of Agriculture and 
 Publicity and Promotion, in December, 1890, 
 and the others followed in due course. The sal- 
 aries of department chiefs were fixed at $5,000, 
 with the exception that the chief of the De- 
 partment of Foreign Affairs received $8,000, the 
 chief of Horticulture $4,000, and the chief of Fish 
 and Fisheries at first only $3,600. The salary of the chief of Publicity 
 and Promotion was subsequently increased to $7,500. The complete list 
 of the departments and their chiefs is as follows : 
 
 Department A. — Agriculture, Food and Food Products, Farming Ma- 
 chinery and Appliances. W. I. Buchanan, Chief. 
 
 Department B. — Viticulture, Horticulture, and Floriculture. J. M. 
 Samuels, Chief. 
 
 Department C. — Live Stock — Domestic and Wild Animals. W. I, 
 Buchanan, Acting Chief. 
 
 Department Z^.^Fish, Fisheries, Fish Products, and Apparatus of Fish- 
 ing. J. W. Collins, Chief. 
 
 Department E. — Mines, Mining, and Metallurgy. Frederick J. V. 
 Skiff, Chief. 
 
 Department F. — Machinery. L. W. Robinson, Chief. 
 
32 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Department G. — Transportation Exhibits, Railways, Vessels, and Vehi- 
 cles. WiLLARD A. Smith, Chief. 
 
 Department H. — Manufactures. James Allison, Chief. 
 
 Department J. — Electricity and Electrical Appliances. J. P. Barrett, 
 Chief. 
 
 Department K. — Fine Arts, Pictorial, Plastic, and Decorative. Halsey 
 C. Ives, Chief. 
 
 Department L. — Liberal Arts, Education, Engineering, Public Works, 
 Architecture, Music, and the Drama. Selim H. Peabody, Chief. 
 
 Department M. — Ethnology, Archaeology, Progress of Labor and In- 
 vention — Isolated and Collective Exhibits. F. W. Putnam, Chief. 
 
 Department N. — Forestry and Forest Products. W. I. Buchanan, Act- 
 ing Chief. 
 
 Department O. — Publicity and Promotion. Moses P. Handy, Chief. 
 
 Department P. — Foreign Affairs. Walker Fearn, Chief. 
 
 
 foundatio n-test. 
 
The Lagoon, looking eastward, July i8, 1891. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS. 
 
 Discussion of the Lake Front — Difficulties connected with it — Jackson Park — Midway 
 Plaisance — Appointment of landscape architects — Final decision of the question of a 
 site — The historic ground — A poetic vision — First plan for the Exposition — Creation 
 of a construction department — Services of John W. Root — Assignments of archi- 
 tectural work — Early plans and estimates — Preparation of the ground — Accommoda- 
 tions for the World's Congress Auxiliary — Changes in the committee — Creation of the 
 Council of Administration. 
 
 HE organization of the Board of Directors — 
 popularly known as the Directory — occurred 
 three years prior to the date fixed for the open- 
 ing of the Exposition — a time far too short for 
 the purposes in view. It became the most 
 important immediate duty of the Board to 
 choose a site, perfect plans, and get the work 
 of construction under way. The selection of a 
 site was rendered difficult by rivalries and con- 
 tentions such as might be expected under the 
 circumstances. Sites were tendered upon the 
 north, west, and south sides of the city, and the 
 Committee on Grounds and Buildings under- 
 took to inform itself speedily upon the adaptability 
 of each site offered. Out of this contention grew a 
 plan for the utilization of the area known as the 
 "Lake Front," a strip of park 310 feet wide and 
 5,830 feet long, lying east of Michigan Avenue, between Randolph Street 
 and Park Row or Twelfth Street, bounded on the east by the tracks of 
 the Illinois Central Railroad, which separate this park from the shores 
 
 JOHN WELLBORN ROOT, 
 Consulting Architect. 
 
 33 
 
24 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 of Lake Michigan. This park was the result of a filling made at a time 
 when the lake extended as far west as the east side of Michigan Avenue, and 
 when the tracks of the Illinois Central Railroad were carried on piles some 
 distance out from the shore. It was thought that this strip could be enlarged 
 by further fillings beyond the railroad tracks, out to the dock line established 
 by the United States Coast Survey, thus giving an area of about two hun- 
 dred acres for Exposition purposes. While this area was not regarded as suf- 
 ficient, it was thought that the most important features of the Exposition 
 could be located upon this site and the remainder separated from it and 
 placed upon another site at Jackson Park. It was even thought practicable 
 to fill a sufficient amount of land to enable placing the entire Exposition 
 upon the Lake Front. This idea had many champions in spite of the 
 great obstacles it presented. Its friends were willing to attack grave difficul- 
 ties for the furtherance of the plan, on account of its many attractive features 
 and the permanent benefits that would result to the city. Could it have been 
 possible to locate the entire Exposition at this point, the comfort of the 
 visiting public, relieved of the necessity for securing transportation facilities 
 to reach the Exposition, and the permanent benefit to the city occurring 
 from the location of a magnificent park in the heart of the business dis- 
 trict, would have been advantages worthy of great sacrifices, but nothing 
 less than the whole plan would answer the purpose. When the division of 
 the Exposition and a dual site became a portion of the scheme, the failure of 
 the plan was inevitable. 
 
 On June 28, 1890, the Board of Directors adopted a resolution that the 
 Lake Front, which should be increased to at least three hundred acres, be 
 adopted as the site for the location of the World's Columbian Exposition, 
 subject to concurrence by the city of Chicago. The Committee on Grounds 
 and Buildings was instructed, with the approval of the World's Columbian 
 Commission, to proceed at once with the necessary preparations and work. 
 In the same resolution the Board of Directors pledged itself that in case more 
 space should be found necessary, such additional space would be provided. 
 The germ of the dual site was contained in this resolution, for it was recog- 
 nized that sufficient space could not be obtained by filling in the land to the 
 Government dock line, and the War Department would not consent to fill- 
 ing beyond this hne. On July i, the Board passed a resolution adopting 
 the Lake Front and Jackson Park as the site for the World's Columbian 
 Exposition, declaring it to be the intention " to make as large a use as may 
 be possible of room now existing, or that may hereafter be gained on the 
 Lake Front, and use Jackson Park, as far as may be necessary, to provide 
 adequate room and buildings for the Exposition." 
 
 While this resolution was adopted unanimously, no one regarded it as a 
 final adjustment of the question of site. Obstacles to any use of the Lake 
 Front for the Exposition appeared in the opposition of the property-owners 
 upon Michigan Avenue to the erection of buildings at this point, and the 
 
GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS. 
 
 35 
 
 heavy expense incident to the filling of so great an area as was contemplated 
 in the plan. 
 
 Meanwhile the Jackson Park site, at first adopted for the purpose of 
 accommodating the overflow from the contracted area of the Lake Front, was 
 carefully considered, and negotiations were carried on with a view of secur- 
 ing from the South Park Commissioners a tender of sufficient area at this 
 point to answer to the utmost the needs of the great Exposition, in case it 
 should be found necessary to abandon the Lake Front entirely. 
 
 In the latter part of July, 1890, James W. Ellsworth, a director, with the 
 consent of President Gage, called on Frederick Law Olmsted, the landscape 
 architect, and arranged with him to examine and report on Jackson Park. 
 Mr. Olmsted and his partner, Henry Sargent Codman, came to Chicago 
 early in August, 1890, and, after a careful examination of Jackson Park, on 
 August 1 2 made the following report to President Gage of the Directory : 
 
 " We have been asked to advise you as to what space can be made avail- 
 able for the buildings of the World's Fair in Jackson Park without interfer- 
 ence with the improvements that have already been made therein for park 
 purposes or loss of opportunity for carrying out the complete design. The 
 site of Jackson Park is swampy, the surface of a large part of it not being 
 materially above the surface of the lake at high stages of the water. Of late 
 years the lake has been encroaching upon the land, and, the shore having 
 been cut out in places to a depth of four hundred feet, a plan for resisting 
 this encroachment has been adopted, of which the essential feature is an em- 
 bankment, the sloping face of which toward the lake is paved with granite 
 blocks. There are two openings in this embankment through which water 
 is to flow between the lake and the swamps. To guard against bars forming 
 at the mouths of these passages, in each case a pier is to be built out into the 
 lake. The embankment is to be made broad enough to carry a wheel-way 
 and a walk on its level top, which together will be eighty feet wide. The 
 part on the lake side of the embankment is to be formed by dredging por- 
 tions of the swamp and using the material dredged for elevating the surface 
 of that portion left undredged. The dredged canals are to be winding, and 
 an effect of intricacy is to be produced by numerous bays, points, and islands, 
 these to be so planned that the play of light and shadow in, under, and be- 
 tween the bits of foliage, aided by reflections from the water, would secure 
 the charm of landscape mysteries in an unusual degree. The primary and 
 more costly operations required for carrying out this plan are all in progress 
 — ^that is to say, the embankment with its paved slope, wheel-way, and walk is 
 partially constructed — a dredge, with scows and a portable railway, is at work 
 and has already opened a channel three fourths of a mile in length, which, 
 however, is as yet without the bays, points, and islands intended to be formed 
 along its shores. But the material thus far obtained by dredging has been 
 used for the embankment, and not for elevating the undredged grounds ad- 
 joining the channels. If this work were pushed as it might be, the embank- 
 
36 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 some 
 
 ment, with its road and its paved slope toward the lake, could be made com- 
 plete' before the winter of 1891. During the same period an interior water- 
 way could be completed two and a half miles in length and upon an average 
 two hundred feet wide. This water-way could be nearly all within the lines 
 of the ground intended to be excavated for park purposes. It would involve 
 very slight modifications in the plan of the park, but none not perfectly 
 reconcilable with the spirit and motive of the design. 
 To carry out this design it would only be necessary 
 after the close of the Fair to proceed with the work 
 of dredging so much farther as would be necessary 
 to form the desired intricacy of outline. For con- 
 venience of statement we shall, in this report, 
 refer to the embankment on the lake shore as 
 the ' Levee,' and to the interior system as the 
 ' Bayou,' these terms giving a fair idea of 
 the essential character of the features in 
 question. 
 
 "The work thus contemplated having 
 been done during the next year, according 
 to the plan of the South Park Commissioners, 
 there would be found at Jackson Park an ele- 
 vated esplanade nearly one mile and a half in 
 length along the shore of the lake, this being 
 the levee, and nearly parallel with it a bayou 
 broad enough and deep enough for navigation 
 by small boats entering from the lake. Between the two waters there would 
 be two bodies of land, separated by the outlet of the bayou, upon which 
 lands buildings for the Fair could stand. The distance between the bayou 
 and the levee would be a little more than a thousand feet, and the entire 
 area available for building-sites would be one hundred and twelve acres. 
 
 " Upon the island west of the building-sites is a grove of oak trees, most 
 of which would be desirable to retain. Scattered among them from twenty 
 to thirty small buildings of an average floor-space of sixty by one hundred 
 feet could be placed. This would be equivalent to an additional area of 
 thirty acres. Taking out the required interspaces and decorated margins, it 
 may be assumed that the buildings could be placed in Jackson Park with a 
 ground-floor space of one hundred and twelve acres. Assuming that all the 
 buildings to stand on this ground will be removed at the close of the Fair, 
 the temporary use thus to be made of the park territory would not interfere 
 with the further carrying out of the original design of the park. 
 
 " It is to be expected that the South Park Commissioners would pay for 
 the work to be done during the next year, in order to accomplish what has 
 been proposed in the construction of embankment and the dredging of chan- 
 nels. The cost to that Commission is estimated by Mr. Foster, engineer of 
 
 OWEN F. ALDIS, 
 Member of the Directory. 
 
GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS. 
 
 37 
 
 the Commission, to be $400,000. The building-sites provided for in this 
 scheme would be adapted only to such buildings as would be removed at the 
 close of the Exposition. They would be satisfactory sites for halls, for ma- 
 chinery, for railroads, electric and mining exhibits, and for such objects as 
 are generally included in what are called the main Exposition buildings." 
 
 At the special session of the Illinois Legislature, called for the considera- 
 tion of matters relating to the Exposition, an act was passed authorizing 
 the commissioners of the various park districts to grant the use of any of the 
 park areas under their control for the purposes of the Exposition. 
 
 The scope of the site question had once more been enlarged. The 
 Directory was not in a position to appropriate from its funds the amount 
 necessary to fill the space required at the Lake Front unless it could be reim- 
 bursed therefor by the city, which reimbursement the city declined to under- 
 take. The portion of Jackson Park, embracing about five hundred acres, that 
 had been adopted as a part of the site was unimproved, the improved area 
 at the north end of the park, and the Midway Plaisance, connecting this park 
 with Washington Park on the west, being withheld. It was thought that 
 less than four hundred acres could be made available for the Exposition in 
 the unimproved portion. The landscape architects reported that this area 
 could not, by reasonable expenditure and within the time practically fixed, be 
 made suitable to accommodate satisfactorily the entire Exposition, and fur- 
 ther declared that even the addition of the Midway Plaisance would not 
 make this site large enough. 
 
 Therefore the Board of Directors on August 19, 1890, declared that 
 unless enough area could be made available within a reasonable cost to 
 accommodate the whole Exposition in Jackson Park, another location should 
 be secured, such location, if adopted, to have at least four hundred acres 
 available for use so as to accommodate the whole Exposition if necessary. 
 The Board of South Park Commissioners were urgently requested to tender 
 the use of Washington Park and the Midway Plaisance in addition to Jack- 
 son Park, thus giving up the entire South Park system to the Exposition, 
 and on August 26 the Board fixed upon September 9 as the date for 
 the final settlement of the question of site. On this date a final report from 
 the Committee on Grounds and Buildings, containing a careful statement 
 of the advantages of each site and a thorough treatment of the difficulties 
 under which the committee had labored, was submitted. By this time the 
 South Park commissioners had added to the original tender of the unim- 
 proved portion of Jackson Park the improved portion thereof and the Mid- 
 way Plaisance, so that the company now had tendered to it about six hundred 
 and fifty acres in this site, and this was all the space that the Exposition 
 finally occupied, although subsequently efforts were made to secure Wash- 
 ington Park in addition thereto, from fear that the site tendered would not 
 be great enough for the extensive plans that were being outlined. 
 
 At this meeting of September 9, the question of site was reopened and a 
 
38 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 formal ballot was taken, in which twenty-one votes out of thirty-five were 
 cast for Jackson Park and Lake Front, the other fourteen votes being scat- 
 tered in favor of the several north and west sites. From this vote it will be 
 seen that the Lake Front plan, in spite of the obstacles in its way, was still 
 seriously entertained. 
 
 The Committee on Grounds and Buildings had jurisdiction in all matters 
 connected with the; selection of professional advisers, and shortly before the 
 meeting on September 9, appointed Messrs. Frederick Law Olmsted and 
 Company Consulting Landscape Architects, Abram Gottlieb Consulting En- 
 gineer, and Messrs. Burnham and Root Consulting Architects. The com- 
 mittee also appointed a Board of Physicians, consisting of Dr. H. A. John- 
 son, of the south division ; Dr. Oscar De Wolff, of the west division ; and 
 Dr. Fernand Henrotin, of the north division of the city. 
 
 These appointments were made for the purpose of advising the committee 
 as to the physical features of the sites offered, the approximate cost of pre- 
 paring them for occupancy, their susceptibility of proper drainage, the cost 
 
 of erecting the Exposi- 
 tion buildings thereon, 
 and the hygienic condi- 
 tions accompanying them. 
 The act of Congress 
 providing for the Exposi- 
 tion required that the site 
 should be accepted by the 
 World's Columbian Com- 
 mission. The members 
 of the Commission looked 
 with but little favor upon 
 the plan of the dual site, 
 neither were they willing 
 to accept Jackson Park 
 and the Midway Plaisance 
 as sufficient for the pur- 
 pose. Nevertheless, the Commission, at its meeting of July 2, 1890, 
 formally accepted the dual site. But this acceptance did not end the 
 contention any more than did the various votes of the Board of Directors 
 upon the same subject. It was one of those questions that will not stay 
 settled until they are settled right. The Board had twice, on July i and 
 September 9, by formal vote declared in favor of the dual site, the second 
 time with the additional area in Jackson Park. Each time the Commis- 
 sion had acquiesced, but the second time it made a request that the Board 
 of Directors obtain from the South Park commissioners the use of Wash- 
 ington Park also. This was subsequently done, but with the condition 
 that if any considerable portion of Washington Park should be used the 
 
 BOARDING-HOUSE FOR WORKMEN. 
 
GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS. ^g 
 
 improved portion of Jackson Park should not be used. Several ordinances 
 were adopted by the South Park Commission to complete the formal tender 
 of the various portions of the site, and these were coupled with conditions 
 requiring the giving of a bond by the Directory in the sum of $100,000, 
 conditioned upon the restoration of the park to the commissioners at the 
 close of the Exposition in as good condition as received, the removal of the 
 buildings and debris, and compensation for damages. As a matter of fact, 
 the portion of Jackson Park upon which most of the buildings were located 
 was certain to receive considerable improvement from the work of preparing 
 it for the Exposition, as it consisted mainly of low and marshy areas partially 
 covered with water, together with sand dunes and ridges ; the growth upon 
 it consisted chiefly of native scrub oaks, of little value in a park. 
 
 These difficult questions were handled by the Committee on Grounds 
 and Buildings, and great credit is due to its members for the heavy labors 
 they performed. At this time the Committee consisted of Messrs. De Witt 
 C. Cregier, Edward T. Jeffery, Eugene S. Pike, Robert A. Waller, George 
 R. Davis, Owen F. Aldis, and Charles H. Schwab. Meetings were held 
 daily, and very often until late at night, taxing severely the patience and 
 endurance of the members. In the deliberations over the site, months of 
 valuable time had been lost, and to that extent the success of the Exposition 
 was further endangered. Efforts were made to push the work from this 
 point (September 9, 1890) rapidly forward, but the starting was very slow 
 and difficult. An attempt to designate, by formal resolution of the Di- 
 rectory, the portions of the Exposition which should be located on the 
 Lake Front was made in October, the Committee on Ways and Means 
 pledging itself to secure the funds required to do the necessary filling and 
 piling for the purpose of enlarging the area to about one hundred and fifty 
 acres. In the mean time the Committee on Grounds and Buildings took a 
 decisive step by making plans for the prosecution of work in Jackson Park 
 for that portion of the Exposition which, in any event, would be located at 
 that point. 
 
 If the reader is familiar with American history, he can hardly have fol- 
 lowed this discussion as to a site for the great Exposition without being re- 
 minded of what took place along the shore of this lake when ours was one 
 of the youngest and weakest of nations, as it has since become one of the 
 most powerful. Eighty years before, at a point that is now near the heart 
 of the city of Chicago, but was then only a continuation of this sandy tract, 
 occurred one of the battles of a singular war in which our young nation had 
 to contend against native savagery on one side, and against the civilization 
 that was most like our own on the other. Fort Dearborn, at the mouth of 
 Chicago river, was built in 1804 by the United States Government. When 
 war was declared against Great Britain in June, 181 2, this post was occupied 
 by a garrison of about fifty soldiers, with several families, commanded by 
 Captain Nathan Heald. A month later General Hull, commanding at De- 
 
40 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 troit, ordered Captain Heald to abandon the fort and join him with his entire 
 force. As Heald thus had a march of two hundred miles to make through 
 the wilderness, he thought it especially desirable to secure the good will of the 
 Indians. Accordingly, he called a council of those who professed to be friend- 
 ly, told them he was about to leave the fort for Detroit, and promised to give 
 them all the property that he could not take away, at which they seemed 
 greatly pleased. But, as he knew their intemperance and feared their treach- 
 ery, he destroyed in the night all the whisky and all the gunpowder that he 
 was not able to take with him. These were the very articles that the In- 
 dians most prized, and when, after his departure the next morning (August 
 15), they discovered the trick that he had played them, they became furious 
 and set out to overtake him. He was moving slowly southward along the 
 shore of the lake with his little company when the crest of this low range of 
 sand hills on his right was suddenly lighted up with the blaze of rifles. The 
 savages were firing mercilessly upon the train. The wagons were drawn up 
 together as quickly as possible and the women and children were put within 
 their shelter, while the soldiers stood their ground and returned the fire of 
 the Indians. They made a brave and bloody fight, and when some of the 
 men had fallen the women took up their rifles and showed that on occasion 
 they also could be good soldiers. But after heavy losses the survivors were 
 compelled to surrender. In the course of the fight one Indian had made his 
 way stealthily to the wagons, and, leaping into one in which there were 
 a dozen children, killed them all. The victorious and angry savages scalped 
 all the wounded, claiming that they had not been included in the capitula- 
 tion. In this fight thirty-eight soldiers, two women, and twelve children lost 
 their lives. The contrast between that day and this has been beautifully 
 expressed by one of Chicago's poets, Benjamin F. Taylor : 
 
 I heard the blockhouse gates unbar, the column's solemn tread, 
 
 I saw the tree of a single leaf its splendid foliage spread, 
 
 To wave a while that August morn above the column's head. 
 
 I heard the moan of muffled drum, the woman's wail of fife. 
 
 The dead march played for Dearborn's men just marching out of life, 
 
 The swooping of the savage cloud that burst upon the rank 
 
 And struck it with its thunderbolt in forehead and in flank. 
 
 The spatter of the musket shot, the rifles' whistling rain — 
 
 The sand hills drift round hope forlorn that never marched again. 
 
 I see in tasseled rank and file the regiment of corn ; 
 
 Their bending sabers, millions strong, salute the summer morn ; 
 
 The harvest fields, as round and red as full-grown harvest moon. 
 
 That fill the broad horizons up with mimic gold of noon ; 
 
 I count a thousand villages like flocks in pastures grand, 
 
 I hear the roar of caravans through all the blessed land. 
 
 Chicago grasps the ripened year and holds it in her hand. 
 
 " Give us this day our daily bread," the planet's Christian prayer ; 
 
 Chicago, with her open palm, makes answer everywhere. 
 
GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS. 4 1 
 
 I hear the march of multitudes who said the map was wrong — 
 They drew the net of longitude and brought it right along, 
 And swung a great meridian line across the foundling's breast, 
 And the city of the Occident was neither east nor west ! 
 Her charter is no dainty thing of parchment and of pen, 
 But written on the prairie's page by full a million men. 
 
 The act of Congress provided that before the proclamation of the Presi- 
 dent of the United States setting forth the time and place for the Exposition 
 should be issued and the invitation extended to foreign nations to partici- 
 pate therein, the President should be notified by the World's Columbian 
 Commission that provision had been made for grounds and buildings for the 
 uses of the Exposition, and that $10,000,000, to be used and expended for 
 its purposes, should have been provided. 
 
 Great anxiety was felt that the President's proclamation and invitation 
 should be issued at once. Before this could be done it was necessary that 
 the Commission should accept the site tendered by the company, and also 
 approve the plans and specifications of the buildings. The first condition 
 was complied with by the selection of the Lake Front and Jackson Park 
 site ; the third, which required bona fide subscriptions to the extent of $10,- 
 000,000, had also been complied with. The term " plans and specifications " 
 taken literally would have postponed the President's proclamation at least 
 a year. The term was not taken literally, and that which was accepted by 
 the Commission as the plans and specifications of the Exposition was pre- 
 pared by the Consulting Landscape Architects, Consulting Engineer, and 
 Consulting Architects in less than two days. It consisted of a paper in 
 which these officers set forth a general scheme for the improvement of Jack- 
 son Park and the Midway Plaisance as the principal site for the Exposi- 
 tion grounds and buildings, leaving certain features, such as fine arts, deco- 
 rative arts, electrical appliances. Government department exhibits, fish and 
 fisheries, a music hall, and other special features, to be provided for after- 
 ward on the Lake Front. 
 
 While these ideas were formulated in so brief a period, they were, of 
 course, the result of study and examination that had been going on for some 
 time. Long before the National Commissioners and the Directors united on 
 a site the Consulting Architects and their associates were strongly of the opin- 
 ion that Jackson Park ought to be chosen, and they asked the National Com- 
 mission and the Directory to state the number, size, and purpose of the 
 buildings of the Fair. Finally, the Classification List was made by a com- 
 mittee of the National Commission. This did not indicate what or how 
 many buildings were to be erected, but a meaning was assumed from it, and 
 on this basis the number and purpose of the great Exposition buildings were 
 determined. Several plans for Jackson Park were sketched and rejected by 
 Messrs. Olmsted, Codman, Burnham, and Root, and they were still holding 
 many of the larger questions open when the Lake Front and Jackson Park 
 
.- THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 were adopted as the " dual site " and the " plan of the Exposition " was 
 called for. The larger part of the site to be dealt with was a swampy, sandy 
 flat, at times submerged by the lake. Other parts were low ridges that had 
 originally been sand-bars, and were now covered with stunted oak trees. In 
 Mr. Olmsted's communication of August 12, 1890, quoted near the begin- 
 ning of this chapter, a division of the land and water had been suggested, and 
 it was because of the adaptation of the topography to this idea, in addition 
 to the advantage of close association of the Exposition with the lake, that 
 Jackson Park had been recommended as its site. Essentially the same 
 suggestion had been made twenty years ago by Mr. Olmsted, in connection 
 with his partner, Calvert Vaux, for a public park then proposed on the same 
 site. This suggestion was that a system of navigable water-ways should be 
 made by dredging boats, working from the lake through the lowest parts of 
 the site, the earth lifted by the boats to be deposited so as to add to the 
 area and to increase the elevation of the higher parts, thus adapting it for a 
 pleasure ground and for building-sites for the Exposition. After consider- 
 ation of the sketches made on the grounds by Mr. Codman, indicating the 
 manner in which the idea could be worked out for the Exposition without 
 sacrificing any of the advantages of the site for a park, the crude plan of the 
 whole scheme on a large scale was rapidly drawn by John W. Root, whose 
 architectural prescience and co-ordinating talent were invaluable. This was 
 among the last of Mr. Root's services to the Exposition. 
 
 The outhne of the scheme for the Exposition as set forth in the " plans, 
 and specifications " provided that the marsh was to be dredged and filled, 
 creating a lagoon, with an outlet upon the lake shore, an island in the 
 midst of the lagoon covered with native wood, affording a charming natural 
 landscape to relieve the formal treatment of other portions of the grounds. 
 The lagoon was to be continued south by a canal west of the main building 
 into a large basin forming a court, around which basin the principal buildings 
 of the Exposition were to be grouped. It provided that this canal should be 
 treated formally, with embankments of stone and brick, with parapets and 
 balustrades and steps and landings here and there, in contrast with the 
 lagoon at the north, the shores and banks of which were to be left in a nat- 
 ural state. It provided in a general way for working out the landscape fea- 
 tures — turf, flowers, trees, etc. The idea of the Court of Honor was clearly 
 indicated in this paper. Everything subsequently accomplished was a natural 
 working out of the scheme as here presented. It provided that the buildings 
 around the Court of Honor should be impressive and be treated classically, 
 and it named the Administration Building, Machinery Hall, Manufactures, 
 Mines, and Electricity Buildings, placing them substantially as they were 
 finally located, and requiring that they should form in design a substantial 
 and impressive whole. It specified that north of this court the architecture 
 should be of a lighter character. The Government Building was placed north 
 of the Manufactures Building, and across the lagoon from it the building for 
 
GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS. 
 
 43 
 
 Fish and Fisheries. The Horticultural Building was placed in the meadow 
 in the north or improved portion of the park, where afterward the Art Build- 
 ing was located. The specifications provided that transportation lines should 
 enter the park at the southwest corner, although stations might be located at 
 the Midway Plaisance, and also provided for an intramural electric elevated 
 railroad passing around the grounds. They contained the idea that visitors 
 to the Exposition should be brought by the various transportation lines and 
 landed inside the Administration Building, from which point they would 
 pass out into the grounds and secure their first impression of the Exposition 
 from the best possible standpoint. This latter idea was speedily modified 
 and it was never practically worked out. The specifications mentioned 
 generally the subjects of electricity, steam, gas, sewerage, and water-supply, 
 and closed with a promise that the Lake Front should be dealt with as soon 
 as it was determined how much land would be used at this point. 
 
 It is hardly possible to say too much in admiration of the men who, 
 grasping the possibilities and undismayed by the difficulties of the situation, 
 evolved a plan so general in its scope as to provide the necessary elasticity 
 and yet containing unmistakably the germ of grand ideas that needed only 
 to be carried out in the spirit in which they were conceived to secure perfect 
 success. These "plans and specifications " were adopted by the Board of 
 Directors on November 21 and by the Commission on November 25, 1890. 
 
 In order to perfect the necessary organization for the great work of con- 
 struction, radical changes were made in the staff of the Committee on Grounds 
 and Buildings. By the authority of the Board of Directors the committee 
 created a Construction Department, and appointed Daniel H. Burnham, of 
 the firm of Burnham & Root, Chief of Construction. His partner, John W. 
 Root, became Architect, Abram Gottlieb Engineer, and Messrs. Olmsted 
 & Company Landscape Architects — all attached to the Construction Depart- 
 ment. To work out this plan and prepare the designs for the buildings was 
 the next task. The Committee on Grounds and Buildings considered three 
 plans : First, that of inviting unhmited competition by those who might de- 
 sire to submit plans for buildings. Second, a limited competition among a 
 number of architects, to be designated by the committee. Third, the selec- 
 tion of a few leading architects, to constitute a Board of Consulting Archi- 
 tects, acting in harmony, apportioning out their work, and meeting and con- 
 sulting at various stages until the plans were perfected. 
 
 The last plan was adopted. The creation of the Board of Architects 
 marks one of the turning-points of the Exposition. The adoption of any 
 other course for obtaining plans would have delayed the work and prevented 
 that harmony in the general outline which was so desirable. In a large 
 measure the success of the architectural features of the Exposition was due 
 to the method adopted for producing the designs. It is therefore of interest 
 to know how the plan for a Board of Architects originated. In his final 
 report as Chief of Construction and Director of Works, Mr. Burnham says : 
 
44 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 "On December 8, 1890, the Chief of Construction drew up a memorial 
 to the Grounds and Buildings Committee. Mr. Olmsted made some changes 
 in its wording, and the whole was then rewritten by Mr. Root, the arguments 
 of the original and their order being strictly adhered to. The Chief of Con- 
 struction personally presented the document to the committee. It was not 
 signed, but he wrote the names of his confreres in it in pencil before leaving 
 the meeting, obtaining their consent a few hours afterward." 
 
 This memorial discussed at length the several methods by which archi- 
 tectural plans might be obtained, and mentioned the friendly co-operation, 
 mutual helpfulness, and enthusiasm that could be evoked in such a body as 
 the proposed Board of Architects called together in the spirit and for the 
 purpose contemplated. 
 
 It was the intention at first that this board should consist of five leading 
 architectural firms of this country, selected from outside the city of Chicago, 
 and that their task should be the designing of the Court of Honor and the 
 buildings surrounding it, leaving the rest of the Exposition to be designed 
 by other architects, to be selected later. Accordingly, the Committee on 
 Grounds and Buildings, upon the nomination of the Chief of Construction, 
 selected the following architects : Mr. Richard M. Hunt, Mr. George B. 
 Post, and Messrs. McKim, Mead & White, of New York ; Messrs. Peabody 
 & Stearns, of Boston ; and Messrs. Van Brunt & Howe, of Kansas City. 
 Subsequently there were added five Chicago firms, viz. : Messrs. Burling & 
 Whitehouse, Messrs. Jenney & Mundie, Mr. Henry Ives Cobb, Mr. Solon 
 S. Beman, Messrs. Adler & Sullivan. 
 
 This board met in Chicago on January 10, 1891. The members visited 
 the park and conferred regarding the task before them. Before the board 
 had fairly organized and concentrated its attention upon the task John W. 
 Root was stricken with pneumonia and died. His death caused universal 
 grief in Exposition circles, for his genial qualities and his great reputation as 
 an architect had endeared him to all. His loss was felt to be almost irrepa- 
 rable, and the Directory paid a tribute to his memory by placing upon their 
 records a memorial of their appreciation of his great worth, his genius and 
 exquisite taste, and their grief at his death. The services he had rendered 
 the Exposition were felt to be far in excess of the compensation received by 
 him in the brief period during which he had been in the employ of the 
 company, and the amount of his salary as consulting architect for a year was 
 paid to Mrs. Root in recognition of this fact. 
 
 During the first session of the Board of Architects the Committee on 
 Grounds and Buildings, as a preliminary measure, instructed the Construc- 
 tion Department to plan and estimate for all Exposition buildings except 
 the Art Building, in Jackson Park, and to have in view a suitable location 
 for an art building, should it be deemed desirable to place that building 
 there also. The buildings were assigned to the architects as follows : Ad- 
 ministration, Mr. Hunt; Agricultural, Messrs. McKim, Mead & White; 
 
GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS. ^c 
 
 Machinery, Messrs. Peabody & Stearns; Manufactures, Mr. Post; Elec- 
 tricity, Messrs. Van Brunt & Howe ; Horticultural, Messrs. Jenney & Mun- 
 die ; Fisheries, Mr. Cobb ; Venetian Village (a structure intended to be 
 placed at the end of the gr-eat pier projected into the lake east of the Court 
 of Honor, but afterward abandoned), Messrs. Burling & Whitehouse ; Mines, 
 Mr. Beman ; Transportation, Messrs. Adler & Sullivan. 
 
 By this time it had been decided that the Administration Building should 
 
 RAISING A DERRICK FOR THE DOME OF THE HORTICULTURE BUILDING, 
 
 NOVEMBER, 1891. 
 
 not be used as a terminal station, but that a separate building for this pur- 
 pose should be erected. 
 
 The two most important features in the success of the building scheme of 
 the Exposition were the comprehensive general plan adopted November 21, 
 and the fortunate selection of the Board of Architects. It was arranged that 
 this board should adjourn after apportioning its work among the members, 
 and that the members should then immediately prepare preliminary sketches 
 
46 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 for their buildings and submit them at a second conference, where the plans 
 would be criticised and corrected, after which full and complete general 
 working drawings of each building would be prepared. 
 
 The architects were not to make calculations of strength or stability, or 
 to work out the engineering problems connected with their structures, but 
 only those problems relating to artistic and economic design. After the 
 preparation of the working drawings their work was to cease, except that 
 they were to give sufficient attention to the development and execution of 
 their designs to assure themselves and the Committee on Grounds and Build- 
 ings that the designs were being carried out in the spirit and on the lines 
 contemplated. For this service they were. to be paid their necessary travel- 
 ing expenses and the sum of $10,000 to each of the architectural firms 
 engaged in the work, payable, $3,000 upon completion of the preliminary 
 sketches, $6,000 when all the designs were completed, and $1,000 when the 
 buildings were completed. The Board of Architects reconvened in Chicago 
 on February 22, bringing with them their preliminary sketches. These 
 were criticised and amended, and presented to the Board of Directors on 
 March 6. These plans served to give some idea to the Directors of the ele- 
 vation and general appearance of the buildings, and gave evidence that the 
 work was progressing satisfactorily. The Directory expressed its approval, 
 and instructed the Committee on Grounds and Buildings to proceed with 
 the work. About the same time the Construction Department furnished 
 estimates of the cost of the buildings, amounting to $12,766,890. 
 
 In the mean time, on February 11, the Board of Directors had taken 
 action that put an end to any consideration of the Lake Front as a portion 
 of the site for the Exposition. The Art Building had been left unprovided 
 for, because of the supposition that it would be placed upon the Lake Front. 
 In January a Budget Committee, consisting of eight directors, was created, 
 and instructed to prepare a budget of estimates for all departments of the 
 Exposition. This committee, after much labor and careful consideration of 
 every sort of data upon which estimates could be based, submitted a report 
 giving an estimate of expenditures for all branches of the Exposition to May 
 I, 1893, of $16,075,453, of which, as above stated, $12,766,890 was for the 
 construction of buildings and preparation of grounds. This report will be 
 more fully considered in the chapter on the finances of the Exposition. 
 The estimated cost of construction was arrived at after careful scrutiny of 
 each item, with a view to reducing the total to the lowest possible amount, 
 and was based upon the supposition that the entire Exposition would be 
 located in Jackson Park. The committee pointed out the very evident 
 fact that to attempt to use to any extent even the limited area available 
 on the Lake Front without filling would undoubtedly increase this esti- 
 mate at least $1,000,000. 
 
 The presentation of this budget to the Directory marked a distinct ad- 
 vance in the work. This was indeed the first time the Directory had had be- 
 
GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS. 
 
 47 
 
 fore it any comprehensive and reasonable estimate of the amount of work to 
 be done and funds to be required. The magnitude of its task was unfolded 
 and the Board could adjust its measures in accordance therewith. There was 
 not a Director who did not feel the serious difficulties which the problem 
 presented, and all would have shrunk with dismay had they known how 
 greatly these figures would be exceeded within the next two years. The 
 gravity of the financial problem facilitated the task of disposing of the Lake 
 Front. The report of the Budget Committee was adopted, and thenceforward 
 the attention of all was concentrated upon Jackson Park, and every energy 
 was given to the accomplishment of the work laid out there. During the 
 following spring, while the work of dredging and filling was being rapidly 
 pushed at the park, the plans of the buildings came in, one by one, from the 
 distinguished architects who had them in charge. These were promptly 
 taken up and prepared for contracting in the Construction Department. 
 This department grew and extended itself rapidly from day to day as the 
 needs of the work increased. With but little friction and without delay that 
 splendid organization sprung up around the Chief of Construction which 
 played such a great part in the results achieved. The discipline and efficiency 
 of the force was greater than that of a veteran army, for it was composed of 
 intelligent, well-educated professional men, each one eminent in his particu- 
 lar line of work. The Chief of Construction possessed wonderful enthusi- 
 asm, and he had the ability to impart it to those about him. He had success 
 in choosing his assistants and Heutenants. He had wonderful capacity for 
 attracting to him young men of ardent temperament but extraordinary 
 capacity, whose vigor and enthusiasm, when tempered with the discretion of 
 older heads, formed the best possible combination for the purposes in view. 
 
 The dredging and filling had to be done before building operations could 
 be undertaken, and the contractors for dredging the lagoon and filHng the 
 grounds to the proper level began their work on February ii, 1891. The 
 great dredges worked their way slowly through the channels marked out for 
 the future picturesque lagoons, and threw up on either side the sand and soil 
 that a little later became beautiful under the hands of the landscape architect. 
 The marshes that lay but a little above the level of the lake were soon 
 raised to proper grades ; but even when this much was accompUshed the 
 appearance of the site was hardly improved. It would be difficult to im- 
 agine a more barren and unsightly spot than this gaunt, cheerless plain 
 with the fresh earth and sand scattered over its surface. The total cost of 
 dredging, filling, and excavating. was $615,254.36. 
 
 The winter of 1891-92 was open and favorable. Owing to this fortunate 
 circumstance and the energy of the officers, excellent progress was made. 
 The Woman's Building was substantially completed by March 19, 1892, The 
 Mines Building was nearing completion at the same time, and the dread of 
 failure to accomplish this work within the time given was materially dimin- 
 ished by these evidences of progress. 
 
.g THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 No outlay for construction beyond the budget estimates prepared in 
 February, 1891, was authorized until May 8, 1892. The World's Congress 
 Auxiliary — a body organized for the purpose of bringing together con- 
 gresses and conventions in connection with the World's Columbian Ex- 
 position — required the use of several large convention halls. By this time 
 the plans of the Art Institute of Chicago for a permanent memorial build- 
 ing had matured, and in aid of this the Exposition appropriated $200,- 
 000, with the understanding that the Art Institute, with the assistance of this 
 appropriation, would construct a building at a cost of $600,000, which should 
 
 ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, JANUARY 8, 1892. 
 
 be used by the World's Congress Auxiliary during the Exposition season, 
 and at the close become the property of the Art Institute. 
 
 The Committee on Grounds and Buildings sat almost daily from the 
 spring of 1890 until August, 1892. It was composed at first of Messrs. 
 Cregier, Aldis, Davis, Medill, Palmer, Pike, and Schwab. Messrs. Medill 
 and Palmer were soon succeeded by Messrs. Edward T. Jeflfery and Robert 
 A. Waller. In April, 1 891, on the election of a new Board of Directors, the 
 committee was reappointed. Mr. Jeffery became chairman, and of the old 
 members, Messrs. Gage, Schwab, and Waller remained. Messrs. Edward 
 F. Lawrence, William P. Ketcham, and George W. Saul were added. Before 
 the close of his first term as chairman, in the midst of the great work over 
 
GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS. 
 
 49 
 
 which he was presiding, Mr. Jeffery resigned in order to accept the presidency 
 of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Company, which necessitated his re- 
 moval from the city. Lyman J. Gage succeeded him as chairman, and Wil- 
 liam P. Ketcham became vice-chairman. The vacancy in the committee was 
 filled by the appointment of Henry B. Stone, who had been elected a di- 
 rector, and whose presence on the Board of Directors and in the committee 
 had been earnestly sought for. He became chairman of the committee in 
 April, 1892, when it was reappointed, at which time Messrs. Gage, Ketcham, 
 Lawrence, Schwab, and Pike, of the old committee, were reappointed, with the 
 addition of Colonel Robert C. Clowry. During the previous year Colonel 
 Clowry had taken the place of Robert A. Waller. Mr. Waller had been 
 giving nearly all his time for many months to the Exposition, serving on 
 the Committees on Grounds and Buildings, Ways and Means, Liberal Arts, 
 and Insurance Auxiliary. The demands upon him were constantly increas- 
 ing, and moreover it had become desirable that Colonel Clowry, chairman 
 of the Committee on Electricity, should be a member of the Committee on 
 Grounds and Buildings. Mr. Waller, therefore, resigned from the com- 
 mittee and concluded a long period of usefulness in its service only to de- 
 vote himself more closely to other Exposition work. 
 
 Early in the spring of 1892 the buildings were beginning to take on an 
 appearance of completeness, and the vast piles of earth and material had 
 resolved themselves from the original chaos into something approaching 
 order and beauty. Nevertheless, uneasiness as to the future, was felt by 
 all identified with the work or familiar with the necessi- 
 ties and limitations of a great administrative organi- 
 zation. Thus far success had been achieved at Jack- 
 son Park in accomplishing great tasks within a 
 very limited time, but this success had been 
 due to the superb organization and effective 
 control of every instrumentality at work with- 
 in the Park, which the Committee on Grounds 
 and Buildings exercised through its Construc- 
 tion Department. There was no division of 
 authority, nor any question as to jurisdic- 
 tion. From this time forth, however, another 
 factor of equal importance with the Construc- 
 tion Department would enter upon the scene- 
 namely, the Director General with the exhibit 
 departments, which he had organized for the 
 purpose of securing the exhibits that were so 
 soon to be housed within these buildings. 
 
 Henceforth the construction and exhibit branches of the Exposition must 
 work together upon the Grounds. The lines of their operation were be- 
 ginning to converge. Over the exhibit branch the Committee on Grounds 
 
 HENRY B. STONE, 
 Chairman of the Committee 
 on Grounds and Buildings. 
 
50 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 and Buildings had no control. The members of the Committee knew that 
 dual authority within the Park could not be maintained except at the price 
 of efficiency. Brought face to face with the situation, they wisely deter- 
 mined that efficient organization must be maintained, even if the price was 
 their own effacement. Other Directors realized the danger also. While 
 much had been accomplished, still more remained to be done, and, instead of 
 any decrease of efficiency, a positive increase was needed. SimpHcity, direct- 
 ness, and good discipline must be attained, no matter what the price, and 
 every personal consideration must be subordinated. These were the thoughts 
 expressed in all the deliberations on the subject, and these deliberations 
 finally led to the creation of the Council of Administration on August i8, 
 1892. This body consisted of two Directors and two Commissioners. It 
 was a smaller body than the Committee on Grounds and Buildings, and was 
 constantly in session, instead of meeting from four to six o'clock daily, as 
 was the case with the latter. The President of the Exposition became its 
 chairman by the choice of his colleagues upon the Council, and it was given 
 full power over both the Director General and the Chief of Construction (or 
 Director of Works, as he was thenceforth known). Thus the administra- 
 tive organization was simplified and placed in a position to put forth its 
 best efforts. With the creation of this body the splendid services of the 
 Committee on Grounds and Buildings came to an end. 
 
 Sculptors at work— Mr. and Mrs. Edward Kemeys. 
 
Working on the Midway Plaisance, March 24, 1892. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 FINANCE AND WAYS AND MEANS. 
 
 Difficulties of the situation — Obtaining subscriptions to the stock — Amendment of the 
 State Constitution — Issuance of Chicago city bonds — Composition of the commit- 
 tees — The act of Congress — A Budget Committee — Successive estimates — Appro- 
 priation of Columbian half dollars — Action of the banks — Influence of the financial 
 crisis — Unjust action of Congress — Bonds taken by railroads — Concessions and priv- 
 ileges — The Midway Plaisance — Concessions in Jackson Park — Comments of President 
 Higinbotham. 
 
 HEN the Board of Directors was first 
 organized its members were keenly alive 
 to the magnitude of the task which the 
 act of Congress laid upon them in regard to 
 finances. The attitude of foreign nations 
 toward the Exposition could not be learned 
 until they had been invited to participate. The 
 invitation of the President of the United States 
 could not issue until a site had been tendered 
 and accepted, plans and specifications of build- 
 ings approved, and satisfactory guarantees 
 secured to the effect that $10,000,000 would 
 be provided by the company in ample time for 
 its needful use. Two per cent of the subscrip- 
 tions taken to the capital stock had been paid 
 into the treasury when the subscription was 
 made, in order to create a working fund for 
 the use of the preliminary organization. After its organization the Board 
 of Directors made its first call for a payment of eighteen per cent (in 
 addition to the two per cent already paid) on or before the first Monday 
 in June, 1890. At the same time an engraved certificate was offered as a 
 
 51 
 
 FERDINAND W. PECK, 
 First Vice-President of the Directory, 
 and Chairman of the Committee 
 on Finance, 1892-1893. 
 
52 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 premium for the payment of subscriptions in full, with a view to saving the 
 labor of collecting and receiving the installments on the smaller subscrip- 
 tions. Payments were promptly made upon this first installment, and the 
 company was soon provided with a fund of over $1,000,000. 
 
 The Board of Directors determined immediately that further efforts should 
 be made to increase the subscriptions to the stock. For this purpose a meet- 
 ing of the stockholders was held on June 12, 1890, and the authorized capi- 
 tal stock of the company was increased from $5,000,000 to $10,000,000. At 
 the same meeting the official title of the corporation was changed from the 
 "World's Exposition of 1892 " to the "World's Columbian Exposition." It 
 was hoped that a considerable portion of this additional capital stock would 
 be subscribed, thus giving the company additional funds with which to carry 
 on its work, but it could not reasonably be expected that after the vigorous 
 canvass of the city made to secure the first $5,000,000 it would be possible 
 to go over the ground again and raise an equal amount. The company was 
 therefore compelled to look to other sources for the remainder of the sum 
 that Congress required it to furnish. There was but one other source — an 
 issue of city bonds in aid of the Exposition. This was impossible under the 
 Constitution of the State, the city having already a bonded debt as great as 
 the Constitution permitted. To accomplish the desired result it was necessary 
 to obtain an amendment to the Constitution. The situation was properly rep- 
 resented to the Governor, Hon. Joseph W. Fifer, who thereupon convened 
 the Legislature of Illinois in special session on July 23, 1890. The Legis- 
 lature promptly passed a joint resolution authorizing an amendment to the 
 Constitution of the State and providing for its submission to the people at 
 the election to be held in the following November. This amendment, which 
 empowered the city of Chicago to issue $5,000,000 of bonds in aid of the 
 World's Columbian Exposition, received a substantially unanimous vote of 
 the people of the State. In the prosecution of the work at Springfield and 
 the presenting of the financial business of the company to the Governor and 
 to the Legislature many directors were active. The newly elected secretary 
 of the Board, Hon. Benjamin Butterworth, took up his duties at this point, 
 and, aided by President Gage, Vice-President Bryan, the chairman of the 
 Committee on Legislation (Mr. Walker), and others, labored for the accom- 
 plishment of this work. They met with a ready, willing, and sympathetic re- 
 sponse, the State pride and enthusiasm of the Governor and members of the 
 Legislature being fully aroused and equal to the occasion. 
 
 The two committees of the Board of Directors charged with the different 
 branches of the financial problem were the Committee on Finance and the 
 Committee on Ways and Means, although it became in reality the duty and 
 business of every director to further the financial interests of the corporation 
 in every way in his power, and each one labored upon its details in one way 
 or another. The Committee on Finance, which consisted of Mr. Peck, chair- 
 man, and Messrs. Gage, Keith, Odell, and Higinbotham, was charged with 
 
FINANCE AND WAYS AND MEANS. 
 
 53 
 
 the general direction and control of the financial policy of the company. The 
 Committee on Ways and Means was a larger body, composed of thirteen 
 members. Mr. Otto Young was its chairman at the beginning of the work, 
 and the other members of the committee were Messrs. Butler, Lawrence, 
 Nathan, Colvin, Keyes, McCormick, Wacker, Fish, Kohlsaat, McNally, 
 Waller, and Higinbotham. This committee had charge of the details of the 
 collection of the installments upon the capital stock, as they were called for 
 from time to time, the raising of money by new subscriptions to the capital 
 stock, the granting of privileges and concessions in connection with the Ex- 
 position, and the arrangement of a system for the admission of visitors dur- 
 ing the season. The difference between these two committees consisted in 
 
 SCULPTORS AT WORK IN THE FORESTRY BUILDING. 
 
 this : That the small Committee on Finance, composed, with one exception, 
 of leading bankers, was an advisory committee on the larger questions of 
 financial policy. In addition to this it exercised general supervision over the 
 offices of the auditor and treasurer. It recommended to the Board of Direct- 
 ors from time to time when installments upon the capital stock should be 
 called for ; it met frequently for conference ; its members kept in touch with 
 the large stockholders of the company, and especially with the banks of the 
 city ; it was the center for the discussion of movements for the financial sup- 
 port of the Exposition, and of efforts to interest the National Government 
 in behalf of the enterprise. The larger committee, on Ways and Means, 
 
- . THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 composed of active business men engaged in mercantile and manufacturing 
 pursuits, took charge of the work of soliciting and collecting subscriptions to 
 capital stock and mapping out the details for securing the best and largest 
 financial returns consistent with the dignity of the Exposition. 
 
 The Committee on Finance, anticipating the ratification by the people of 
 the State of the proposed amendment to the Constitution permitting the 
 issuance of city bonds, approached the City Council and arranged the details 
 of this issue. Immediately after the election the City Council adopted an 
 ordinance directing the sale of $5,000,000 of five-per-cent bonds, with the 
 condition that before the proceeds should be paid into the Exposition treas- 
 ury $3,000,000 should be collected from stock subscriptions. In the mean- 
 time the Committee on Finance, with the aid of the Treasurer, had carefully 
 examined the stock-subscription list and made an estimate of the amount 
 that would probably be collected upon it. In this estimate they were as- 
 sisted by a study of the payments made on the first installment in the pre- 
 vious month of June. It could not be expected that the entire amount 
 would be paid. On account of the large number of subscriptions — over 
 twenty-eight thousand in April, 1 890 — and the great number of subscribers 
 for small amounts, whose ability to pay might be destroyed by a slight 
 change in circumstances, it was but reasonable to assume that a considerable 
 portion would prove delinquent. The officers of the company and the com- 
 mittees in charge were agreeably surprised and disappointed in this respect. 
 A considerable delinquency occurred at first ; but this was greatly reduced 
 from time to time, until finally all but about seven per cent of the total 
 amount subscribed was collected. Additional subscriptions to the capital 
 stock had been taken, so that when the city bonds were authorized in No- 
 vember, 1890, the Committee on Finance was in a position to declare that 
 whatever delinquency might occur would be more than offset by new sub- 
 scriptions, and that the Board was sure of realizing $5,000,000 from its sub- 
 scriptions. This matter was submitted to the World's Columbian Commis- 
 sion for investigation, in common with other matters which the act of 
 Congress required that body to pass upon, and the Commission by resolution 
 declared itself satisfied that an actual bona fide, legally binding subscription 
 existed from which the company would realize $5,000,000, and that satisfac- 
 tory guarantees existed for $5,000,000 more, thus complying fully with the 
 obligation placed upon the city of Chicago by the act of Congress. 
 
 The financial requirements of the act of Congress were brought to a sat- 
 isfactory conclusion about the same time with the requirements relating to 
 site and plans — in the latter part of November, 1890 — and thus the Board 
 was placed in a position to ask for the issuance of the President's proclama- 
 tion and of the invitation to the nations of the world to participate in the 
 Exposition. Although the act of Congress laid no duty upon the city of 
 Chicago with regard to providing financial means beyond the raising of 
 $10,000,000, the Board of Directors had no thought of resting at this point. 
 
FINANCE AND WAYS AND MEANS. 
 
 55 
 
 Such an Exposition as the dignity of the occasion and the desires of the 
 nation called for could not have been constructed for this amount. It was 
 thought that $15,000,000 might do it; but those who looked farthest into 
 the future and studied the situation most carefully placed the figures con- 
 siderably higher. There was no pledge on the part of the National Govern- 
 ment to aid the enterprise financially in any way beyond paying the actual 
 expenses of the Wt^rld's Columbian Commission and providing a Govern- 
 ment Building and an exhibit of the departments of the United States 
 Government, except that such pledge might be implied from the fact that 
 the law provided that the Government, through its agency, the Commission, 
 should "determine the plan and scope of the Exposition." Neither was 
 there any pledge or requirement of the city of Chicago to furnish anything 
 in excess of the $10,000,000 already provided. Nevertheless, the effort to 
 obtain new subscriptions to the stock was pushed vigorously. The Com- 
 mittee on Ways and Means opened a Bureau of Subscriptions, and additional 
 subscriptions were taken at all times during the period of preparation. It 
 had been hoped that a considerable portion of the additional $5,000,000 of 
 stock authorized might be secured, and that by this means the financial 
 problem might be materially assisted. But the total amount taken in sub- 
 scriptions did not greatly exceed $6,000,000, from which the company real- 
 ized, up to June 30, 1894, $5,614,425.86. It was, indeed, too much to ex- 
 pect that so large a sum as $5,000,000 could be secured for the enterprise 
 from a community that had been already thoroughly canvassed and pledged 
 for a like sum. 
 
 As soon as the task of providing the necessary data 
 for securing the issuance of the President's proclama- 
 tion had been disposed of, the work of dredging and 
 filling at Jackson Park begun, and the preparation 
 of building plans placed in the hands of the 
 Board of Architects, the Board of Directors 
 set itself to work to ascertain, as nearly as pos- 
 sible, the true extent of its financial problem. 
 
 A Budget Committee was formed, con- 
 sisting of eight directors — President Gage and 
 Messrs. Peck, Baker, Young, Clowry, Keith, 
 Jefifery, and Higginbotham. 
 
 After several weeks of careful considera- 
 tion, during which estimates were received 
 from the Construction Department embra- Member of rD™eJo?y!'a!?bhairman of 
 
 Cing every portion of its work as it appeared its committee on Ways and Means, l8go. 
 
 at that time, and from each department under 
 
 the Director General as well as the corporate offices of the company, the 
 committee submitted the following estimates on February 20, 1 891, to the 
 Board of Directors : 
 
c6 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Grading and filling. . $450,400 
 
 Landscape 323,490 
 
 Viaducts and bridges 125,000 
 
 Piers 70,000 
 
 Water-way improve- 
 ments 225,000 
 
 Water supply and 
 
 sewerage 600,000 
 
 Railways (not includ- 
 ing the Intramural 
 
 Railway) 500,000 
 
 Art Palace 600,000 
 
 Agricultural building 800,000 
 Passage between Ag- 
 ricultural Building 
 
 and Machinery Hall 30,000 
 Machinery Hall and 
 
 annex 1,200,000 
 
 Administration 
 
 Building 500,000 
 
 Mines and Electricity 550,000 
 
 Horticultural Hall.. 400,000 
 Manufactures and 
 
 Liberal Arts 1,500,000 
 
 Stock Show (com- 
 plete) 350,000 
 
 Transportation 
 
 Building 375,000 
 
 Annex 100,000 
 
 Fisheries Building . . . 240,000 
 
 Woman's Building... 200,000 
 
 Music Pavilion 20,000 
 
 Main colonnade 25,000 
 
 Entrances 50,000 
 
 Pier, Casino 50,000 
 
 Storage house and 
 working-force ac- 
 commodations .... 25,000 
 Construction office . . 15,000 
 
 Police stations 20,000 
 
 Outside water-closets 20,000 
 Plumbing, etc., spe- 
 cial for buildings.. 150,000 
 Water and sewerage 
 
 for buildings 75,ooo 
 
 Total 
 
 Steam plant 
 
 Electricity 
 
 Miscellaneous (stat- 
 uary on buildings, 
 fuel and light dur- 
 ing construction, 
 vases, lamps, deco- 
 
 19,588,890 
 
 800,000 
 
 1,500,000 
 
 rative lamp-posts, 
 
 and seats) $178,000 
 
 Lake Front Park 
 (landscape, via- 
 ducts, fountains, 
 statues, etc.) 200,000 
 
 General expenses Of 
 Construction De- 
 partment (salaries, 
 architects' fees, 
 rents, labor, and 
 materialuntilbuild- 
 
 ings are removed) . 500,000 
 Total for Con- 
 struction De- 
 partment $12,766,890 
 
 Departments under Control of 
 Director General — Salaries 
 and Expenses : 
 
 Agricultural $88,225 
 
 Horticulture 91, 975 
 
 Live Stock and Pre- 
 miums 186,440 
 
 Fish and Fisheries. . 38,575 
 
 Mines and Mining. . 66,025 
 
 Machinery 109,000 
 
 Transportation, Ex- 
 hibits 39,850 
 
 Manufactures 94,000 
 
 Electricity 83,000 
 
 Fine Arts 103,800 
 
 I/iberal Arts 100,000 
 
 Ethnology and Ar- 
 chaeology 150,000 
 
 Forestry and Forest 
 
 Products 2 1, goo 
 
 Publicity and Promo- 
 tion 300,000 
 
 Foreign Affairs 300,000 
 
 Installation 50,000 
 
 Total for Direc- 
 tor General's 
 
 department... $1,822,790 
 Expenses of officers, 
 departments, com- 
 mittees, and agen- 
 cies of the Board 
 of Directors, in- 
 cluding insurance, 
 claims, and contin- 
 gencies 1,395,800 
 
I'lIMJ 
 
 \r>H-l^ AJNJJ w 
 
 AYb AJNJU MJiAJNb. 
 
 57 
 
 Expenditures of pre- 
 
 
 the Exposition 
 
 
 liminary organiza- 
 
 
 to May 1, 1893 
 
 $16,075,453 
 
 tion prior to April 
 
 
 Operating expenses, 
 
 
 4. 1890 
 
 $89,973 
 
 May I to Oct. 30, 
 
 
 Total for all de- 
 
 
 ^893 
 
 1,550,000 
 
 partments of 
 
 $17,625,453 
 
 This was the first careful estimate that the Board had been able to make, 
 and was of great value as a basis upon which to shape the financial operations 
 of the company ; but, as will hereafter appear, it fell short by many millions 
 of dollars of the total requirement for the work. The estimated expenditures 
 for construction alone were six million dollars less than the actual amount 
 disbursed for that purpose, and the operating expenses (estimated at $1,550,- 
 000) actually amounted to $3,540,031.40. While the company had not the 
 resources necessary to meet even these estimated expenditures — which after- 
 ward proved to be so inadequate — the Directors decided that the work must 
 be carried on as planned. The estimates were made as low as possible, with 
 due regard to the dignity of the Exposition, and the Directors had con- 
 fidence in their power to make provision for the deficit before the necessity 
 should arise. For more than a year to come the company would have re- 
 sources with which to meet its obligations, and in the meantime efforts 
 could be made to place the work in a proper light before the country and 
 to arouse public sentiment. Little doubt was felt that aid from the National 
 Government would be forthcoming, provided the company fulfilled its duty, 
 administered its affairs properly, and energetically carried the work forward 
 on the grand plans that it had caused to be prepared. 
 
 A payment of twenty per cent upon the capital stock had been called for 
 in June, 1890. A second call for twenty per cent, payable on June i, 1891, 
 was made ; and soon after this, as heavy payments began to fall due upon 
 construction contracts and for salaries and general expenses, a third install- 
 ment of twenty per cent was called for, to be paid on September i, 1891. 
 These installments, if paid in full by every stockholder, would have realized 
 over three million dollars, and would have enabled the company to call 
 upon the city government for the proceeds of the five million dollars of 
 city bonds. The inevitable dehnquency of a portion of the amount, which 
 had to be collected by solicitors, and in some instances through the 
 courts, caused the amount to fall short of three millions. To reach the de- 
 sired figure without calling for a fourth installment, the Directory offered a 
 premium of two tickets of admission for each share of stock paid up in full 
 before a certain date. The payments made in response to this offer brought 
 the desired result, and about the middle of September, 1891, the city govern- 
 ment was requested to sell the bonds and pay the proceeds into the Exposi- 
 tion treasury. Three million dollars of the city bonds were sold by the 
 city to Blair & Co., of New York, on January 7, 1892, at par and accrued 
 interest, to be delivered and paid for as follows: February i, 1892, $1,000,- 
 
58 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 ELECTRIC TRANSFER TABLE. 
 
 ooo; February 15, 1892, $500,000; March i, 1892, $500,000; March 15, 
 1892, $500,000; April I, 1892, $500,000. Messrs. Blair & Co. were given 
 
 an option to pur- 
 chase the remain- 
 der of the issue 
 ($2,000,000) be- 
 fore a certain 
 time, and this was 
 taken by the 
 bankers during 
 the spring and 
 summer, so that 
 by August 2, 
 1892, the entire 
 amount was paid 
 into the Exposi- 
 tion treasury. In 
 the mean time the 
 fourth install- 
 ment of twenty 
 per cent on the 
 stock of the com- 
 pany was paid in, April 15, 1892, and the fifth on June 15, 1892. Thus 
 the company had gathered into its treasury all the resources available at 
 that time. 
 
 Before this occurred, however, steps had been taken which soon relieved 
 the situation and bridged over the deficit in the budget. The warning in 
 February, 1891, that such a deficit was inevitable had given the Board of 
 Directors time in which to act. This budget was published more than a 
 year before the last installment was paid in on the capital stock, and 
 eighteen months before the full amount of the stock and the city bonds 
 had been expended. The utterances of Lyman J. Gage, first as President 
 of the company, and afterward as a member of the Board of Directors 
 and of its Committee on Finance, kept this difficulty clearly in the minds 
 of the Directors, and he was tireless in urging consideration of the prob- 
 lem and devising means for its solution. At the close of his term as 
 President, in March, 1891, he submitted a report, embodying the budget 
 of estimates recently prepared and presenting concisely and clearly the 
 situation of the company. He set forth in eloquent words the high and 
 dignified character of the enterprise in which the company was embarked, 
 and gave warning of the difficulties that beset the company, thus greatly 
 assisting the incoming Board of Directors in grasping the trusts confided to 
 it for the completion of the great undertaking. He asked :" Why should 
 this company assume the burden and risk of creating an Exposition to cost 
 
FINANCE AND WAYS AND MEANS. eg 
 
 fifteen or sixteen million dollars? Why not, instead, restrict the under- 
 taking to a cost of ten million dollars, unless the National Government, 
 or some other responsible and equally interested party, shall first agree to 
 provide the difference ? " In answer to this he replies : " Neither the people 
 of our city, of our State, of our country, nor of the world would be, or ought 
 to be, satisfied with any exhibition that will not worthily exemplify the 
 progress of the world in art, science, and industry, and typify the highest 
 achievements in architecture, in art, and in all things that illustrate the utili- 
 zation by man of the resources and powers of Nature." He pointed to the 
 fact that M. Berger, late Director General of the Universal Exposition 
 of 1 889 at Paris, after careful study of the conditions existing in Chicago, 
 had named $17,000,000 as his estimate of the needed capital for this 
 purpose — a figure that was in striking coincidence with the total named 
 in the budget given above. Frequent semiofficial warnings had been 
 given that the Directory and the city of Chicago must not expect aid from 
 the National Government for the Exposition. The opposition of other 
 cities that had competed for the location of the Exposition was an additional 
 ground for doubt as to the possibility of securing aid from the National 
 Treasury, yet it was the firm belief of every Director that when the com- 
 pany and the city had met their fair- share of the enormous cost of the 
 great work, in which every citizen of the republic was interested, the gen- 
 erous recognition and co-operation of those outside of Chicago could rea- 
 sonably be demanded. If this expectation should not be realized, there 
 remained a last alternative of carrying the enterprise through and com- 
 pelling the patriotic citizens of Chicago to bear the heavy burden unaided. 
 And there is little reason to doubt that this would have been done had the 
 necessity arisen. 
 
 To foster the interest of the world at large in the Exposition, a commis- 
 sion was sent to Europe in the summer of 1891, just as the construction of 
 the buildings was fairly begun, and the diplomatic corps was invited to make 
 a trip from Washington to Chicago to inspect the work and the plans. The 
 Department of Promotion and Publicity used every effort to spread reliable 
 information and create favorable sentiment regarding the Exposition. The 
 Fifty-second Congress was to assemble in December, 1891, and the Board of 
 Directors determined that an appeal to this body should be made with a view 
 to securing proper financial recognition. In preparation for this appeal, the 
 Committee on Grounds and Buildings, on August 31, 1891, submitted a brief 
 report, setting forth its operations to that date and the organization of and 
 work done by the Department of Construction. This report is the next 
 published utterance as to the progress of the work after the report of Mr. 
 Gage, made six months before ; and it marked another stage in the enter- 
 prise, for, in the meantime, the buildings, with two exceptions, had been 
 placed under contract, and work was advancing rapidly. Sufficient time had 
 not elapsed, however, to reveal the true proportions of the enterprise and to 
 
6o 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 show how inadequate even the large amount named in the budget was des- 
 tined to prove ; nevertheless, something of the true situation was beginning 
 to be felt. While the figures of th-e budget of February, 1891, were quoted 
 almost without change, they were not looked upon as the limit of expendi- 
 tures. The com.mittee said : " The scope of the Exposition has grown upon 
 your committee as the work has progressed. It has appeared to us that the 
 preliminary estimates of the cost of the work are entirely inadequate to such 
 an Exposition as the people of the United States expect to be produced 
 
 ELECTRICITY BUILDING, MARCH 25, 1892. 
 
 under national auspices. The classification comprises exhibits on an enor- 
 mous scale, in departments heretofore either wholly ignored or lightly treated 
 in great expositions, or made the subject of special expositions at great 
 expense. At the Exposition of 1893 all branches of human industry will be 
 included, on a complete and comprehensive scale. This requires that each 
 department should have for its installation a building and grounds such as 
 has been previously considered unnecessary or impossible in great exposi- 
 tions. The area embodied in the Exposition grounds will be nearly three 
 times that of the greatest exposition heretofore held. The separate depart- 
 ments of Agriculture, Electricity, Mines and Mining, Horticulture, and 
 
FINANCE AND WAYS AND MEANS. 6 1 
 
 Transportation especially will each be developed on a scale that has not been 
 produced even where they have been made the subject of special expositions. 
 The great dimensions of the Exposition are not due to any extravagant ideas 
 of your committee, but are forced upon us by the comprehensiveness of the 
 plan and scope set forth in the classification adopted by the Commission, as 
 authorized by act of Congress. Your committee, however, heartily concurs 
 with the Commission that in the presentation of the Exposition all features — 
 whether relating to the comprehensive display of exhibits, the beauty of the 
 grounds, the style of the buildings, conveniences for visitors, facilities for 
 transportation, decorations, or general beauty — must, in order to keep pace 
 with American progress and enterprise, be in advance of any of its predeces- 
 sors ; and the honor and dignity of the people of the United States demand 
 that all these conditions should be fully met. To do this, expenditures on a 
 larger scale than was originally estimated are necessary, and indeed absolutely 
 indispensable." By this utterance the committee sought to show clearly the 
 fact that the Exposition company was not responsible for the scope of the 
 enterprise, but was simply endeavoring to provide facilities for a national 
 undertaking that should be adequate to the requirements of the classification 
 of exhibits prepared by the World's Columbian Commission, and that some 
 portion at least of the burden of this undertaking should be borne by the 
 nation at large. The World's Columbian Commission, at its meeting in the 
 autumn of 1891, gave its approval to the work as undertaken by the Directory 
 and adopted a resolution approving the project of appealing to Congress for 
 a loan in aid of the Exposition. But the Directors had no intention of 
 asking for a loan. They did not consider it proper that the Government, in 
 granting financial aid to this national undertaking, after the city had ex- 
 pended over $10,000,000 upon it, should receive in return a first Hen upon 
 the proceeds of the entire investment. Further than this, a loan of $5,000,- 
 000 secured by a first lien upon the resources of the Exposition would have 
 fallen short of meeting the company's requirements by at least two millions, 
 even under the budget of February, 1891, and at the same time would 
 have exhausted the company's capacity to borrow. There was no need of 
 going to Congress for this kind of loan ; it could have been placed at 
 home. What the company insisted upon as the proper expression of the 
 financial responsibility of the Government for the Exposition waj an ap- 
 propriation in its aid without any requirement as to repayment — in other 
 words, a gift. 
 
 In December, 1891, both the Senate and the House of Representatives 
 appointed committees on the World's Columbian Exposition. A bill was 
 introduced providing for an appropriation of $5,000,000 in aid of the 
 Exposition. A subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations of 
 the House of Representatives visited Chicago on March 30, 1892, and con- 
 ducted an investigation in open session until April 8th, when an adjournment 
 was had to Washington, where the investigation was continued, and the 
 
52 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 report was finally presented to the House of Representatives and ordered 
 printed on May 20, 1892. This report covered six hundred and eighty-nine 
 pages of closely printed matter, and included estimates from several stand- 
 points as to the total receipts and disbursements of the company. The 
 magnitude of the report of this investigation illustrates the great number 
 and importance of the operations in connection with the Exposition that 
 were already under way. The report included an estimate of expenditures to 
 May I, 1893, the total of which was $16,956,684.92 — nearly a million dollars 
 more than the total of requirements in the budget of February, 1891, pre- 
 pared a little more than a year before. This increase was made in spite of the 
 most determined efforts to cut down estimates to the lowest possible limit, 
 and to present to Congress the most favorable showing consistent with the 
 facts of the case. As a matter of fact, this total might very justly have been 
 increased by a large amount at this time. On the other hand, the work was 
 still in that period of transition when portions of the plan were being en- 
 larged and changed from day to day, and when it was more difficult to arrive 
 at trustworthy estimates for the various branches than afterward, when the 
 work had reached a more definite state. Nothing could be said of the situa- 
 tion except that large and unexpected increases might appear in the expen- 
 ditures for nearly every department to meet fully the probable requirements. 
 
 The report of the congressional committee closed with this tribute to 
 the Exposition : " Your committee express without reserve their confidence 
 in the assured success of the Exposition. In every essential feature it stands 
 unrivaled in all time. Fifty-six nations and colonies have accepted the in- 
 vitation to participate in the enterprise, and have appropriated $3,783,000 for 
 that purpose. It is expected that twenty other foreign nations will also be 
 represented. Complete exhibits will be made by all countries which promise 
 attendance, twenty-six of which will erect special buildings for their own dis- 
 plays. Thirty States and Territories of our own republic will erect build- 
 ings and make special exhibits, for which $3,182,500 has already been pro- 
 vided. It becomes obvious, therefore, that the expenditures of the local 
 corporation, of individual enterprise of the States and Territories, and of our 
 own and all foreign Governments, will reach the stupendous aggregate of 
 not less than thirty million dollars for Exposition purposes. In its scope 
 and magnificence the Exposition stands alone. There is nothing like it in 
 all history. It easily surpasses all kindred enterprises, and will amply illus- 
 trate the marvelous genius of the American people in the great domains of 
 agriculture, commerce, manufactures, and inventions, which constitute the 
 foundation upon which rests the structure of our national glory and pros- 
 perity." 
 
 The total disbursements of the Exposition company alone to June i, 
 1894, amounted to $27,245,566.90. The estimate of thirty million dollars, 
 which appeared in the Congressional report as the total expenditure for all 
 purposes, was too small. 
 
FINANCE AND WAYS AND MEANS. 5, 
 
 After the presentation of the report of the committee to Congress, on May 
 20, 1892, vigorous efforts were made to secure the passage of the bill appropri- 
 ating $5,000,000 in aid of the Exposition. The difficulties in the way of 
 the bill can scarcely be overestimated. They included every kind of 
 misrepresentation and 
 criticisms, often unjust, 
 arising from failure to 
 appreciate the character 
 of the undertaking. 
 Moreover, the political 
 situation at the time 
 entered into and com- 
 plicated the difficulties 
 of the task. A presi- 
 dential election was ap- 
 proaching, and public 
 measures were invaria- 
 bly considered with a 
 view to their bearing 
 upon this event. It was 
 intimated that if the 
 company would accept a 
 of aid might be secured. 
 
 A CONCESSIONNAIRE'S BOOTH. 
 
 loan instead of a direct appropriation, this form 
 The Board of Directors rejected this proposi- 
 tion, and refused to be put in the attitude of suppliants for favor when 
 they were conscious of the justice of their demands. The struggle contin- 
 ued through June and July, and it became apparent that the bill could 
 not pass. The time approached for Congress to adjourn, and in the mean 
 time the Directory had entered into contracts in excess of the total amount 
 of its capital stock, including the proceeds of the city bonds. Deep anxiety 
 was felt, but there was no thought of changing the request for an appropria- 
 tion to a request for a loan. The Committee on Finance quietly conferred 
 with prominent stockholders and wealthy citizens, and had in hand a half- 
 formed plan that in case the loan were tendered it should be promptly 
 rejected and the entire amount necessary for the Exposition be raised by a 
 loan in Chicago. 
 
 A change of tactics was thought advisable, and after consultation with 
 friends of the Exposition a bill was prepared and introduced early in July, 
 1892, instructing the Secretary of the Treasury to have coined, out of the 
 uncurrent subsidiary coin in the Treasury, $5,000,000 worth of Columbian 
 half dollars, the devices and designs for which should be prescribed by the 
 director of the mint, these coins to be paid by the Secretary of the Treas- 
 ury to the World's Columbian Exposition, upon estimates and vouchers cer- 
 tified to by its President and by the Director General, " for the purpose of 
 completing in a suitable manner the work of preparation for inaugurating 
 
-- THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 64 
 
 the World's Columbian Exposition." Action upon this bill in the House 
 was delayed from time to time. In the Senate the feeHng toward the Ex- 
 position was more friendly, and as the outlook became less promising for 
 action in the House, the Senate attached the Souvenir-coin Bill to the 
 Sundry Civil Bill, and returned the latter to the House with this amendment. 
 Conference between the two Houses ensued, and finally the House, by a 
 small majority, voted to instruct its conferees to agree to the Senate's amend- 
 ment. At this point occurred a most remarkable instance of " filibustering." 
 A motion to reconsider the vote instructing the House conferees to agree to 
 the Senate's amendment was made, and several days wore away in dilatory 
 motions and parliamentary tactics for the purpose of tiring out the friends 
 of the bill and defeating the appropriation. Members were anxious for 
 adjournment. There was nothing to hinder this except the Sundry Civil 
 Bill, the passage of which was necessary to the conduct of the Government. 
 Had this bill passed without a souvenir-coin measure attached, the friends of 
 the Exposition never would have been able to hold Congress together for 
 the purpose of obtaining an appropriation for the Exposition. A day was 
 fixed for adjournment, and as the time drew near the anxiety to secure the 
 passage of the Sundry Civil Bill increased. The Senate was stanch in its 
 support of the Exposition measure. Finally both parties, weary of the con- 
 troversy and suffering from the intense heat of August in Washington, 
 agreed upon a compromise. The Senate amendment was stricken from 
 the bill, and a bill was introduced for the appropriation of $2,500,000 
 in Columbian half dollars, instead of $5,000,000, as named in the original 
 measure. Both bills passed without opposition, and the souvenir-coin 
 measure became a law by the approval of the President on August 5, 
 1892. The appropriation was coupled with a condition that the Exposi- 
 tion should be closed to the public on Sundays. These five million half 
 dollars would have yielded the Exposition, at par, only $2,500,000, and 
 the measure was a compromise consented to with bad grace by the ene- 
 mies of the Exposition, and accepted in a like spirit by its friends. Im- 
 mediately afterward a plan was devised for selling these souvenir coins at 
 a premium. 
 
 The passage of this act cleared the financial horizon, inasmuch as by the 
 aid of the sum appropriated it was possible to obtain the amount still re- 
 quired to complete the work. On the faith of this appropriation and the 
 other financial resources of the company steps were taken immediately to 
 float an issue of $5,000,000 of World's Columbian Exposition six-per- 
 cent debenture bonds. Four million dollars of these bonds were au- 
 thorized first, with the proviso that the entire issue should not exceed five 
 miUions. Later the fifth million was also authorized. The Committee on 
 Finance, in the autumn of 1892, undertook the double task of selling the 
 Columbian half dollars at one dollar each and floating this issue of bonds. 
 A design was prepared for the Columbian half dollars, bearing suitable in- 
 
FINANCE AND WAYS AND MEANS. 
 
 65 
 
 scriptions, with a profile made from the Lotto portrait of Columbus on the 
 obverse, and a Spanish caravel on the reverse. The time required for the 
 preparation of dies and minting of coin delayed the delivery of the first half 
 dollars until winter. Nearly a million of them were received during Decem- 
 ber, 1892, and after this time they were delivered as rapidly as the mint 
 could turn them out. 
 
 A thorough canvass of the city had been made for the sale of bonds, 
 which were taken by wealthy citizens and by the banks. The latter entered 
 into an agreement among themselves that each bank should subscribe for 
 bonds to the amount of five per cent of its capital and surplus. Upward of 
 $3,600,000 of bonds were taken, dated November i, 1892. These bonds 
 were redeemable at the option of the company at any time after May i, 
 1893, and redeemable absolutely on January i, 1894. The company had the 
 option of paying at any time installments of not less than twenty per cent, 
 of the face of the bonds. It was found difficult to place any more bonds 
 after the amount named above had been taken, as the financial situation 
 throughout the country had become threatening. The tightening of the 
 money market and uneasiness over the Government's financial policy was 
 felt everywhere, for what is now remembered as the "panic of 1893" was 
 approaching. Nevertheless, the work must go on. Payments upon con- 
 tracts were being made at the rate of nearly a million dollars a month, and 
 this average was expected to be maintained until the Exposition opened. 
 
 Previous to the passage of the bill appropriating the Columbian half 
 dollars the auditor and Committee on Finance had engaged in an effort 
 to compile a budget of estimates from data presented them by the Director 
 General, the Chief of Construction, and other officers, which could be relied 
 upon as a statement of the total requirement for all departments of the 
 work. The Council of Administration, to whom had been committed the 
 functions of the Committee on Grounds and Buildings, had found the 
 budget of February, 1891, totally inadequate. It had been outgrown, and 
 was in fact misleading. Its items had little or no relevancy to the work that 
 was being carried on. Some of the buildings had cost less than the original 
 estimates ; but most of them showed large increases over the first figures, and 
 in addition to these increases there were numberless features of decoration 
 and embellishment, and many small buildings and structures of all sorts that 
 had not figured at all in the first budget. A few instances will serve to illus- 
 trate this condition of things. The item of " Painting and Decorating," a 
 most important feature, had no existence whatever in the first budget, except 
 that under the head of " Miscellaneous" an item of $50,000 had been placed 
 for "Vases, Lamps, and Decorative Lamp-posts." In August, 1892, " Paint- 
 ing and Decorating" was set down at a total of $606,000, nearly $25,000 of 
 which had been expended, and $85,000 more was due on obligations already 
 incurred. In the first budget the items of " Grading and Filling," " Land- 
 scape Work," "Viaducts and Bridges," and "Water-way Improvements" 
 
66 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 only amounted to an aggregate of $1,123,890, whereas in August, 1892, the 
 estimates for " Grading and Filling," "Bridges," " Terraces," and " Interior 
 Docking," " Walks and Roadways," " Landscape Department," and " Via- 
 ducts" amounted to $1,562,545.23. "Statuary" in the first budget was 
 
 STATUES FOR THE AGRICULTURE BUILDING, MAY 30, 1892. 
 
 estimated at $100,000. " Statuary and Grand Fountain" in August, 1892, 
 were estimated at $320,000. In the first budget no estimate whatever was 
 made for guard for buildings and exhibits prior to May ist, probably on the 
 theory that this item prior to May ist would not be very considerable. The 
 Budget Committee overlooked the fact that an efficient guard service can 
 not be created in a short time, or without expense, and in August, 1892, 
 the estimate for the guard prior to May i, 1893, amounted to $450,000. 
 " Piers" in the first. budget amounted to $70,000. " Piers and Breakwaters" 
 in August, 1892, amounted to $372,544.74. And most of the esrimates just 
 given did not represent the total increases in these lines, for indeed nearly 
 all the esrimates of August, 1892, subsequently proved as defective as those 
 of February, 1891. The difficulties in arriving at true estimates were due 
 mainly to two causes : First, the entire lack of experience on the part of the 
 officers as to the requirements of an exposirion of this magnitude, and, 
 
FINANCE AND WAYS AND MEANS. 
 
 67 
 
 second, the well-known incapacity of architects and men of highly cultivated 
 artistic instincts for dealing with the practical details of business and finance 
 and confining themselves strictly to a Hmit of expenditures. 
 
 The budget that was prepared in August, 1892, proved unreUable almost 
 before it had been formulated and its total ascertained. Grave oversights and 
 startHng omissions were discovered, and the entire work had to be gone over 
 again. Finally, on September 30th, a budget that was thought to be rehable 
 was completed, showing a total estimate for construction of $17,094,164.03, 
 and for all other branches of $2,343,663.13, making the total estimates for 
 all branches of the Exposition, from the inception of the work to May i, 
 1893, $19,437,827.16. The budget of September 30, 1892, showed an in- 
 crease over the budget of February 20, 1891, of $3,362,374.16, and the 
 resources of the Exposition at this time were estimated to be as follows : 
 From subscriptions to the capital stock and proceeds of city bonds, $10,700,- 
 000; sale of Exposition bonds, $4,000,000; souvenir coins, $2,500,000; 
 gate receipts (prior to May i, 1893), interest on bank deposits, etc., $330,- 
 000; total, $17,530,000. 
 
 This estimate showed a deficit of $1,907,827.16, which was reduced by 
 $422,000, the amount which it was expected would be received by the com- 
 pany for work done for other parties, and which amount the company sub- 
 sequently collected. To meet the net deficit, the company had the reserve of 
 $1,000,000 of bonds previously authorized by the board and the premiums 
 that it expected to receive upon the Columbian half dollars. 
 
 Thus the situation from a financial standpoint was not by any means hope- 
 less, and had this budget marked the limit of the company's expenditures the 
 officers would have had but little cause for anxiety at any time after the 
 passage of the act of Congress appropriating the souvenir coins in aid of the 
 Exposition. But this budget, after being approved by the Committee on 
 Finance on October 1 7th, and by the Board of Directors on the same date, and 
 passing into operation, began to exhibit signs of weakness before December 
 I St, and by the middle of December the work of budget-making had to be 
 done over again. The task seemed hopeless. The Directory was in the hands 
 of the officers of the Construction Department, or Department of Works, as 
 it had become on August 19, 1892. This department possessed a splendid 
 organization and had accomplished marvelous results, and its demands for 
 appropriations were promptly met, in order that it might not be hampered in 
 its great struggle against time. There was but one purpose in the minds of 
 the members of the Finance Committee, the Executive Committee, and the 
 President, and this was to support the efforts of the officers of the Depart- 
 ment of Works and, at all costs, to furnish the means with which to com- 
 plete their magnificent work. At the same time there was a feeling that, 
 no matter how great the total of estimates might be, it could not be relied 
 upon as the true Hmit of requirement. Then arose suspicion that certain 
 portions of the details were being withheld for presentation at a more 
 
58 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 convenient season. Much of this was groundless, it is true, but such sus- 
 picions were obviously natural. 
 
 On January i, 1893, a new budget was completed which indicated that 
 $17,668,604.95 would be needed for the Construction Department — an in- 
 crease of $574,440.92. The most that can be said of this budget is that it 
 was as reliable as the one that preceded it. Under the agreement creating 
 the Council of Administration, that body could expend no moneys except 
 such as had been appropriated by the Board of Directors or its Executive 
 Committee. The approval of the budget constituted an appropriation of the 
 amounts named therein, and when a budget item was exhausted the Council 
 had no recourse but to refer any requests for funds to the Executive Com- 
 mittee with the statement that the item to which the expenditure was charge- 
 able was exhausted. These statements began to appear frequently a month 
 after the adoption of the budget of September 30, 1892, and after the adop- 
 tion of the budget of January, 1893, they did not cease for more than a week 
 or two. From this time these statements appeared with monotonous regu- 
 larity at each weekly meeting of the Executive Committee, and it usually 
 occurred, owing , to the exigencies of the work, that the appropriation that 
 was requested was for the payment of an obligation which the Director of 
 Works, or some one of his officers, had already taken the responsibility of 
 incurring. This latter practice, though dangerous and unbusinesslike, could 
 scarcely have been avoided at some portions of the work. There was not a 
 head of a bureau or division in the entire Construction Department but felt 
 that the Directory would pardon him for exceeding his authority provided 
 he accomplished his work, while a failure in the latter respect would be un- 
 pardonable. Exposition bonds to the amount of $3,700,000 had been sold, 
 and the proceeds rapidly melted away. About $400,000 worth of souvenir 
 coins (par value) came from the mint up to January i, 1893. These were 
 quickly disposed of at one dollar each, and the proceeds were paid out by 
 the Treasurer. After this, coins were rapidly received, but the demand for 
 them fell off. The caprice of the public in the matter of souvenirs and coins 
 collection had been counted on too heavily. 
 
 In February, 1893, the Directory's finances received a severe blow from a 
 quarter whence nothing but aid and encouragement should have been looked 
 for. The Congress of the United States inserted in the Sundry Civil Bill a 
 clause directing the Secretary of the Treasury to withhold $570,880 of the 
 souvenir coins until the Directory should give security that it would defray 
 the expenses of judges and awards. The subject of awards was wholly with- 
 in the jurisdiction of the World's Columbian Commission, and the Directory, 
 under the act of Congress providing for the Exposition, had no control over 
 it or responsibility for it. The Commission, through its Committee on 
 Awards, had prepared plans and estimates for judging exhibits and making 
 awards thereon, and it requested an appropriation from Congress to defray 
 its expenses, as in the case of other branches of the Commission's work. 
 
FINANCE AND WAYS AND MEANS. 5g 
 
 The amount estimated by the Committee on Awards to be necessary was 
 $570,880. Instead of making an appropriation for the purpose, Congress 
 directed that an equal amount of souvenir coins 
 be withheld from the Directory until it should 
 give security to the Secretary of the Treasury 
 that an appropriation of the amount estimated 
 to be necessary for this purpose would be 
 made out of the company's funds. The 
 great injustice of this act can easily be un- 
 derstood. The appropriation of $2,500,000 
 in aid of the Exposition was made " for the 
 purpose of aiding in defraying the cost of 
 completing in suitable manner the work 
 of preparation for inaugurating the World's 
 Columbian Exposition," and by the terms 
 of this act the money could only be paid 
 to the Directory upon receipted vouchers 
 for work done and material furnished, each 
 voucher bearing the certificate of the Presi- 
 dent and the Director General that the money 
 had been actually expended for such purpose. 
 Upon the credit of this appropriation, as a part 
 of its available resources, the company had sold 
 
 $3,400,000 of bonds to aid in the same work of completing the Exposition, 
 and was attempting to sell $1,400,000 more of the same issue of bonds. 
 After this had been done, and at a time when the company was relying, 
 almost from day to day, on the remittances of souvenir coins to replenish 
 its treasury. Congress diverted this $570,880 of its appropriation to a purr 
 pose not in any way connected with the " completing of the work of 
 preparation for inaugurating the World's Columbian Exposition." Such a 
 thing could not have been attempted between individuals in the business 
 world without speedy redress through legal process. Great indignation was 
 aroused by this act among the citizens of Chicago, and the recollection of it 
 is still bitter to the officers and directors of the World's Columbian Exposi- 
 tion, who were compelled to face the additional burden that was thus laid 
 upon the Directory in the hour of its need. After carefully considering the 
 action of Congress, the Board of Directors, on April 27th, refused to make 
 any appropriation for the work of judging and awarding, taking the ground 
 that to give the security required by this last act of Congress would create an 
 obligation inconsistent with the covenants contained in the Exposition 
 bonds. Subsequently the Secretary of the Treasury decided that the amount 
 of souvenir coins withheld from the Directory by the act of Congress could 
 be applied direct to defray the expenses of the Committee on Awards of the 
 World's Columbian Commission, and by this means the intention of Con- 
 
 ELBRIDGE G. KEITH, 
 
 Member of the Committee on Finance, 
 
 1890-1893. 
 
70 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 gress was given effect without the acquiescence of the Board of Directors in 
 the unjustifiable act. 
 
 To meet the necessities of the Directory, made doubly pressing by this 
 act of Congress, James W. Ellsworth undertook the task of disposing of a 
 portion of the unsold Exposition bonds among the railroad companies doing 
 business in Chicago, and in this effort Mr. Ellsworth, by great exertion, 
 achieved notable success. He was appointed a member of the Committee 
 on Finance to fill the vacancy caused by the election of Mr. Higinbotham to 
 the presidency. Owing to Mr. Ellsworth's efforts, aided by those of other 
 directors and leading stockholders, from time to time, as opportunity offered, 
 bonds were placed with the railroads as follows: Pennsylvania lines, $140,- 
 000; Chicago, Burlington and Quincy, $100,000; Chicago, Milwaukee and 
 St. Paul, $100,000; Chicago and Northwestern, $100,000; Chicago, Rock 
 Island and Pacific, $100,000; Lake Shore and Michigan Southern, $100,- 
 000; Michigan Central, $50,000; Illinois Central, $100,000; Chicago and 
 Alton, $60,000. Total, $850,000. 
 
 The railroad companies were induced to take these bonds from a knowl- 
 edge that speedy financial assistance was necessary to avert a crisis in the 
 affairs of the Exposition. The railroads were interested in the success of the 
 company both as stockholders and as carriers, expecting to participate in the 
 business that it would produce in the event of success. Nevertheless, in 
 view of the menacing condition of the country at that time and the approach- 
 ing financial storm, the promptness with which these corporations responded 
 to the demand can scarcely be commended too highly. Frequently the 
 treasury ran very low, and occasionally the Treasurer would find that the 
 total amount of vouchers on hand awaiting payment was more than suffi- 
 cient to exhaust his available cash balance. The subscriptions of the rail- 
 roads to bonds often came just in time to avert the impending crisis. 
 Finally $440,500 of the Exposition bonds remained unsold, and these could 
 not be disposed of in any way, owing to the stringency of the money mar- 
 ket. But the Committee on Finance was not yet at the end of its resources. 
 There was on hand over $1,000,000 in souvenir coins, the sale of which at 
 one dollar each was proceeding slowly. The banks of Chicago agreed to 
 take and hold these coins as a part of their legal reserve, advancing to the 
 Exposition the par value of the coins as a loan. This loan was made to the 
 Exposition by most of the banks without any charge for interest. The 
 banks that charged no interest were as follows : First National Bank, Union 
 National Bank, Commercial National Bank, Continental National Bank, 
 Metropolitan National Bank, Northwestern National Bank, National Bank 
 of Illinois, Illinois Trust and Savings Bank, Corn Exchange Bank, Northern 
 Trust Company, and American Exchange National Bank. This was the 
 Finance Committee's last resource, and the amount received from it was 
 barely sufficient to bridge over the period remaining. It is impossible in a 
 cold recital of these transactions to convey any idea of the grave anxiety and 
 
FINANCE AND WAYS AND MEANS. 
 
 71 
 
 the strain upon every one connected with this branch of the work. Of the 
 gentlemen serving as directors and as members of the Finance Committee 
 who took upon themselves this task in addition to the heavy responsibilities 
 of their private affairs, too much can not be said in praise. 
 
 When the money provided by the loan upon coins had been expended, 
 the first of May was at hand, and the long period of disbursement without 
 earnings was at an end. 
 For three years the Direc- 
 tory had been building 
 and struggling to provide 
 the means to reach with 
 credit and success the 
 opening day of the Expo- 
 sition. That day dawned, 
 and the financial prob- 
 lem, so far as it related 
 to the raising of funds 
 sufficient to open the Ex- 
 position, had been solved. 
 Only those who shared in 
 some way in that task can 
 appreciate its gravity and 
 th^ir heartfelt thankful- 
 ness when they saw the 
 great Exposition, practi- 
 cally complete, unfolding 
 its noble and beautiful 
 proportions to the eyes 
 of the world. 
 
 The great task in- 
 trusted to the Committee 
 
 on Ways and Means was that of arranging for the privileges and concessions 
 of every kind on the Exposition grounds. Other duties equally important 
 were intrusted to this committee, but none that required such constant care- 
 ful attention, or involved the same amount of difhculty and difference of 
 opinion. By the term " concession " was understood every line of business 
 conducted on the Exposition grounds for direct gain — whether the object of 
 such business was the comfort of the public or its amusement and entertain- 
 ment. " Privileges " were operations conducted by exhibitors, involving the 
 sale of articles on the grounds to exemplify the process of manufacture, or 
 more fully to illustrate the exhibit in connection with which the privilege 
 was conducted, as, for example, the sale of the product of a special machine 
 on exhibition, the sale being conducted not primarily for purposes of gain, 
 but for disposing of the product, or lessening the expense of the exhibit. 
 
 A CONCESSIONNAIRE'S BOOTH. 
 
y2 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Naturally, applicants for privileges were entitled to more liberal treatment 
 than applicants for concessions, and they were not required to pay as much 
 for the license to operate. 
 
 How to collect from the holders of privileges and concessions the charges 
 exacted was the first important question. Next to this, and of equal im- 
 portance, was the question of what concessions ought to be licensed. Gener- 
 ally speaking, either of two systems could be adopted for the collection of 
 charges, and these were known as the "percentage system" and the "bonus 
 system." Under the first, the holders of privileges and concessions would 
 pay a percentage of their receipts to the Directory. Under the second, they 
 would pay a fixed sum for the license to operate. At the Centennial Exhi- 
 bition of 1876 but slight importance was attached to concessions as a 
 means of raising revenue. Its total receipts from privileges and concessions 
 amounted to only $441,411.16, while at the World's Columbian Exposi- 
 tion the receipts amounted to more than four million dollars. The bonus 
 plan was adopted at the Centennial. At the Paris Exposition in 1889 a 
 charge was exacted, based principally upon the number of square feet occu- 
 pied by the concessionaire and the number of admissions at the Exposition 
 gates each day — as, for instance, a charge of so much a square foot for every 
 ten thousand gate admissions. This was on the theory that the value of the 
 concessionaire's space was in proportion to the volume of his business, and 
 that the volume of his business was governed primarily by the number of 
 people on the grounds. This latter plan is a distinct improvement on the 
 bonus plan, as it enables the Exposition to participate to a larger extent in 
 the profits of the concessions. Naturally, where the concessionaire agrees to 
 pay a fixed sum before he obtains a license to operate, the amount that he 
 agrees to pay is less than that which could be realized by the collection of 
 a just portion of his receipts, for he must weigh all the chances of failure in 
 advance, and common business prudence would cause him to be conservative 
 in the amount he would be willing to pay as a license fee or rental. 
 
 The theory on which the Committee on Ways and Means proceeded was, 
 that the closer the business relation between the concessionaire and the Direc- 
 tory, the greater would be the share of the latter in the profits of the busi- 
 ness, provided, of course, that the business was successful ; and it was the 
 duty of the members of the committee, as business men, to grant no conces- 
 sions except such as could be expected to prove successful business ventures. 
 But this theory had its limitations. The company could not enter into an 
 agreement with concessionaires to share with them in the net profits of their 
 concessions, because it could not control their expenses, but it was conceived 
 that the company might enter into contracts whereby concessionaires would 
 pay a percentage of their gross receipts, and if such agreements were entered 
 into, it would be the duty of the officers of the company to see that proper 
 means were provided for auditing concessions and collecting the proper 
 amounts. The only difficulty related to the possibility of securing a rehable 
 
FINANCE AND WAYS AND MEANS. 
 
 1Z 
 
 audit, and this difficulty was great enough to cause the committee to hesitate 
 and to doubt seriously the advisability of entering into such arrangements at 
 all. In -fact, the system of percentage of gross receipts was never definitely 
 adopted, as a rule, to apply in all cases, but it was adopted in the first impor- 
 
 RAISING TWO ARCHES OF THE MANUFACTURES BUILDING, MARCH 26, 1892. 
 
 tant concession granted — that of the Egypt-Chicago Exposition Company — 
 and it soon became the fixed policy of the committee in all concessions. 
 Thus the Exposition pinned its hopes of realizing profit from concessions 
 almost wholly upon one officer — the man who would have charge of the 
 auditing of concessions ; and if the company had failed to secure thoroughly 
 efficient service in this direction, its loss would have been enormous. More- 
 over, in the absence of experience in such work, it might well be doubted 
 whether it would be possible, even with a good organization, to collect the 
 amounts due the Exposition under this system, and prevent fraud, not only 
 among concessionaires but among their employees. It was indeed a bold 
 step, and its success justified its adoption. As to the danger from theft and 
 fraud, a certain amount of this was conceded as inevitable, the policy of the 
 Exposition collector being to reduce loss by fraud to a minimum. Moreover, 
 it was thought that the danger of loss by concessionaires through the dis- 
 honesty of their own employees would drive them to the adoption of reliable 
 systems for their own protection as well as that of the Exposition. 
 
yA THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 For the exclusion of concessions not in harmony with the Exposition, 
 safeguards were built up which prevented most of the threatened mistakes. 
 Mistakes did occur — just as frauds occurred — but these were due to inevitable 
 accident, and, on the whole, were probably not more serious than usually 
 occur at expositions. The consideration of the fitness of concessions at all 
 times outweighed the question of probable receipts therefrom. Concessions 
 negotiated by the Committee on Ways and Means were subject to the 
 approval of the Director General and to the allotment of space for the con- 
 duct of the concession by the Committee on Grounds and Buildings. By 
 reference to the Director General, objections from an exhibit standpoint, 
 which might possibly arise, received consideration in advance ; and by refer- 
 ence to the Committee on Grounds and Buildings for the allotment of space, 
 the danger of interfering with the plans for the order, decorum, and sym- 
 metry of the grounds were weighed and considered. 
 
 The committee's first chairman was Otto Young, and concessions received 
 much preliminary consideration during his incumbency ; but this was too 
 early to think of granting important concessions, and the committee's time 
 was thoroughly occupied with securing additional subscriptions to the capital 
 stock, collecting the installments upon the stock already subscribed, and 
 gathering data to aid in the great task of contracting for concessions. At 
 the first meeting of the Board, after the election of Directors in April, 1891, 
 Mr. Young tendered his resignation as a director, on account of the condi- 
 tion of his health, and Mr. Ellsworth, who had been left out of the Board at 
 the election, at his own request, on account of the competition among stock- 
 holders for the place of Director, was elected to succeed him. Lyman J. 
 Gage, who had just closed his service as President, became chairman of the 
 Committee on Ways and Means, and Mr. Higinbotham became vice-chair- 
 man. Mr. Gage's appointment to the chairmanship was against his wish, 
 and was for the purpose of retaining him upon the Executive Committee. 
 He did not serve actively with the Committee on Ways and Means. This 
 arrangement continued until October 9, 1891, when Mr. Gage became chair- 
 man of the Committee on Grounds and Buildings. Afterward, by an amend- 
 ment to the by-laws, the ex-president of the company was made a member 
 of the Executive Committee. When Mr. Gage resigned the chairmanship of 
 the Committee on Ways and Means Mr. Higinbotham became its chairman. 
 
 Formal applications for concessions of every kind were received upon 
 blanks prepared for the purpose and filed in the office of the committee, 
 awaiting consideration. Elaborate rules covering every possible contin- 
 gency were established for the government of concessionaires. It was for- 
 bidden to conduct business under any of the concessions in other than a first- 
 class, orderly manner. No gambling or games of chance were allowed 
 anywhere within the Exposition grounds. It was required that all goods 
 sold should be as they were represented, and no solicitation for sales was per- 
 mitted. Concessions were limited to a given number of the same in each 
 
FINANCE AND WAYS AND MEANS. 
 
 75 
 
 class or branch concerning which concessions were granted. Lessees were 
 required to keep their premises clean and in complete order at all times, and 
 violence, coarse or insolent language, or unnecessary noise about their prem- 
 ises was not permitted. Any employee or assistant wearing the number as- 
 signed by the Exposition management, appearing upon the grounds at any 
 time intoxicated, making unnecessary noise, or using coarse or insolent lan- 
 guage was immediately and permanently expelled from the grounds. 
 
 Persons procuring concessions were required to furnish the Exposition 
 management with a good and sufficient bond for the faithful performance of 
 their contract. 
 
 A certain portion of an exposition must be given over to light entertain- 
 ment for visitors. This is necessary to relieve the mind and the eye after the 
 contemplation of the vast exhibits of human activity and the triumphs of art. 
 The Exposition grounds were most fortunately adapted to this purpose. 
 The Midway Plaisance, projecting to the west in a narrow strip, at right 
 angles to the north and south axis of Jackson Park, offered an admirable 
 location for picturesque displays, characteristic of the customs of foreign na- 
 tions, and various forms of amusement, refreshment, comfort, and rest. 
 This narrow strip of land had the advantage of isolating these special fea- 
 tures from the grand ensemble of the Exposition grounds, thus preventing 
 jarring contrasts between the beautiful buildings and grounds on the one 
 hand, and the amusing, distracting, ludicrous, and sometimes noisy attrac- 
 tions of the Midway. This strip had been abandoned to the Committee on 
 Ways and Means at the outset, and it did not occupy very much of the 
 thought of the other directors until the time drew very near for opening the 
 gates. During this time the entire plan of the Midway underwent many 
 changes and transformations. Often the plat was completely filled up with 
 concessions, only to see several of them drop out for various reasons and 
 others were substituted. 
 
 Among the features most talked of, intended for the Midway, was the 
 " Bazaar of all Nations." This was a plan for the location of a grand bazaar 
 for the sale of strange, interesting, and characteristic articles of all sorts from 
 various parts of the world — India, China, Japan, the South Sea Islands, the 
 Black Forest of Germany, Bulgaria and Roumania, Spain, Morocco, Algeria, 
 Egypt, Turkey, Persia, South America, and Mexico — in fact, from every land 
 from which articles of vertu and curios could be obtained. One result that 
 might have been achieved from this plan was the prevention of the sale of 
 articles in connection with exhibits, so difficult to accomplish in expositions. 
 But it was abandoned, and the sale of curios was relegated to the several 
 characteristic villages of foreign nations on the Midway. One result of the 
 change was that the articles sold, while generally interesting, were usually 
 small and inexpensive, and there were fewer of those objects of rarity, great 
 value, and artistic worth than could have been desired. 
 
 The first important characteristic concession granted was for a " Street in 
 
g THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Cairo," conducted by the Egypt-Chicago Exposition Company. This was 
 also one of the most successful of the concessions, the stockholders of the 
 company realizing more than one hundred per cent profit on their investment. 
 The Street consisted of a wooden inclosure, through which admission was se- 
 cured at a gate by the payment of ten cents. The interior was so arranged as 
 to have the appearance of a street in Cairo. The houses, with their carved, 
 
 overhanging bay win- 
 dows, narrow doors, 
 booths for the dis- 
 play of merchandise, 
 etc., formed a very 
 creditable imitation 
 of the original. 
 The Street contained 
 caf^s, a mosque, an 
 imitation of an an- 
 cient Egyptian tem- 
 ple, a theater with 
 dancing - girls and 
 characteristic music, 
 and sixty-two booths 
 for the sale of curi- 
 osities, confection- 
 ery, etc. The Street 
 proper was filled with a curious throng of sightseers, donkeys, and camels and 
 their drivers. The donkey and camel drivers did a thriving business through- 
 out the Exposition, the patient animals trudging up and down the Street, 
 bearing on their backs visitors who paid a small fee for the privilege, while 
 attendants ran yelling at the side. Probably no more lively, amusing, and 
 mirth-provoking scene existed on the grounds, and few concessions proved 
 more popular or remunerative. 
 
 The project of a steel tower of great height was a favorite with many 
 applicants for concessions, and, on account of its great popularity at Paris in 
 1889, it received a great deal of attention from the Committee on Ways and 
 Means. The objections urged to it were the shortness of the time in which 
 to construct it, the difficulty of securing the large amount of capital neces- 
 sary for such a venture, and the fact that it did not possess the merit of 
 originality. Nevertheless, a concession for this purpose was granted, the 
 location being at the east end of the Midway Plaisance, between the points 
 crossed by Stony Island Avenue and the tracks of the Illinois Central Rail- 
 road. The work of construction was never fairly begun, although piles for 
 the foundations were brought to the grounds, and as they lay there in the 
 snow and bad weather for many months, they presented a most desolate and 
 discouraging appearance. A few days before May ist they were removed, 
 
 A CONCESSIONNAIRE'S BOOTH. 
 
FINANCE AND WAYS AND MEANS. yy 
 
 and a road was built over the site, running directly west from Jackson Park 
 through the center of the Midway, the remainder of the site being beautified 
 with turf and made to present a proper appearance. 
 
 The feature at the Exposition that corresponded in its character with the 
 Eiffel Tower at the Paris Exposition of 1889 was the Ferris Wheel — an 
 enormous wheel two hundred and fifty feet in diameter, projected into the 
 air, hung upon supports of steel framework by an axle thirty-two inches in 
 diameter, forty-five feet long, and weighing fifty-six tons. This circle was 
 said to be the largest piece of steel ever forged, and to have cost $35,000. 
 On the periphery of the wheel were hung thirty-six passenger cars, each with 
 a seating capacity of forty to sixty persons. The total weight of the structure 
 was four thousand three hundred tons, and the wheel was slowly propelled 
 by means of link belts underneath, engaging with cogs upon the periphery of 
 the wheel, the belts being propelled by engines of great power. At night 
 this wheel was brilliantly illuminated with three thousand electric lights, the 
 electricity being provided by means of the engines that propelled the wheel. 
 The fee for riding on the wheel was fifty cents, for which visitors were 
 allowed to ride around twice, the time consumed being about twenty-five 
 minutes. The motion was slow and pleasant, and the ride afforded a view of 
 the surrounding country for many miles, including not only the entire Expo- 
 sition but the surface of the lake for many miles to the east, and the city for 
 many miles to the north, south, and west. The Ferris Wheel was built 
 under a contract negotiated by the Committee on Ways and Means, accord- 
 ing to the terms of which the concessionaire was to receive back the entire 
 cost of the wheel — not to exceed $300,000 — from the first proceeds of its 
 operation, after which the Exposition was to receive fifty per cent of the gross 
 receipts. It was claimed that, owing to the difficulties of construction, the 
 price of steel, and other causes, the cost of the wheel greatly exceeded $300,- 
 000. The gross receipts from the operation of the concession reached the 
 maximum named as the price for the wheel early in September, after which 
 the Exposition shared in the gross receipts. The funds for the construction 
 of the wheel were supplied by an issue of bonds, and the bondholders re- 
 ceived back from the profits of the enterprise the par value of their bonds 
 with interest. In addition to this, the stockholders received a dividend, be- 
 sides which they owned the wheel, which had been fully paid for out of its 
 profits. The wheel was not completed until six weeks after the opening of 
 the Exposition. 
 
 The complete list of concessions located on Midway Plaisance is as 
 
 follows : 
 
 Algerian and Tunisian Village. 
 
 American Indian Village. 
 
 Anschutez Electro-photographic Tachyscopes. (A reproduction of the 
 natural motions of objects and animals.) 
 
 Austrian Village and old Vienna. (A reproduction of that part of 
 
78 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Vienna known as " die Graben " as it appeared two hundred years ago. The 
 appearance of mediaeval German house architecture on the outside was 
 cleverly maintained and continued inside the inclosure, where were booths 
 for the sale of Austrian and Hungarian curiosities, and excellent restaurants. 
 
 In the center of the interior court, surrounded by 
 the most quaint and picturesque Vienna architec- 
 ture, was a concert stand where an excellent Vien- 
 nese orchestra played. Here one could secure a 
 meal of characteristic Viennese cookery in the 
 open air, or under the shelter of canopies, 
 while listening to the concert. There was 
 also an interesting collection of antiquities, the 
 whole effect being charming and full of com- 
 fort. It soon became one of the most popular 
 features on the Exposition grounds, particu- 
 larly with residents of the city. Soon after it 
 was placed in operation a fashionable custom 
 grew up of holding little dinner parties and 
 reunions of all sorts in this restaurant, and per- 
 sons who had " done " the Exposition daily for 
 weeks, until the novelty had worn off, continued 
 to come many times for the purpose of seeing 
 the sights for a little while and then settling 
 down to the enjoyment of the concert and restaurant and the picturesque 
 features of "Old Vienna" before fatigue had dampened the ardor of enjoy- 
 ment. The admission to the inclosure was twenty-five cents.) 
 
 Barre Sliding Railway. (This never was operated. The project was for a 
 car supported on hollow iron shoes sliding upon rails, water being fed into 
 the cavity of the shoe and escaping between the rail and the shoe during 
 motion. The project failed because of defective management and lack 
 of funds.) 
 
 Brazilian Concert Hall. (Dances performed by natives from the interior 
 of Brazil.) 
 
 Bulgarian Curiosities. 
 California Ostrich Farm. 
 
 Camera Obscura. (Exhibit of views, transferred by the camera obscura, 
 of a portion of the Exposition grounds.) 
 Captive Balloon. 
 Chinese Village. 
 
 Colorado Gold Mining. (Machinery illustrating methods of mining.) 
 Compagnia Venezia-Murano. (Exhibit of Venetian glass blowing.) 
 Cyclorama of the Volcano of Kilauea, in the island of Hawaii. 
 Dahomey Village. 
 Diamond Match Company. (Samples of Matches ; no admission fee.) 
 
 v^' 
 
 JOHN J. P. ODELL, 
 
 Chairman of the Committee on 
 
 Manufactures and Machinery, 1893 
 
FINANCE AND WAYS AND MEANS. 70 
 
 East India Bazaar. 
 
 Egyptian Temple. 
 
 Electric Theater. (Containing a picture of Alpine scenery, with electric 
 effects, showing the changes of Nature from dawn to night.) 
 
 Ferris Wheel. 
 
 French Pavilion and Cider Press. (For the manufacture and sale of 
 cider from apples from France.) 
 
 German Village. (This contained a fine ethnographical museum, con- 
 sisting of a rare and valuable collection of implements of war and the chase, 
 of periods beginning with the prehistoric and ending with the renaissance. 
 The building containing this museum was in the shape of a castle chapel. 
 In addition to this museum there was the village proper, containing charac- 
 teristic houses of the different portions of the German Empire. Besides this 
 there was a concert garden and restaurant halls. The garden was large 
 enough to accommodate 8,000 visitors, and two fine German military bands, 
 one from the infantry and one from the cavalry, gave concerts daily. Their 
 fine physique, handsome uniforms, and excellent playing lent an additional 
 charm to this very creditable concession.) 
 
 German Wienerwurst House. (Nurnburg Bratwurst Glocklein.) 
 
 Hagenbeck's Zoological Arena Company. (A remarkable exhibit of 
 trained animals.) 
 
 Hungarian Caf6 and Concert Pavilion. 
 
 Ice Railway. (A sleighing or coasting track, 875 feet long, covered with 
 artificial ice and snow.) 
 
 International Dress and Costume Company. (Consisting of girls wear- 
 ing costumes of various nations.) 
 
 Irish Village of the Irish Industries Association. (An imitation of 
 Castle Blarney.) 
 
 Irish Village. (Reproduction of Donegal Castle.) 
 
 Japanese Bazaar. 
 
 Java Village. 
 
 Johore Bungalow. (Malayan curiosities.) 
 
 Lapland Village. 
 
 Libbey Glass Works. (A large, complete, and very interesting model 
 glass factory.) 
 
 Log Cabin and Restaurant. (Containing colonial relics and a restaurant 
 for old-fashioned New England dinners.) 
 
 Model of Eiffel Tower on a scale of one to fifty. 
 
 Model of St. Peter's Church, Rome. 
 
 Moorish Mosque. 
 
 Moorish Palace. 
 
 Ottoman Hippodrome. (Racing on dromedaries, Arabian sports and 
 horsemanship, dancing, feasting, and wedding ceremonies, showing Ufe in the 
 wild East.) 
 
8o 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Panorama of the Bernese Alps. 
 Parisian Art Glassware Company. 
 Persian Palace. 
 
 South Sea Islands and Village. 
 Stereopticon views of Pompeii. 
 United States Submarine Diving Company. 
 Vienna Bakery and Caf^ and Theater. 
 Vienna Cai6 and Restaurant. 
 
 Workingmen's Home. (Reproduction of a model cottage, such as are 
 owned by workingmen in Philadelphia.) 
 
 In August, 1892, when Mr. Higinbotham became President of the Direc- 
 
 COLUMBIA ROLLING-CHAIR STATION. 
 
 tory, Edward B. Butler, who had been vice-chairman of the Committee on 
 Ways and Means and most active and efficient in the conduct of its work, 
 succeeded as chairman. He entered upon the discharge of this work just at 
 the time when all the scattered threads were rapidly coming together, when 
 the strain was growing intense and the demand for ceaseless care, labor, and 
 attention was imperative. Loyally and earnestly he strove with the heavy 
 task, neglecting his personal affairs, fulfilling at the same time the duties of 
 
FINANCE AND WAYS AND MEANS. gl 
 
 chairman of the Bureau of Admissions and Collections (an auxiliary of the 
 Committee on Ways and Means), besides which he served as a member of 
 the committee charged with the conduct of the Bureau of Public Comfort. 
 
 In naming the concessions located on the Midway only a portion of those 
 in operation within the Exposition grounds are included, and those in opera- 
 tion all over the grounds give no index to the amount of work performed by 
 the committee. They represent but a small fraction of those that were con- 
 sidered, and only a portion of those that were favorably passed upon. Dur- 
 ing Mr. Higinbotham's chairmanship of the Committee on Ways and Means 
 two hundred and thirty-three propositions for concessions were considered ; 
 during Mr. Butler's chairmanship, two hundred and fifty-eight were consid- 
 ered ; and these do not include the thousands of applications of all sorts that 
 were received but never formally acted upon by the committee, although 
 engaging the time and attention of its officers and individual members. 
 Among the most important of the concessions operated in Jackson Park 
 were the following : 
 
 Columbia Roller-Chair Company. — This concession was for the operation 
 of light-running, comfortable wicker rolling-chairs, each pushed by a uni- 
 formed attendant who was trained to be an efficient and courteous guide. 
 The corps was recruited from undergraduate students of colleges and acade- 
 mies, who thus secured, in addition to employment for their vacations, an op- 
 portunity of seeing the Exposition. 
 
 Electric Launches of the Columbia Launch and Navigation Company. 
 These were propelled by means of motors operated by electricity from storage 
 batteries. They moved noiselessly through the lagoons, without smoke, 
 steam, heat, or dirt, the motors and batteries being concealed below, leaving 
 the entire boat open for the accommodation of visitors. They formed a 
 most charming means of making the inner circuit of the grounds by water, 
 performing the same duty as the Intramural Railway did for the outer circuit. 
 There were about sixty of these launches, including two for the use of the 
 President and the Council of Administration, one for the Director General, 
 and one for the Director of Works. The batteries were charged during the 
 night at a station in the South Pond, at the water's edge, just south of the 
 Agricultural Building. 
 
 Intramural Railroad, an electric elevated railroad extending around the 
 north, west, and south sides of the grounds, carrying cars propelled by a 
 " three-rail " electric system, by means of which, for ten cents, visitors could 
 make the circuit of the grounds, except upon the east, which was necessarily 
 left open to preserve the lake view. These open cars afforded an opportunity 
 for a most charming survey of the grounds on account of their elevation. 
 
 Movable Sidewalk— This was an endless traveling platform upon the 
 great pier east of the Peristyle, and was provided with seats. It was pro- 
 pelled at the rate of six miles an hour. Persons desiring to use the sidewalk 
 ^stepped first upon an outer platform which moved at half speed, and from 
 
82 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 ELECTRIC-LAUNCH TICKET OFFICE. 
 
 this to the inner platform, which moved at full speed. It was operated by 
 the Multiple Speed and Traction Company. 
 
 Restaurants. — There was one general restaurant concession, granted to 
 the Wellington Catering Company, under which that company operated res- 
 taurants and lunch counters of several grades in most of the great buildings 
 
 of the Exposition, and also in one 
 • structure erected for the purpose 
 
 in the north part of the grounds 
 and one on the Midway Plais- 
 ance. In addition to the restau- 
 rants of the Wellington Cater- 
 ing Company there were the 
 Marine Caf6, in a pictur- 
 esque building near the 
 Fisheries Building, where 
 sea and lake foods of all 
 kinds were served ; the New 
 England Clam-Bake ; a res- 
 taurant on the roof of the 
 Woman's Building ; a small res- 
 taurant over the Golden Door of 
 the Transportation Building, which 
 was afterward discontinued on account of the lack of elevator capacity, ren- 
 dering the location dangerous in case of fire ; the Columbia Casino, in the 
 building corresponding to the Music Hall at the south end of the Peristyle ; 
 the White Horse Inn, in the southern portion of the grounds ; the Big Tree 
 Restaurant, a restaurant conducted in connection with an exhibit of a large 
 tree from California ; and numberless tea, coffee, and chocolate pavilions 
 operated by various interests, domestic and foreign, under contracts for 
 privileges and concessions. 
 
 It was the aim to avoid the operation of concessions within the Exposi- 
 tion grounds, with the exception of those that intimately affected the com- 
 fort and convenience of visitors ; therefore but few special attractions were 
 located in Jackson Park proper. An exception to this rule was the exhibit 
 of a cave of the prehistoric Cliff Dwellers in the southern portion of the 
 grounds — consisting of an artificial mountain with a reproduction of a cliff 
 dwelling. It was a most creditable exhibit, and eventually proved very attract- 
 ive. In addition to the launches on the lagoons, several Venetian gondolas 
 were operated, either as cab boats to be chartered by the hour, or on the same 
 plan as the launches, visitors paying a fee for making a circuit of the lagoons. 
 There were also steam launches, which ran out into the lake from the Grand 
 Basin or the north and south entrances to the lagoons. Another exception 
 to the rule regarding special attractions was an exhibit of an old whaling-bark, 
 the Progress, which had been brought from New Bedford, Mass., by water 
 
FINANCE AND WAYS AND MEANS. g, 
 
 to Lake Michigan and taken into the South Pond. It contained a marine 
 museum of considerable interest, and a small fee was charged for admission 
 to the boat. 
 
 The collection of percentages of gross receipts from so many concessions 
 involved an enormous amount of labor, the most perfect and exact organi- 
 zation, and executive ability equal to almost any situation. To one not 
 acquainted with the possibilities of perfect auditing systems for every branch 
 of business the task would seem hopeless, and it was grave enough at best. 
 The Exposition was fortunate in securing the services of a man admirably 
 adapted to this work in Paul Blackmar, Superintendent of Collections. 
 
 Doubt was frequently expressed whether a committee organization was 
 best for the purpose of granting concessions. In view of the success that 
 was achieved, one should be very slow to suggest 
 changes from the method adopted by the Direc- 
 tory. President Higinbotham, in his report, 
 says : "Had we possessed the services of our 
 Superintendent of Collections during the en- 
 tire period when concessions were being 
 granted, many of the vexatious inaccuracies 
 and mistakes in concession contracts might 
 have been avoided. When we reflect upon 
 the misunderstandings which arose, the losses 
 which we sustained, and the troubles which 
 compelled the appointment of a Committee 
 of Adjustment to settle disputes with conces- 
 sionaires and get them on a paying basis, there 
 would seem to be some room for improve- 
 ment. It would seem that a smaller Com- 
 mittee on Ways and Means might have been 
 
 better adapted to the work. It finally became necessary, in the course of 
 our committee's work, to fix the quorum of the committee at five, out of 
 thirteen men, in order to permit the transaction of business. A further 
 improvement might have been the organization of a Bureau or Department 
 of Concessions, in charge of a chief equal in efficiency and capacity to our 
 Superintendent of Collections, working under the Committee on Ways and 
 Means. This officer should have associated with him an attorney of great 
 energy and sufficient experience to enable him to perfect the details of a 
 large variety of contracts, in the framing of which he would be almost 
 entirely without the advantage of precedents." 
 
 PAUL BLACKMAR, 
 
 Superintendent of the Department of 
 
 Collections. 
 
A sectidn of McArthur Brothers' camp, June 8, i8gi. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OF THE DIRECTORY. 
 
 Offices of the company — Powers and duties of President and committees^Execution of 
 contracts — Organization of the department — Important appointments — The Congress 
 Auxiliary — Committees — Transportation — Plans and estimates — Elevation of railway 
 tracks — Terminal facilities — Method of holding annual meeting — New list of com- 
 mittees — Mr. Higinbotham becomes Acting President. 
 
 Y the term "Executive Department" is meant 
 the President's oflfice and those of the princi- 
 pal officers of the corporation grouped around 
 ; and under this head the principal operations of 
 the Directory, aside from those of construction 
 and finance, will be reviewed from the organi- 
 zation of the company, in April, 1890, to the 
 creation of the Council of Administration, in 
 August, 1892. From April, 1890, to January, 
 1 89 1, the offices of the company consisted of 
 a few rooms in the Adams Express Building, 
 No. 185 Dearborn Street. On January i, 1891, 
 the offices were removed to the Rand-McNally 
 Building, 168 Adams Street. The fourth floor, 
 half of the fifth floor, and part of the sixth floor 
 of this building were leased until May i, 1894. A 
 portion of this space was taken by the World's Columbian Commission for 
 the offices of its President, Director General, and Secretary, and the Board 
 
 8a 
 
 WILLIAM T. BAKER, 
 President of the Directory, li 
 
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OF THE DIRECTORY. 
 
 85 
 
 of Lady Managers, while the rest of the space was occupied by the offices 
 of the President, Secretary, Auditor, and Treasurer of the Directory, the 
 Law Department, the World's Congress Auxiliary, and the Committees 
 on Ways and Means, Grounds and Buildings, and Press and Printing. 
 One large room was reserved for meetings of the Board of Directors, which 
 occurred regularly on the second Friday of each month, and oftener when 
 required. The room was also occupied by the Executive Committee, which 
 met once a week ; and by the Committee on Ways and Means, which met 
 from three to six times a week. The other committees of the Board, which 
 held meetings when required, used this room also. The Committee on 
 Grounds and Buildings had offices of its own on the fifth floor, and the Com- 
 mittee on Ways and Means also had offices for its secretary and clerks and 
 for the preservation of its records. The Committee on Transportation had 
 offices on the fifth floor for its traffic manager and his clerks. 
 
 The duties of the President were not defined. He possessed the authority 
 usually exercised by the president of a corporation organized for business 
 purposes, represented the company in matters of importance, and had charge 
 of the principal negotiations for carrying on the business of the company 
 and the adjustment of questions arising between it and the World's Colum- 
 bian Commission. He conferred with and directed the various officers of the 
 company — Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, and Solicitor-General — in matters 
 relating to their work, and instructed them as to the policy of the company 
 as affecting their officers. The Executive Committee — which consisted of 
 the chairmen of the various committees, together with the President and Vice- 
 President — exercised the powers of the Board of Directors when the latter 
 was not in session. The Director General was ex officio a member of the Ex- 
 ecutive Committee and of the other committees of the Board. The Presi- 
 dent, was chairman of the Executive Committee, and from time to time sub- 
 mitted to it matters of importance requiring its consideration. 
 
 The work of the Construction Department was considered and passed 
 upon by the Committee on Grounds and Buildings. The concessions, col- 
 lection of subscriptions, and other money-making features were sifted and 
 weighed by the Committee on Ways and Means ; and the other committees 
 deliberated upon the several matters confided to their charge. The President 
 was ex offi-cto a member of each of the committees, and the Secretary of the 
 Board was secretary of each committee, and appointed assistants and under 
 secretaries to prepare and preserve the records of their proceedings. The 
 proceedings of the committees reached the Executive Committee in the form 
 of reports and recommendations ; and these received the approval of the Ex- 
 ecutive Committee before becoming operative. But the Committee on 
 Grounds and Buildings was to a certain extent relieved from this restraint. 
 It had power to act, through the Construction Department and otherwise, 
 upon matters connected with the carrying out of building plans, the latter 
 having previously received the general approval of the Board of Directors ; 
 
86 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 but all matters arising in the work of the Committee on Grounds and Build- 
 ings that involved new features or radical changes, or departures from previ- 
 ous plans, were referred to the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors 
 for its action. All contracts, whether for construction, concessions, or other 
 features, were signed by the President and the Secretary, and attested by 
 the corporate seal. More than twelve hundred contracts were entered into 
 by the company. Those for construction were prepared in the Construction 
 Department, based upon bids previously accepted by the Committee on 
 Grounds and Buildings, and the closing of these contracts generally involved 
 great labor in the drawing of specifications, etc. They reached the Presi- 
 dent's office duly approved by the Chief of Construction, and were then 
 passed upon by the attorney before being executed. An assistant attorney 
 
 was detailed for legal work in connec- 
 tion with the Construction Depart 
 ment and passed upon contracts 
 before they came to the Pres- 
 ident's office. The con- 
 tracts were always in 
 triplicate, one copy be- 
 ing filed with the Audi- 
 tor, a second with the 
 Construction Depart- 
 ; ment, and the third 
 
 M- delivered to the other 
 
 contracting party. Con- 
 cession contracts were mat- 
 ters of great difficulty on ac- 
 count of the lack of prece- 
 dents or satisfactory models upon 
 which to frame them, and the re- 
 sults were not entirely satisfactory. 
 All payments for work, materials furnished, etc., were made upon vouchers. 
 These originated in the Auditor's office, and were certified to both by the of- 
 ficer under whose authority the expenditure was incurred and by the chair- 
 man of the committee having jurisdiction over such officer. These vouchers 
 were then audited by the Auditor and approved by the President, after which 
 a check was drawn for payment. Checks were drawn by the Treasurer, and 
 countersigned by the Auditor. The labor of executing contracts and approv- 
 ing vouchers soon became very great, the vouchers frequently numbering 
 several hundred in a day. For many months the work of signing vouchers, 
 contracts, letters, and papers of all sorts required several hours of the Presi- 
 dent's time each day, and later, when vouchers were drawn for payment in 
 souvenir half dollars out of the United States Treasury, the routine was vastly 
 increased, as the vouchers were made in duplicate, each one requiring the 
 
 DREDGING, JUNE, 1891. 
 
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OF THE DIRECTORY. 
 
 87 
 
 signature of the President in two places. To provide for emergencies, the 
 Secretary of the Company was empowered by the Board of Directors to affix 
 the President's signature to vouchers when requested by the President to 
 do so. 
 
 The first organization of the Executive Department consisted of Lyman 
 J. Gage, President ; Thomas B. Bryan, Vice-President ; and Potter Palmer, 
 Second Vice-President. Mr. Gage, although the active head of the First 
 National Bank, gave to the work of the Exposition a large share of his time 
 each day, and his wisdom and experience guided the company safely through 
 the difficulties that beset its earlier operations. Mr. Bryan gave his entire 
 time to the work, and Mr. Palmer rendered services as opportunity offered. 
 On July II, 1890, Hon. Benjamin Butterworth was elected Secretary. He 
 had been a member of Congress several terms, had served as Commissioner 
 of Patents during the latter part of President Arthur's administration, and 
 had been charged with important work in connection with the Exposition at 
 New Orleans in 1884. He entered heartily upon his duties, and assisted in 
 many important matters during the earlier stages of the company's existence, 
 among which was the appeal to the State Legislature at its special session in 
 July, 1 890, called for the purpose of securing legislation in aid of the Expo- 
 sition. He took part in the discussion of the questions of difference between 
 the Directory and the Commission, and assisted in the adjustment of these 
 difficulties and in planning the organization of the departments of the Di- 
 rector General's office. At the same time he continued to serve as a mem- 
 ber of Congress, and during the following winter became the champion of 
 the Exposition on the floor of the House of Representatives. The manage- 
 ment of the Exposition at this time was subjected to criticism and misunder- 
 standing through the press, especially in cities that had contended with Chi- 
 cago for the Exposition. Owing to this criticism and the differences between 
 the Directory and the Commission, a committee from the House of Repre- 
 sentatives visited Chicago in November, 1 890, to investigate and report upon 
 the progress of the work. The Exposition was greatly in need of a strong 
 and able advocate to explain its difficulties and champion its cause, both 
 before the Congressional Committee and in Congress as well. For this pur- 
 pose Mr. Butterworth was admirably adapted, and the value of his services 
 can not be estimated too highly. In reply to many criticisms and in defense 
 of the bill appropriating money for the current expenses of the World's 
 Columbian Commission, he was able, by means of a speech in the House of 
 Representatives, to place the enterprise and its management in the proper 
 light before Congress and the country, and to show that the difficulties ex- 
 perienced in organizing the administrative force of the Exposition were not 
 due to incompetent or defective management on the part of the Direc- 
 tory, but to the unfortunate terms of the act of Congress that authorized 
 the Exposition. 
 
 With the adoption of the compact between the two bodies in November, 
 
88 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 1 890, the way was opened for effective work in every direction. The accept- 
 ance of the site and the fulfillment of the requirement that ten million dollars 
 be provided for the purposes of the Exposition rendered it possible for the 
 President of the United States to issue a proclamation announcing the Ex- 
 position and to extend invitations to foreign nations to participate therein. 
 Evidences of compliance with the requirements of the law by the Directory 
 were presented to the President of the United States by Ferdinand W. Peck 
 and Mr. Butterworth, who satisfied the President that the conditions prece- 
 dent to the issuance of his proclamation had been fulfilled, and on December 
 24, 1890, the proclamation was issued. In recognition of Mr. Butterworth's 
 services, and in order to enlarge the sphere of his activity, the Board, on 
 February 11, 1891, appointed him Solicitor-General, and this office he held, 
 in addition to that of Secretary, until April, 1892. 
 
 Previous to the organization of the Directory a committee of Chicago 
 men had been organized for the purpose of promoting the holding of con- 
 gresses and conventions representing various fields of human thought and 
 activity during the progress of the proposed Exposition. In the autumn of 
 1890 this committee was reorganized under the name of the World's Con- 
 gress Auxiliary of the World's Columbian Exposition, with Hon. Charles 
 C. Bonney as President, Thomas B. Bryan Vice-President, Lyman J. Gage 
 Treasurer, ajid Benjamin Butterworth Secretary. From this time Mr. Bon- 
 ney gave at least half of his time daily to this work, and received compensa- 
 tion at the rate of five thousand dollars per annum. 
 
 The preparation of the budget of February, 1 89 1 , occupied the Executive 
 Committee during the latter half of the winter. By the adoption of this 
 budget the troublesome question of the Lake Front was settled, and the en- 
 ergies of the management were concentrated upon the preparation of Jackson 
 Park. At the same time preparations were made for the annual meeting of 
 the stockholders of the company. The by-laws fixed this meeting for the 
 first Saturday in April. Thirty thousand stockholders were entitled to vote, 
 and, in view of the confusion that had occurred at the first meeting, rules 
 were adopted for the ensuing election for the purpose of securing a speedy 
 organization of the meeting and an accurate count and record of the votes 
 cast for directors. After much discussion, and on the advice of Mr. Butter- 
 worth and Messrs. Walker and Winston, of the Committee on Legislation, 
 a programme was adopted that succeeded admirably. The meeting was held 
 in the armory of Battery D, on the Lake Front. A resolution was adopted 
 fixing the time for the election of directors ten days later, and directing that 
 every proxy be registered in the Secretary's office several days prior to the 
 date fixed for the election. By placing a large force in the Secretary's office, 
 and working rapidly day and night, all proxies were carefully recorded and 
 entered in a proxy ledger, which showed the number of shares each person 
 was entitled to vote on account of proxies filed in his favor up to the time 
 fixed for registration. The election was held quietly, and the following new 
 
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OF THE DIRECTORY. 
 
 89 
 
 members were elected to the Board : C. K. G. Billings, William P. Ketcham, 
 A. M. Rothschild, George B. Harris, Alexander H. Revell, George W. Saul, 
 James W. Scott, Isaac N. Camp, Milton W. Kirk, George Schneider, Robert 
 C Clowry, Bernard E. Sunny, Hon. Hempstead Washburne, Egbert Jamie- 
 
 r 
 
 -■-.'" 
 
 ^--♦- •.-. ---jf,.-' : 
 
 )H» 
 
 RAILROAD BRIDGE OVER THE GRAND CANAL, JULY 30, 1891. 
 
 son, Edward R Ripley, William D. Kerfoot, William J. Chalmers, and John 
 C. Welling. These gentlemen took the places of Messrs. Aldis, Cregier, 
 Fish, Medill, Seeberger, AUerton, Crawford, Keyes, Phelps, Peasley, Strong, 
 Colvin, McCormick, Pike, Young, Wheeler, Walsh, and Borner, who had 
 been among the foremost of the citizens of Chicago who were active and 
 influential in securing the location of the Exposition there, and in perfecting 
 the organization of the Directory. Of the new members three, Messrs. 
 Clowry, Kerfoot, and Chalmers, had been elected during the previous year to 
 fill vacancies. Previous to this election Mr. Gage had announced that he 
 would not serve another term as President owing to the pressure of his pri- 
 vate business and the heavy demand upon his time. 
 
 The Compact had made inroads upon the organization originally adopted 
 in the by-laws of the Directory, and the by-laws and the committee list of 
 the Board of Directors were therefore revised. All direct jurisdiction over 
 exhibits and such other matters as were to be administered through the de- 
 
OQ THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 partments under the Director General were eliminated, and in lieu thereof 
 committees were created, some of them having jurisdiction over the works 
 directly controlled by the company, and others having power to supervise the 
 work of the various departments of the Director General's office. The 
 amended by-laws were adopted in March, 1891. The new Board, chosen by 
 the stockholders in the following month, elected William T. Baker President, 
 to succeed Mr. Gage, and re-elected all the other officers. President Baker, 
 upon assuming his office, appointed the following committees : 
 
 Finance. — Ferdinand W. Peck, Chairman ; Lyman J. Gage, Elbridge G. 
 Keith, John J. P. Odell, Harlow N. Higinbotham. 
 
 Grounds and Buildings. — Edward T. Jeffery, Chairman ; Edward F. Law- 
 rence, Robert A. Waller, Lyman J. Gage, Charles H. Schwab, William P. 
 Ketcham, George W. Saul. 
 
 Legislation. — -Edwin Walker, Chairman ; Egbert Jamieson, Frederick S. 
 Winston, Erskine M. Phelps, Ferdinand W. Peck. 
 
 Agriculture. — William D. Kerfoot, Chairman ; Thies J. Lefens, Edward 
 F. Lawrence, William P. Ketcham, Isaac N. Camp. 
 
 Mines, Mining, Forestry, and Fish. — Charles H. Schwab, Chairman ; John 
 C. Welling, William J. Chalmers, Robert Nelson, Bernard E. Sunny, 
 
 Press and Printing. — James W. Scott, Chairman ; Edward B. Butler, 
 Milton W. Kirk, Alexander H. Revell, George Schneider. 
 
 Transportation. — Marshall M. Kirkman, Chairman ; Edward P. Ripley, 
 George B. Harris, George W. Saul, John C. Welling. 
 
 Fine Arts. — Charles L. Hutchinson, Chairman ; Potter Palmer, James 
 W. Ellsworth, Charles T. Yerkes, Martin A. Ryerson. 
 
 Liberal Arts. — Robert A. Waller, Chairman ; Alexander H. Revell, Isaac 
 N. Camp, Egbert Jamieson, Charles L. Hutchinson. 
 
 Machinery and Electrical Appliances. — Robert C. Clowry, Chairman ; 
 Charles H. Wacker, Bernard E. Sunny, Robert Nelson, C. K. G. Billings. 
 
 Manufactures. — Harlow N. Higinbotham, Chairman ; Adolph Nathan, 
 Erskine M. Phelps, Elbridge G. Keith, A. M. Rothschild. 
 
 Foreign Exhibits. — Martin A. Ryerson, Chairman ; Harlow N. Higin- 
 botham, James W. Ellsworth, Thies J. Lefens, Herman H. Kohlsaat. 
 
 Ways and Means. — Lyman J. Gage, Chairman ; Edward F. Lawrence, 
 Harlow N. Higinbotham, Adolph Nathan, Charles H. Wacker, William J. 
 Chalmers, Herman H. Kohlsaat, William D. Kerfoot, Edward P. Ripley, 
 Robert A. Waller, Edward B. Butler, George Schneider, Milton W. Kirk. 
 
 The committees relating to exhibits were intended to exercise a general 
 supervision over the departments dealing with such exhibits, to advise with 
 and assist the chiefs of such departments, and to control their expenditures. 
 The theory of this organization was excellent, and there is no reason why it 
 could not have been carried out practically and resulted in much good. The 
 advantage of an active, efficient committee of experienced business men, 
 keeping in touch with the chief of a department, considering the necessity 
 
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OF THE DIRECTORY. 
 
 91 
 
 for expenditures, recommending and assisting him in the inevitable difficul- 
 ties growing out of the crudeness of the general organization, sustaining him 
 in his efforts to interest manufacturers and business houses, and forming a 
 strong support on which he could rely in the event of those controversies 
 
 SCULPTORS AT WORK, JULY i, 1891. 
 
 over allotment of space, etc., which inevitably arise among intending exhibit- 
 ors, is too apparent to need much argument. Such aid would have been 
 of great value to the Director General, and would have met with his hearty 
 cooperation. In one or two instances, where committees kept in active touch 
 with their departments and held frequent meetings, good results were ob- 
 tained ; but in some instances the committees failed to act as intended, held 
 meetings infrequently, and soon found themselves out of touch with the 
 work they were suppposed to supervise. This state of things was not wholly 
 the fault of the committees, but was rather the result of circumstances and of 
 the pressure of other Exposition business, particularly questions of finance. 
 Besides this, the feeling of distrust that had existed between members of the 
 Directory and the Commission was very slow to disappear, and this distrust 
 extended into the Director General's departments and was, in fact, distributed 
 throughout the organization under both bodies, to the great detriment of the 
 work. 
 
 Up to this time such legal services as had been needed were furnished by 
 Mr. Butterworth and by the chairman of the Committee on Legislation, 
 Edwin Walker, who ultimately took the position of Solicitor-General of the 
 Exposition. During the summer additional legal services became necessary. 
 Contracts for concessions were being drawn up, and legal questions were 
 
g2 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 constantly arising in connection with the work of the Construction Depart- 
 ment and of the other branches of the organization. WiUiam K. Carlisle 
 was appointed attorney, and later Charles H. Baldwin was appointed assistant 
 attorney and detailed for duty in the Construction Department. Joseph 
 Cummins was appointed assistant attorney for the Committee on Ways and 
 Means. These appointments indicate the rapid increase in the legal work, in 
 consequence of the development of the plans of the Exposition. 
 
 At each stage of the enterprise some difficulties were pressing and seemed 
 almost to doom the Exposition to disaster. The shortness of the time was 
 always an ominous factor. The year 1890 had its jurisdictional controversy 
 and the question of site ; the year 1891 had the financial question and that of 
 adequate transportation to Jackson Park. These extended into 1892, when 
 they were overcome ; but the financial question arose again in 1893, owing 
 to the vast increase in necessary expenditures, to the act of Congress that 
 diverted from the purposes of completing the Exposition a portion of its ap- 
 propriation, and to the approach of the panic of that year. In 1892 the in- 
 sufficiency of the organization for dealing with approaching conditions once 
 more awoke the smoldering jurisdictional question, and this was scarcely 
 settled, when, with the administration of the Exposition upon a new and ex- 
 perimental basis, the approach of the dedication in October, 1892, with 
 crowds of spectators anticipated and inadequate facilities for their reception, 
 seemed to threaten disaster and loss of life. The winter of 1 892-93 brought 
 on a danger from the non-arrival of exhibits and from the incomplete power 
 plant and defects of construction. The succeeding spring revealed acres of 
 leaky roofs, threatening enormous damage to the values stored under them, 
 and in the early part of the Exposition season until August, 1893, the com- 
 pany was on the verge of bankruptcy. 
 
 The transportation question was like the stone of Sisyphus, and before 
 it was finally settled many gentlemen assayed the task of rolling the stone 
 uphill, only to see it roU down again. In the summer of 1891 the transpor- 
 tation of visitors to Jackson Park became the most important problem. 
 This might be formulated as follows : How to move three hundred thousand 
 people from their lodgings and residences in the city to Jackson Park within 
 a reasonable time in the morning and return them to the city at night. It 
 was conceived that facilities equal to transporting one hundred and fifty 
 thousand people an hour for three or four hours in the morning and the 
 same in the evening would answer and leave the necessary margin for ex- 
 traordinary occasions. The main reliance was upon the Illinois Central Rail- 
 road, and therefore the first portion of the task was to see that this railroad 
 was raised to its maximum of efficiency. A point just west of the Adminis- 
 tration Building had been fixed upon as the spot for the terminal station. 
 Architectural and landscape requirements had controlled in this selection, for 
 the railroad company preferred a spot near the point where its tracks crossed 
 the Midway Plaisance. The plan contemplated a terminal station built on a 
 
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OF THE DIRECTORY. 
 
 93 
 
 large loop, around which trains should run, discharging passengers and con- 
 tinuing on out of the grounds for the return journey. At one time it was 
 ordered by the Committee on Grounds and Buildings that the tracks leading 
 to the terminal station connect with the tracks of the Illinois Central Rail- 
 road at Midway Plaisance, which meant that the tracks should run from the 
 terminal station northward along the west side of the Park, turning west at 
 the Midway to join the main line of the Illinois Central Railroad. The loop ' 
 plan was finally abandoned, and a system of stub tracks was substituted. 
 The subsequent elevation of the tracks of the Illinois Central main line would 
 have rendered a connection with this main line at the Midway Plaisance imprac- 
 ticable, but this plan had already been virtually set aside by the carrying out 
 of the building plans along the west side of Jackson Park, which would have 
 prevented the running of tracks south from the Midway Plaisance to the ter- 
 minal station. It soon became clear that the Illinois Central Railroad could 
 not reach its maximum efficiency with the city streets in the neighborhood 
 
 SITE OF THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 
 looking west, August 21, i8gi. 
 
 of Jackson Park crossing the tracks at grade. Such grade crossings were sure 
 to be crowded at all times of day and night during the Exposition. It was 
 necessary either to elevate the tracks over the streets or to erect temporary 
 viaducts to carry the streets over the tracks. The latter plan would have re- 
 quired a heavy expenditure on the part of the Exposition outside of the 
 
Q. THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 inclosure at Jackson Park, and was objected to because it offered no perma- 
 nent benefit to the locality interested. Besides, it would, have increased the 
 labor of walking from the neighboring hotels west of the tracks to the Ex- 
 position gates. The elevation of the tracks of the Illinois Central Railroad 
 was urged as a permanent improvement, in the expense of which the road 
 could be expected to participate. Closely connected with this problem were 
 the questions relating to the terminals of the South Side Elevated Railroad, 
 the Chicago City Railway Company's cable line from the city, and its cross- 
 town horse-car lines. 
 
 Several meetings were held in the summer and early autumn of 1891 by 
 the general officers of the Illinois Central Railroad, the Chicago and South 
 Side Rapid Transit Railroad Company, the Chicago City Railway Com-pany, 
 the City Commissioner of Public Works, the City Engineer, the Com- 
 mittees on Grounds and Buildings and Transportation, and the Chief of Con- 
 struction of the Exposition. These meetings were presided over by the 
 President of the Exposition, Mr. Baker. The City Engineer, the Engineer 
 of Construction of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, the Engineer of 
 the Chicago City Railway Company (South Side cable line), and the Chief 
 of Construction of the Exposition were constituted a sub-committee to con- 
 sider physical difficulties. This committee submitted a report under date of 
 October 31, 1891, in which they estimated the capacity of the various trans- 
 portation methods existing at the time as follows : Walking and carriages, 
 15,000; Chicago City Railway Company's lines, 12,000; Illinois Central 
 Railroad, 6,000; water craft, 5,000; other railroads, 1,000. Total per hour, 
 39,000. 
 
 Certain changes in the conditions surrounding the Illinois Central Rail- 
 road were suggested, which would have increased the small amount esti- 
 mated for it, but nothing short of the elevation of the tracks from Forty- 
 seventh Street to Sixty-seventh Street and the purchase of a large amount 
 of equipment was deemed sufficient to place this line in a satisfactory condi- 
 tion. The Illinois Central Railroad furnished the most rapid means of trans- 
 portation, and was expected to receive the largest amount of patronage. A 
 plan was recommended providing for the elevation of the tracks as here out- 
 lined, the operation of two tracks on the west side of the Illinois Central right 
 of way for local business originating at the stations between Van Buren Street 
 and Jackson Park, and two tracks on the east side of the right of way for express 
 or through trains between Van Buren Street and Jackson Park. This plan 
 contemplated a viaduct over the railroad tracks at Van Buren Street in the 
 city, a loop at this point running out into the lake on piles, a loop at Jack- 
 son Park, and an interlocking block-signal system along the right of way 
 from the city to the Park. It also contemplated the carrying of the tracks 
 of the elevated railway at a greater height over the elevated tracks of the 
 Illinois Central Railroad at Sixty-third Street and a terminal station for the 
 Alley Elevated Railroad inside of Jackson Park on the roof of the Annex of 
 
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OF THE DIRECTORY. 
 
 95 
 
 the Building of Transportation Exhibits. It also contemplated the equip- 
 ment of the cars of the cross-town lines of the Chicago City Railway Com- 
 pany with the overhead electric system, the cars to be carried under the 
 elevated tracks of the Illinois Central Railroad to the Exposition gates. 
 These cross-town lines would connect the Englewood district and the State 
 Street cable line with Jackson Park. In addition to this, the City Railway 
 Company had its Cottage Grove Avenue cable line, terminating west of the 
 Illinois Central tracks at Fifty-seventh Street, within a few feet of the north- 
 ern entrances on the west side of Jackson Park. With these improvements, 
 the following was estimated to be the probable capacity of the various trans- 
 portation methods : Foot passengers and sundry vehicles, 25,000 ; Chicago 
 City Railway, Cottage Grove Cable line, 20,000 ; Chicago City Railway, 
 State Street Cable line, 20,000 ; Illinois Central Railroad on existing tracks 
 (local service), 21,600; Illinois Central Railroad on independent loop sys- 
 tem (express service), 14,400; water transportation between the Lake Front 
 and Jackson Park, 10,000; water trans- 
 portation between points on the north ' 
 side of the city and Jackson Park, 5,000 ; 
 Alley Elevated Railroad, 20,000 ; making 
 a total per hour of 136,000. 
 
 This proved to be a very moderate 
 estimate of the capacity of the lines. 
 The Illinois Central Railroad abandoned 
 the idea of a loop on the Lake Front 
 at Van Buren Street and used stub 
 tracks, which were so skillfully handled, 
 with cars especially adapted to the serv- 
 ice, as to prove entirely satisfactory even 
 during the days of phenomenal patron- 
 age. 
 
 Upon the submission of this report. 
 President Baker was directed to proceed 
 with negotiations for settlement of the 
 transportation question. The idea pre- 
 vailed that it should be settled according 
 to the report just referred to, although 
 
 he was not restricted to this or to any other method. Mr. Baker under- 
 took the task as a portion of his duty as President, and devoted to it much 
 time and labor. He was authorized to procure assistance and incur expendi- 
 ture to any extent, and, as a first step, after consultation with experienced 
 railroad officers, appointed William H. Holcomb his assistant, with com- 
 pensation at the rate of $1,000 a month. 
 
 In the meantime the chairman of the Committee on Grounds and Build- 
 ings, Mr. Jeffery, had opened negotiations with the Baltimore and Ohio 
 
 WILLIAM H. HOLCOMB, 
 General Manager of Transportation. 
 
96 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Railroad Company, with a view to securing a right of way from its tracks in 
 South Chicago north to the Exposition grounds, relieving the Exposition to 
 some extent of the undisturbed control possessed by the Illinois Central 
 Railroad Company. But soon after this Mr. Jeffery resigned from the 
 Board of Directors to accept the presidency of the Denver and Rio Grande 
 Railroad Company, leaving the half-formed plans for the Baltimore and Ohio 
 connection to be completed by President Baker. These negotiations and 
 those for the elevation of the Illinois Central Railroad tracks were carried on 
 at the same time. A plan was evolved for the elevation of the Illinois Cen- 
 tral Railroad tracks for about a mile and a half, the elevation reaching a maxi- 
 mum of nineteen feet at Fifty-third Street and maintaining this height to 
 Sixty-seventh Street ; the Illinois Central Railroad to have ample station fa- 
 cilities at Fifty-seventh Street (Hyde Park), Sixtieth Street (Midway Plai- 
 sance), and Sixty-third Street (Woodlawn Station), the first to discharge 
 passengers bound for the northern section, in the direction of the Fine Art 
 Building, the second those desiring to enter Midway Plaisance, and the third 
 those going in the direction of the Court of Honor. Finally this plan was 
 altered, and it was arranged that express trains from the city should make but 
 one stop — at Sixtieth Street (Midway Plaisance) — ^giving the railroad a short 
 haul and enabling trains to return quickly to the city. 
 
 The Illinois Central Railroad Company claimed that it could not under- 
 take the work of elevating its tracks, and providing the large amount of roll- 
 ing stock for the service between Jackson Park and the city, because it could 
 not recoup itself for such outlay out of the fares paid by the patrons of the 
 Exposition using the line. The elevation of the tracks was justly deemed of 
 vital importance to the success of the Exposition, and therefore a contract 
 was entered into on June i8, 1892, by which the Illinois Central Company 
 agreed to construct the necessary elevated tracks, on condition that the Ex- 
 position pay $200,000 toward the cost and give the railroad company 100,000 
 tickets of admission. The Chicago City Railway Company also contributed 
 $100,000 toward the cost of this elevation in consideration of the additional 
 advantages and facilities that it acquired thereby. By this contract the Ex- 
 position was required to pay a large amount toward a permanent and valu- 
 able improvement upon the railroad company's roadbed. Yet it was a source 
 of satisfaction to the management of the Exposition to be the means of 
 conferring upon that portion of the city near Jackson Park the lasting bene- 
 fits that accrued from the elevation of the tracks. The contract required 
 that the work of elevation be finished in time for the opening of the Expo- 
 sition in May, 1893, less than one year being allowed in which to perform 
 the task, and this contract was fully carried out. 
 
 Meanwhile a right of way for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad south of 
 Jackson Park had been obtained by the Directory by leases from property 
 owners running until August i, 1894. The Baltimore and Ohio Company 
 paid the Directory $30,000 to defray the cost of obtaining this right of way. 
 
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OF THE DIRECTORY. ^j 
 
 The Illinois Central Company desired a right of way at this same point for bring- 
 ing in construction material and excursion trains, and also, if it was deemed 
 advisable, for the purpose of continuing its express trains around from its 
 main line into the terminal station in Jackson Park. The total cost of 
 these two rights of way south of the Park was $51,592, to which should be 
 added some portion of the rental of the twenty-acre tract south of the Park, 
 through which the tracks ran, which was also used for bonded warehouses,' 
 storehouses for empty packing cases, switching, etc. The Exposition paid for 
 this twenty-acre tract a rental of $65,000. Originally it had been contem- 
 plated that the entire cost of these rights of way, exclusive of the rental of 
 the twenty-acre tract, would be recouped from the amount paid by the Balti- 
 more and Ohio Railroad Company and the terminal charges on express busi- 
 ness from the Illinois Central Railroad and other roads using its tracks. 
 This expectation was not realized, but the net loss was not serious in com- 
 parison with the benefits derived from the entrance of the roads at this 
 point. 
 
 When the negotiations for the elevation of the Illinois Central tracks 
 were concluded, Mr. Holcomb was transferred from the Executive Depart- 
 ment to the Department of Works, with the title of Master of Transporta- 
 tion, continuing his work on the plans for transporting visitors to and from 
 Jackson Parkj and in addition having charge of the reception and distribution 
 of materials and exhibits. E. E. Jaycox had previously been appointed 
 Traffic Manager, and had served from the date of his appointment, October 
 9, 1890, representing the Committee on Transportation of the Board of Di- 
 rectors, and carrying forward much of the preliminary work affecting the 
 transportation of exhibits from distant points to the Exposition grounds. 
 In October, 1892, the Traffic Manager was placed under the Master of 
 Transportation. On January i, 1893, Mr. Jaycox resigned, from which 
 time the duties of his office were merged in those of Mr. Holcomb, who 
 thereafter was designated General Manager of Transportation. 
 
 When the rights of way south of the Park had been obtained and the 
 contract for the elevation of the Illinois Central tracks had been executed, 
 the question of the proper arrangement of terminal facilities within the Park 
 still remained. The terminal yard had been constructed with a view to 
 handling a large number of trains, conveying great crowds of people into the 
 Exposition grounds from the south. This yard had extensive appliances that 
 adapted it admirably to the reception of a large amount of freight — hundreds 
 of car loads in a day — and in this respect it contributed greatly to the success 
 of the work of installation. The yard was provided with thirty-five stand- 
 ing tracks, holding four hundred and twenty-eight passenger cars in trains 
 of thirteen cars each, seating, at sixty persons to each car, 25,680 peo- 
 ple. Besides these there were twenty tracks in the storage yard, just south 
 of the standing tracks, capable of holding two hundred and sixty cars, seat- 
 ing 15,600 people, making the total seating capacity of cars that could be ac- 
 
98 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 commodated in the terminal yard 41,280. Thus the capacity of the yard was 
 probably in excess of the capacity of the connecting railroads to handle trains 
 that could be delivered to them from this yard. In all there were seventeen 
 and one third miles of track in the terminal yard. 
 
 GRADING FOR THE ART BUILDING, 
 looking east, October 23, 1891. 
 
 From the standpoint of the reception of visitors this yard was a failure, as 
 most of the visitors who came to the grounds by rail left their trains at other 
 points. It had been supposed early in the period of preparation that the rail- 
 roads whose tracks ran in the vicinity of Jackson Park would each bring a 
 large patronage to the Exposition, both of people embarking at the city 
 depots for the Park and also excursion business from points beyond 
 the city limits. The railroads seem never to have believed that they could 
 secure a patronage from these sources that would assume paying propor- 
 tions, and they evaded all attempts to commit them to any expense in con- 
 nection with the construction of the Exposition's costly terminal facili- 
 ties. The Directory, however, constructed these facilities, in the belief that 
 they would be used by all the railroads, and that the cost could be recouped 
 from terminal charges. Finally, in the summer of 1892, the Illinois Central 
 Railroad Company gave notice that it would not run its trains into this ter- 
 minal station, but would transact its business entirely upon its own right of 
 way, and discharge passengers bound for the Exposition at Midway, Wood- 
 
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OF THE DIRECTORY. 
 
 yy 
 
 lawn, and other points adjacent to the Park. Still it was assumed that ulti- 
 mately the railroads would use this terminal station and bring to it a large 
 patronage, and it was determined that a charge of ten cents per capita should 
 be exacted for passengers outside the city limits and five cents for passengers 
 from the city. The railroads were duly notified of this proposed charge, and 
 it was collected upon the trifling business that was brought into the terminal 
 station up to July i, 1893, when the collection ceased. After the Exposi- 
 tion opened it became evident that the terminal station could not be used to 
 advantage by any railroad except the IlHnois Central, the trains of which 
 could be brought around from its main fine into the terminal station in a 
 few minutes. Therefore about July i this railroad was induced to extend its 
 express service, which had terminated at Sixty-third Street and Midway, 
 around to the terminal station, much to the comfort of visitors to the Expo- 
 sition, who, when they desired to return to the city from the Court of 
 Honor, had been compelled to walk half or three quarters of a mile to reach 
 the trains of this fast express service. Even after this time the bulk of the 
 business of the railroad was done between the city and Sixty-third Street, a 
 small portion only of the patrons of the railroad company remaining in their 
 seats until the train had been brought around to the terminal station. The 
 station was a beautiful and costly building, a model in its way, and the yards 
 and terminal tracks were perfect and sufficient for the accommodation of an 
 enormous patronage. But it was practically useless and never received busi- 
 ness sufficient to relieve it of the appearance of desolation. Even after the 
 Illinois Central trains were brought into the grounds one end of the perron 
 was sufficient for them. The remainder, with sheds and tracks, was va- 
 cant, except for a few out-of-town excursion trains and a few suburban 
 trains of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The plans for this terminal sta- 
 tion and the switching yards had been perfected and to a certain extent con- 
 tracted for before the question of transportation between the city and the 
 Park had been thoroughly digested, and to this fact as much as to any other 
 must be attributed the lamentable failure and waste that occurred in provid- 
 ing terminal facilities for Exposition business. 
 
 In September, 1891, while the negotiations for track elevation and trans- 
 portation facilities were being carried on, foreign commissioners arrived with 
 the returning commissioners to Europe. The Construction Department was 
 now thoroughly organized, and also the various departments under the 
 Director General. All branches of the organization were most actively en- 
 gaged. The work of the Committees on Ways and Means and Grounds and 
 Buildings was pushing on to points of meeting, and required incessant at- 
 tention. 
 
 On Mr. Higinbotham's return from southern Europe, the duties of the 
 chairmanship of the Committee on Ways and Means required all his atten- 
 tion in working out the details of important concessions. As the spring of 
 1892 approached, it became evident that important changes would have to 
 
lOO 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 be made in the offices of the company. Mr. Bryan, the Vice-President, was 
 in Europe. Mr. Baker, the President, found his time largely engrossed be- 
 tween the never-ending and vexatious transportation problem and the prose- 
 cution of the appeal to Congress for financial assistance. Mr. Butterworth 
 had announced that he would not serve another term as Secretary of the 
 company. 
 
 The method of holding the annual meeting of stockholders had been 
 further improved since April, 1891, and in the spring of 1892 the holders of 
 proxies were required to register in the Secretary's office ten days in advance 
 of the annual meeting, which occurred on April 10. The Board of Directors 
 chosen at this meeting was substantially the same as before. Mr. Jeffery 
 had resigned during the previous year, and his place in the board and in the 
 Committee on. Grounds and Buildings was filled by Henry B. Stone. In 
 addition to Mr. Stone, the new directors were Messrs. Charles H. Chappell, 
 Arthur Dixon, George P. Englehard, Charles Henrotin, Washington Porter, 
 
 Paul O. Stensland, George H. Wheeler, and 
 Benjamin Butterworth, who took the places 
 of Messrs. Harris, Jamieson, Kirkman, Kohl- 
 saat, Phelps, Palmer, Ryerson, Saul, and 
 Sunny. Mr. Baker was elected by the new 
 Board of Directors to succeed himself as 
 President. Business necessities demanded 
 an extension of the executive power and 
 close attention to the rapidly multiplying de- 
 tails of the work, and Mr. Higinbotham was 
 elected A^ice-President, to succeed Mr. Bry- 
 an, who was still in Europe, and the latter 
 was appointed Commissioner at Large and 
 attached to the staff of the Director Gen- 
 eral. Howard O. Edmonds was elected Sec- 
 retary, to succeed Mr. Butterworth. Mr. 
 Palmer had resigned the Second Vice-Presi- 
 dency, and the vacancy was filled two months 
 later by the election of Robert A. Waller. 
 The following were the committees of the Board of Directors for 1892: 
 
 Finance. — Ferdinand W. Peck, Chairman ; Lyman J. Gage, Elbridge G. 
 Keith, Harlow N. Higinbotham, John J. P. Odell. 
 
 Grounds and Biiildings. — Henry B. Stone, Chairman ; Robert C. Clowry, 
 Edward F. Lawrence, Lyman J. Gage, William P. Ketcham, Charles H. 
 Schwab, Eugene S. Pike. 
 
 Legislatio7i. — Edwin Walker, Chairman ; Ferdinand W. Peck, Arthur 
 Dixon, Frederick S. Winston, Benjamin Butterworth. 
 
 Agriculture.— ^\\\\2cm. D. Kerfoot, Chairman ; Isaac N. Camp, Thies 
 J. Lefens, George Schneider, Washington Porter. 
 
 HOWARD O. EDMONDS, 
 Secretary of the Directory. 
 
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OF THE DIRECTORY. jqi 
 
 Foreign Exhibits. — Thies J. Lefens, Chairman ; Charles H. Wacker, 
 James W. Ellsworth, Harlow N. Higinbotham, Charles Henrotin. 
 
 Transporiation.—E,Aw2iX& P. Ripley, Chairman ; Henry B. Stone, Charles 
 H. Chappell, John C. WeUing, George H. Wheeler. 
 
 Fine Arts. — Charles L. Hutchinson, Chairman ; Elbridge G. Keith, 
 James W. Ellsworth, Charles T. Yerkes, Eugene S. Pike. 
 
 Ways and Means. — Harlow N. Higinbotham, Chairman ; Adolph Nathan, 
 Charles H. Wacker, Robert A. Waller, George Schneider, Milton W. Kirk, 
 Edward B. Butler, Edward F. Lawrence, William J. Chalmers, William D. 
 Kerfoot, Edward P. Ripley, Andrew McNally, Washington Porter. 
 
 Mines and Mining, Forestry and Fish. — Charles H. Schwab, Chairman ; 
 John C. Welling, William J. Chalmers, Robert Nelson, Arthur Dixon. 
 
 Press and Printing. — Alexander H. Revell, Chairman ; Milton W. Kirk, 
 Benjamin Butterworth, Edward B. Butler, George Schneider. 
 
 Liberal Arts. — James W. Ellsworth, Chairman ; I. N. Camp, George P. 
 Englehard, Robert A. Waller, Alexander H. Revell. 
 
 Electricity, Electrical and Pneumatical Appliances. — Robert C. Clowry, 
 Chairman ; Robert Nelson, Charles H. Wacker, Cornelius K. G. Billings, 
 Charles L. Hutchinson. 
 
 Manufactures and Machinery. — John J. P. Odell, Chairman ; Adolph 
 Nathan, Andrew McNally, A. M. Rothschild, Paul O. Stensland. 
 
 Special Committee on Ceremonies. — Edward F. Lawrence, Chairman ; 
 Charles T. Yerkes, Charles H. Wacker, Charles Henrotin, James W. Ells- 
 worth, Charles H. Schwab, WiUiam D. Kerfoot, Alexander H. Revell. 
 
 In July, 1892, President Baker's health failed, and, owing to this and the 
 failing health of a member of his family, he went to Europe for rest. Mr. 
 Higinbotham thus became acting President of the company. 
 
 A gondola on the North Pond. 
 
The Grand Basin, July 14, 1891. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 THE COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION. 
 
 Necessity for concentration of authority — Pressure of time — Formation of the Council — 
 Mr. Burnham made Director of Works — Resignation of President Baker — Election of 
 Mr. Higinbotham to succeed him — Work of the Committee on Grounds and Buildings 
 — Establishment of rules — The Bureau of Admissions and Collections. 
 
 GEORGE V. MASSEY, 
 
 Commissioner for Delaware, and 
 
 Member of the Council of Administration, 
 
 FOR many months prior to August, 1892, the 
 feeling prevailed among those members of the 
 Board of Directors who were most constantly 
 engaged upon the work and familiar with its neces- 
 sities, that substantial changes were necessary 
 in the organization, in order that the satisfac- 
 tory progress which had been made up to that 
 time might be continued. The few members 
 of the World's Columbian Commission who 
 were sufficiently in touch with the enter- 
 prise to appreciate what was necessary to its 
 success concurred in this feeling. The ad- 
 ministrative organization was open to great 
 criticism in the abstract, and it seems difficult 
 to justify its existence, except as the product 
 of compromises made necessary by the con- 
 ditions fixed by the act of Congress. It 
 
THE COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION. IO3 
 
 was felt that both bodies must agree upon some basis for a unification of 
 authority over all matters relating to the construction, installation, and ad- 
 ministration of the Exposition. A dual organization and independent com- 
 mittees charged with the administration of parts of the stupendous whole 
 had proceeded as far as could be permitted with safety, even if it was ever 
 safe to permit them to proceed at all on such a basis. 
 
 Ever since the World's Columbian Exposition took possession of Jack- 
 son Park the Committee on Grounds and Buildings had exercised complete 
 control within the inclosure. Here it was clothed with almost limitless 
 authority by the Board of Directors in all matters relating to the construc- 
 tion of Exposition Buildings and the preparation of the grounds. Through 
 its Construction Department it had achieved results beyond the expectation 
 of any one at the time the work was begun ; yet it was not clear in the sum- 
 mer of 1892 that the great enemy Time had been finally distanced in the 
 race, and it was clear to the minds of the Committee on Grounds and Build- 
 ings that any diminution of the high rate of progress heretofore attained 
 would bring ruin. As the members of the Committee and the officers of the 
 company contemplated the prospect of the next few months, and saw the 
 construction work running on through the autumn, winter, and spring, and the 
 installation work under the Director General's Departments (a separate and 
 independent organization) proceeding at the same time, the diificulties were 
 appreciated and dreaded. Even with a central control grasping both of 
 these functions, harmony atid good results would be very difficult to attain ; 
 without such control, inextricable confusion and disaster seemed certain. 
 In the language of Mr. Stone, chairman of the Committee, " the exhibitor 
 was about to break in," and the exhibitor was a factor over which, under the 
 act of Congress, the Board of Directors had no control. .This danger had 
 always been present in the minds of the Directors ; but, through the devotion 
 of all to the common object, it had caused little inconvenience in the past, 
 while the constant pressure of more important matters had served to post- 
 pone discussion of the subject. As the long struggle to secure recognition by 
 the National Government of its share in the financial burden drew to a close, 
 the idea of creating a new authority, combining the powers of the World's 
 Columbian Commission and the Board of Directors of the World's Colum- 
 bian Exposition as to all features except awards, took more definite form. 
 Since the adoption of the Compact of November, 1890, the World's Col- 
 umbian Commission had held but few meetings. Its Board of Reference 
 and Control, consisting of eight members of the Commission, had met 
 usually once in two months and exercised the powers of the Commission. 
 The Committees on Ceremonies and Awards had held meetings for the 
 transaction of the business committed to their charge. The matter of awards 
 was peculiarly a function of the World's Columbian Commission, which 
 would not in any way interfere with the construction, installation, or opera- 
 tion of the Exposition ; therefore no change in this particular was necessary. 
 
I04 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 The matter of ceremonies for the dedication of the Exposition in October, 
 1892, and for the opening of the Exposition in May, 1893, had been com- 
 mitted to a joint Committee on Ceremonies, composed of eight members 
 from each body, and, as their work was proceeding satisfactorily and could 
 be subjected to control whenever it came in contact with the physical opera- 
 tions within the Park inclosure, it was not necessary to disturb the labor of 
 this joint committee. 
 
 The initiative for concentration of control was taken by the Board of 
 Directors. They were of opinion that the company, being the active agent, 
 charged with the disbursement of the funds for the preparation of the Ex- 
 position, should control the new authority which was to be created. The 
 Board of Directors, therefore, proposed to the Board of Reference and Con- 
 trol of the World's Columbian Commission that a board or committee 
 of five be created, of which three members should be 
 Directors and two Commissioners. But the Board 
 of Reference and Control, while recognizing the 
 emergency, refused to surrender the Commis- 
 sion's share of power. They claimed that to 
 create a supreme authority over the Exposi- 
 tion, and give the Commission merely a 
 minority representation in the body exer- 
 cising such authority, would be inconsis- 
 tent with the dignity of the Commission 
 and with the purposes for which it had been 
 created ; and that acquiescence in such 
 an act by the Board of Reference and 
 Control could not be justified. This Board, 
 therefore, formally rejected the proposition of 
 the Board of Directors, and by that act a ques- 
 tion of difference was raised between the two 
 bodies. 
 
 Under the Compact, when the President of 
 either body certified that a difference had arisen between the two bodies 
 upon any question, the Board of Reference and Control of the Commission 
 was to sit with a similar body appointed by the Board of Directors, as a 
 Committee of Conference, and the action of this conference on such ques- 
 tion of difference was to be final and binding upon both bodies. Such a 
 conference was called, and several sessions were held, with the hope of 
 speedily arriving at a satisfactory adjustment of the difference, every one 
 being alive to the danger of each day's delay. This conference evolved a 
 plan that provided for a Council of Administration, composed of two Di- 
 rectors and two Commissioners, thus eliminating the feature of minority 
 representation of either body. This Council of Administration was to 
 have " absolute and final jurisdiction and control over all matters of gen- 
 
 CHARLES H. SCHWAB, 
 
 Director, and Member of the 
 
 Council of Administration. 
 
THE COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION. jq- 
 
 eral administration of the Exposition, including the installation of exhibits 
 and all agencies employed in that behalf." It was to be equally divided 
 between the two dominant political parties of the country, in order that 
 the political equilibrium provided by Congress should be preserved, and 
 its four members were each to receive compensation at the rate of six thou- 
 sand dollars per annum. It had no power to expend moneys belonging to 
 the company, except when they were duly appropriated by the Board of 
 Directors. The agreement, provided that there should be a Director of 
 Works, to be appointed by the Board of Directors, and that in all matters 
 the Director of Works and the Director General were to be "subject to the 
 control and jurisdiction of the Council of Administration." 
 
 This Compact was adopted by the joint Board of Reference and Control 
 on August 1 8, 1892, and was submitted to the Board of Directors on the 
 same day. The action of the Conference Committee, being authoritative, 
 needed no ratification by the Board of Directors, but it met with general 
 approval, as the best possible outcome of the situation. Daniel H. Burnham, 
 Chief of Construction, was elected to the new office of Director of Works. 
 The Council worked harmoniously at all times, feehng itself under the 
 heaviest pressure and consecrated to a task that, no matter how faithfully 
 discharged, would certainly prove imperfect in some particulars, and leave 
 room for criticism by those who would look only at results, and not at the 
 obstacles to be overcome. The members of the Council drew close together 
 in their efforts to discharge their heavy duties, and lent to one another that 
 co-operation which was born of the presence of imminent danger. It is a 
 remarkable fact that the Council of Administration was never compelled to 
 place upon its records a dissenting vote. 
 
 At the same meeting of the Board of Directors when this Compact was 
 presented, August 18, 1892, the resignation of President Baker, forwarded 
 from London, was presented and accepted. Mr. Higinbotham was elected 
 President, and at the same time he and Charles H. Schwab were chosen 
 members of the Council of Administration. Ferdinand W. Peck was 
 elected Vice-President, to fill the vacancy created in that office. The Board 
 of Reference and Control of the World's Columbian Commission chose 
 Messrs. George V. Massey, of Delaware, and James W. St. Clair, of West 
 Virginia, as members of the Council of Administration. Mr. Higinbotham 
 was chosen chairman of the Council by his colleagues, and Amory W. 
 Sawyer, the former Secretary of the Committee on Grounds and Buildings, 
 was elected Assistant Secretary. The post of Secretary was left vacant 
 for the time, and subsequently Mr. Sawyer was promoted to that office. 
 Within the next two days the Committee on Grounds and Buildings turned 
 its affairs over to the Council of Administration, and thenceforth the Coun- 
 cil held daily sessions, either at the offices of the company or in the Service 
 Building at Jackson Park. 
 
 By this action the Exposition was relieved from a grave difficulty. The 
 
io6 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 members of the Committee on Grounds and Buildings are entitled to great 
 credit for the broad-minded and intelligent manner in which they recognized 
 and faced this problem of administration. They had carried the great and 
 beautiful work of the Exposition half way to completion. Under their juris- 
 diction plans had been perfected and carried out to 
 the point where the glory of the completed whole 
 could be plainly discerned. Yet between this 
 period and the end of the work were diffi- 
 culties, dangers, and possibilities of failure 
 which they must have thoroughly under- 
 stood. To relinquish control at this 
 time over the superb organization 
 that, through their Chief of Construc- 
 tion, they had created, and take the 
 chance of seeing their work com- 
 pleted by other hands, and perhaps 
 not as they had contemplated, re- 
 quired public spirit and unselfish de- 
 votion to the cause. And in some re- 
 spects the new body was placed in a 
 difficult position. At best the arrange- 
 ment was open to the criticism of "swap- 
 ping horses in the middle of the stream." 
 True, the change was necessary, but the 
 difficulties were none the less great. 
 Nevertheless, the members of the Council were familiar in a general way 
 with every phase of the Exposition work, and the chairman, while less familiar 
 with the work of construction than were the members of the Committee on 
 Grounds and Buildings, had a more thorough knowledge than they of the 
 financial policy of the company and of its resources and the estimates of 
 liabilities and expenditures, for he had given much time and thought to the 
 financial side of the administration of the Exposition. The new Coun- 
 cil was required to familiarize itself with the details of the old Committee's 
 work, and at the same time assume control over the Director General and 
 his departments. The last of the great steel trusses of the Manufactures 
 Building had been placed in position only a few days before the Council 
 came into power, and the roof was not yet half completed. The date fixed 
 for the dedication of the Exposition buildings was only two months distant, 
 and the opening of the Exposition less than nine months. 
 
 One other matter remained for adjustment after the Council of Adminis- 
 tration had been created, and this was the adoption of " rules for the World's 
 Columbian Exposition governing rates of entrance and admission fees, and 
 otherwise affecting the rights, privileges, and interests of exhibitors and the 
 public within the grounds." The act of Congress provided that these rules 
 
 JAMES W. ST. CLAIR, 
 
 Commissioner for West Virginia, and 
 
 Member of the Council of Administration. 
 
THE COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION. 
 
 107 
 
 should be adopted by the Board of Directors of the company, and might be 
 modified by the World's Columbian Commission, but only with the consent 
 of two thirds of all the Commissioners. The Board of Directors had a 
 Committee on Rules, which, from time to time, had approved rules govern- 
 ing the various exhibit departments ; but these rules 
 had gone into force without being submitted to 
 the World's Columbian Commission for ap- 
 proval, as that body had not been in session. 
 Especial attention to the subject of rules —~. 
 
 was given by Director J. J. P. Qdell, to 
 whom the matter was committed for a time, 
 and who did much toward reducing to a 
 system the miscellaneous material that had 
 accumulated in the form of regulations. In 
 the matter of rules governing the rates of 
 entrance and admission fee, and affecting 
 the public, the Board of Directors were not 
 disposed to formulate special and particular -. 
 rules for every branch and division of the 
 work, but simply to make general rules, 
 sufficiently elastic to provide for emergencies, 
 allowing each department of the Exposition to 
 formulate particular regulations as circumstances 
 might from time to time require. In fact, such 
 particular regulations had been adopted by the 
 Transportation Department, the Department of 
 
 Sewage and Water Supply, the Fire Department, the Police Department 
 (Columbian Guard), the Mechanical and Electrical Departments, the Emer- 
 gency Hospital, and others. When the Board of Directors submitted general 
 rules to the Commission at its meeting in October, 1892, the latter body 
 added thereto all the particular rules and regulations of every department of 
 the Exposition. This action had some ridiculous consequences, in that it in- 
 corporated into the rules of the Exposition petty regulations which were sub- 
 ject to numerous modifications, and which, in fact, had been practically modi- 
 fied before the Commission added them to the general rules. These general 
 rules, which the Directors had submitted and the Commission adopted with 
 modifications, contained a clause by which the Board of Directors reserved 
 the right to amend or add to the rules whenever it deemed such action neces- 
 sary. This reservation, fortunately, gave to the Board of Directors a power 
 that was absolutely necessary to the administration of the Exposition, and 
 this power was exercised freely by the Council of Administration at all 
 times. 
 
 The rules governing rates of entrance and admission fees provided for a 
 Bureau of Admissions and Collections, to be composed of the President of 
 
 AMORY W. SAWYER, 
 
 Secretary 
 
 of the Council of Administration. 
 
io8 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 the Exposition, the chairmen of its Committees on Finance and Ways and 
 Means, and its Treasurer and Auditor. This Bureau was given control over 
 the gates of the World's Columbian Exposition, the sale of tickets, the 
 receipt of money therefor, and the collection of money from concessionnaires. 
 The creation of this body was hardly in accordance with the objects sought 
 in the creation of the Council of Administration in that it divided the control 
 of the grounds. Nevertheless, it was felt that the revenues of the Exposition 
 should be exclusively within the control of the Directory, and ought not to 
 be administered by members of the World's Columbian Commission. In this 
 view both Directors and Commissioners concurred. The Bureau was com- 
 posed of those persons who by their experience and their official positions 
 were best adapted to control this feature of the work, and it was hoped that 
 the creation of the Bureau, and the devolving upon it of the work of admis- 
 sions and collections, would relieve the already heavily burdened Council of 
 Administration. This last hope was not completely realized, owing to the 
 fact that the President was a member of both bodies, and naturally a member 
 whose presence would be constantly needed in both. Moreover, the Bureau 
 of Admissions and Collections could not operate without coming in contact 
 with the physical forces at Jackson Park, and, as it was a separate and inde- 
 pendent body, there was constant danger that its resolutions and actions 
 might conflict with those of the Council of Administration. Nevertheless, 
 owing to the fact that two members of the Bureau were financial officers of 
 the company, and the other three were intimately associated in its financial 
 work, and all were keenly alive to the necessity for perfect harmony, the 
 bungling plan was made to work very well. Indeed, it is difficult to see 
 now what could have been done without the Bureau of Admissions and Col- 
 lections. The exceptionally good organization of the two departments that 
 dealt with the gate admissions and collections from concessionnaires was the 
 work of this Bureau. 
 
 'cMl/MJ^lJfM COMM/SSAHV^ 
 
 Commissary Building, October 12, 1891. 
 
The Grand Basin, June 29, 1892. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 PROMOTION. 
 
 Appointment of commissioners to foreign countries — Detail of Government officers — 
 The President of the United States issues his proclamation — Departure of commis- 
 sioners — Assistance from diplomatic and consular agents — The diplomatic corps in 
 Washington invited to Chicago — First commission to Europe — Commissioners sent 
 to Australasia and India — Co-operation by the Secretary of the Treasury — Arrival of 
 British, German, and Danish commissioners — Their conference with the Secretary 
 of the Treasury — Questions concerning tariff and sales — Suggestions for custom- 
 house regulations — Letters from foreign commissioners — The second commission 
 to Europe — A letter from Pope Leo XIII — Residents of Chicago appointed to 
 represent foreign governments — Special efforts for the Departments of Electricity, 
 the Fine Arts, and Transportation — Arrival of the first ex- 
 hibit — Documents circulated all over the world — Failure 
 of the commission to China — Special arrangements with 
 concessionnaires — Japan's response — Difficulties with Brit- 
 ish manufacturers — Correspondence with foreign com- 
 missioners — Arrangement of the offices and office work 
 — Assistance from the Directory's Committee 
 on Foreign Exhibits. 
 
 THE first efforts to promote the 
 Exposition in foreign countries 
 were made by the Commission's 
 Committee on Foreign Affairs and the 
 Directory's Committee on Foreign Ex- 
 hibits. One of these committees met 
 regularly in New York, the other in Chi- 
 cago, and occasionally they had a joint ses- 
 sion. On the recommendation of its Com- 
 mittee, the Directory engaged Gustavus 
 Goward to go to Japan and Korea, Romyn 
 109 
 
 SIR RICHARD WEBSTER, 
 President of the British Society of Arts. 
 
jjQ THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Hitchcock to China, and Cyrus Adler to Egypt, Turkey, Servia, and Per- 
 sia, for the purpose of bringing the Exposition in its true light before the 
 governments and people of those countries and securing creditable exhibits. 
 The Directory also approved a plan that had been formulated by William 
 E. Curtis, who at that time was connected with the Pan-American Commis- 
 sion, for promotion in the Latin- American countries. 
 
 The proclamation of the President of the United States, inviting foreign 
 participation in the Exposition, had not been issued, and consequently no 
 formal authority could be given to these representatives. But it was con- 
 sidered wise to anticipate that proclamation by sending Messrs. Goward, 
 Hitchcock, and Adler at once, and instructing them to wait at their destina- 
 tion for the issuance of the proclamation and the consequent authority. 
 Each of the committees named above held the opinion that it possessed ex- 
 clusive jurisdiction in this matter ; the Committee of the Commission rely- 
 ing upon the powers granted to it by Congress, and that of the Directory 
 upon the fact that that organization provided for the necessary expenses. 
 On November 24, 1890, the Commission, in adopting the report of the 
 Executive Committee, authorized the Director General, in the name of the 
 Commission, to request the President of the United States and the Secre- 
 taries of the several departments of the Government to detail such officers 
 of the Government, including a certain number from the army and the 
 navy as were required to assist in the Exposition work. It also adopted 
 the recommendation of its Executive Committee that the Department of 
 Foreign Affairs, which it was then intended to establish, should be under the 
 supervision of the Director General and be attached to his office. This 
 action the Commission confirmed on the following day by adopting the 
 Compact, which provided for departmental organization, and the Compact 
 also provided that all persons thereafter officially authorized to promote the 
 interests of the Exposition should be commissioned by the Director General, 
 under the seal of the Commission. 
 
 The proclamation of the President of the United States inviting foreign 
 governments to participate in the Exposition was issued on December 24, 
 1 890. The Department of State presented this proclamation, with a copy 
 of the classification explaining the scope and object of the Exposition, with 
 general regulations for foreign exhibitors, and a circular from the Treasury 
 Department on rates and customs duties, to all foreign governments, through 
 the diplomatic representatives of the United States. These documents were 
 also presented to the foreign legations in Washington. 
 
 As soon as the President had issued his proclamation, Messrs. Goward, 
 Hitchcock, and Adler were appointed and commissioned, and instructions 
 were sent to them by cable. In accordance with a request of the Director 
 General, the President of the United States detailed the following-named 
 officers for service in procuring exhibits and awakening interest in the Ex- 
 position in the Latin-American countries : To Mexico, Lieutenant Asher C. 
 
PROMOTION. 
 
 Ill 
 
 Baker, U. S. N. ; to Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Salvador, Lieutenant 
 George P. Scriven, U. S. A. ; to Honduras and Costa Rica, Captain Gilbert 
 P. Cotton, U. S. A. ; to Colombia, Lieutenant Henry R. Lemly, U. S. A. ; 
 to Venezuela and the West Indies, Ensign Roger Welles, Jr., U. S. N. ; to 
 Peru and Bolivia, Ensign William E. Safford, U. S. N. ; to Chili, Lieu- 
 tenant Charles H. Harlow, U. S. N. ; to Brazil, Captain Alexander Rodgers, 
 U. S. A. ; to the Argentine Republic, Uruguay, and Paraguay; Surgeon 
 Daniel N. Bertolette, U. S. N. The following were appointed from civil 
 life for the same service : To Mexico, Henry C. Payne ; to Ecuador, William 
 P. Tisdale ; to the West Indies, Frederic A. Ober. These gentlemen re- 
 ported at Chicago on January 3, 1891, and received their commissions and 
 instructions as special commissioners of the Exposition. The Directory pro- 
 vided a generous allowance for their services and expenses, and they set out 
 
 LOOKING EAST FROM THE ELECTRICITY BUILDING, OCTOBER 26, i8gi. 
 
 for their respective stations bv way of Washington, where they reported to 
 Mr. Curtis and were provided with credentials from the Department of 
 State accrediting them as special attachds of the legations in the countries to 
 which they were assigned. Mr. Curtis continued in charge of the work in 
 the Latin-American countries, and had immediate charge of the special com- 
 missioners in those countries, with headquarters at Washington. Mason A. 
 Shufeldt, formerly of the United States navy, was appointed a special com- 
 9 
 
JJ2 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 missioner to visit Egypt, Cape Town, the Orange Free State, and the 
 Transvaal, to arouse interest in the Exposition and secure exhibits. He was 
 instructed to go down the west coast of Africa, around the southern portion 
 of that continent, and up the eastern coast to Zanzibar, and thence to the 
 interior, to ascertain the practicability of securing exhibits and attractions. 
 He had nearly completed his tour and was still engaged in the service when 
 he was prostrated by fever and died. The results that he had accomplished 
 
 as shown by the interest manifested by the people whom he visited and 
 
 the space occupied by them at the Exposition — were much greater than had 
 been expected. 
 
 The diplomatic and consular representatives of the United States were 
 requested to assist in their official capacity in the work of the Exposition 
 and in securing representation from the governments to which they were 
 accredited. These officers, especially those connected with European lega- 
 tions, performed excellent service. Among the countries that first signified 
 their official acceptance of the invitation to participate in the Exposition 
 were France, Spain, Great Britain, Mexico, Colombia, Germany, Peru, 
 China (afterward withdrawn), Denmark, Venezuela, Santo Domingo, Chili 
 (afterward withdrawn), Turkey, Persia, Russia, Japan, Jamaica, Hayti, Siam, 
 Ecuador, and Uruguay. In due time acceptances were received also from 
 the Argentine Republic, Australia, Austria, the Bahamas, Barbadoes, Belgium, 
 Bolivia, Brazil, British Guiana, Bulgaria, Canada, Cape Colony, Ceylon, 
 Costa Rica, Cuba, Curagoa, Egypt, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Italy, 
 Korea, Liberia, Monaco, the Netherlands, New South Wales, Nicaragua, 
 Norway, the Orange Free State, Paraguay, Portugal, Salvador, Sweden, 
 Switzerland, and Trinidad. 
 
 Early in June the representatives of foreign governments in Washington 
 were officially invited to visit Chicago and examine the work of the Exposi- 
 tion then in progress. The invitation was cordially received and very 
 largely accepted, although some of the heads of legations had already left 
 the capital for the summer. The Director General accompanied them to 
 Chicago, where they arrived on the 12th of June and were met by the Presi- 
 dent and Board of Control of the Commission, the President and Board of 
 the Directory, the Mayor and other officials, and many well-known citizens. 
 The party was accompanied by officials of the State Department at Wash- 
 ington, which gave its hearty co-operation throughout. The visiting delega- 
 tions were taken to Jackson Park, where they consulted with the chief 
 officers of the Exposition, went over the grounds, and saw what was in 
 preparation. They were handsomely entertained not only by the authorities 
 of the Exposition, but by citizens -of Chicago, and the excellent results of 
 their visit afterward became apparent. 
 
 During May and June there seemed to be reason to fear that in some of 
 the European countries — from which, by reason of age and culture, the 
 choicest and most perfect exhibits might be expected, whose governments 
 
PROMOTION. J J 
 
 were thoroughly familiar with exposition work, and from whom much could 
 be learned — there was a very serious and increasing apathy toward the Ex- 
 position. The Director General says : " I was led to fear that, for lack of 
 correct information and because of the circulation of statements detrimental 
 to our interests, it was possible that the acceptances of the governments in- 
 vited were only perfunctory, and merely a matter of form. Citizens of 
 Chicago and Directors of the Exposition who, while abroad on their own 
 business, were much interested in the enterprise, took occasion to send im- 
 portant information, and those who returned impressed upon the Exposition 
 authorities their belief that prompt action should be taken to arouse in 
 European cities a keener interest in the Exposition. Upon the receipt of 
 this information it was resolved to act without delay." 
 
 Robert S. McCormick, of Chicago, an attachd of the United States lega- 
 tion in London, was appointed resident commissioner for England, and he 
 immediately gave his whole attention to the work of promoting the Exposi- 
 tion. He opened offices in London from which he distributed the literature 
 and documents provided by the Exposition authorities, and did much toward 
 correcting the erroneous statements that had gained credence. 
 
 Up to this time no special effort had been made to promote the interests 
 of the Exposition in European countries except by correspondence through 
 the United States legations to show that its officers appreciated the action 
 taken by such governments as had accepted the President's invitation and 
 had appointed commissioners to represent them at Chicago. It was now 
 thought advisable to send abroad a representative commission to meet com- 
 missioners already appointed, and to stimulate an interest in the Exposition 
 among the governments and people of Europe. It was evident that this 
 commission should be made up of gentlemen well informed as to the prog- 
 ress and condition of the Exposition, and familiar with its organization, its 
 financial condition, the character of the men connected with it, and the 
 enterprise of the city that had assumed the responsibility of its success. 
 After much consultation, such a commission was appointed. It consisted 
 of Augustus G. Bullock, of Massachusetts, and William Lindsay, of Ken- 
 tucky, both of the World's Columbian Com-mission ; Ferdinand W. Peck 
 and Benjamin Butterworth, of the Directory ; and Moses P. Handy, Chief 
 of the Department of Publicity and Promotion. The creation of this com- 
 mission and the appointments were confirmed by both the Board of Control 
 and the Directory. The commission was advised to meet the Royal Com- 
 mission of Great Britain, the Imperial Commission of Germany, the com- 
 mission appointed by France, and any others that might have been ap- 
 pointed prior to the visit ; to inform them of the condition of the Exposition ; 
 to ascertain their wishes as to their people participating in it ; to awaken 
 an interest in the official or governing classes, and among manufacturers, 
 artists, dealers, and exhibitors ; to visit the United States legations and in- 
 spire them with enthusiasm and confidence in the grand undertaking ; and to 
 
114 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 report as to necessary steps of subsequent promotion. The commission 
 was not to appoint representatives, establish agencies, or look up exhibits, 
 but to do whatever might be fit and possible to awaken a keener interest in 
 Europe, which, by a reflex influence, might further stimulate the efforts at 
 
 home. It was supposed that the action 
 of the Exposition in sending out this 
 commission would hasten the appointment 
 ;; I of commissioners in countries that had 
 not already taken action, and would aid 
 working commissions in securing satisfac- 
 tory appropriations. 
 
 The commission organized by electing 
 Mr. Butterworth Chairman and appointing 
 J. W. Shrague, of Cincinnati, as Secretary. 
 The Commissioners sailed from New 
 York on the 9th of July, 1891, and reached 
 London on the i6th. They were met on 
 their arrival in that city by James Dredge 
 and Sir Henry Trueman Wood, and Rob- 
 ert S. McCormick, Secretary of the United 
 States Legation. In anticipation of the 
 arrival of the commission in London, Lord 
 Salisbury had recommended to the Queen 
 the appointment of the Council of the 
 Society of Arts, as a Royal Commission 
 to have charge of British interests at the 
 Columbian Exposition, which recommendation was approved. Mr. Dredge 
 was a member and Sir Henry Trueman Wood the Secretary of the Council, 
 and therefore also of the Royal Commission. Both gentlemen, as special 
 representatives of the British Government, accompanied the United States 
 Commissioners, by invitation, on their return home. The Society of Arts is 
 composed of representative men, who are identified with the development 
 of the arts and sciences — more especially the industrial arts and applied sci- 
 ences — philosophical research, and the promotion of international trade. 
 The first exposition held in England, in 185 1, originated in the society, and 
 was placed under its management ; and the society has been identified with 
 the management of every international exposition. 
 
 Immediately after their arrival the Commissioners were invited to meet 
 informally the British Royal Commissioners and other members of the So- 
 ciety of Arts. They were welcomed by Sir Richard Webster, M. P., At- 
 torney-General of England and President of the Society, who said : " The 
 Society of Arts is in hearty sympathy with the objects of the World's Colum- 
 bian Exposition. The efforts of its members will not be confined merely to 
 arranging for a suitable participation by England, but, so far as their influ- 
 
 WILLIAM LINDSAY, 
 
 National Commissioner for Kentucky, 
 
 Member of 
 
 the Commission for Promotion in Europe. 
 
PROMOTION. J I c 
 
 ence extends, it will be exerted to secure the participation and co-operation 
 of other nations." 
 
 The Attorney -General invited the Commissioners to inform the members 
 of the Royal Commission and others present concerning all matters relating 
 to the character, scope, and plan of the Exposition, and generally to impart 
 such information as they might deem timely. In response to inquiries, the 
 commissioners gave a detailed statement of the origin of the Exposition ; 
 the national authority under which it was to be held ; the ways and means 
 provided ; the action taken by the National Commission and the Directory ; 
 and the relation of the World's Congresses to the enterprise. They also 
 explained the scope and plan of the Women's Department. 
 
 The Commissioners found that some question had arisen as to the char- 
 acter of the Exposition, the impression having been created that it was a 
 purely local enterprise for the benefit of a single community. An erroneous 
 statement had also been made, and was in a measure credited, suggesting 
 doubt as to the ability of the management to make adequate provision for 
 the Exposition on the extensive scale and plan contemplated. Doubts were 
 expressed as to the adequacy of transportation facilities, and as to the ability 
 of Chicago to entertain the guests that might visit the Exposition. Beyond 
 this, questions were raised as to the right of exhibitors to employ alien labor ; 
 the rights of inventors and authors ; and also as to the sufficiency of space, 
 manner of installation, etc. All these questions were fully discussed, and the 
 explanations given and answers made by the Commissioners were satisfactory 
 to the members of the Royal Commission. 
 
 The Commissioners called upon the Hon. Robert T. Lincoln, United 
 States Minister, and were by him presented to Lord Salisbury, Prime Min- 
 ister. The object of their mission was discussed, and His Lordship gave 
 assurance that the action of the British Government would be friendly, 
 prompted by a desire to promote the interests which the Commissioners 
 were there to subserve. He invited the members of the commission to 
 attend a garden party at Hatfield, his country seat, which invitation was 
 
 accepted. 
 
 The Commissioners were accorded an interview with Lord Cross, Secre- 
 tary of State for India, in which they expressed the desire of the Govern- 
 ment of the United States and management of the Exposition to have from 
 India an exhibit characteristic of the people and illustrative of their several 
 industries. His Lordship expressed his intention to submit the request to 
 the Viceroy of India with a favorable recommendation. He further ex- 
 pressed his hearty good will for the success of the enterprise, and commented 
 upon the great good that would result from the meeting of the representa- 
 tives of the nations and a free interchange of views. 
 
 The Commissioners were also entertained by Sir Henry Trueman Wood 
 at the Oxford and Cambridge Club, and by Sir Richard Webster, M. P., at 
 the House of Commons. On the latter occasion the commissioners had the 
 
ii6 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 pleasure of meeting Mr. Goschen, Chancellor of the Exchequer ; Mr. Balfour, 
 Secretary for Ireland ; the Duke of Abercorn ; Lord Hamilton, First Lord 
 of the Admiralty ; Sir James Ferguson ; Sir Frederick Bramwell, and other 
 
 THE "TRAVELER" ON THE FLOOR OF THE MANUFACTURES BUILDING. 
 
 eminent Englishmen. The Commissioners were also entertained at the 
 Naval Exhibition by Sir George Chubb, President of the Exhibition, and at 
 a luncheon given by the Lord Mayor of London at the Mansion House. 
 The Lord Mayor expressed the great interest the people of London felt in 
 the success of the International Exposition, and the desire to promote it in 
 every proper way. At these entertainments every question of interest to 
 exhibitors was discussed. 
 
 Before leaving London the Commissioners entertained at luncheon the 
 British Royal Commission and others whose hospitality they had enjoyed. 
 There were present, among others. Sir Richard Webster, President of the 
 Society of Arts ; Lord Cross, Secretary of State for India ; Sir Edwin 
 Arnold ; Sir Henry Trueman Wood ; Mr. James Dredge ; Sir Philip Cun- 
 liife Owen ; Sir Douglas Dalton ; Sir Frederick Bramwell ; Sir Frederick 
 Abel, and other members of the Royal Commission ; also Sir Charles 
 Tupper, Commissioner-General for the Dominion of Canada, and the Hon. 
 Robert T. Lincoln. Representatives of the English press were also present. 
 
PROMOTION. J J y 
 
 Remarks were made at the luncheon by Sir Richard Webster, Lord Cross, 
 Sir Frederick Abel, Sir Philip Cunliffe Owen, and other Englishmen, each 
 giving assurance that the influence of England would be to promote the Ex- 
 position in every proper way. The English press was friendly and its tone full 
 of encouragement. Before the arrival of the commission in England, Mr. 
 Dredge had done much through his journal (Engineering) to prepare the 
 public mind for consideration of the wisdom of participating in the Exposi- 
 tion. In 1 890 he visited Chicago to confer with the organizers of the Ex- 
 position, and on his return to England delivered at the Society of Arts a 
 lecture on the scope and plan of the coming World's Fair. This lecture was 
 reprinted and widely distributed among foreign nations. The movement 
 thus begun by him was maintained by frequent articles in his journal and 
 by numerous lectures. In 1891 he visited Chicago as a British Royal 
 Commissioner, and in the spring of 1893 he was elected Honorary Presi- 
 dent of the Engineering Congress of the World's Congress Auxiliary, and 
 later in the year passed three months in active official attendance at 
 Jackson Park. Mr. Dredge's final lecture in London on the Exposition 
 was given toward the close of 1893 at the Imperial Institute. He or- 
 ganized and completed the very interesting collection of English historical 
 objects connected with transportation, and has compiled a complete re- 
 port of the transportation exhibits. The Exposition Company expressed 
 its appreciation of Mr. Dredge's efforts in its behalf by a formal vote of 
 thanks. 
 
 On the 29th of July the commission went to Paris, being accompanied 
 by Sir Philip Cunliffe Owen, who kindly volunteered his assistance, and to 
 whose large experience and familiarity with exposition matters the com- 
 mission was indebted for valuable aid, not only during its stay in England, 
 but during its visit in France. While in Paris the Commissioners were en- 
 tertained by the Hon. Whitelaw Reid, United States Minister, at whose home 
 they met several French Government officials. Through the kind offices of 
 Minister Reid, the Commissioners had an interview with the Minister of 
 Foreign Affairs, M. Ribot, their reception by whom was not less cordial and 
 friendly than that accorded them in England. Subsequently they were en- 
 tertained by M. Bourgeois, Minister of Public Instruction, to whose ability, 
 experience, and friendly aid they were much indebted for their success in 
 France. 
 
 The commission was also accorded a pleasant reception by the President 
 of the Chamber of Deputies, M. Floquet, who expressed the wish to be sup- 
 pHed with full information with reference to providing the budget for de- 
 fraying the expenses of a proper participation by France in the International 
 Exposition. From all the Government officials and representative men of 
 France whom the Commissioners met they received hearty assurance that 
 France would be represented at the Exposition in a manner worthy of the 
 place she holds among the nations. The Commissioners were greatly in- 
 
ii8 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 debted to M. Berger, late Director General of the Paris Exposition, for 
 courtesies and valuable suggestions. 
 
 On their arrival in Paris the Commissioners v^rere confronted by cable- 
 grams in all the daily papers, ostensibly forwarded from Chicago, represent- 
 
 INTERIOR OF THE WOMAN'S BUILDING, DECEMBER 30, iSgr. 
 
 ing that the Exposition was purely local, being projected in the interest of a 
 single locality ; that the lines of transportation leading from the seaboard to 
 Chicago had not only resolved not to reduce rates to exhibitors, but, in view 
 of the character of the traffic, would increase rates ; that the Executive Com- 
 mittee of the Directory had reduced the space originally allotted to France 
 and England by half, and had increased by that much the space allotted to 
 Germany. Other mischievous and damaging reports had been industriously 
 circulated. Though these reports did not seriously affect the judgment of 
 the French officials, they had so affected the minds of the French people 
 that it required some effort to correct the false impression. There was no 
 question concerning the Exposition that was not discussed at length by the 
 representatives of the French Government and the Commissioners, and the 
 result was entirely satisfactory. The Commissioners were given, a dinner by 
 the Chicago Herald, through its Paris agent, Mr. H. Haynie, for the pur- 
 
PROMOTION. jjg 
 
 pose of affording them an opportunity of meeting the representatives of 
 the French press, and the occasion was one of pleasure to them and of 
 benefit to the Exposition. 
 
 From Paris the Commissioners proceeded to Berlin, where they were wel- 
 comed by the Hon. William Walter Phelps, United States Minister, who had 
 left his sick bed in order to arrange a meeting with the officials of the German 
 Empire. The Commissioners were entertained by Minister Phelps, and met 
 at his home the Chancellor of the Empire, General Von Caprivi, the Vice 
 Chancellor, Herr Von Boetticher, the Ober Burgomaster of Berlin, and 
 other officials and representative men. The next day the Commissioners 
 had an official conference with the Chancellor, at which the object of their 
 mission was discussed in all its details, and the relations of the German 
 Empire to the United States and Germany's participation in the Exposition 
 were thoroughly canvassed. At this meeting, as in England and France, 
 official assurance was given that Germany would participate, that adequate 
 preparations therefor would be made, and that a Royal Commissioner had 
 been appointed. 
 
 The next day the Commissioners were entertained at dinner by the Vice 
 Chancellor of the Empire, Herr Von Boetticher. There they met a large 
 number of officials and other representative men, and all matters appertain- 
 ing to the Exposition were duly discussed. The Vice Chancellor assured 
 the Commissioners of the desire of the Government that the German ex- 
 hibit should be full and commensurate with the position of Germany among 
 the nations. 
 
 The Commissioners subsequently had a meeting with the Honorable Privy 
 Councilor, Adolph Wermuth, Imperial Commissioner for Germany. Herr 
 Wermuth had been in charge of German interests at the Australian and 
 other exhibitions. There was a long and thorough discussion of every ques- 
 tion of interest to Germany and German exhibitors. Herr Wermuth at 
 once called a meeting of merchants and manufacturers of Berlin and 
 addressed them in person, with the result that the meeting appointed a com- 
 mittee to co-operate with the German Commissioner in his work, and he ac- 
 cepted the invitation of the Commissioners to return with them to the 
 United States in the interest of German exhibitors. On his return to 
 Europe he arranged to visit the principal trade centers of Germany to pro- 
 mote German interests at the Exposition. 
 
 As it was found impracticable for the Commission to visit in a body all 
 the important political and commercial centers of Europe, it was resolved 
 that Mr. Ferdinand W. Peck proceed to Sweden, Norway, and Denmark ; 
 that Messrs. Butterworth, Handy, Bullock, and Lindsay go to Frankfprt-on- 
 the-Main ; that Mr. Lindsay proceed to Berne for a conference with the 
 American Minister, the American consuls in Switzerland, and the Swiss 
 authorities, in co-operation with General Grosvenor ; that Mr. Bullock then 
 return to Paris to meet Prof. Halsey C. Ives, Chief of the Department of 
 
I20 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Fine Arts ; that Commissioner Lindsay visit such points in Switzerland and 
 northern Italy as he might deem important in the interest of the Exposi- 
 tion ; and that Commissioners Butterworth and Handy go from Frankfort 
 to Vienna, and to other points in Germany, Austria, Hungary, or elsewhere 
 in the interest of the Exposition. 
 
 Commissioner Peck's visit to Denmark secured favorable action on the 
 part of that Government. He was received by the King and prominent of- 
 ficials, and was entertained by them. After a long conference in regard to 
 the character, scope, and plan of the Exposition, Commissioner Peck was in- 
 formed that Denmark would be suitably represented at the Exposition. He 
 addressed an assemblage of merchants, manufacturers, and business men, as- 
 suring them that ample facilities would be afforded 
 for Denmark's exhibits. The King appointed Mr. 
 Emil Meyer commissioner to represent the inter- 
 ests of that country at the Exposition. The 
 visit of Commissioner Peck to Sweden and Nor- 
 way was equally satisfactory. 
 
 Commissioner Lindsay, on his arrival in 
 Switzerland, found the Government well 
 disposed and prepared to respond to the 
 wishes of the people. He was assured that 
 if the manufacturers and merchants made 
 known their desire to participate in the 
 Exposition, the Government would grant 
 such aid as might be necessary and proper 
 to enable them to do so suitably. Commis- 
 sioner Lindsay visited several manufacturing 
 cities, where he addressed meetings called in the 
 interest of the Exposition, and, in response to 
 questions, he explained in detail the scope and 
 plan of the Exposition and gave such further information as the audience 
 desired. 
 
 Commissioners Bullock and Lindsay thought it not expedient to visit 
 Rome during August, the only time at the disposal of the commission. 
 The Government officials were absent from the capital, as were also the United 
 States Minister and the Secretary of Legation. 
 
 These Commissioners proceeded from Switzerland to Holland, where they 
 had a satisfactory conference with the Government officials. It appeared 
 that it had not been the custom for Holland to participate as a nation at in- 
 ternational expositions, but in this instance the Government officials thought 
 there would be an exception. Commissioner Bullock and Prof. Ives, after 
 their satisfactory interview with M. Proust, Commissioner in charge of the 
 fine-art exhibit in France, had an extended interview with artists in Holland. 
 Commissioners Butterworth and Handy went from Frankfort to Vienna, 
 
 HERR ADOLPH WERMUTH, 
 Imperial German Commissioner. 
 
PROMOTION. 121 
 
 where they were received by the United States Minister, Colonel Frederick D. 
 Grant, who was untiring in his efforts to promote the interests of the Expo- 
 sition. He had arranged a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the 
 Minister of Commerce, and the President of the Chamber of Commerce. 
 The interview with the Minister of Foreign Affairs was very cordial and sat- 
 isfactory. The Commissioners gave an account of their reception in London, 
 Paris, and Berlin, and expressed the desire of the Government of the United 
 States and of the management of the Exposition that Austria should be suit- 
 ably represented. The Minister replied that the matter was being favorably 
 considered, that he would advise the acceptance of the invitation of the Presi- 
 dent of the United States, and that at the next session of the Austrian Con- 
 gress he would recommend an adequate appropriation to enable a proper par- 
 ticipation by Austria. The Commissioners also had a satisfactory conference 
 with the Minister of Commerce, who declared that he would join in urging a 
 suitable appropriation, which he had no doubt would be made. He also 
 gave assurance that a commission would be appointed to take charge of the 
 interests of Austria. 
 
 Commissioners Butterworth and Handy subsequently met the President 
 of the Chamber of Commerce of Vienna, who is also a member of the Aus- 
 trian Congress. He was in thorough accord with the Minister of Commerce, 
 and said that the members of the Chamber over which he presided, repre- 
 senting the industries, the arts, and commerce of Austria, were desirous of 
 participating in the Exposition, and that he felt assured that the action of 
 that body would be favorable. The Commissioners who visited Austria also 
 had several satisfactory conferences with manufacturers, and secured their 
 promise to exhibit. 
 
 In Hungary the Commissioners found in every business circle, as well as 
 among the Government officials, every disposition to keep abreast of the 
 times. A meeting was arranged with the Hon. Gabriel Baross, the Hunga- 
 rian Minister of Commerce, Agriculture, and Railroads, who at the beginning 
 of the interview expressed some doubt as to the abiHty of Hungary to par- 
 ticipate in the Exposition under Government auspices, suggesting that, 
 while individual exhibitors would be encouraged to exhibit, he felt some mis- 
 givings as to the wisdom of the Government taking part, in view of other 
 pressing duties and obligations. However, he proceeded to discuss the Ex- 
 position in all its bearings, and questioned the Commissioners at length and 
 in detail with reference to its scope and plan, and as to the part the other 
 nations were taking therein. The result of the conference was that Minister 
 Baross expressed his desire to have Hungary participate in the Exposition, 
 so that the world might understand the resources of the country, the skill of 
 its artisans, the great variety of its manufactures, and the general progress of 
 the nation. He said that within a short time he would appoint a commis- 
 sion of ten, selected from the representative business men of Hungary, to 
 take charge of Hungarian interests. The Hungarian press was thoroughly 
 
122 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 alive to the importance of the enterprise and its possible influence upon the 
 industries and commerce of the world. 
 
 From Buda-Pesth Commissioners Butterworth and Handy proceeded to 
 Warsaw, where a few hours were spent in the endeavor to secure an exhibit 
 from that ancient capital. The United States consul and his assistants there 
 rendered great service to the Commissioners. 
 
 From Warsaw the Commissioners went to St. Petersburg direct, where 
 
 '^■=i'*?»«SB*^^^- 
 
 BUILDING THE BATTLE-SHIP "ILLINOIS," AUGUST 15, 1891. 
 
 they were joined by Commissioner Peck. They were presented to the Min- 
 ister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency M. De Giers. Not only was their 
 reception cordial, but the most friendly feeling for the United States and the 
 Exposition was expressed by the eminent Minister. He said he felt gratified 
 that the Government of the United States had sent a commission to solicit 
 the participation of the Russian Government in this national and interna- 
 tional exposition, and remarked that Russia had already accepted the invi- 
 tation, and her exhibit would be worthy of the country and would compare 
 favorably with that of the other great nations. Whatever could be done by 
 himself as Premier would be done. The matter, however, was under the 
 more immediate control of the Minister of Finance, to whom the Commis- 
 sioners were presented. He indicated the purpose of the Government to 
 provide sufficient means for the participation of Russia as a nation, to assist 
 Russian exhibitors to make exhibits, and to do everything in that behalf 
 
PROMOTION. 12^ 
 
 which could reasonably be desired. He said he would appoint a commission 
 at once to look after Russian interests. The Commissioners were invited to 
 meet the governing body of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, and 
 there was an interchange of views in regard to the Exposition. It was the 
 sense of the Board that if the Government should announce its purpose of 
 participating in the Exposition, the Chamber of Commerce would do every- 
 thing in its power to make a large exhibit of the industries of Russia. 
 
 The Commissioners re-convened at Brussels, all the members being pres- 
 ent and participating in meetings held at that place. They were received and 
 entertained by the Hon. Edwin H. Terrill, United States Minister, and were 
 by him presented, first, to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who extended the 
 same cordial reception that the Commissioners had received at the other cap- 
 itals. Some doubt was expressed by the Minister as to the wisdom of Bel- 
 gium's participating in the Exposition, a question being raised as to any ad- 
 vantage accruing to her. The subject was discussed in a friendly spirit by 
 the Minister and the Commissioners. The Minister referred the matter to 
 the Minister of Commerce and Agriculture, who has more immediate juris- 
 diction, and the latter expressed his desire to have Belgium participate in the 
 Exposition. He arranged a meeting with the members of the Royal Com- 
 mission, which had been appointed to represent Belgian interests, the Presi- 
 dent of that Commission being a manufacturer of Belgium. The Commis- 
 sioners were invited to breakfast by the Belgium Royal Commission, at 
 which the Minister of Commerce was also present, and there Exposition 
 matters were discussed in detail, the conference lasting from noon to six 
 o'clock in the evening. There was no phase of the Exposition which was 
 not presented by the members of the Royal Commission and discussed at 
 length. From Belgium the Commissioners returned to London and em- 
 barked for home. 
 
 Alexander Campbell, of West Virginia, was appointed special Commis- 
 sioner to Australia and New Zealand, and was instructed to urge each of the 
 Australasian colonies to appoint a commission to take charge of exhibits and 
 in other ways to awaken an interest in the Exposition. 
 
 The Secretary of the Treasury appointed several citizens to visit foreign 
 countries and disseminate information relative to the admission of goods to 
 the United States for the purpose of the Exposition. They were also 
 instructed to assist its interests in every possible way and to report fre- 
 quently what was done in foreign lands. The Director General says : 
 " These reports were promptly forwarded by the Secretary to my office, and 
 the gentlemen who were appointed to this duty rendered material assist- 
 ance " ; and he mentions as worthy of special praise Charles H. Grosvenor, 
 Fred Brackett, John M. Ellis, W. McCarthy Little, and John M. Butler. 
 
 The Foreign Commissioners and the members of the commission, on 
 their return from Europe, visited Washington for a conference with the 
 Hon. Charles Foster, Secretary of the Treasury, and other members of the 
 
124 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Administration, in order that a clear and thorough understanding might be 
 effected as to the routine of customs and other regulations, so that on their 
 return home the foreign representatives might furnish complete and au- 
 thentic information to their people. The results of this conference largely 
 
 1i> ■ 
 
 K'-^f^l^l 
 
 r 
 
 iiii***" 
 
 THE BATTLE-SHIP "ILLINOIS," OCTOBER 23, 1891. 
 
 influenced subsequent legislation and the routine of the collection of duties. 
 Sir Henry T. Wood remarked that the British exhibits sent to the Paris 
 Exposition were addressed to the Commissioner for Great Britain, and not 
 to the collectors of customs. They were packed in England and furnished 
 with a distinctive label, which carried them through all the customhouses 
 into the Exposition grounds. Goods were placed in a special car, which was 
 then locked and sealed. As it contained only British goods, it was put upon 
 the rails in the British section, where it remained until a customs officer 
 removed the seal and inspected the contents. After the cases were unloaded 
 and the goods placed on their allotted spaces they were further inspected by 
 customs officials. The inspector was supplied with a list of the contents of 
 each case, and satisfied himself that this list was correct. The goods were 
 then placed in the exhibitor's showcases, where they remained until the close 
 of the Exposition, when they were again checked over. They were then 
 returned to England through a routine similar to that by which they had 
 come to Paris. He suggested that this routine was capable of simplifica- 
 tion, and thought it might be sufficient to have a single invoice addressed to 
 
PROMOTION. J 25 
 
 the Commissioner of the country from which the goods came, to be turned 
 over by him to the customs officer at Chicago. Imperial-Commissioner 
 Wermuth, who had been a commissioner to the Melbourne Exposition, 
 gave some information concerning the facilities of the customs department 
 there. Special customs officers were always on duty, and any exhibitor 
 could open his cases when he pleased, instead of being compelled to allow 
 his goods to stand in the open, and sometimes be spoiled thereby. Herr 
 Wermuth was especially desirous to know what provision would be made 
 for preventing thefts of articles entered for exhibition. It was his experi- 
 ence that large quantities of exhibits were always stolen at expositions. He 
 considered that another very important question was that which related 
 to the sale of alcoholic liquors. This, he said, was a difficult matter to 
 manage. Many exhibitors would send for display bottles containing water 
 instead of wine or beer, and those who did send samples would put them 
 into cellars, and use most of them for tasting. At the same time, exhibitors 
 Hke to be at liberty to distribute some of their beverages as samples. It 
 was said that at the Paris Exposition, where the authorities began with the 
 intention of levying duties on samples distributed gratuitously, they soon 
 found that the system would not work, and ultimately they were obliged to 
 admit that samples so distributed could not be taxed. The chief difficulty 
 lay in the danger that this privilege would develop into license. At Paris 
 there was much trouble on that account, and it seemed likely that the Ex- 
 position at Chicago would have to draw a middle line, so as to accommodate 
 those who honestly wished to exhibit samples, and yet guard against exhib- 
 itors who would seize upon any opportunity to take unfair advantage. 
 
 As to the sale of goods for immediate delivery, it was said that in all 
 previous expositions the rules prohibiting such sales had been soon broken, 
 with the unfortunate result that the authorities were rendered powerless to 
 make their regulations respected. Considerable latitude should be allowed 
 as to such sales, and undoubtedly the duties on them should be paid in bulk. 
 Information was asked as to the sale of goods for delivery after the close of 
 the Exposition, for in most cases the exhibitor would expect to sell his 
 goods in this country. Some official assurance was desired that a way 
 would be provided for purchasers of such goods conveniently to pay the 
 duty on them. Such assurance would greatly encourage foreign exhibitors, 
 as they could then sell their wares without being troubled by the question 
 of tariff. If manufacturers could be assured that they would not meet any 
 difficulties in this direction, many might be induced to exhibit who other- 
 wise would be afraid to do so. 
 
 The Secretary of the Treasury assured the Commissioners that his depart- 
 ment would respect their wishes to the utmost. He had noted their re- 
 marks and suggestion, and would endeavor to have a written reply prepared 
 before they should sail for home. He should not hesitate to modify the 
 regulations, as far as possible, to meet their wishes. He was aware that the 
 
126 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 regulations were not perfect, but he would take great care that the duties 
 should be fairly collected, without vexatious exactions. He was impressed 
 with the magnitude of the undertaking, and felt assured that the Fair would 
 attain greater proportions than any of its predecessors ; and he said he would 
 
 rather the Government should suffer loss than that 
 the success of the Exposition should be impaired. 
 Assistant-Secretary Spaulding said that some of the 
 suggestions could not be complied with unless 
 there was a special act of Congress to meet the 
 case. For instance, under the law goods 
 could not be withdrawn in amounts less than 
 a package. He thought they might prop- 
 erly ask Congress to permit withdrawals of 
 smaller amounts. The Secretary inquired if 
 the regulations in respect to receiving goods 
 ' at New York were satisfactory. He ex- 
 plained that goods come consigned to some 
 one, with a bill of lading indicating the per- 
 son entitled to receive them when they arrive 
 at New York. That person then makes an 
 entry which says simply, " Entry on merchan- 
 dise for transportation, without breakage, to 
 Chicago." Then, under the supervision of the 
 customs officers, the packages are removed from 
 the vessel, sealed, and transferred to cars. At 
 Chicago they would be in the custody of the 
 Collector of Customs until entered at the Exposition. It was intended 
 to have officers enough at Chicago to make the entries rapidly on arrival 
 of the goods, and send the cases at once to the Exposition. It was re- 
 quired by law that the goods be appraised, but this could be done from 
 time to time as the Exposition went on, and special officers and inspectors 
 would always be on the grounds. Sir Henry T. Wood said the only sug- 
 gestion he would add was that the Commissioner of each country should be 
 regarded as the consignee of all the goods from that country. This would 
 require the customs officers to attend to only twenty or thirty consignees, 
 instead of five hundred or a thousand. 
 
 At the close of the interview Herr Wermuth, for himself and the other 
 Commissioners, expressed their appreciation of the cordial manner in which 
 they had been received, and pledged their efforts to make the Exposition a 
 grand success. 
 
 The Director General says, "The visit of these commissioners was use- 
 ful to the authorities of the Exposition in promoting an early and judicious 
 decision of questions that otherwise might not have received so intelligent 
 consideration." That the Commissioners returned to their homes abundantly 
 
 CHARLES HENROTIN, 
 Member of the Directory. 
 
PROMOTION. J 27 
 
 gratified not only with the information they had secured, but with their 
 reception at Chicago, was shown by several letters soon afterward addressed 
 by them to the Director General. Commissioner Wermuth wrote : " Before 
 leaving the hospitable shores of America, I wish to repeat earnest thanks for 
 all kindness shown me. The energetic and amiable manner in which you 
 treated matters will be most valuable in completing our grand task. Kindly 
 remember me to the chiefs of your departments, and to all other gentlemen 
 with whom I had the good fortune to be in connection." Commissioner 
 Meyer wrote : " Before leaving America, I feel it as my duty to bring you my 
 sincerest thanks for all your kindness, and let me assure you that when I 
 now leave America I not only am doing it with the consciousness of a task 
 satisfactorily completed in every way, but also with the most pleasant mem- 
 ories of the noble hospitality extended to me during my stay in your city." 
 Sir Richard E. Webster, chairman of the Royal Commission for the Bi'itish 
 section, wrote : "I have been requested by my colleagues to express to you 
 their appreciation of the reception by the Exposition Executive of the two 
 representatives of the Commission, Mr. James Dredge and Sir Henry Wood, 
 who recently visited Chicago. The report which these gentlemen have 
 made is in the highest degree satisfactory, and the Commission desire to 
 thank you for the friendly manner in which you received them, and for the 
 facilities that you so liberally placed at their disposal. The Commission 
 have learned with satisfaction the progress you have already made, and their 
 desire is to assure you that no effort on their part shall be wanting to secure 
 that the industrial resources of the United Kingdom and the British Empire 
 shall be worthily represented." 
 
 The first commission to Europe had recommended that another be ap- 
 pointed to visit Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and the Nubian and 
 north African states, which the first commission, owing to limited time, 
 had been unable to visit. It expressed the opinion that the cost of such 
 a commission would be small compared with the advantages that would 
 result from a careful and judicious effort in calHng the attention of the sev- 
 eral nations mentioned to the Exposition, and in presenting to them the 
 benefits that would accrue from participation in it. After consultation with 
 the Board of Reference and Control of the Commission and the Executive 
 Committee of the Directory, the Director General, late in November, 1891, 
 appointed a second commission to visit the countries just named. Vice- 
 President Thomas B. Bryan and Mr. Harlow N. Higinbotham— the only 
 appointees who accepted — sailed for Europe without delay, and Halsey C. 
 Ives, Chief of the Department of Fine Arts, who was still on his mission 
 there, was instructed to join them in Paris and proceed with them to Italy 
 and Spain. In London, Mr. Higinbotham attended a meeting of the So- 
 ciety of Arts, and responded to an address by James Dredge on the subject 
 of Chicago and the Exposition. He was joined by Mr. Bryan in Paris, 
 where they were entertained at a breakfast by M. Siegfried, a member of the 
 
128 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Chamber of Deputies, and at a dinner by the principal commercial organiza- 
 tion of Paris. On both of these occasions Exposition matters and the 
 changes in American tariff laws brought about by the McKinley bill were 
 discussed. On arriving in Italy, in December, the commission first selected 
 
 NORTH END OF THE TRANSPORTATION BUILDING, DECEMBER 31, 1891. 
 
 Guglielmo Grant and Angelo del Nero to act for six months as industrial 
 and art agents for the Exposition in Italy. This action was ratified, and 
 those gentlemen were promptly commissioned. Gratifying results attended 
 the visit to Rome. The Commissioners were accorded an audience by King 
 Humbert, who was induced to appoint a commission to the Exposition ; 
 and Miss Bryan, who accompanied her father, was granted an interview by 
 Queen Margherita, as a result of which the Queen was pleased to send her 
 remarkable collection of old laces to the Exposition. An interview was 
 accorded to Mr. Bryan at the Vatican by his Holiness the Pope. Some 
 months later the Roman Catholic Bishop of Peoria, 111., John Lancaster 
 Spalding, received from the Pope a letter, written as usual in Latin, of 
 which the following is a translation of the essential portions : " We recog- 
 nize with pleasure from your letter, dated the 20th of May, that a not insig- 
 nificant part of the vast collection of all kinds of things which will be 
 exhibited in Chicago the coming year will consist of the resources which 
 Catholics will bring together, and by which the exhibition will be the richer ; 
 
PROMOTION. 
 
 129 
 
 we also recognize the fact that the heads of all Catholic institutions devoted to 
 the instruction of the young have been urged to do their share by the exhorta- 
 tion of our venerable brothers the archbishops of the United States. Al- 
 though there is the united voice of the authority of the forementioned 
 archbishops, and so far it is evident to us that all to whom this exhorta- 
 tion is directed will carry out their desire ; nevertheless, we are unwilling 
 that our commendation should be wanting to this noble idea and under- 
 taking. In short, we rightly understand that the affair tends to this : that 
 the efforts of those who devote themselves to the education of the young may 
 be increased, and that greater aids and apphances may be at their service, so 
 that they may acquit themselves of their duty in the best possible manner. 
 Moreover, this undertaking will tend to show that the Catholic Church is not 
 to be satisfied with a lack of culture or with the obscurity of ignorance ; but 
 that, mindful of its being built by the Divine Wisdom, it bestows care every- 
 where in general, and prefers especially what is most perfect in those things 
 which relate to the proper communication of knowledge. Wherefore for 
 you, venerable brother, who have chiefly undertaken the care of this project, 
 and Hkewise for those by whose aid you may be strengthened to attain more 
 fully the proposed end, we, in a special manner, invoke the most abundant 
 ielps of the Divine favor." 
 
 The commission next visited Naples, where they interviewed city offi- 
 cials, societies, and individuals. In Palermo a national exposition was 
 being held, and their mission was presented to a number of exhibitors, as 
 well as to officials, in order that, in case of any failure of activity on the 
 part of the Government, something might be obtained in the way of ex- 
 hibits from persons having an eye to the advantages to be secured by the in- 
 troduction of their wares into the New World. From Palermo the com- 
 mission returned to Rome, afterward visiting Florence and Venice. In the 
 latter place a contract was closed for a concession to the Venice Murano 
 Company for an exhibit of the manufacture of Venetian glass ; and shops of 
 wood carvers, mosaic makers, and builders of gondolas were visited, the 
 latter for the purpose of securing gondolas for the lagoons at the Exposi- 
 tion. Mr. Ives visited Genoa and rejoined Mr. Higinbotham in Paris, 
 while Mr. Bryan proceeded to Greece, Bulgaria, and Spain. 
 
 While Mr. Bryan was abroad in the service of the Exposition he was re- 
 lieved of the office of First Vice-President of the Directory, and his appoint- 
 ment as Commissioner at Large was confirmed by both organizations. From 
 time to time foreign commissioners and resident representatives were ap- 
 pointed. Among these was M. Edmond Bruwaert, French Consul at 
 Chicago, who was made Acting Commissioner for the French Government 
 and very materially assisted the cause of the Exposition. Several foreign 
 governments appointed residents of Chicago to represent them in the pre- 
 liminary work. These included Ingolf K. Boyesen for Norway, Lambert 
 Tree for Belgium, C. Norman Fay for Paraguay, Charles L. Hutchinson 
 
I30 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 for Greece, Robert Lindblom for Sweden, Adolph Holinger for Switzerland, 
 and Charles Henrotin for Turkey. In February, 1892, Roderick W. Cam- 
 eron, of New York, was appointed resident Commissioner for New South 
 Wales. Prof. Ives had asked authority to select gentlemen of eminent 
 
 ability to act as an advisory board for American artists 
 in connection with the Art Department of the Expo- 
 sition, and on receiving authority he made such se- 
 lections in Munich and elsewhere, while similar 
 boards were selected in some of the larger cities of 
 the United States. In accordance with a request 
 of the Chief of the Department of Electricity, 
 J. Allen Hornsby was appointed Secretary 
 of that Department, September 18, 1891, 
 and was commissioned for special work in 
 Europe. He visited the Electrical Expo- 
 sition in Frankfort-on-the-Main, obtained 
 much valuable information there and at 
 other places in Europe, and returned in 
 November. 
 As the systems of railway transportation 
 have been differently developed in Europe and 
 in America, it was considered important to pre- 
 sent these interests in one great comparative 
 view. For this reason, Willard A. Smith, Chief 
 of the Department of Transportation Exhibits, 
 was authorized to visit Europe in the summer of 1892 ; and the interest 
 that he succeeded in arousing among the managers of manufactories, mu- 
 seums, and other public institutions in England, France, Italy, Austria, 
 Germany, and Belgium proved highly beneficial to his department in secur- 
 ing a very complete exhibit. 
 
 The first exhibits received were from Bolivia and reached Chicago in 
 October, 1891. They consisted of two full-rigged balsas, such as are used 
 by the Indians of Lake Titicaca in their commerce along the shores, 
 together with an interesting collection of musical instruments, wearing ap- 
 parel, and weapons. About the same time notice was received from the 
 International Statistical Institute, in session in Vienna, of its acceptance of 
 the invitation to hold its next meeting in Chicago during the season of 
 auxiliary congresses. 
 
 A circular of information for foreign exhibitors was printed in English, 
 French, German, Italian, and Spanish, and was liberally distributed through- 
 out the world. In this service very material assistance was rendered by the 
 consuls of the United States. Copies of the portfolio of lithographic re- 
 productions of Graham's water-color pictures of the Exposition buildings 
 and grounds, with the text printed in various foreign languages, were also 
 
 M. EDMOND BRUWAERT, 
 
 French Consul, and 
 Acting Commissioner for France. 
 
PROMOTION. J.J 
 
 widely distributed through the same channels, and served an excellent pur- 
 pose. At the same time a circular letter prepared by the Department of 
 Horticulture, containing detailed instructions for collecting and forwarding 
 plants, was printed in Spanish and distributed through the South American 
 countries. 
 
 In September, 1891, when it had become evident that nothing could be 
 accomplished in China, the Exposition's Commissioner to that country was 
 recalled. Two months later the services of Prof. Adler, Commissioner 
 to the Orient, ceased, and he was instructed to report in Constantinople to 
 the firm of Souhami, Sadullah & Co., who had obtained a concession for 
 a Turkish bazaar. During this period of active promotion abroad, many 
 applications for concessions were received, and in some instances the con- 
 cessionnaires were commissioned to visit foreign countries and secure attrac- 
 tions which were also exhibits. These agents were authorized and instructed 
 to promote the general welfare of the Exposition and stimulate friendly in- 
 terest in its work. To such an extent were special and honorary commis- 
 sions issued and active agents sent out that every country and the principal 
 islands of the globe were reached by personal representatives of the Expo- 
 sition. 
 
 In Japan the first parliament was about to close its session when the 
 President's invitation was received. There was not time to prepare an 
 Exposition bill, but a preliminary estimate was submitted by the Govern- 
 ment as a basis for discussion, and an urgency act passed both houses with 
 little opposition, suggesting an appropriation of five hundred thousand dol- 
 lars as the limit of expenses ; and the appropriation of this sum by the next 
 parliament was practically guaranteed. On the second day of the second 
 parliament a Chicago-Exposition bill was introduced, in which the estimate 
 was increased to $631,000. This bill, after discussion, was passed unaltered 
 without a division. The most notable speeches in its favor were made by 
 the party in opposition to the Government. 
 
 In February, 1892, the resident Commissioner in London, Robert S. 
 McCormick, reported that many manufacturers in England had declined to 
 become exhibitors, giving as a reason the effect of the McKinley tariff bill 
 upon their market in the United States. It appeared also that up to that 
 time, because of the limited appropriation by Parliament for British repre- 
 sentation, the Royal Commissioners were obliged to tax British exhibitors in 
 proportion to the space assigned to them. This necessity was obviated by 
 an additional grant. At the same time it was found necessary to modify the 
 proposition to deal with colonies only through the commissioners of their 
 mother countries. In Great Britain the Royal Commissioners would not 
 assume to act for the larger colonies, which had parliaments and had ap- 
 pointed their own commissioners. It was decided to deal with such com- 
 missions directly, and this arrangement proved advantageous to all con- 
 cerned. In April, 1892, commissioners from Austria, Sweden and Norway, 
 
132 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 and the Hawaiian Islands visited Chicago, and within the next two months 
 came delegations from the commissions of Russia, France, Germany, Spain, 
 Mexico, Great Britain, and several of her colonies. Early in August a large 
 official representation, headed by ]os6 Simeao de Oliveira, arrived from 
 
 THE HORTICULTURE BUILDING, JANUARY 26, 1892. 
 
 Brazil. A circular letter was addressed to the foreign commissions early in 
 October, calling their attention to that rule which required the immediate 
 dispatch of the plan for foreign exhibits, and informing them that the mass- 
 ing of exhibits had become irriperative under the pressing demand from all 
 quarters, and that in case they -failed to comply, a rearrangement and reduc- 
 tion would be necessary. This circular received prompt attention, with 
 promises of speedily forwarding the required information, and in some in- 
 stances, notably from Germany, with an earnest request for additional space. 
 In fact, the increased foreign demand for space in many departments proved 
 very embarrassing. Considerable difficulty was experienced with some of the 
 nations that had been originally slow in preferring their requests — especially 
 Austria, Italy, and others whose wishes could not be ignored — but this was 
 finally adjusted in a fairly satisfactory manner. 
 
 Foreign promotion was largely aided by the chiefs of the departments 
 through correspondence with the foreign commissioners ; and these efforts were 
 
PROMOTION. J,, 
 
 energetically and intelligently directed, for the chief of a department knew 
 what he required, and generally knew where it could be obtained. Some of 
 the most valuable exhibits were thus secured. A notable instance of this 
 was the request for a comprehensive exhibit of the educational system main- 
 tained by the German Empire, the result of which was a remarkable exhibit 
 made by the German Minister of Education at a cost of nearly one hundred 
 thousand dollars. The valuable exhibits that made the model of the Convent 
 of La Rabida a center of historic interest were obtained from the archives of 
 Spain, Italy, and South America by the energetic efforts of William E. 
 Curtis. The completeness of the exhibits in fine arts was assured by the 
 efforts of the chief of that department, who visited all the art centers at 
 home and abroad. The visit of the Chief of Transportation to European 
 manufactories and museums was equally effective, and agents of the Chief of 
 Anthropology explored every quarter of the globe for contributions to that 
 most instructive collection of antiquities. 
 
 On the whole, the promotion of the Exposition in foreign lands was so 
 successful that the demands for space for foreign exhibits far surpassed the 
 amount that could possibly be assigned to them. While the reductions in 
 allotments that were imperatively required by this embarrassment of riches 
 produced some complaints, and perhaps a little bitterness, these were but 
 temporary, for the necessities of the case were apparent to all, and the 
 restriction of space permitted the showing of only the choicest examples. 
 
 When the offices were established at Jackson Park in November, 1892, 
 it was arranged to place the two administrative departments of Publicity and 
 Promotion and Foreign Affairs in the Administration Building, contiguous to 
 the offices occupied by the Director General. In the Department of Foreign 
 Affairs rooms were furnished as headquarters and assembly rooms for the 
 foreign commissioners, which became the place of their gatherings. The 
 credentials of all commissioners were submitted to the Director General, and 
 all foreign commissioners were first presented through the Department of 
 Foreign Affairs. All communications to or from the Commissioners passed 
 through this department, which arrangement proved very satisfactory, and the 
 transaction of business was greatly facilitated thereby. Walker Fearn had 
 been appointed Chief of the Department of Foreign Affairs, and entered 
 upon the duties of his office in July, 1891. The Directory's Committee on 
 Foreign Exhibits— consisting of Martin A. Ryerson, James W. Ellsworth, 
 Harlow N. Higinbotham, Thies J. Lefens, and Herman H. Kohlsaat — 
 rendered valuable assistance to the department during its early organization 
 and in the period of promotion. This committee met frequently in the 
 office of the department's chief and was always consulted in Exposition 
 affairs. 
 
Temporary Offices and Hospital, February 5, i8g2. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 CONSTRUCTION. 
 
 The Committee on Grounds and Buildings — Messrs. Olmsted and Codman appointed 
 Consulting Landscape Architects — Messrs. Burnham and Root appointed Consulting 
 Architects — Creation of the office of Chief of Construction — Daniel H. Burnham 
 
 appointed to it — Meetings and consultations of 
 . - - -..- ._ ,, ^ architects — Discussion of plans — Development of 
 
 the idea of the Court of Honor — Charles B. Atwood 
 appointed Designer-in-Chief — Francis D. Millet ap- 
 pointed Director of Color — Alexander Sandier ap- 
 pointed Director of Arrangement of Exhibits 
 — Death of Mr. Root and Mr. Codman — The 
 question of transportation — The engineers and 
 superintendents — Labor strikes — Erection of the 
 buildings — Staff work — Entertainments — Analy- 
 sis of the general design — The inscriptions — Sum- 
 mary of the various structures on the grounds 
 
 List of architects, engineers, and artists, and their 
 works. 
 
 u 
 
 PON the regular organization of 
 the World's Columbian Exposi- 
 tion all committees for prelimi- 
 nary work expired and permanent ones 
 were appointed by its President. That 
 which was to deal with the designing, con- 
 struction, maintenance, and operation was 
 styled "The Committee on Grounds and Buildings." 
 
 DANIEL HUDSON BURNHAM, 
 
 Chief of Construction and 
 
 Director of Works. 
 
 134 
 
CONSTRUCTION. j,c 
 
 A Staff of experts became necessary for carrying on the work of this 
 committee, and on August 2 1 the firm of Frederick Law Olmsted & Co. 
 were formally elected Consulting Landscape Architects of the World's Co- 
 lumbian Exposition, and on the same date John W. Root, of Chicago, was 
 appointed Consulting Architect. On August 28 Abram Gottlieb was ap- 
 pointed Consulting Engineer, and the committee record of the meeting of 
 that date says that, " in view of the absence of Mr. Root from the city and 
 the uncertainty of his return, the action had on August 21, electing him, is 
 rescinded." On September 3 Messrs. Burnham and Root were elected Con- 
 sulting Architects. On accepting office they took the ground that they 
 ought not to participate in the work as designers of any of the buildings, 
 but their influence should lie in the larger planning of the Exposition as a 
 whole and in criticism and advice to those who were to undertake the 
 separate parts. 
 
 Early in November the Directors passed resolutions creating the office 
 of Chief of Construction. These resolutions provided that the Chief of Con- 
 struction should have general charge of construction of buildings, supervision 
 of the designs therefor, preparation of the grounds, and the engineering inci- 
 dent to the prosecution of the entire work ; should have supervision of build- 
 ings erected by exhibitors and concessionnaires, and of the maintenance of all 
 buildings belonging to the Exposition company ; should examine all bids 
 and propositions for work under his control, and should organize, subject to 
 the approval of the committee, Bureaus of Architecture, Engineering, 
 Landscape Gardening, Sanitation, etc., hire and dismiss all employees in his 
 department, and fix the compensation for their service. 
 
 The Committee at once appointed Daniel Hudson Burnham Chief of 
 Construction, who then wrote to them : " In order to place the working 
 force on a business footing, I recommend the discharge of the Consulting 
 Architects, Burnham and Root, the Consulting Landscape Architects, 
 Frederick L. Olmsted & Co., and the Consulting Engineer, Abram Gott- 
 lieb ; and that you authorize me to appoint Mr. Root Supervising Architect, 
 at a salary of $6,000 per annum ; Mr. Gottlieb Supervising Engineer, at a 
 salary of $6,000 per annum ; and F. L. Olmsted & Co., Supervising Land- 
 scape Architects, at a salary of $6,000 per annum, to take effect December 
 I, 1890." The committee then ordered that the Consulting Architect, the 
 Landscape Architects, the Chief Engineer, and all officers in their employ, 
 should thereafter report to the Chief of Construction. The duty of the 
 Chief of Construction therefore was, broadly stated, to select, organize, and 
 control all forces needed to prepare the grounds and erect the buildings for 
 the Exposition. These forces were those of surveys and grades, landscape 
 works, architecture, sculpture, decorations, general superintendence, sewers, 
 water and fire protection, steam plant and other machinery, electrical plant, 
 transportations of persons and goods, guard and secret service, fire depart- 
 ment, medical department, construction accounts, purchasing, attorneys. The 
 
136 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 chief man or men in each of these departments were appointed from time 
 to time. 
 
 The Chief of Construction being elected and the forces placed in his 
 hands, the next step was to select the architects who were to design the 
 buildings. How this was done, and how successful was the method of selec- 
 tion that was adopted, has been already told (see page 44). It is the purpose 
 in this chapter to give more in detail the principal transactions of the notable 
 Board of Architects that was assembled to make plans for a harmonious and 
 beautiful Exposition, and also the steps by which their plans were carried out. 
 
 On January 12, 1891, the following-named architects met in the library 
 of Burnham & Root : F. M. Whitehouse, W. L. B. Jenney, Henry Ives 
 Cobb, S. S. Beman, L. H. Sullivan, Dankmar Adler, D. H. Burnham, A. 
 Gottlieb, all of Chicago ; Richard M. Hunt, William R. M6ad, George B. 
 Post, all of New York ; Robert S. Peabody, of Boston ; Henry Van Brunt, 
 of Kansas City ; Frederick Law Olmsted and Henry Sargent Codman, of 
 Brookline, Mass. The out-of-town party arrived on Saturday, January 
 10, and was taken immediately to Jackson Park, over which dreary waste 
 they gazed with a feeling almost of despair ; and more than once the opinion 
 was expressed that to hope to have the Exposition ready for the dedicatory 
 exercises in October, 1892, only twenty-one months after the date of that visit, 
 or to finish it by May, 1893, was next to impossible. The architects returned 
 to the " Rookery" in the afternoon, where they met Mr. Root. 
 
 That night the Committee on Grounds and Buildings gave a dinner to the 
 selected architects and the officials of the Construction Department. Lyman 
 J. Gage, as President of the Exposition, took the head of the table. The first 
 speech, by the President, struck that keynote which men hear in youth, but are 
 apt to forget in mature manhood — the absolute necessity of self -subordination 
 in the work was dwelt upon. It was urged that the pride and renown of each 
 would come out of the success of the work as a whole, and that this could 
 be accomplished only by each keeping in mind the general effect, and being 
 sure that what he did would enhance it ; that no one must let himself dwell 
 upon his part as a complete thing, but as an element of the general design, 
 in which the thoughts and purposes' of every one must weigh the same with 
 him as his own. The response was instant, warm, and unanimous, proving 
 that no mistake had been made in the selection of these men — that they were 
 Americans in the old sense of 1776 and 1861. The men left the banquet 
 hall that night united like soldiers in a campaign, and pettiness and jealousy 
 never raised their heads in the councils of the designers of the Fair. On the 
 following Monday the conference met in the library of Burnham & Root, 
 and an organization for the discussion of the problems to be dealt with was 
 formed, Mr. Hunt being chosen chairman and Mr. Sullivan secretary. Mr. 
 Root was missing, and before noon a telephone message from his house 
 announced that he was ill and would not be able to attend. A later 
 message announced that the disease was pneumonia. Mr. Burnham there- 
 
CONSTRUCTION. 
 
 ^2,7 
 
 upon excused himself and went to his partner's bedside. Mr. Hunt was also 
 confined to his room in the WeUington Hotel. During this time Mr. Post 
 of New York, acted as chairman in Mr. Hunt's place. On Thursday after- 
 noon Mr. Root passed away, and as Mr. Codman carried the news to the 
 
 STORM PROTECTION FOR WORKMEN, 
 South end of the Mines Building, January 26, 1892. 
 
 city he little thought that in two years he was to follow Mr. Root, without 
 seeing the final glory of the great Fair. By Mr. Root's death Mr. Burnham 
 lost the friend of his youth who had been his partner for eighteen years, and 
 with whom there had never been a written agreement or any unkind word ; 
 the Exposition lost one of its most promising officers ; and the profession 
 of architecture a young member, who was highly honored, and from whom 
 everything bright and noble was expected. He had been president of the 
 Western Association of Architects, and he was secretary of the American 
 Institute. The influences of his brain and spirit were felt throughout the 
 Exposition work as potent factors in the glorious success achieved. In the 
 earhest stages of the work his suggestions were sought for and carried 
 weight. A rough plan only had been accepted at the time of his death, yet 
 to him, equally with Messrs. Olmsted, Codman, and Burnham, was due the 
 design that it disclosed.* 
 
 * On January 20, 1891, the Committee on Grounds and Buildings adopted the following resolution : 
 "John Wellborn Root, Consulting Architect of the World's Columbian Exposition, is dead. A week ago 
 
138 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 The plan presented by the Chief of Construction and his associates early 
 in December was changed in some important particulars by the conference 
 of architects. The Administration Building was separated from the railroad 
 terminus and became a distinct structure, its dome to command the build- 
 ings of the Grand Court, and to become the most important architectural 
 feature of the Exposition. The long Machinery Hall was divided into two 
 parts, and the east end became the Agricultural Building, which was origi- 
 nally placed northwest of the Administration Building. Mr. Peabody, for 
 further separation of the Agriculture and Machinery Buildings, suggested the 
 recess between the two, and later he suggested that a canal should extend 
 through, with an obelisk at the end of it, and that a grand arch and arcade, 
 which should properly accentuate the entrance to the great live-stock and 
 agricultural industries south of it, should close this south court. This was 
 agreed to. 
 
 The Mining and Electricity Buildings were first placed so that the street 
 ran east and west and did not disclose the dome of the Administration Build- 
 ing. In the final plan these buildings were turned so that their long axes 
 ran north and south ; and, as a result, the opening between them became val- 
 uable as a street, and it extended the noble vista ended by Hunt's dome at 
 one end and the Illinois Building at the bther. 
 
 The transportation exhibits were originally placed on the lake shore. 
 Mr. Sullivan proposed the location, which was heartily agreed to. The exact 
 position and inclination of the axis of the Fisheries Building could not be 
 determined at the first visit, but was left to a conference between Mr. Cobb 
 and Mr. Codman. On January 20 the Chief of Construction sent to the 
 committee the following communication addressed to him by the architects : 
 
 " The Commission of architects appointed to design buildings for the 
 World's Columbian Exposition has been requested by you to examine the 
 general scheme of the lay-out of the grounds and buildings presented by the 
 consulting landscape architects, Messrs. Olmsted & Co., as a result of a con- 
 sultation with the Board of Construction, and to report to you any sugges- 
 tions for alterations or modifications which would, in its opinion, improve 
 
 he was with us, and in the prime and vigor of a splendid manhood. To-day he is in his grave. The 
 suddenness of his death brings a quick and unexpected burden of grief to us all. With deep and sincere 
 sorrow we deplore this great loss, not only to his family, but to Chicago, and indeed to the whole coun- 
 try — the loss not only of a man of bright social qualities, genial and attractive to all, and especially endear- 
 ing to those who knew him best, but of one of the most gifted and promising men in the profession in 
 America. As he possessed high genius, exquisite taste, and genuine love for all that is true and beauti- 
 ful in art, we have looked to him with confidence to select with masterly skill the best designs and sug- 
 gestions presented to us for style and arrangement of many large buildings to be erected by us, combin- 
 ing them with such architectural appropriateness and taste as to produce a complete aggregation of 
 beauty, harmony, and grandeur of construction, such as we could present with confidence and pride to 
 the criticism of the world. But the quick intellect, the skill, and the unerring judgment of this brilliant 
 architect and designer are lost to us forever. It will be difficult, if indeed possible, to fill his place. We 
 know him and his great and growing ability well. 
 
 "Resolved, That we tender to his family and to Daniel H. Burnham, late his partner, our profound and 
 heartfelt sympathy." 
 
CONSTRUCTION. 
 
 139 
 
 the plan. The Commission respectfully reports that it has devoted several 
 days to the constant consideration of the problem in all its economic and 
 artistic bearings. The Commission has been embarrassed by want of definite 
 information in regard to exact requirements of space for exhibits under each 
 
 THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING, JANUARY 29, 1892. 
 
 department of the classification, and it can not learn that any specific facts 
 have been or can be gained to establish exact dimensions for the various 
 buildings. The Commission is therefore of the opinion that the buildings 
 should be reduced in size to the smallest estimate of possible requirements, 
 and that provision should be made for their extension, as may become neces- 
 sary, by the construction of additions of comparatively economical character, 
 and that these additions should be provided for in the original design as parts 
 of each building, rather than as separate annex structures. The Commission 
 is of the opinion that this system will avoid unnecessary expense in the out- 
 set, or the ultimate construction of architectural deformities. In the opinion 
 of the Commission, the plan they have the honor to submit herewith shows 
 that arrangement of buildings in relation to each other and to the grounds 
 which will best serve as a final arrangement and as a basis for the design for 
 separate buildings. It is considered by the Commission to be of vital impor- 
 tance that the construction of no important buildings, except those indicated 
 on the plat, should in any case be permitted south of Sixtieth Street, and that 
 the island should be free from all buildings used for Exposition purposes. 
 
140 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 In the opinion of the Commission, the device of intercommunication by- 
 means of water ways not only forms a very original and beautiful feature of 
 the general design, but will prove of great practical value. The Commission 
 is of the opinion that great additional interest will be added to the Exposi- 
 tion if the exhibits of marine transportation are removed from the building 
 for general transportation and located as indicated on the plat. The Com- 
 mission recommends the construction at the intersection of the main pier in 
 the lake and the breakwater pier of a structure several open decks in height, 
 
 which may serve as a refreshment saloon and also 
 serve to give a bird's-eye view of the grounds 
 and buildings on the line of one of the main 
 axes of the design. No attempt has been 
 made to establish the exact size of any one 
 of the buildings, but the plan submitted 
 is intended to show a scheme by which 
 their size may be made practically elastic. 
 The original buildings are indicated by red 
 lines, and their possible extension outside 
 of the construction of galleries by dotted 
 lines. The Commission desires to state 
 that its members have spent a considera- 
 ble amount of their time, individually and 
 collectively, in roughly laying out different 
 schemes of general arrangement of Jackson 
 Park for the Exposition, and that with the 
 modification of details which it now pro- 
 poses it believes that the plan submitted to 
 them for consideration forms a perfect solution of the problem. The 
 Commission desires to call your attention to the fact that until a definite 
 scheme is adopted, and until the exact dimensions of the various buildings 
 are fixed by the proper authorities, its members can not make even pre- 
 liminary sketches for the work assigned to them. In conclusion, the Com- 
 mission desires to express its satisfaction with the present condition and 
 prospects of the World's Columbian Exposition, the wisdom of the general 
 arrangements so far as they have come under its consideration, and its confi- 
 dence in the success of the undertaking." 
 
 On January 2 1 the Chief of Construction was ordered to take charge of 
 the Lake-Front Park, which he proceeded to do by at once building a small 
 office there. At the same meeting the Chief of Construction was instructed 
 to prepare estimates of the cost of the work of his department, to be incor- 
 porated in the budget of estimates that was then in course of preparation. 
 (See pages 55-57 of this volume.) 
 
 Soon afterward the Chief of Construction, by order of the Committee on 
 Grounds and Buildings, appointed the following-named Chicago architects : 
 
 ERNEST R. GRAHAM, 
 Assistant Director of Works. 
 
CONSTRUCTION. j.j 
 
 For Jackson Park — The Live Stock Buildings, the firm of Holabird & 
 Roche. 
 
 For the Lake Front — The Electrical Display Building, the firm of Treat 
 & Foltz ; the Music Hall, the firm of Bauer & Hill ; the Decorative Arts 
 Building, Charles S. Frost. 
 
 Messrs. Holabird & Roche afterward made very beautiful sketches for the 
 South Colonnade and the Stock Ring, and for some buildings beyond ; but 
 the South Colonnade was finally designed by Messrs. Peabody & Stearns, of 
 Boston. The other three Chicago firms presented sketches of the buildings 
 assigned them ; but the Directors afterward voted to abandon the Lake 
 Front altogether, and accordingly the expenses of these firms were paid and 
 they were dismissed. 
 
 On January 29, 1891, the location -of the Woman's Building was decided 
 upon, and early in February the Chief of Construction retained Augustus St. 
 Gaudens as consulting sculptor. 
 
 On February 9 the Committee on Grounds and Buildings were informed 
 that Mr. Beman's design for the Mines Building was ready for inspection, 
 and the next day he was authorized to proceed with the work of making 
 the final drawings. The designs of the other members of the Commission 
 of Ten were announced soon afterward, and all were ready for inspection 
 when the architects again conferred. 
 
 On Sunday, February 22, the following-named gentlemen convened in 
 Chicago : Messrs. Hunt, Post, McKim, Peabody, Codman, and St. Gaudens. 
 They were entertained at luncheon by the Chief of Construction, and dis- 
 cussed the problem of a suitable design for the eastern end of the Court of 
 Honor. One of the visitors said : "We have been studying the general plan, 
 and we unanimously agree that the eastern end of the Court of Honor should 
 have some competent object to balance Mr. Hunt's dome, on the same axis. 
 We think that the thousand-foot Proctor tower would be the thing, and that 
 it ought to be placed on the end of the pier in the lake, taking the place of 
 the proposed Venetian Village." 
 
 Mr. Hunt, noticing the silence of Mr. Burnham, to whom the remark 
 was addressed, said : " Well, why don't you speak up ? Don't you like 
 it?" and Mr. Burnham was compelled to say he did not. Mr. Hunt then 
 said to Mr. St. Gaudens: "Why don't you give us your opinion? You 
 have not said anything about this." Mr. St. Gaudens replied that he agreed 
 with Mr. Burnham. Mr. Hunt then asked him what he would recommend 
 in place of the tower idea, and Mr. St. Gaudens, after some thought, repHed 
 that, to his mind, the whole scheme of the Court of Honor would be inade- 
 quate unless it was inclosed in some way on the fourth or lake side ; that 
 unless the composition as a whole could be tied across that point it would 
 be weak, because it was an architectural court, and a thing of Nature could 
 not be made to take the place of a proper conventional form growing out of 
 and in harmony with the other sides. A short silence ensued, which was 
 
142 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 broken by a general murmur of approval. Mr. St. Gaudens was then asked 
 what he had in mind as a proper architectural feature, and, after some 
 thought, he suggested that thirteen great Corinthian columns might be used, 
 each surmounted by a statue typifying one of the thirteen original States of 
 the Union ; that these might be placed in a semicircle ; and that the water 
 of the basin inclosed might follow the same line. The suggestion of the 
 sculptor was received with most emphatic praise, and from that moment the 
 idea was an accepted feature of the design until it gave way to the Peristyle. 
 At the same meeting Mr. Peabody and Mr. McKim suggested the South 
 Canal with a colonnade at its end. There was some discussion regarding the 
 designing of the colonnade, and Mr. McKim gave way to Mr, Peabody, 
 
 AGRICULTURE BUILDING, FEBRUARY 3, 1892. 
 
 This was especially generous, because the McKim and Peabody buildings, 
 on either side of the canal, differed in design, and, as events proved, it was 
 not an easy matter to make this composition harmonize with both sides. 
 At this meeting all urged that the Venetian Village be abandoned, and that 
 no building be erected east of the proposed semicircular colonnade, unless 
 in architectural harmony with it. 
 
 On the following day all the architects met in the library of Burnham 
 & Root, Mr. St. Gaudens and Mr. Theodore Thomas also being present, and 
 
CONSTRUCTION. j., 
 
 for the first time the sketches for the main buildings were unrolled. On 
 Tuesday the Grounds and Buildings Committee met the designers at the 
 same place, and during the entire day the artists displayed their drawings, 
 using one side of the room, which had been covered with boards for the pur- 
 pose. The style and quality of the sketches were most interesting, and noth- 
 ing could be more dramatic than the keen, earnest, critical faces of the men 
 who sat grouped together. It was a remarkable picture. All realized that 
 the artistic honor and dignity of the country was in their hands, and they 
 fully appreciated the importance of the situation. Not restricted to nor 
 overborne by preconceived ideas, not even hmited to space or in expenditure, 
 but having such freedom as was never before vouchsafed in the history of 
 art, the men spoke almost in whispers, and from the eye of each shone a 
 sense of reliance and dependence on his fellows. It was a moment when 
 all the noblest aspirations of a great nation's life sought expression through 
 architecture, sculpture, and painting ; and as evening fell, Mr. Gage said to 
 the conference : " You are dreaming, gentlemen — dreaming ! I only hope 
 that half the vision may be realized." A series of resolutions was adopted 
 by the architects and handed to the Chief of Construction at the close of 
 the conference. These declared : 
 
 " That the sketches showing the southward extensions of the main 
 north-and-south axis with its water way between the buildings for Machinery 
 and Agriculture, thus forming a court between these buildings, closed at the 
 south end with a colonnade forming an entrance to the Stock Exhibit, is 
 hereby indorsed and recommended. 
 
 "That the sketch showing an eastward extension of a portion of the 
 Agricultural Building to the knoll or bluff now built of rip-rap, and the con- 
 struction upon said knoll or bluff of a pavilion, from which the agricultural 
 annexes may run southward, along the margin of the lake, and the termina- 
 tion of these annexes at their south end by a building of importance and in- 
 terest, is hereby indorsed and recommended. 
 
 " That the partial inclosure of the east end of the main court with a 
 screen of columns, placed on two moles forming an interior court, as shown 
 on the sketch, in the opinion of the Commission, is necessary to complete 
 the artistic effect of the principal architectural feature of the Exposition — its 
 great courtyard. 
 
 " That the annex for the Machinery Building be placed within the circle 
 at the railroad loop ; also, that this be approached both by bridges and tunnels 
 from the western end of the main Machinery Hall and from the southern 
 end of the Mines Building. 
 
 " That the southern margin of the lagoon be adjusted to form a terrace 
 across which may be estabHshed from east to west a more adequate archi- 
 tectural connection by a straight line between the great porches of the Trans- 
 portation Building and of the Manufactures Building. 
 
 " That it is the sense of this Commission that the exhibit of a war ship 
 
144 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 A PORTION OF THE ELECTRIC SUBWAY, 
 February 13, 1892. 
 
 by the United States Government, if placed outside in the lake, will be alto- 
 gether a superb one, that we strongly indorse it, and that we feel con- 
 strained to object to its 
 being installed inland, 
 where it would lose its 
 sentiment and effect, and 
 be a serious injury to 
 the surroundings. 
 
 " That the Illinois 
 State Building be placed 
 in the line of the north- 
 and-south axis of the 
 Exposition, and at right 
 angles thereto. 
 
 "That the Commis- 
 sion of architects wish 
 very emphatically to re- 
 peat their convictions 
 that to introduce south 
 of the line of the Midway Plaisance any other structures of sufficient mass or 
 importance to interfere with or interrupt the relations between the great 
 buildings of the Exposition as now established, will be fatal to the architec- 
 tural effect, and that this resolution is not directed against the introduction 
 of small kiosks or pavilions, where they may be needed to give animation to 
 the grounds, or against the introduction of the necessary barns and buildings 
 with the exhibition of cattle. 
 
 " That the buildings around the great court are arranged with the under- 
 standing that they are to rest upon a terrace sixty feet wide, extending along 
 the north end and south sides of the court, closed at the east and west ends 
 in a monumental" manner with columns and statues as hereafter to be de- 
 termined, these terraces to be extended north and south, between the Manu- 
 factures and Electricity Buildings, and the bridges, steps, and balustrades to 
 be strictly in conformity to the architectural conditions as established." 
 
 During the time when the negotiations with the architects were in prog- 
 ress the Chief of Construction was giving his attention also to organization, 
 and various engineers, superintendents, and assistants were appointed. 
 Messrs. Olmsted & Company had been retained, and though they remained 
 merely to report, they afterward came into the permanent organization. 
 When the Chief of Construction was appointed he ordered that the engineers 
 for the following-named departments should report through Mr. Gottheb : 
 Water, Sewerage, and Fire Protection, Surveys and Grades, Mechanical 
 Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Design of Constructive Features, Railways. 
 Mr. Gottlieb recommended to the Chief of Construction for these appoint- 
 ments the following named gentlemen : William S. MacHarg, Engineer of 
 
CONSTRUCTION. 
 
 H5 
 
 Water Supply, Sewerage, and Fire Protection (including gas) ; John W. Al- 
 vord. Engineer of Surveys and Grades ; J. C. Slocum, Mechanical Engineer ; 
 W. M. Hughes, Constructive Engineer; E. G. Nourse, Railways. Mr. 
 Nourse was really the Assistant Chief Engineer so long as Mr. Gottlieb 
 remained, and had charge, under him, of the other engineers. Mr. Gottlieb 
 had charge of the designing of all constructive work until August, 1891, 
 when a question arose between him and the Chief of Construction, who 
 for the first time became aware of the high constants that were being used 
 for strains in timbers and the low allowance made for wind pressure on the 
 structures already under way. Neither yielded his opinion, and Mr. Gott- 
 lieb sent in his resignation, which was accepted. After the retirement of 
 Mr. GottHeb, Mr. Burnham performed the duties of general supervising 
 engineer until the close of the Exposition. 
 
 Before the resignation of Mr. Gottlieb, Edward C. Shankland, who had 
 had large experience in the designing and superintending of important build- 
 ings, was consulted, and afterward, while the Chief of Construction assumed 
 direct charge over the sewerage, water, fire protection, mechanical, electrical, 
 and topographical work, Mr. Shankland was placed in control of all construc- 
 tion in the other departments, with the title of Chief Engineer. This officer 
 designed and superintended the structural features of all the great buildings, 
 from foundation to roof. His most important designs were for the main 
 roof of the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, the trusses of which 
 spanned nearly four hundred feet and rose over two hundred feet in the air. 
 He also designed arid oversaw the building of all bridges, docks, piers, via- 
 ducts, embankments, etc. From the time of his appointment until the close 
 of the Exposition he was responsible for the inspection and raaintenance in 
 a safe condition of all construction in the parts of the work 'fientioned, and 
 no praise could be greater than a statement of the fact that hardly an acci- 
 dent happened from the beginning to the end of the work he had in charge. 
 When the extent and variety of this work are considered, a parallel to the 
 responsibility carried can scarcely be found. The lives of hundreds of thou- 
 sands of people at once, and the safety of millions of dollars' worth of property, 
 depended upon his ability and faithfulness, and he fully justified the confi- 
 dence that had been placed in him. For over two years there was no time, 
 early or late, when he was not on duty, and there was no time, even in the 
 midst of utmost haste, when he failed to display the same coolness, accuracy, 
 sound judgment, and loyalty to the enterprise. 
 
 The first General Assistant to join the Chief of Construction was Mifflin 
 E. Bell (formerly Supervising Architect of the United States Treasury), who 
 resigned after a short service. On March 7, 1891, Ernest R. Graham took 
 the place of Mr. Bell, serving as Assistant Chief of Construction, and after- 
 ward as Assistant Director of Works, to the close of the Exposition. His 
 duties were to act for his chief in everything except artistic designing. 
 
 Early in 1891 the Chief of Construction began holding meetings of his 
 
^^ THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 bureau chiefs. They were weekly at first, but afterward occurred more fre- 
 quently. By the middle of summer Mr. Graham conducted these meetings, 
 and the Chief of Construction was appealed to only where necessity de- 
 manded it. No labor was too hard or too long continued, no danger too 
 
 MR. MILLET AND ASSISTANTS AT WORK 
 
 great, no trial of patience or temper too intense for Mr. Graham. When the 
 excitement of the doubtful contest against time warmed up, he still had un- 
 tried depths of power and endurance to be called on ; and in this great cam- 
 paign his limitation never was reached. After the close of the Exposition, 
 he was continued by the company as General Manager of its property. 
 
 Charles B. Atwood went to Chicago on the invitation of Mr. Burnham 
 to join him in his private practice as an architect. The needs of the World's 
 Fair being very great at that time, he consented to join the Chief of Con- 
 struction's staff instead, which he did on April 21, 1 891, as Designer-in-Chief, 
 remaining until the summer of 1 893, when his work was completed and he 
 retired from that service. Emphatic resolutions of thanks and commenda- 
 tions were passed by the Directors on accepting his resignation. 
 
 William Pretyman, of Chicago, was made Director of Color in April, 
 1 89 1, and remained on the staff about a year, when he resigned, before much 
 had been done in his department of the Fair. 
 
CONSTRUCTION. ^.y 
 
 On the resignation of Mr. Pretyman, the services of Francis D. Millet, of 
 New York, were secured, and he at once went to Chicago, where he remained 
 until the close of the Exposition. He had charge of all coloring inside and 
 outside the buildings, the flags, banners, and woven-fabric effects of the pro- 
 cessions and ceremonies inside of the grounds, and later of all the music and 
 illuminations and fireworks ; directed and controlled the sculpture and mural 
 paintings, and was the friend and adviser of the Chief of Construction in 
 everything. His suggestions and support were a help and an encouragement 
 to every man on the staff. He was not only looked to on questions of art, 
 but was loved for himself and for the ever-present sunshine and stimulating 
 effect of his life. He made the Fair more beautiful and more pleasant to 
 live in, and he increased the revenues by the steady interest that he kept up 
 in his management of the various functions on land and water while the 
 Exposition was open. 
 
 Alexander Sandier, of Paris, joined the force in December, 1891, and 
 remained for a year and a half as Director of Arrangement of Exhibits. He 
 designed the Clambake, the Leather Building, the central tower in the Man- 
 ufactures Building, and other minor structures. 
 
 The small buildings and details and the working drawings of all the large 
 buildings were made by the draughting force under F. O. Cloyes, chief of 
 that department. This force at one time numbered seventy-five men. 
 
 The landscape work, with the exception of the interior of the island and 
 all the space around the Horticultural and Woman's Buildings, which was 
 reserved for the exhibit of the Department of Horticulture, was in the hands of 
 Frederick Law Olmsted & Co., which firm, in the spring of 1893, changed its 
 title to Olmsted, Olmsted & Eliot. The general studies were made in their 
 offices in Brookline, Mass., and much of the detail was worked out there ; 
 but, after the main plans were adopted, the execution of the work was almost 
 wholly in the hands of Henry Sargent Codman, who spent much of his time 
 in the Park. Mr. Olmsted was there frequently, and after the death of Mr. 
 Codman he went before the Exposition opened and remained several weeks. 
 The work was also visited by John Olmsted and Mr. EHot. 
 
 The superintendent of the landscape work was Rudolph Ulrich, who had 
 been trained to his profession in Germany, and had had large experience in 
 the care of extensive properties in Europe, in the Middle States, and in Call' 
 fornia. He was most efficient throughout, having charge of the cleaning and 
 good order of the grounds and roads, and it was he who had charge of all 
 forces during the final grading, filling, sodding, and planting, and, in the 
 Exposition, the care of the landscape itself. 
 
 While the general plan of the Park was made in December by Messrs. 
 Olmsted, Codman, Burnham, and Root, Mr. Codman's special designing of 
 the terraces and everything about them came after the death of Mr. Root, 
 and after the meeting of the architects in January. He was also a member 
 of the artistic council, which the Chief of Construction constantly consulted. 
 
148 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 3E^3i^ps;^n3assiHt^a!^©ssss3!s=E3r-s^as?isisf!5^ 
 
 asiisisf'StJi^i 
 
 ]» ffi IWiHf ilEMlMilRMlca'i? 
 
 
 
 aicHfficTi 
 
 s^y^. 
 
 i 
 
 '™tw 
 
 
 fc _i^"_ iisSHBii'^iCr-icai 
 
 1 1* 
 
 to which were referred all important artistic questions, and in whose hands 
 was the acceptance of the various designs. This committee consisted of 
 Messrs. Atwood, Millet, and Codman. When an application for the privi- 
 lege of putting up a foreign, State, or concession building was received, an 
 opinion as to its advisability was required from this committee, and if a 
 favorable report was made, Mr. Codman suggested the location and treat- 
 ment of surroundings and Mr. Atwood passed upon the architectural fitness 
 of the designs. The World's Columbian Exposition Company confined 
 themselves to designing their own buildings, and outsiders were required to 
 furnish their own architects, the designs to be subject to the final approval 
 of the Chief of Construction. Mr. Codman was very valuable to the Exposi- 
 tion. He had high quahties as an artist and as a man, and not only was well 
 trained in his profession, but was of much service in administration and in 
 
 executive functions. 
 He judged men ac- 
 curately, and had 
 the natural power 
 of command over 
 them. In January, 
 1893, when Mr. 
 Codman's work was 
 nearly completed, 
 he had a recurrence 
 of a bodily difficul- 
 ty that had given 
 him trouble in the 
 summer of 1892. 
 Everything in the 
 power of the medi- 
 cal faculty was done, 
 but he passed away on January 10, in Chicago. The depth and thorough- 
 ness of his training, the command that he had over his information, and 
 the dignity and respect that he inspired were most unusual. He was not 
 thirty years old. Two bronze tablets were set up against the supporting 
 piers of the great south doorway of the Art Building in Jackson Park — one 
 in memory of John Wellborn Root and one of Henry Sargent Codman. 
 
 John W. Alvord, Engineer of Surveys and Grades, had charge of the set- 
 tlement with the contractors for dredging and filling, and directed their 
 work. He gave locations and stakes for all wharves, bridges, roads, build- 
 ings, and everything fixed on the ground. He was conservator of all maps 
 and plans of ground and underground work, and was the compiler of all 
 statistics for reports. He gave three years of very hard, close work to the 
 Exposition, and deserves the highest praise for the manner in which he 
 discharged his duties. 
 
 ^ <>&i»Ll-^i^.»lL--.N3>:f-ju ^ii:^ >,.4l^-^ 'p-:i-iu- n^c^ii^-V^^r-ill i.-^ft-ili -^^i* 
 
 ^i"nii tJ4: 
 
 BRONZE TABLET ON FINE-ARTS BUILDING. 
 
^m§ sAmmr (MMM^ 
 
 ^Pf^ 
 
 CONSTRUCTION. j . 
 
 It was evident from the start that there must be a connection with the 
 Illinois Central Railway, in order to gefin freight and passengers, but it was 
 almost impossible to negotiate for this purpose. The Chief of Construction 
 did succeed in building a Y on the Midway and a fence across Stony Island 
 Avenue to Jackson Park, because he had only the Illinois Central and the 
 city to deal with ; but it was impossible to negotiate with the owners on 
 Stony Island Avenue. The grand plan of the Park provided for a railway 
 terminal at the southwest corner, and for an entrance fence to the Grand 
 Court direct, so that any one coming to the Fair might find an easy path 
 into the ground, and so that the impression might be as favorable as would be 
 the case when one came in by the front door of a palace. But the problem 
 was poorly managed, and the only use the great yard was put to was for 
 storing cars during conventions and installation. For this purpose it was 
 useful, but for the 
 purpose intended it 
 was a rather waste- 
 ful scheme. 
 
 On April 20, 
 
 1 89 1, Dion Geral- 
 dine was appointed 
 General Superin- 
 tendent of the work 
 in Jackson Park, 
 and he remained 
 with the company 
 until September, 
 
 1892, when he re- 
 signed. The organ- 
 ization of the forces bronze tablet on fine-arts building. 
 of superintendents 
 
 of the buildings and of the system of procedure in the active operation 
 of building was in his hands. Directly after Mr. Geraldine's retirement 
 all superintendents of buildings were under Mr. Graham. William D. 
 Richardson had general charge of the staff work, which included the making 
 and placing of all the statues on the buildings and the grounds and all the 
 architectural inclosing and ornamental material made from this mixture of 
 plaster of Paris and jute fiber. After the Fair opened he was Superin- 
 tendent of the Buildings and had the care of maintaining the staff and the 
 roof and floors. The purchasing agent throughout the work was Frank J. 
 Mulcahy, whose faithfulness and good judgment saved the company large 
 sums. 
 
 The personal staff of the Director of Works consisted of M. B. Pickett, 
 Secretary of Works, and a small body of clerks. A photographic record was 
 kept by the Chief of Construction from the start, showing every condition 
 
 
 M 
 
 'fi5J,^'3ioi-ji^::iiXir>~.i L^xcii--^]i:^' ^^ ju^-^^:i.ii^<yfr-uii^jj:i-t v;:.it;£iw i~ii— 
 
 =11^::: 
 
ISO 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 of the Exposition to its completion. The accounts of the Department of 
 Works were under the charge of Charles V. Barrington, who afterward 
 became Assistant Auditor of the company. The first man employed by 
 the company in the -actual building construction in the Park was W. H. 
 Beach, who afterward was superintendent of the Woman's Building. He 
 took charge of the first shanty erected on the Lake Front, and he also 
 superintended the old Service Building, which gave place in Jackson Park to 
 the one now standing there. 
 
 Contracts and matters involving expenditure of money were first referred 
 to the Committee on Grounds and Buildings. But there were times when 
 the action of the committee could not be waited for, and in such cases 
 the Director of Works rnade the contracts, subject to the approval of the 
 committee, which was never withheld. All contracts were made by an 
 attorney and signed by the President of the company, copies of them 
 being filed in the Department of Works. The contracts, plans, specifi- 
 cations, and papers were kept in a fire-proof 
 vault under the control of a responsible offi- 
 f ' cer. The Director of Works occupied the 
 
 northeast corner of the Service Building. 
 The offices on the first floor were public, and 
 those on the second floor were private. 
 Connected with them was a mess room, 
 where the principal designers and engineers 
 took their meals at the company's expense. 
 This, together with sleeping quarters for the 
 men, insured their being there night and 
 day, and practically the work never stopped, 
 for in the more active months the consulta- 
 tions went on until midnight or after, and 
 the inspections began very early in the morn- 
 ing. At the morning meetings every engi- 
 neer and the principal superintendents were 
 present ; also the commandant or his repre- 
 sentative, the fire marshals, and often the 
 Medical Director. Just before the Fair opened, the chiefs of the exhibit de- 
 partments were also present, so that all orders for the day might be made 
 clear and nothing be left requiring conference with men scattered over the 
 grounds. A record of everything to be done was kept, and the Assistant 
 Director of Works inspected it each morning to ascertain if the orders of 
 the previous day had been carried out. These morning meetings were very 
 trying, but very efficacious. 
 
 The following is a list of those regularly appointed who did valuable 
 service, and who are especially entitled to recognition : 
 
 Andrew Adams, Secretary to Chief of Construction ; H. B. Alexander, 
 
 MONTGOMERY B. PICKETT, 
 Secretary of Works.' 
 
CONSTRUCTION. j - 
 
 Assistant Engineer Water Supply Department ; C. F. Abbott, Secretary to 
 Landscape Superintendent ; E. D. Allen, Superintendent of Decoration ; 
 B. M. Appel, Medical Department ; H. W. Allport, Surgeon, Medical De- 
 partment ; Theodore Buskirk, Assistant Engineer of Surveys and Grades ; 
 O. A. Berry, General Yard Master ; O. H. Binkley, Assistant Engineer of 
 Surveys and Grades ; F. J. Beesly, Superintendent, Water Supply Depart- 
 ment ; Charles H. Baldwin, Assistant Attorney ; W. Baird, Captain of Guards : 
 W. E. Brown, Superintendent of Transportation Building ; Miss Mary Brown, 
 Superintendent of Nurses in Medical Department ; R. Bosserman, Superin- 
 tendent of Warehouses ; M. M. Chesrown, Secretary to Assistant Director 
 of Works ; J. F. Curtis, Buying and Freight Clerk ; L. D. Cleaveland, 
 Superintendent of Horticultural Building ; D. A. CoUins, Superintendent of 
 Interior Docking ; B. B. Cheesman, Superintendent of Music Hall, Casino, 
 and Peristyle ; W. C. Callahan, Assistant to General Superintendent ; A. A. 
 Clark, Superintendent of Midway Plaisance ; John Colley, Second Assistant 
 Mechanical Engineer ; W. H. Chamberlain, Superintendent of Shoe and 
 Leather Building ; R. A. Dennell, Superintendent of State Buildings ; A. J. 
 Davis, Steam-heating Inspector ; G. W. Danforth, Second Assistant Me- 
 chanical Engineer ; C. L. Etheridge, Engineer of Police and Fire Alarm 
 System ; Frank Eno, Second Assistant Engineer, Water Supply, Sewerage, 
 and Fire Protection Department ; J. K. Freitag, Superintendent of Dairy 
 Building ; Bernard Feind, Assistant Engineer, Water Supply Department ; 
 W. J. Fuller, General Foreman of Landscape Department ; F. E. Ferguson, 
 Superintendent of Carpentry ; J. F. Gray, Secretary to Mechanical Engineer ; 
 H. E. Graham, Specification Stenographer ; P. H. Gavin, Assistant Engineer 
 of Surveys and Grades ; William Green, Superintendent of Terminals ; P. 
 Galvin, Assistant Superintendent of Track Laying ; P. Haley, Superin- 
 tendent of Track Laying ; Charles Holloway, Superintendent of Color 
 Department ; I. Hamlin, Assistant Secretary to Mechanical • Engineer ; 
 H. S. Hibbard, Superintendent of Electricity Building ; Henry Hutton, 
 Barn Foreman ; Robert Hardie, First Assistant Mechanical Engineer ; 
 G. V. Hines, Assistant Superintendent of Terminals ; Allen Hazen, 
 Chemist, Water Supply and Sewerage Department ; Lieutenant G. C. 
 Hanus, Assistant Superintendent of Marine Bureau ; Everett Hunter, In- 
 spector of Roads ; R. J. C. Irvine, Captain of Columbian Guards ; C. A. 
 Jordan, Superintendent of Mines and Mining Building ; E, Jackson, Head 
 Janitor at Service Building ; N. F. Jenks, Superintendent of Art Building ; 
 S. T. Jacobs, Secretary to Superintendent of Exterior Covering ; J. Jordan, 
 Night Yard-Master ; J. H. Jones, Clerk in Railroad Department ; Rudolph 
 Kinzelbach, Electrician ; A. C. Libby, Assistant Engineer of Surveys and 
 Grades ; E. R. Loring, Inspector, Water Supply and Sewerage Department ; 
 C. E. Lund, Superintendent of Clambake Building ; L. B. Larmour, Super- 
 intendent of Anthropological Building ; J. D. Mason, Assistant Engineer of 
 Railroads ; J. H. Murphy, Specification Writer and Superintendent of Agri- 
 
152 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 culture Building ; Alexander Murrie, Superintendent of Transportation 
 Building ; Captain William Miller, First Assistant Engineer, Water Supply, 
 Sewerage, and Fire Protection Department ; John Meaden, Assistant Me- 
 chanical Engineer ; S. G. Neiler, Assistant Electrical Engineer ; George C. 
 Nimmons, Superintendent of Mines Building ; H. F. J. Porter, Assistant 
 
 SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE AGRICULTURE BUILDING, MARCH 17, 1892. 
 
 Mechanical Engineer ; L. B. Parsons, Station Master ; J. V. Paulsen, Assist- 
 ant Engineer of Surveys and Grades ; Andrew Ritter, Second Assistant Me- 
 chanical Engineer ; H. G. Ripley, Draughtsman in Color Department ; G. 
 Reinick, Superintendent of Machinery Hall ; J. C. Riley, Assistant Superin- 
 tendent of Landscape ; R. E. Richardson, Assistant Electrical Engineer ; F. H. 
 Soden, Assistant Engineer of Electrical Construction ; William N. Sturgis, 
 Secretary to Chief of Construction ; R. M. Shankland, Assistant to Chief En- 
 gineer ; L. A. Scoville, Superintendent of Electrical Construction ; B. Syder- 
 helm. Superintendent of Greenhouse ; Isaac Sherwood, Timekeeper ; William 
 Schlimgen, Superintendent of Music Hall ; Paul Starrett, Assistant to Chief 
 Engineer ; Luther Stieringer, Expert Electrical Engineer ; M. K. Stauffer, In- 
 spector of Piling for Bridges ; T. R. Sylvanus, Inspector of Water ; J. J. Siddall, 
 Captain of Guard ; George B. Tennant, Superintendent of Machinery Hall ; 
 C. Y. Turner, Assistant Director of Decoration ; F. A. Trittle, Superintendent 
 of Mines and Mining Building ; M. Updike, Superintendent of Manufactures 
 
CONSTRUCTION. jco 
 
 Building ; J. H. Ward, Superintendent of Electricity Building ; H. H. 
 Weatherwax, Superintendent of Transportation Annex ; F. W. Watts, Super- 
 intendent of Administration Building ; G. V. Wilson, Secretary to General 
 Superintendent ; John Worcester, Superintendent of Steel Construction ; 
 W. H. Wickes, Superintendent of Fire and Police Stations ; John N. Whit- 
 law, Superintendent of Fisheries Building ; Max Young, Superintendent of 
 Dredging ; Charles Yingling, Night Yard-Master ; N. R. Yaeger, Surgeon, 
 Medical Department. 
 
 In February, 1891, when the first shed was built on the Lake Front, the 
 labor union officers began an agitation because this building was let to a 
 non-union contractor, and this led to a conference between the officers of the 
 labor organizations and the Board of Directors of the Exposition. A de- 
 mand was made that the Directors employ none but union men, that they fix 
 minimum wages, and that they make eight hours a day's work. The Direc- 
 tors refused to establish minimum wages, or to employ union labor exclu- 
 sively ; but they agreed to an eight-hour day, and that overtime should be 
 paid for at the rate of time and a half for week days and double on Sundays. 
 This agreement was with the building trades, and later the officers of other 
 organizations claimed that it covered their trades. The Trades Council offi- 
 cers agreed at the same time not to strike without notice, and to arbitrate 
 differences ; but this agreement was broken many times, and the Chief of 
 Construction made all labor contracts with the eight-hour clause in. The 
 extra costs to the company from this agreement could not have been less 
 than a million dollars. There was no need, under the agreement, for the 
 Chief of Construction to make an eight-hour day for every sort of employee ; 
 but he did so, even in the case of the guard, which was operated in three 
 shifts, though the agreement was with the building trades only. In emer- 
 gencies the company was, of course, obliged to keep men overtime. This 
 was not to be avoided in any enterprise of such magnitude when time was of 
 vital importance. 
 
 Strikes occurred among the iron setters and the electrical construction 
 men, and in fact among all the trades ; but the most important ones were 
 among the carpenters. A high fence was built around Jackson Park early in 
 1 89 1, and the gates were kept by guards. This, and the building of sufficient 
 and cheap boarding houses, enabled the Chief of Construction to take care 
 of large numbers of men day and night where agitators could not get at 
 them, and insured tolerably peaceable control and steady progress. Two 
 commissary buildings were at once erected by concessionnaires — one at the 
 north bank of the Grand Basin on the Lake Shore, accommodating two 
 thousand boarders and lodgers, and one at Sixty-second Street, on the west 
 side of the lagoon. The latter was a general restaurant of a higher class, 
 where clerks, officers, and visitors could procure meals, but not lodgings. 
 The old Service Building, which was erected between Sixty-second and Sixty- 
 third Streets, contained the offices and sleeping rooms of Superintendent Ger- 
 
154 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 aldine and some engineers. The Chief of Construction had sleeping quarters 
 there, and he and his chief men spent a night or two a week there from the 
 time it was ready until the spring of 1892. Mr. Geraldine lived there con- 
 stantly. The Construction Staff at this time took their meals at the old Park 
 Farm House, in which Mr. Geraldine had placed Edward Jackson, janitor of 
 
 AN ARCH JOINT, 
 125 feet from the ground, in the Manufactures Building, April lo, 1892. 
 
 the Service Building. This structure was erected May i, 1 891, and was torn 
 down a year later to make place for the new Service Building. 
 
 The actual beginning of the work was the grading and dredging, and 
 ground was first broken on the south line of the Agricultural Building by a 
 force of the contractors' men. The grading and filling was done by means 
 of scrapers where the earth was above water. When the excavation was 
 under water it was all done by great steam dredges that cut their way in from 
 the lake, making channels through which they themselves could float. They 
 were like large beetles, burrowing in the ground, and seemed, as one watched 
 them, like living creatures gnawing away the crust of the earth. Nor were 
 men alone of this impression. A terrier dog spent an entire day fighting a 
 dredge on the Grand Basin, running under and shrilly objecting to the 
 ladles filled with clay as they were swung over the dump, and even fol- 
 
CONSTRUCTION. 
 
 155 
 
 lowed up the mounds thus formed, biting the iron bottom of the scoop, 
 and then chasing it back again into the water, under the evident impression 
 that the thing was conquered, until another load arose from the water, 
 when he repeated the operation. The trees were cut down with saw and 
 axe, their roots were pulled up by chains and teams of mules, and the wood 
 was piled and burned. During the dredging and filling, McArthur Brothers, 
 
 NORTH END OF THE ELECTRICITY BUILDING, APRIL 26, 1892. 
 
 the contractors, lodged their men and teams on the grounds, in tents and 
 shanties put up for the purpose, some of the men finding quarters in the 
 Commissary Building, on the Lake Front. The McArthur contract was 
 let by the cubic yard, the price varying with the sort of work to be done. 
 The contract was signed February i8, 1891, and the actual work was begun 
 February 1 1 with a force of fifty Italians. During the execution of this 
 work, six hundred men, three hundred cars, one hundred and seventy- 
 five teams, one hundred and thirty scrapers, and six dredges were employed. 
 Supplementary contracts for lesser parts of the work were let to N. G. 
 Dodge and James McMahon. The dredges placed the sand excavated from 
 the lagoons, channels, and basins on the banks of the lagoons, whence it was 
 lifted and distributed to the higher levels of the terraces or building sites. 
 Around the formal canals and basin the docking was formed by driving 
 
J -5 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 piles, having stringers and vertical planking, and this structure, which was 
 secured by iron rods running back to anchor piles, was covered with archi- 
 tectural staff. 
 
 By June i, 1 891, the first building site — that of the Mines Building — was 
 raised to the level on which foundations could be begun, and in July that 
 building and the Woman's Building were started. 
 
 From this time the work of building was pushed forward rapidly, until, 
 at the end of August, 1891, the Administration, the Transportation, the Manu- 
 factures, the Electrical, the Mines, the Agricultural, the Horticultural, the 
 Woman's, and the Fisheries buildings were all under way. In September 
 the quaint and interesting Forestry Building, composed of timbers and 
 natural logs of wood in the bark, comprising nearly every known species of 
 wood in this country, was placed under contract. Machinery Hall and Fine 
 Arts Buildings were the last. They were both contracted for in October. 
 The rapidity with which this work was placed under contract and put 
 under way is another tribute to the energy and efficiency of the Chief 
 of Construction and to his success as an organizer. The lateness of the 
 time when the contracts were let for Machinery Hall and the Art Building 
 were serious misfortunes ; in both instances the installation crowded upon 
 the heels of construction and was delayed. This was particularly true of the 
 enormous power plant, but little of which was in operation on May i, 1893. 
 But the delays were unavoidable. In the case of Machinery Hall they grew 
 out of commendable caution upon the part of the Chief of Construction, 
 who deemed it advisable to have certain engineering features of the plan 
 revised and strains recalculated, in order that perfect stability and security as 
 to the building might be obtained. The Art Building was for many months 
 in an unfortunate predicament ; a sentiment prevailed throughout the city 
 that while so many millions were to be expended for temporary buildings it 
 was only just that one of a permanent character should be erected, that 
 might remain as a memorial. It was urged that the Art Building for the 
 Exposition should be located upon the Lake Front, and become the property 
 of the Art Institute. The additional cost of making this building permanent 
 could, it was thought, be borne by the Art Institute. Few of those identi- 
 fied with the Exposition enterprise could, however, look with favor upon the 
 separation of this one building from the others and its location seven miles 
 distant from the rest of the Exposition. The design of the Art Building 
 was delayed for many months that this plan might be considered. It was 
 finally abandoned. Charles B. Atwood, the designer in chief of the Expo- 
 sition, prepared the plans for the beautiful Art Building. It was located in 
 the great meadow in the improved portion of Jackson Park — the site for- 
 merly set apart for the Horticultural Building. It was constructed in a 
 more substantial manner than the other buildings, both for the protection of 
 the art treasures to be stored within it and because it was thought that, with 
 some alterations, it might remain after the rest of the Exposition had passed 
 
CONSTRUCTION. 
 
 157 
 
 away. It was built of brick and steel. Its covering was staff, as in the case 
 of the other buildings. But little wood was used in its construction, and it 
 was substantially fireproof. After the close of the Exposition it became the 
 home of the Field Columbian Museum. 
 
 Shortly after the contracts were awarded for the construction of the 
 Manufactures Building it was found that the space which this building pro- 
 vided would be utterly inadequate for the accommodation of the departments 
 of Manufactures, Liberal Arts, and Ethnology. The building as first designed 
 was exactly the same as it was finally constructed, except that the original 
 plan contemplated two interior courts arid a low suppressed iron dome in the 
 center, and it had been planned that the Leather and Shoe Trades Building 
 should be placed in one of these courts and a music hall in the other. When 
 it was realized that the space thus provided would be inadequate, the entire 
 plan of the dome and the interior courts was abandoned and the space from 
 wall to wall placed under one enormous roof supported by steel arches or 
 trusses. These arches sprang from the floor of the building 206 feet in the 
 air. The width of the arches was 368 feet. 
 These enormous trusses supported a steel 
 and glass roof, which in the center of the 
 building was 237 feet above the floor. The 
 arches were constructed with hinged bolts at 
 the base and top, so as to admit of expan- 
 sion and contraction with the heat or cold 
 without injury to the building. 
 
 The character of the Manufactures Build- 
 ing illustrates the rapidity of action and fer- 
 tility of resource, coupled with boldness and 
 audacity, which were distinct characteristics 
 of the Construction Department. The rad- 
 ical and stupendous change in this structure 
 was entered upon and determined in a very 
 few days when the requirements that com- 
 pelled it were thoroughly understood, and, 
 unlike most radical changes in architectural 
 design, this change was a complete success 
 both from an architectural and practical stand- 
 point. The enormous glass roof with its great elevation above the ground 
 had certain serious objections and very nearly precipitated a lamentable fail- 
 ure of at least a portion of the Exposition. It might perhaps be considered 
 unwise to repeat this experiment, at least without many additional precau- 
 tions. The danger and damage from breaking glass, the difficulty of prevent- 
 ing the roof from leaking and snow from forming avalanches of such weight 
 as to crush the lower portions of the roof structure in their descent, were seri- 
 ous objections. As late as April, 1893, the entire available force in Jackson 
 
 CHARLES B. ATWOOD, 
 Designer-in-Chief. 
 
J g THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Park was on more than one occasion called into requisition to shield exhibits 
 from torrents of rain pouring in through defective roofs. 
 
 The buildings of the foreign countries were not ready until June. Nearly- 
 all the State buildings were ready on time, but there was some delay in 
 cleaning up in and about them. The Midway Plaisance was well forward 
 on time, though late concessionnaires continued to erect small structures 
 through the early summer. 
 
 The foundations of the buildings were of wood, consisting of boards 
 laid in trenches on top of each other at right angles, but in a few places, 
 especially under the southwest corner of the Manufactures Building and 
 the northwest corner of the Agricultural Building, and under the great 
 trusses of the Manufactures Building, piles were driven. All the 
 foundations of the trusses of the Administration Building were of piles. 
 The upright structural parts of all the main buildings were of timber 
 latticed with wood, and protected from the chance of fire sucking up 
 through the vertical open spaces by horizontal sheets of cement mortar, 
 varying in thickness from three to six inches. These were called "fire 
 stops " and were placed at several levels in the tall piers. The main roof 
 trusses were wholly of iron in the Mines and Electricity Buildings and in 
 the Administration dome, the central part of the Manufactures Building, the 
 domes of the Horticultural and Fisheries Buildings, and the roof of the Fine 
 Arts Building. The other roof trusses were a combination of wood and 
 iron. The windage allowed for in strength of materials was thirty pounds 
 pressure to the square foot on the vertical plane. The construction of roofs 
 went on satisfactorily, but the roofs all leaked. Those made entirely of 
 corrugated iron, like the Manufactures and Machinery, were more rotten 
 than the others, while the canvas roof stood rather the best. 
 
 The work of filling had been begun with a few hundred men. When the 
 construction was fairly under way the number of men employed in the Park 
 increased rapidly to over a thousand, and then, as the work progressed, to 
 several thousand. It is not possible to give accurate figures as to the number 
 of men employed at any time. It is probable that there were usually from 
 three thousand to four thousand men at work upon the various buildings and 
 on the grounds, and during the last months preceding the opening of the 
 gates, when construction work was being completed and installation was 
 vigorously carried on, from twelve thousand to fourteen thousand men were 
 employed. 
 
 For the admission of material into Jackson Park a spur track was con- 
 structed from the Illinois Central Railroad tracks into the Park, and as rapidly 
 as filling was completed tracks spread out in every direction, by means of 
 which building materials were brought in and deposited at points convenient 
 for use. Millions of feet of lumber, thousands of tons of structural iron, 
 nails by the car load — in fact, every species of building material in un- 
 heard-of quantities came into the Park. Thirty-six thousand four hundred 
 
CONSTRUCTION. 
 
 159 
 
 MAKING A MOULD, AUGUST 3, 1892. 
 
 and seven car loads of structural material, coal, and supplies were received 
 at Jackson Park up to July ii, 1893. The tracks on the first-floor 
 level of the large buildings were called installation tracks. The first 
 "yard" was made in the south end of the grounds, the tracks running 
 east and west. It was 
 superseded by the great 
 yard and the interior- 
 locking system, which 
 were but little used, 
 except as an exhibit 
 of a terminus. In this 
 respect it was very sat- 
 isfactory to railroad 
 people. All the switch- 
 es were operated from 
 lever towers. The 
 tracks running to the 
 State buildings were 
 removed but a few 
 days before the Expo- 
 sition opened ; those 
 for the Art Building only a week before, and the railways running to the 
 Manufactures and Agricultural Buildings were not removed until June i. 
 
 The first statuary work in architectural staff (which was a mixture of 
 plaster of Paris and wood fiber) was done by the Phillipson Brothers, in a 
 large shed south of the Mines Building, on the prairie. But when filling 
 and grading began in that neighborhood, and the Administration Plaza was 
 raised about fourteen feet above datum, the Phillipson sheds were left in a 
 hollow. When the main buildings were carried up to the first floor, visitors 
 began to pour in. They generally got out of the carriages at Phillipson's 
 and went through the place to see the staff cast in molds. Here the first 
 statue of Benjamin Franklin, by Carl Rohl Smith, assisted by Miss Enid 
 Yandell, was made. Swarms of people from Eastern cities were shown 
 about the grounds, and on returning home became very effectual boomers 
 of the Fair. 
 
 The life of the Director of Works and his staff was like that of soldiers 
 on the field. They seldom went home, their entire energies were put into 
 the work, and there was no cessation day or night. The fire gongs rang 
 every alarm in the corridors of the Service Building, and any unusual occur- 
 rence was at once reported at headquarters. In the old Service Building 
 the members of the staff who happened to be there were entertained occa- 
 sionally by a lantern-sHde show by Mr. Arnold, the photographer, the pictures 
 of the work as it progressed being of principal interest. Early in the spring 
 of 1892 the new Service Building was ready, and the whole staff moved in. 
 
i6o 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 most of them remaining there till the close of the Exposition. At this 
 time, also, the PoHce Headquarters, the Telegraph Headquarters, fire 
 stations, and Hospital Corps were removed to the new quarters in the Serv- 
 ice Building. 
 
 Sometimes distinguished travelers or artists who happened to be in the 
 city were invited by the Chief of Construction to stay overnight and 
 witness the early morning inspection, his object being to send them home 
 filled with the enthusiasm that ruled at the works among all the men of his 
 staff ; and later, when the force moved into the new Service Building, there 
 was music in the large sitting-room of the Director of Works nearly every 
 evening. This was generally piano music by George Wilson, Secretary of 
 the Bureau of Music, or Mr. Wilkes, the Sanitary Engineer. Mr. Tomhns 
 also played on the organ that he used for his concert tours, which was in this 
 room nearly a year. On Sunday afternoons Theodore Thomas provided the 
 best instrumental music — either trio, quartet, or quintet, and very often well- 
 known singers were 
 there as well. During 
 the entire time that 
 the artists and sculp- 
 tors were at work on 
 their decorations and 
 statues they used to 
 dine together at the 
 Old Commissary No. 
 I, which stood where 
 the northeast corner of 
 the Festival Hall after- 
 ward rested. These 
 evenings were most 
 happy, the men throw- 
 ing off formality and 
 covering the walls with 
 caricatures of one an- 
 other and the various 
 officers of their posi- 
 tion. Many of these 
 Half of them went to James W. Ellsworth, and 
 
 GROUP, 
 
 ■PLENTY," FOR THE COLONNADE. 
 M. A. Waagen, Sculptor. 
 
 drawings were very fine, 
 the rest to Mr. Burnham. 
 
 From the beginning of the work of preparation, the dual control of the 
 World's Columbian Exposition and the National Commission caused trouble, 
 and the consequent uncertainties, delays, and annoyances from these con- 
 flicts finally became so grave that a plan for an organization to take the place 
 of both bodies in authority over the Exposition was proposed, and was re- 
 ferred to a joint committee of the Commission and the Directory. This re- 
 
CONSTRUCTION. 
 
 l6l 
 
 suited in a new organization known as the Council of Administration, as set 
 forth in Chapter VIII. 
 
 At this time the buildings and grounds of the Exposition were well ad- 
 vanced. The new organization was perfected August 25, 1892 — eight weeks 
 before the dedicatory ceremonies took place. Matters being thus simplified, 
 the work went along with less friction, as there was but one body having 
 jurisdiction in the Park. 
 
 At the time of the discharge of the Committee on Grounds and Build- 
 ings Henry B. Stone was serving as its chairman, having been appointed in 
 April, 1892. Mr. Stone was a man of rare ability as an organizer, and to 
 his excellent judgment and administration the Exposition owed much of its 
 success. Mr. Burnham writes of him : 
 
 " He only required of me to consult with him as to the general policy and 
 to report progress. This wise stand soon led me to have deep confidence in 
 him, and from the beginning of his connection with the Fair until its close 
 he was my constant adviser and strong, steady, consistent backer. As the 
 head of the committee, he was most effective, enabling them to handle the 
 huge amount of work which came to their table daily, with ease, precision, 
 and good judgment. He came down to the grounds frequently and stayed 
 with me days at a time, when he was careful to keep out of the way himself 
 and not appear to be taking a hand in the direction of affairs. He was my 
 resource every day until the Grounds and Buildings Committee went out of 
 existence and the Council of Administration was formed." 
 
 The meeting of architects in January, 1891, dealt only with the formal 
 part of the Fair, around the Grand Basin and the Wooded Island, and from 
 time to time, as the scheme of the Exposition unfolded, decisions were 
 reached touching other parts of the grounds, and the details in the way of 
 building and other objects were decided. It was not until a few months be- 
 fore the Fair was opened that the complete plan was evolved and the final 
 map of the Exposition made. 
 
 There were seven distinct parts in the design of the Exposition : i. The 
 basin and the canal with their surrounding architecture of the grand styles. 
 In this part every element was intended to enhance the dignity and the 
 high conventional quality of the design as a whole, and every object was 
 carefully considered in relation to the surroundings. 2. The wooded islands 
 with their surrounding "lagoons, where freedom in style of architecture was 
 allowed, but a dignified repose and harmony of parts was insisted on. 3. The 
 Government location, where both the United States and foreign nations 
 erected their headquarters, and wherein discretion was allowed. 4. The 
 Federal State location, where the Fine Arts Building in the center required 
 a high expression in architecture on the part of the State Commissions, which 
 was carried out with varying success. 5. The Midway Plaisance, to which 
 were relegated the villages of nations and buildings of concessionnaires, in- 
 cluding the Ferris Wheel and the Ice Railway. 6. The live-stock, out-of-door 
 
1 62 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 agricultural exhibits, Convent of La Rabida, Leather, Forestry, Dairy, and 
 Anthropological Buildings, and the many anthropological exhibits under 
 Prof. Putnam. 7. The railway yards, storehouses, bonded warehouses, and 
 workshops of the Fair, and of concessionnaires. 
 
 During the summer of 1891 Mr. Atwood was repeatedly urged to furnish 
 a design for the columns suggested by Mr. St. Gaudens to close in the east 
 
 WEST SIDE OF THE MANUFACTURES BUILDING 
 after the gale, April 27, l8g2, 
 
 side of the Grand Court. At length, quite out of patience, the Chief of 
 Construction made a last demand, when Mr. Atwood, after saying he had 
 great hesitation in differing with architects who had approved the semicircle 
 plan, produced a sketch for the Peristyle, Music Hall, and Casino as they 
 were finally made. This he asked to have considered, as he felt that the 
 thirteen columns would prove too thin, and that a more. important composi- 
 tion was needed to close that end of the Court and give greater value to the 
 lake beyond by not revealing it quite so obviously. The design was laid 
 before the other architects of the Grand Court, and they accepted it at once. 
 Before the project of Mr. Atwood's was suggested a series of piers and 
 breakwaters had been built ; but when his design was adopted, it at once 
 
CONSTRUCTION. ^5- 
 
 became evident that it would be necessary to change them. To the discus- 
 sion of a proper form of these piers all the Court of Honor designers 
 brought their suggestions, one favoring a curved form like the antennee of a 
 beetle — arms embracing the sea. The Chief of Construction finally decided 
 the question on two grounds, one practical and one artistic. The first 
 reason was that the shipowners who had entered into an agreement with 
 the Exposition Company to occupy the piers found the structures must 
 run out into deep water to afford proper draft for their great steamers, and 
 that the lines of the pier must be straight, as the ships could not land pas- 
 sengers on curved wharves. The other reason was, that nothing could equal 
 the artistic effect of the waters of Lake Michigan coming directly against 
 the base of the Peristyle. This decision was approved by the designers, the 
 piers were removed soon after they were finished and a straight one was built 
 out into the lake half a mile from shore, its end touching the south side of 
 the Peristyle. 
 
 While the Peristyle was a necessary architectural scheme, at each end of 
 it and forming parts of the composition were large buildings, each two 
 hundred and forty-six by one hundred and forty feet. The one to the north 
 inclosed a large and very beautiful orchestral Music Hall, seating about two 
 thousand five hundred people, with a large recital hall for chamber music on 
 the east front. This building was fitted with dressing rooms, orchestral 
 rooms, offices, and quarters for the Director, Mr. Theodore Thomas. The 
 building to the south was occupied by a great restaurant, the first story car- 
 rying many small concession booths, and the upper floors large dining rooms, 
 reached by elevators. 
 
 The roof over the Peristyle proper was used as a grand promenade, from 
 which was the finest view of the Grand Court and the lake ; and its central 
 feature, the grand arch, formed the water gate of the Exposition, bearing 
 inscriptions in the panels, as shown in the diagram on the next page. 
 
 The Service Building and the Administration Building were designed to 
 contain the offices of the Exposition Company and those of the National 
 Commission. In the Service Building, designed by Mr. Atwood, were 
 located the headquarters of the Chief of Construction, Assistant Chief of 
 Construction, Director of Decorations, Engineer of Sewerage, Water, and 
 Gas, Engineer of Surveys and Grades, Purchasing Agent, General Superin- 
 tendent, Guard and Secret Service, Fire Department, Chief Engineer, Elec- 
 trical Department, Mechanical Department, and Landscape Department. It 
 also contained the Emergency Hospital, the Telegraphic Headquarters, the 
 Lost-article Room, and sleeping quarters for the Director of Work and all 
 his principal engineers, who were compelled to live in the Park for a year 
 before the Exposition was opened and during its continuance. 
 
 The Administration Building contained in one pavilion the offices of the 
 President and Secretary of the Exposition, the Council of Administration, 
 and the Director General ; in another, the offices and meeting rooms of the 
 
164 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Toward the Lake. 
 
 A FEW 
 
 DARED, TOILED 
 
 AND SUFFERED. 
 
 MYRIADS ENJOY 
 
 THE FRUITS. 
 
 to the bold men, 
 
 their names remembered or forgotten, 
 
 who first explored through perils manifold 
 
 the shores, lakes, rivers, mountains, valleys and plains 
 
 of' this new world. 
 
 of many races, 
 tongues, creeds, 
 
 AND AIMS, 
 
 BUT ALL HEROES 
 
 OF DISCOVERY. 
 
 THE WILDERNESS AND THE SOLITARY PLACE SHALL BE GLAD FOR THEM. 
 
 Isaiah xxxv, i. 
 
 TO THE 
 BRAVE SETTLERS 
 WHO LEVELED 
 FORESTS, 
 CLEARED FIELDS, 
 MADE PATHS BY 
 LAND AND WATER 
 
 AND PLANTED 
 COMMONWEALTHS 
 
 Note. — These inscriptions, at the request of the 
 Director of Works, were selected or written by 
 President Charles William Eliot, of Harvard 
 University. They were not credited on the Peri- 
 style, but we have added the credits to the quota- 
 tions. All that are not so credited were written 
 by President Eliot. 
 
 TO THE 
 
 BRAVE WOMEN 
 
 WHO IN 
 
 SOLITUDES, 
 
 AMID STRANGE 
 
 DANGERS AND 
 
 HEAVY TOIL, 
 
 REARED FAMILIES 
 
 AND MADE HOMES. 
 
 Toward the Court of Honor. 
 
 CIVIL LIBERTY 
 
 THE MEANS 
 
 OF BUILDING UP 
 
 PERSONAL AND 
 
 NATIONAL CHARACTER. 
 
 TO THE PIONEERS OF CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. 
 
 BUT BOLDER THEV WHO FIRST OFF-CAST 
 THEIR MOORINGS FROM THE HABITABLE PAST 
 AND VENTURED CHARTLESS ON THE SEA 
 OF STORM-ENGENDERING LIBERTY. 
 
 Jatnes Hussell Lowell. 
 
 TOLERATION 
 
 IN 
 
 RELIGION 
 
 • THE 
 
 BEST FRUIT 
 
 OF 
 
 THE LAST 
 
 FOUR 
 
 CENTURIES. 
 
 YE SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE. 
 
 John viii, 32. 
 
 I, FREEDOM, DWELL 
 
 WITH KNOWLEDGE, 
 
 I ABIDE 
 
 WITH MEN BY 
 
 CULTURE TRAINED 
 
 AND FORTIFIED. 
 
 CONSCIENCE 
 MY SCEPTER IS, 
 AND LAW MY SWORD. 
 J. R. Lowell, 
 
 Note. — President Eliot's fundamental idea, in 
 the collocation of the inscriptions, was to use the 
 side toward the lake to commemorate the explor- 
 ers and settlers of the New World, and the side 
 toward the Court of Honor to commemorate the 
 pioneers of liberty. 
 
 WE HERE , 
 
 HIGHLY RESOLVE 
 
 THAT GOVERNMENT' 
 
 OF THE PEOPLE, 
 
 BY THE PEOPLE, 
 
 FOR THE 
 
 PEOPLE, 
 
 SHALL NOT PERISH 
 
 FROM THE EARTH. 
 
 A braham Lincoln. 
 
 THE INSCRIPTIONS ON THE PERISTYLE. 
 
CONSTRUCTION. 
 
 165 
 
 World's Columbian Commission and the office of the President of the Board 
 of Lady Managers ; in the others, the Departments of Foreign Affairs and 
 Publicity and Promotion, the Northern Trust Company's branch bank, tele- 
 graph and express offices, guard rooms, and a restaurant. 
 
 Early in 1893 an office, two hundred and thirty -four feet by seventy feet, 
 was erected north of the Service Building to accommodate the Bureau of 
 Admissions and Collections and the quarters of the Treasurer and Auditor 
 of the Exposition. 
 
 The South Colonnade at the end of the canal, between the Agricultural 
 and Machinery Buildings, was intended to be an architectural screen across 
 the Court at this point. At each end were large rooms on the first and sec- 
 ond floors, which were occupied by the great agricultural and live-stock soci- 
 eties of the world and by a restaurant. 
 
 The Live-stock PaviHon was designed by Holabird & Roche, of Chicago. 
 The building was open in the center, having a large tan-bark open course, 
 under which was a cedar-block pavement. This space was intended to show 
 live stock, but was used mostly for military tournaments and for athletics 
 and large open-air meetings. No stables or sheds were erected in the south 
 end of the grounds until late in the summer, when they were needed for 
 occupancy. 
 
 The stock barns were better than need have been, as there was an at- 
 tempt to give them an architectural appearance. The live-stock season 
 lasted only a few weeks, and the barns might as well have been long, con- 
 tinuous sheds, like those at State fairs, where the same animals are annually 
 shown. 
 
 The Dairy Building was designed by Mr. Atwood. Large quantities of 
 dairy products were produced here from the milk of fancy cattle, which were 
 on exhibition at the Fair. In connection with it were barns used to house 
 the dairy cattle and also the plants that were used during the Fair to orna- 
 ment the balustrades and terraces around the Grand Basin and the canals, 
 and which had to be kept over the winter before the Fair. 
 
 The Sawmill was built by the Exposition Company, and accommodated 
 four different exhibitors of complete modern sawmill machinery plants, and 
 the sawing of logs into lumber was carried on daily. The logs came by rail, 
 and the lumber manufactured was used partly in the Park, and part was sent 
 away to outsiders. 
 
 The Pump House, designed by Mr. Atwood, covered the great Worth- 
 ington pump, which supplied forty million gallons of water a day. 
 
 The Sewage Cleansing Works was designed by Mr. Atwood. This 
 building, together with the garbage furnace, was placed in the southeastern 
 corner of the Park, whence the prevailing southwest winds could carry off 
 over the lake all smells created by them. But no odors were ever noted 
 here, even in the hottest weather. 
 
 The Homoeopathic Hospital was erected by members of that profession, 
 
1 66 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 erected by the corn- 
 were allowed to 
 
 and was for the purpose of exhibit, though treatment of patients was allowed 
 under certain restrictions. 
 
 The Exposition built several fine warehouses before and during the Fair, 
 and extensive warehouses for the packing cases used by exhibitors were also 
 
 pany. A number of concessionnaires 
 erected workshops and storerooms 
 western part of Jackson Park. This 
 was necessary because cooking and 
 manufacturing of many things could 
 not be carried on without offense in 
 the body of the Exposition. There, 
 too were located the carpentry and 
 blacksmith shops used by the forces 
 of the Construction Department. 
 
 The Staff House was a small 
 building containing models of arch- 
 itectural ornaments which might be 
 needed during the Fair, or in case a 
 part of a building was destroyed or 
 injured. A small tool house for the 
 Landscape Department was built on 
 the Wooded Island. 
 
 The Monastery of La Rabida 
 was built by the Exposition Com- 
 pany, and contained articles relating to Columbus, and many portraits, 
 books, documents, swords, and relics of his time. It was an exact repro- 
 duction of that part of the monastery which was standing when Columbus 
 was first succored by its Prior, Juan Perez de Marchina. 
 
 The Leather-and-Shoe Exhibit Building was to have been located north 
 of the Manufactures Building ; but the United States Government, to 
 whom that ground had been conceded, objected, and it was then built by 
 the Exposition Company, in the southeastern portion of the grounds, after 
 designs of Mr. Sandier. The shoe and leather industries of the country 
 subscribed for one hundred thousand dollars of the Exposition Company's 
 stock in consideration of being allowed to have a building of their own. 
 
 The Festival Hall, designed by Mr. Whitehouse, seating over four thou- 
 sand people, was intended for choral music. It was used constantly during 
 the Exposition for this purpose, and for ceremonies of the States, nations, and 
 various societies. 
 
 The special fire-service houses were built to accommodate each a company 
 of firemen with apparatus and horses, and to contain sleeping quarters and 
 an assembly room for a company of the guard. 
 
 The Anthropological Building was delayed in designing and in execution, 
 because it was not decided upon until it was found that there was not room 
 
 STAFF DETAIL 
 FOR THE MANUFACTURES BUILDING. 
 
CONSTRUCTION. 
 
 167 
 
 for this exhibit in the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, where, by 
 the classification, it belonged. 
 
 The Cold-storage structure was a large building for the manufacture of 
 ice, and was intended as an exhibit of ice-making machinery, as well as a 
 place to store perishable material during the Fair. It was burned during the 
 Exposition, and seventeen men lost their Hves. 
 
 The Hygeia Building was a pumping station, and the water coming in 
 pipes from the celebrated springs in Wisconsin, more than a hundred miles 
 away, was forced into drinking fountains throughout the Park, and was sold 
 for a cent a glass. 
 
 The Intramural car-houses and shops stored the cars for the Inti'amural 
 Elevated Road, and furnished the power that drove the trains. 
 
 The Lowney Pavilion was one of the two buildings erected at the cost 
 of the Exposition Company with the intention of renting them to exhibit- 
 ors ; an occupant for only one was found, namely, the Lowney Chocolate 
 Company. 
 
 Merck & Co. erected a building at their own expense, as exhibitors ; and, 
 as agreed upon in the contract for space, they furnished, free of charge, all 
 the drugs and disinfectants used in the Park by the Sewerage Department 
 and the Medical Director. 
 
 The Public Comfort Building, just inside the Fifty-ninth Street entrance, 
 was designed by Mr. Atwood, and was erected by the Exposition Company. 
 It contained a large restaurant, waiting rooms, and various conveniences for 
 the public. 
 
 The Photographic Building was erected by the Exposition Company at 
 its own expense, and the Photographic Annex for portraiture was erected at 
 the expense of the concessionnaire. 
 
 The Railway Perrori, a very expensive structure, was a part of the design 
 of the terminal station by Mr. Atwood. 
 
 The three band-stands were designed by Mr. Atwood. 
 
 The Children's Building was erected by the Construction Department, 
 and paid for out of subscriptions raised by ladies of Chicago. (See Chapter 
 XIII.) 
 
 The building used by the Illinois Board of Lady Managers for a phar- 
 macy, hospital, and exhibit of hospital appliances, was built by the Construc- 
 tion Department, the cost, being defrayed by Mr. Higinbotham. 
 
 The express companies had offices, stables, and storehouses in the Park. 
 
 Two sets of propagating houses were built. Those in the rear of the 
 Horticultural Building were for the Exhibit Department, and were presided 
 over by Chief John Thorpe ; and those belonging to the Landscape Depart- 
 ment of the Exposition Company were in the southeast corner of the 
 grounds. 
 
 The Horticultural Building was heated under the dome and the two side 
 curtains of each wing. This was done by steam coils connected with the 
 
i68 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Steam plant of the propagating house. The steam plant was largely fur- 
 nished as an exhibit. 
 
 The Hunters' Cabin, on one of the wooded islands, was erected by the 
 Boone and Crockett Club of the United States. It illustrated pioneer hfe in 
 
 STAFF APPLICATION. 
 Administration Building, February 3, 1892. 
 
 the West, and was filled with products of the chase and firearms of celebrated 
 hunters. 
 
 At the Sixty-fourth Street entrance a small scale-house and scales were 
 used constantly for goods going in and out by team. There were also rail- 
 way scales. 
 
 There were several large water-closet buildings, which were distributed 
 in locations that were not served by the toilet rooms of the large buildings 
 near by. These were made as inconspicuous as possible. 
 
 The Union News Company had a small building inside the grounds. 
 
 The United States Government erected various small buildings on its 
 own grounds to cover certain exhibits. 
 
CONSTRUCTION. 
 
 i6g 
 
 The fences around the grounds were of boards, eight feet high with two 
 rows of barbed wire stretched across at about nine and eighteen inches 
 above. There were nine entrances through the fence into Jackson Park and 
 the Midway Plaisance, besides those at the Alley Elevated, the south end of 
 the Transportation Building, the Terminal Station, the North Inlet, and the 
 Grand Pier, making twenty-two entrances in all. This was found amply suffi- 
 cient for ingress always, and even on Chicago Day, when probably eight 
 hundred thousand people, including employees, entered the grounds, the in- 
 
 ROAD-MAKING. 
 
 gress of people was not difficult to manage. At night, after the illumina- 
 tions were over, it sometimes happened that people had to wait for cars at 
 the Terminal Station and at the Alley Elevated, but they were never blocked 
 in getting out at the gates. 
 
 The roads were of gravel macadam, averaging six inches thick, about 
 four and a half inches being coarse gravel, and the top dressing, about one 
 and a half inch, being of fine gravel or fine crushed stone. They were 
 pitched in grading much more than would be well in any except cart road- 
 ways, and they were drained by catch basins and earthen sewers. 
 
,-,Q THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 The roadways gave much trouble. No road could withstand the severe 
 usage of the last month before the opening, when every avenue was choked 
 with teams day and night. The surfaces were badly cut up, even after the Fair 
 opened, and not until the exhibitors and concessionnaires stopped demanding 
 new concessions for light, water, sewer, and gas could the roads be per- 
 manently fixed. The road-making and care-taking went on through the 
 time of the Exposition. All work on roads and general cleaning was done 
 at night. 
 
 The work on the landscape, in the hands of Superintendent Ulrich, was 
 always ahead. Though the barren prairies were untouched in the spring of 
 1892, the filling with black earth, the grading, and sodding of any space, no 
 matter what its size, was done with marvelous rapidity as soon as it came to 
 the point where Mr. Ulrich's work could begin. 
 
 The Columbian Fountain was designed by Frederick MacMonnies, of 
 New York, who made the full-sized figures in Paris. The two illuminated 
 fountains and the Columbian Fountain by Mr. MacMonnies were intended 
 to form a group which at night could be seen from the Grand Basin, the 
 MacMonnies fountain having colored light thrown upon it, the others being 
 illuminated from within, and beyond the two the Administration Building 
 towering above, to form a spectacle of great beauty at night. The practical 
 test of this was satisfactory, and the effects produced after dark in this part 
 of the grounds were very striking. 
 
 Luther Stieringer was employed for all illumination in Jackson Park. 
 He designed the illuminated fountains, and governed the lighting of the 
 Administration Dome, the dock lights near the water in the Grand Court 
 and canals, the cornice lights around the Grand Court and South Canal, and 
 the operation of eight search lights which made dramatic effects during the 
 night. The arc lighting of the grounds was finished late in May, and the 
 incandescent lighting inside the buildings was going on almost up to the 
 close, because those who used these lamps in and about their exhibits did 
 not make contracts until then. The effect of the lighting was very good, 
 but the enforced change in the management of the department late in 
 March made the installing very unsatisfactory. 
 
 Facsimiles of the three small vessels with which Columbus first crossed 
 the Atlantic were made in Spain and brought to Chicago by way of the 
 Great Lakes. They were taken into the South Inlet near the Monastery of 
 La Rabida, and proved satisfactory in every way. 
 
 The Movable Sidewalk was not in working order until the Exposition 
 was half over, and even at the last it was not adjusted so as to be sure of 
 running without interruption, but it was very popular and on pleasant days 
 was well covered with visitors. 
 
 The Water Sliding Railway in the Midway Plaisance never was finished. 
 A part of the track was laid, and a car was run over it, but lack of money 
 and efficient management made it impossible to go on. 
 
CONSTRUCTION. 
 
 171 
 
 The inscriptions on the Administration Building were written by Francis 
 D. Millet. On the exterior panels over the four entrances were the follow- 
 ing references to the history of Columbus : 
 
 JVesL — Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa in 1446, went to sea at 
 the age of fourteen, and entered the service of Spain January 20, i486. 
 
 North. — Columbus received from Ferdinand and Isabella, sovereigns of 
 Spain, a commission as admiral of an exploring fleet April 30, 1492. 
 
 East. — Columbus sailed from Palos with three small vessels August 3, 
 and landed on one of the Bahama Islands October 12, 1492. 
 
 South. — Columbus, after discovering the New World, made three other 
 voyages of exploration, and died at Valladolid, Spain, May 21, 1506. 
 
 CONSTRUCTION OF THE NORTH ELECTRIC FOUNTAIN. 
 
 On medalHons around the base of the central dome were the following 
 names of discoverers : Hanno, Nearchus, Ibn-Batuta, Rubruquis, Erik, 
 Raleigh, Marco Polo, Dias, De Gama, Vespucci, Balboa, Magellan, Cartier, 
 Hudson, Wilkes, Drake, Cabot, Tasman, Ross, Cook, De Soto, Franklin, 
 Livingstone, and La Salle. 
 
 In the Rotunda the following names of countries participating in the 
 Exposition were placed upon the sixteen medallions in the spandrels between 
 the arches of the entrances : Austria, Argentine Republic, Belgium, Brazil, 
 
J 72 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 British Guiana, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Cape Colony, Canada, Ceylon, Colombia, 
 China, Cura9oa, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, 
 Great Britain, Guatemala, Hayti, Holland, India, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, 
 Johore, Korea, Liberia, Mexico, Monaco, New South Wales, Norway, Nica- 
 ragua, Orange Free State, Persia, Paraguay, Portugal, Russia, Siam, Spain, 
 Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad, Turkey, Uruguay, Venezuela. 
 
 On the eight panels above the arched entrance were inscribed the follow- 
 ing " Eight Eras of Scientific Discovery " : 
 
 The mariner's compass came into general use in navigation about 1272. 
 
 Gunpowder was first employed in European warfare about 1325. 
 
 Gutenberg introduced the art of printing from movable types in 1450. 
 
 Copernicus explained his theory of the solar system in 1543. 
 
 Newton published his discovery of the law of gravitation in 1687. 
 
 Watt patented his invention of the condensing steam engine in 1 769. 
 
 Jenner discovered the principle of vaccination in 1 796. 
 
 Morse perfected his invention of the electric telegraph in 1837. 
 
 On the frieze above the gallery were inscribed the following forty names 
 of illustrious discoverers in science : 
 
 Astronomers : Ptolemy, Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Herschel. 
 
 Electricians : Franklin, Volta, Ampere, Faraday, Henry. 
 
 Naturalists : Linnaeus, Cuvier, Lamarck, Agassiz, Darwin. 
 
 Physicians and Anatomists : Hippocrates, Galen, Vesalius, Harvey, 
 Hunter. 
 
 Mathematicians : Archimedes, Lagrange, Laplace, Leibnitz, Newton. 
 
 Philosophers : Aristotle, Plato, Bacon, Descartes, Kant. 
 
 Geologists : Humboldt, Werner, Lyell, Murchison, Miller. 
 
 Chemists : Berzelius, Priestley, Gay-Lussac, Lavoisier, Liebig. 
 
 The following is a complete hst of the architects employed and the struc- 
 tures that each designed : 
 
 Charles B. Atwood, of Chicago, Anthropological Building, Agricultural 
 Annex, Art Gallery and Annexes, Accounting Department, balustrades around 
 lagoons and canals, bridges over lagoons and canals, band stands (3), choragic 
 monuments (2), Casino, Dairy Building, fiagstaffs (11), Fire and Guard sta- 
 tions. Forestry Building, Lowney Company Pavilion, La Rabida, Music 
 Hall, Machinery Hall Annex, Machinery Hall Shops, Machinery Hall Boiler 
 House, police stations (Hyde Park and Woodlawn), Public Comfort, Peri- 
 style, Pump House, rostral columns (6), Service Building, Terminal Station, 
 Ambulance House (Midway), Bicycle Sheds, barns (Exposition Company's), 
 Charging Station (for electric launches), Conkey & Company's Storeroom, 
 Carpenter and Blacksmith shops. Courthouse (police). Clow Toilet Build- 
 ings, Clow Sanitary Office, Dairy Barns, Electric Department Office, electric 
 lamp-posts, entrance ways (13), Free Photograph Dark Room, Horticultural 
 Greenhouses and Landscape Greenhouses, Gondola Repair Shop, Garbage 
 Furnace, Hunters' Cabin, Illinois Hospital, Training-School and Pharmacy, 
 
CONSTRUCTION. 
 
 173 
 
 kitchen (Wellington Catering Company), Landscape Department House, 
 Oil House, Oil Signal House, Oil-tank Vault, Oil Pump House, Photo 
 Building and Annex, Paint Shop, Perron, Plumbing House, signal towers, 
 sheds on Van Buren Street pier. Stereotype Building, Sawmill, Sewage Cleans- 
 ing Works, silos (2), Stafif House (4 models). Stock Barns, Tool House, 
 terminal railroad sheds, Wagon Sheds, Warehouse (United States Bonded), 
 Warehouses B, C, D, E, F, G, H, Woman's Pharmaceutical Building. 
 
 B. L. Gilbert, of New York, New York Central Railroad Exhibit. 
 
 James W. McLaughlin, of Cincinnati, Ohio Building. 
 
 CONSTRUCTION OF THE SOUTH ELECTRIC FOUNTAIN. 
 
 Warren R. Briggs, of Bridgeport Conn., Connecticut Building. 
 H. T. E. Wendell, of Denver, Colorado Building. 
 A. Page Brown, of San Francisco, California Building. 
 James G. Hill, Costa Rica Building. 
 
 J. B. Mora, Colombia Building, Guatemala Building, Venezuela Build- 
 ing, Guatemala Ca.i6. 
 
 M. Gillhausen, of Germany, Krupp Gun Exhibit Building. 
 
 Stone, Carpenter & Wilson, of Providence, Rhode Island Building. 
 
 Van Meter & Perman, of Aberdeen, South Dakota Building. 
 
jy. THE WORLDS COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Rafael Guastavino, Spanish Building. 
 
 H. F. Tomalin, F. R. I. B. A., of Ceylon, Ceylon Building. 
 
 Wilson & Marble, of Chicago, Chinese Village and Theater. 
 
 W. E. Pasco, of Chicago, Scale House, Persian Concession Building. 
 
 Holabird & Roche, of Chicago, Stock Pavihon, New South Wales 
 Building. 
 
 J. Riley Gordon, of San Antonio, Texas Building. 
 
 J. A. Thain, of Chicago, Turkey Building, Office of Turkish Commis- 
 sioners, Turkish Village. 
 
 Adler & Sullivan, of Chicago, Transportation Building, Transportation 
 Annex. 
 
 Jarvis Hunt, Vermont Building. 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel F. de Lonza Aguiar, of Brazil, Brazil Building, Bra- 
 zilian Coffee Pavilion. 
 
 Robert E. Edis, of London, Victoria House. 
 
 Department of Public Works, Canada Building. 
 
 Warren P. Skillings, of Seattle, Washington Building. 
 
 Sophia G. Hayden, of Boston, Woman's Building. 
 
 Carrere & Hastings, of New York, Walter Baker Company's Pavilion. 
 
 Allen & Wilson, of Philadelphia, Workingman's Home (Philadelphia). 
 
 Thomas Wing, of Chicago, Muybridge Lecture Hall. 
 
 Edgerton Rogers, of Richmond, Virginia Building. 
 
 Dalles & Hedges, of Salt Lake City, Utah Building. 
 
 Charles Ailing Gififord, New Jersey Building. 
 
 Mrs. Jean L. Douglass, of Chicago, Arkansas Building. 
 
 Herod & Andre, of New Orleans, Louisiana Building. 
 
 McKim, Mead & White, of New York, Agricultural Building, White 
 Star Line Building, New York Building, Puck Building. 
 
 Alexander Sandier, of Paris, Algerian and Tunisian Village, Banquet 
 Hall, Clambake, Children's Building, Leather and Shoe Exhibit, Clock 
 Tower (Manufactures Building). 
 
 G. Weyman, of Holland, Van Houten's Cocoa Building. 
 
 W. J. Edbrooke, of Washington, American Indian School, United States 
 Government Building, Government Lighthouse, Heliograph and Transit 
 House, Life-saving Station, Naval Observatory, Army Hospital, Weather 
 Bureau. 
 
 Weber & Drosser, of Chicago, Ice Railway (power house and track). 
 
 Gustaf Wickman, of Sweden, Swedish Building, Posse Gymnasium, 
 Swedish Restaurant. 
 
 Theodore Lewamdowsky, of Chicago, Polish Cafd. 
 
 W. L. B. Jenney, of Chicago, Horticultural Building. 
 
 W. W. Boyington & Co., of Chicago, Illinois Building. 
 
 Cutter & Poetz, of Spokane, Idaho Building. 
 
 Josselyn & Taylor, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa Building. 
 
CONSTRUCTION. 
 
 175 
 
 
 JOHN W. ALVORD, 
 
 Engineer of 
 
 Surveys and Grades. 
 
 Hamlin & Tottin, Irish Village Building. 
 
 Franklin P. Burnham, of Chicago, Cold-Storage Warehouse. 
 
 Flanders &. Zimmerman, of Chicago, International Dress and Costume 
 Company Building. , 
 
 J. J. Egan, of Chicago, Irish Industries Structures. 
 
 M. Kuru, of Japan, Hooden, Japanese Official 
 Building, Japanese Tea House, Japanese Bazaar. 
 
 Seymour Davis, of Topeka, Kansas Building, 
 Joint Territories' Building. 
 
 Maury & Dodd, of Louisville, Kentucky 
 Building. 
 
 J. K. Cady, of Chicago, Volcano of Kilauea. 
 
 David L. Stein, Libbey Glass Company's 
 Building. 
 
 Gallbraith & Fuller, of Minneapolis, Montana 
 Building. 
 
 William Channing Whitney, of Minneapolis, 
 Minnesota Building. 
 
 L. S. Curtis, of Kansas City, Missouri Building. 
 
 Baldwin & Pennington, of Baltimore, Maryland 
 Building. 
 
 Charles S. Frost, of Chicago, Maine Building. 
 
 M. L. Smith & Son, of Detroit, Michigan Building. 
 
 Van Brunt & Howe, of Kansas City, Electricity Building, Hygeia Cool- 
 ing Plant, Wyoming Building. 
 
 Tanty & Youngberg, of Chicago, Eiffel Tower Model Building. 
 
 Motte & Dubuisson, of Paris, French Government Building. 
 
 G. W. G. Ferris, of Pittsburg, Ferris Wheel. 
 
 K. Hoffaker, of Berlin, German Building. 
 
 August Fiedler, of Chicago, Captive Balloon Building, German Village, 
 Moorish Palace. 
 
 William Griesser, of Chicago, Vienna Caf6. 
 
 S. S. Child, Hayti Building. 
 
 P. B. Wright, of Chicago, Office of California Commissioners, Homoe- 
 opathic Hospital. 
 
 S. S. Beman, of Chicago, Mines and Mining Building, Merchant Tailors' 
 Building, St. Peter's Model Building. 
 
 Schuerzer & Dilsner, of New York, Merck & Company's Building. 
 
 George B. Post, of New York, Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building. 
 
 Peter J. Weber, of Chicago, Menier Chocolate Pavilion. 
 
 Henry Voss, of Omaha, Nebraska Building. 
 
 J. L. Silsbee, of Chicago, North Dakota Building, West Virginia Build- 
 ing, Hagenbeck's Animal Arena. 
 
 George B. Howe, of Boston, New Hampshire B lilding. 
 13 
 
176 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 W. Hansteen, of Norway, Norway Building. 
 
 Boyer & Hill, of Chicago, Electric Scenic Theater, Natatorium. 
 
 John Duncan, Dutch Settlement, Samoan Village. 
 
 F. W. Grogan, of Washington, Battle ship " Illinois." 
 
 Francis M. Whitehouse, of Chicago, Festival Hall. 
 
 Charles A. Kessel, of Chicago, Cliff Dwellers, White Horse Inn. 
 
 Harry Bacon, of New York, Combination Booths for conce'ssionnaires, 
 Pennsylvania Railroad Exhibit, Fruit Booths. 
 
 Harry W. Weatherwax, of Chicago, Intramural Railway Stations (6). 
 
 Raeden, Coffin & Crocker, of Chicago, the Crane Company's Storeroom. 
 
 E. L. Rice, Jr., of Wilmington, Delaware Building. 
 
 Biers, Clay & Dutton, of Chicago, Diamond Match Company Building. 
 
 Reuben A. Denell, of Chicago, Brazilian Concert Hall, Esquimau 
 Village. 
 
 Henry Ives Cobb, of Chicago, Fisheries Building, Indiana Building, Street 
 in Cairo, East India Building, Caf6 de Marine, Wheel Chair Office Building, 
 Hygeia Booths. 
 
 Peabody & Stearns, of Boston, Machinery Hall, Massachusetts Building, 
 colonnade at entrance to Stock Pavilion, Obelisk. 
 
 Richard M. Hunt, of New York, Administration Building. 
 
 J. Campbell Rogers, of Chicago, French Cider Press. 
 
 E. Hill Turnock, of Chicago, Adams Express Company Building, Ex- 
 press Company Barns. 
 
 Morris Ivon, of Paris, Agricultural (French Colonies, eight buildings), 
 Dahomey Village. 
 
 William Waters, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin Building. 
 
 Thomas P. Lonsdale, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Building. 
 
 The following is a complete list of the engineers employed and their 
 works : 
 
 William S. MacHarg designed roof-water drainage, surface-water 
 drainage, Sewage Disposal Works, Domestic Sewage System, Garbage 
 Disposal Works, Water Supply System (ordinary). Water Supply System 
 (high pressure). Stationary Fire Protection. 
 
 J. C. Slocum designed general preliminary scheme for Power Plant, 
 Boiler Plant, Temporary Power Plant, Pumping Plant. 
 
 Frederick Sargent designed detail of Boiler Plant, detail of Power Plant, 
 detail of Pumping Plant, Electrical Distribution, Fuel Oil Plant, and Dynamo 
 Plant. 
 
 Richard H. Pierce designed the electric installation and wiring and light- ' 
 ing of buildings and grounds. 
 
 Luther Stieringer designed the electric fountains. Coronas in the Manu- J| 
 factures Building, interior illumination of Administration Building, interior ;j 
 illumination of Fine Arts Building. 
 
 Abram Gottlieb designed the foundations and iron and wood con-^ 
 
H 
 O 
 
 < 
 
 Q 
 
 D 
 
 H 
 
 Di 
 
 H 
 O 
 
 <: 
 fa 
 
CONSTRUCTION. 
 
 177 
 
 struction, including the roof trusses, of interior retaining walls, Naval Pier, 
 Mines Building (iron work). Horticulture Building (iron work). Manufac- 
 tures Building (except court). Electricity Building roof (except court). Trans- 
 portation Building, Dairy Building, Agricultural Building. 
 
 Edward C. Shankland designed the foundations, iron and wood consti-uc- 
 tion, including the roof trusses, of Court of Manufactures Building, Court of 
 Electricity Building, Machinery Hall, Art Building, Transportation Annex, 
 Obelisk, Music Hall, Casino, Peristyle, Shoe and Leather Building, Anthro- 
 pological Building, Forestry Building,' Agricultural Annex, Boiler House, 
 shops. Pumping Station, eleven bridges. Sewage Cleansing Works, Machinery 
 Hall Annex, Casino Pier, Van Buren Street Pier, Fifty-ninth Street Pier, 
 Terminal Station, Electroliers Manufactures Building, Electric Subway, 
 Police Station (Hyde Park), viaducts (Midway), rostral columns, interior 
 docking, Krupp-Gun foundations. Statue of the Republic (iron and frame 
 work). Police Station (Woodlawn). 
 
 The complete list of artists employed by the Exposition is as follows : 
 
 J. Carrol Beckwith, of New York, decorated the 
 west dome of the north portal of the Manufac- 
 tures and Liberal Arts Building. 
 
 Edwin H. Blashfield, of New York, deco- 
 rated the north dome of the west portal of 
 the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Build- 
 ing. 
 
 Miss Mary Cassatt, of Paris, France, 
 decorated the south tympanum of Central 
 Hall in the Woman's Building. 
 
 Charles Caryl Coleman, of Capri, Italy, 
 decorated the frieze around the dome in the 
 Horticulture Building. 
 
 Kenyon Cox, of New York, decorated the 
 south pendentive dome, east portal of the Man- 
 ufactures and Liberal Arts Building. 
 
 W. L. Dodge, of New York, decorated the 
 upper dome of the Administration Building. 
 
 Lawrence C. Earle, of New York, painted the 
 tw.o tympana in the northeast corner pavilion of the Manufactures and Lib- 
 eral Arts Building. 
 
 Walter McEwen, of Chicago, painted the two tympana in the southeast 
 corner pavilion of the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building. 
 
 Mrs. Mary F. MacMonnies, of Paris, France, decorated the north 
 tympana in the Central Hall of the Woman's Building. 
 
 Gari Melchers, of Detroit, painted the two tympana in the southwest 
 corner pavilion of the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building. 
 
 Francis D. Millet, of New York, painted the two tympana in the north- 
 
 EDWARD C. SHANKLAND, 
 Engineer of Construction. 
 
178 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 west corner pavilion of the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building ; also 
 figure subjects in the interior of Music Hall ; and also designed figures in the 
 pendentive dome of the Art Building. 
 
 George Maynard, of New York, executed all the figure decoration in the 
 pavilion and the porticoes of the Agriculture B^ilding. 
 
 Robert Reid, of New York, decorated the west pendentive dome in the 
 south portal of the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building. 
 
 Charles S. Reinhart, of New York, decorated the south pendentive dome 
 in the west portal of the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building. 
 
 Walter Shirlaw, of New York, decorated the east dome in the north 
 portal of the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building. 
 
 Edward Simmons, of New York, decorated the north pendentive dome 
 in the east portal of the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building. 
 
 J. Alden Weir, of New York, decorated the east pendentive dome in the 
 south portal of the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building. 
 
 Mrs. Rosina Emmet Sherwood, Miss Lydia Emmet, Miss Lucia Fair- 
 child, and Mrs. Amanda Brewster Sewell decorated the panels in the Central 
 Hall of the Woman's Building. 
 
 Mrs. Dora Wheeler Keith decorated the ceiling of the Library in the 
 Woman's Building. 
 
 The following is a complete Hst of the sculptors employed by the Ex- 
 position : 
 
 Karl Bitter, of New York, modeled for the Administration Building. 
 
 James A. Blankingship, of Richmond, Va., modeled figures on the Elec- 
 tricity Building. 
 
 Richard W. Bock, of Chicago, modeled for the spandrels of the north 
 and south entrances to the Mines and Mining Building ; also figures on the 
 east and west pediments of the Electricity Building. 
 
 John J. Boyle, of Philadelphia, executed the series of works around the 
 Transportation Building ; also modeled for the Pennsylvania Build- 
 ing. 
 
 Robert Kraus, of Boston, modeled female figures for Machinery Hall ; 
 also the bas-relief for the spandrels of the arch in the colonnade. 
 
 Frederick MacMonnies, of Paris, France, executed the Columbia Foun- 
 tain with the central group and the sea-horses ; also the eagles on the 
 columns. 
 
 H. A. MacNeil, of New York, modeled the figures on the Electricity 
 Building representing Experimental Electricity. 
 
 Philip Martiny, of New York, modeled for the Agriculture Building ; 
 also for the Art Building. 
 
 Edward C. Potter, of New York, modeled the short-horned bulls for the 
 pedestals at the landing north of the Agriculture Building ; the draught 
 horses for the landing south of the Manufactures Building ; and also the 
 horses attached to the chariot on the Water-gate. 
 
CONSTRUCTION. 
 
 179 
 
 Bela L. Pratt modeled the figures symbolizing Discovery on the Water- 
 gate. 
 
 Olin L. Warner, of New York, executed the large bas-reUef for the Art 
 Building (but it never was put in place) ; also modeled the Columbian 
 Souvenir and the bronze badge presented to the officials. 
 
 Miss Enid Yandell, of Louisville, Kentucky, modeled the Caryatides on 
 the Woman's Building ; also the Kentucky Statue of Daniel Boone. 
 
 SCULPTORS' STUDIO IN THE HORTICULTURE BUILDING, 
 August 24, i8g2. 
 
 E. E. Garnsey, of New York, designed the ornamental work for the 
 corner dome of the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building. 
 
 Daniel C. French, of New York, executed the Colossal Statue of the 
 Republic ; the groups at the landings in the Grand Basin and in the South 
 Canal ; and, in connection with Edward C. Potter, the Columbus chariot on 
 the Water-gate. 
 
 Johannes Gelert, of Chicago, modeled the Statue of Neptune for the 
 rostral columns. 
 
 Edward Kemeys, of New York, modeled the buffalo for the west end of 
 the Agriculture Bridge ; also two bears for the east end of the Electricity 
 
i8o 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Bridge ; and also two panthers for the west end of the Manufactures 
 Bridge. 
 
 A. Phimister Proctor, of New York, modeled the two moose for the east 
 end of the Agriculture Bridge ; the two polar bears for the west end of the 
 Electricity Bridge ; the two jaguars for the east end of the Manufactures 
 Bridge ; the two elks for the pedestals at the landing on either side of the 
 Columbia Fountain ; and the statue of the Indian and Cowboy for the land- 
 ing east of the Transportation Building. 
 
 Miss Alice Rideout, of San Francisco, modeled statuary for the exterior 
 of the Woman's Building. 
 
 Carl Rohl Smith executed the Statue of Franklin at the entrance of the 
 Electricity Building. 
 
 Augustus St. Gaudens and Miss Mary B. Lawrence, of New York, mod- 
 eled the Statue of Columbus with sword and banner at the entrance to the 
 Administration Building ; also the Diana on the dome of the Agriculture 
 Building. 
 
 Lorado Taft, of Chicago, modeled for the Horticultural Building ; also 
 the beak's for the rostral columns. 
 
 M. A. Waagen modeled the groups Chariot drawn by Bulls and Chariot 
 drawn by Three Horses for the South Colonnade ; the lion for the base of 
 the Obelisk ; and statuary for the exterior of Machinery Hall. 
 
 Tanks for purifying drinking-water. 
 
The Agriculture Building, April 23, 1892. 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICE. 
 
 Plans for arc lighting— Subways and cables— Statistics— Organization of the Electrical 
 Department— Bids for lighting— Difificulty with the contracts— Machines used— Novel 
 lighting — Organization of the Mechanical Department — Engines and pumps — Water 
 supply — Use of filters — Disposal of sewerage — Standpipes. 
 
 N July, 1 89 1, plans were prepared for the arc 
 lighting of the various buildings of the Ex- 
 position. The lights were laid out at dis- 
 tances of twenty feet over the entire floor areas, 
 the aisles not having been located. These plans 
 required 6,000 arc lights, inclusive of out- 
 door service, for which 1,434 lights were 
 operated during the Exposition. Con- 
 struction for the permanent plant began 
 in June, 1892, and the underground work 
 was completed June 8, 1893; 1,087 stand- 
 ard foundations were set, 307,837 feet of 
 duct were placed in the ground, and 1 1 7 
 points were prepared for posts on piers and 
 wharves. Fifteen hundred and fifty-nine man- 
 holes were located, with covers. Designs were 
 prepared for a standard one-light post, for two- 
 light and three-light cluster posts, and for a com- 
 bination post to carry one arc and two incan- 
 descent lamps. The whole number of posts was 1,196. 
 
 The cables supplied were of two kinds : lead-covered No. 6, extra heavy 
 
 pure-rubber insulation, single tape between lead and rubber, and No. 6 single 
 
 181 
 
 CHARLES F. FOSTER, 
 Mechanical Engineer. 
 
1 82 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 tape, being the same wire without the lead cover. The work of drawing in 
 the cables began January 20, 1893. Much difificulty was experienced because 
 of frozen ducts. At one time forty-five miles of ducts were frozen ; these 
 were thawed by steam, and for seven weeks three steam rollers and eleven 
 portable boilers were in use. On June 19 the whole work, amounting to 
 773,460 feet of cable, was complete. 
 
 When the final capacity of the plant was fixed at 4,500 lights, the exterior 
 lighting was reduced to 1,434, ten per cent, of which were to burn all night. 
 The avenue of distribution for that part of the Park north of Machinery 
 Hall was, first, the great subway, in which were strung 270,242 feet of No. 6 
 braided wire, starting with eighty-four wires at Machinery Hall ; second, a 
 trunk duct from the Machinery Annex across the railway terminal and north 
 along the fence to the north end of the California Building, carrying fifteen 
 ducts ; a third trunk line southwest of Machinery Hall, containing thirty- 
 nine wires in eight ducts, supplied the Agriculture Building and those south 
 of it, and all the overhead circuits through the south grounds ; a fourth con- 
 nected with the elevated road ; a fifth, of twenty-three wires in seven ducts, 
 connected the elevated road with the Agriculture Building and the Casino 
 pier and dock. In the main trunk line, special manhole boxes were designed, 
 about one hundred and seventy-five feet apart. The foundation for posts con- 
 sisted of four piles joined by crib-work of six-by-six hard pine bolted to- ' 
 gether ; the manhole box was of wood fourteen inches square by twenty- 
 three inches deep, with an iron cover. The average distance between foun- 
 datioiis was seventy-five feet. In each foundation was a quarter-curve vitri- 
 fied tube, four inches inside diameter, connecting with the manhole box. 
 This was firmly cemented, and insured a dry channel for the wires leading up 
 into the post. 
 
 The duct in use, which was a wooden pump-log four by four inches, with a 
 hole two and a quarter inches in diameter, was placed in a trench, at a depth 
 of eighteen inches, with the corners up. The logs were made in six-foot 
 lengths, joined with a plain dry thimble, and 307,837 of them were used in 
 the construction of the ducts. In the grounds south of Machinery Hall and 
 west of the Anthropological Building and the southern line of fence over- 
 head work was used, which required one hundred and fifteen poles forty feet 
 high, and 62,500 feet of rubber braided wire. Range lights — red and white — 
 were placed under the lagoon bridges ; thirty-six were used, each of 30-candle 
 power. On the circuit operating the Casino pier was placed the Govern- 
 ment buoy line of thirteen loo-candle power lamps, lighting the main channel 
 to the city. 
 
 The early plans for inside lighting provided for a uniform distribution of 
 light over the entire lower area of the buildings, but it was finally decided 
 to light the aisles only. An average illumination of one lamp of 2,000- 
 candle power nominal to 1,544. square feet of floor was allowed in all large 
 buildings. 
 
ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICE. jg- 
 
 In the arc-light service of the Exposition ninety generators were used, 
 with a total of 5,458 lamps and 10,916,000-candle power. The generators 
 were driven by twenry engines aggregating 4,660 horse power. 
 
 g M -'m W\: ^ii^^^'* vy:»f^S^ 
 
 
 " '' ,^?!j!'j..' | I . II MJ I VH I 'T-" ' "" ' 1: ' "-im ii . II . . . l UJ ll Hl ll JJJ i miUI 
 
 ilWIJJ ii ijmilJ i "" ii' ">Wl iii lW ii n ii 'r' i| ij^MjJW g g 
 
 THE ELECTRIC SUBWAY, 
 in front of the Administration Building, March 25, 1891. The Electricity Building in view. 
 
 In considering the suspension of lamps, it was carefully estimated that by 
 the use of raising and lowering devices 700,000 feet of wire would be sayed, 
 which at the market price represented a probable outlay of $35,000. These 
 reasons determined the construction that was adopted, which was the first 
 extensive use of this style of suspension. The work was done in a most 
 
i84 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 careful and substantial manner, and no trouble whatever was experienced ; 
 the hangers afforded perfect insulation between the lamp and the ground. 
 
 The lighting of the central portion of the Manufactures Building differed 
 materially from that of any large building ever erected. This space was 
 1,268 feet long by 368 feet wide, and its height to the ridge was 245 feet. 
 The floor area was about 433,000 square feet. In July, 1892, L. Steiringer, 
 Consulting Electric Engineer, submitted a plan for lighting this space, which 
 provided for the suspension by cables from the roof of five electroliers or 
 coronas, at the height of one hundred and forty feet from the floor. This 
 plan was adopted, and its details were admirably executed. The central 
 corona v/as seventy-five feet in diameter, and carried one hundred and two 
 lamps, four of which were on a patrol circuit ; the other four coronas were 
 sixty feet in diameter and each carried seventy -eight lamps, six being in patrol 
 circuit. The coronas were made of light angle iron, and the lamps were sus- 
 pended from light iron brackets, each made to balance its neighbor, so that 
 the extra weight of poisers was avoided. While burning, the lamps were 
 suspended below the bottom of the coronas ; when one lamp was raised to 
 the reach of the trimmer, its neighbor was lowered. Each corona was sur- 
 rounded by a rail and a foot-walk, reached by a ladder from the roof. The 
 light was pleasant, soft, and mellow ; but most of the illumination was ex- 
 pended upon the upper air. 
 
 In order that all electric conductors — including those for light service, 
 and for power, police signals, fire alarm, telephones, and telegraphs — should 
 be at once accessible and out of danger to the public, the electric subway 
 above referred to was constructed. A wooden framework, lined with cement 
 or plaster and floored with concrete, was used. The main subway, starting 
 from Machinery Hall, was fifteen feet eight inches wide by eight feet four 
 inches high, and was divided in the middle by a fireproof partition. The 
 conductors were suspended upon cross-arms which projected from the sides, 
 leaving two feet of clear space in the middle. The subway was lighted with 
 two hundred and twenty-five i6-candle power incandescent lights. 
 
 An interesting and important controversy occurred in the spring of 1892 
 over the letting of contracts for the arc and incandescent lighting. There 
 was an almost successful attempt on the part of a combination of electrical 
 manufacturers to compel an enormous and unnecessary outlay on the part of 
 the Directory. 
 
 The Electrical Department had been organized with Frederick Sargent as 
 Electrical Engineer. Much delay was experienced in obtaining data upon 
 which rehable estimates could be made as to the amount of electric lighting 
 that would be required, and this difficulty was enhanced by the lack of har- 
 mony between the two portions of the dual organization — the Director Gen- 
 eral's departments, under the World's Columbian Commission, and the Con- 
 struction Department, under the Directory's Committee on Grounds and 
 Buildings. The first complete estimate of the amount of light and power 
 
THE CORONAS IN THE MANUFACTURES BUILDING. 
 
ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICE. 
 
 185 
 
 required was obtained in January, 1892. Finally, on February 23, 1892, the 
 Chief of Construction advised the Committee on Grounds and Buildings 
 that he was ready to contract for electric lighting for the various great build- 
 ings, the Midway Plaisance, and the State and foreign buildings, and for dec- 
 orative lights ; and he was authorized at once to advertise for proposals. The 
 bids for arc lighting were presented to the committee on March 15. The 
 only bid for the entire work was that of the Thomson-Houston Company for 
 6,000 arc lamps at $38.50 each. This bid was exclusive of wiring, which it 
 was proposed should be done by the Construction Department. Another 
 bid at a lower rate for a portion of the amount was also considered. The 
 bids were promptly rejected by the committee. The. prices named were 
 excessive, and much anxiety was felt over the matter. The gross amount 
 for 6,000 arc lights at $38.50 each was $231,000. Nearly all the principal 
 electric companies of the country were entering at this time into a combina- 
 tion, forming the General Electric Company, and it was feared that the prices 
 for lighting would be advanced and the Exposition Company made to suffer 
 thereby, especially as the contract for incandescent lighting — a work of still 
 greater importance than the arc lighting — had not yet been arranged for. 
 Two days after the rejection of the bids a proposition was received from the 
 Standard Electric Company, of Chicago, to furnish the apparatus for the arc 
 lighting for $35 for each two-thousand-candle-power lamp, that company 
 agreeing to take back the apparatus after October 30, 1893, at the rate of 
 $20 a lamp, making a net price of $15 a lamp to the Exposition. This bid 
 tended to relieve the situation, and in a few days an arrangement was reached 
 whereby the arc lighting was distributed among several companies at the 
 rate of $20 a lamp capacity, thus effecting a saving of nearly fifty per cent. 
 The contracts were made with the Standard Electric Company, the General 
 Electric Company, and the Western Electric Company at the price men- 
 tioned. The number of arc lamps furnished by them under these contracts 
 was 4,710. 
 
 Bids for incandescent lighting were considered early in April, 1892, and 
 at once the committee had reason to suppose that the tactics employed by 
 bidders in the case of the arc-light contracts were being repeated on a larger 
 scale. The estimated number of incandescent lights required was 93,040. 
 The various companies composing the General Electric Company put in bids 
 at prices averaging over $ 1 8 a lamp, which would have brought the total cost 
 of this contract up to the enormous sum of $1,684,720. But a bid was 
 received from the South Side Metal and Machine Works, of Chicago, for the 
 entire work at $6 a lamp. It had not been expected by the original bidders 
 that this company would enter into the competition, and the remarkable dif- 
 ference in price between this bid and the others attracted much attention. 
 Action upon the bids was postponed from day to day, and a subcommittee 
 carefully investigated the bid of the South Side Metal and Machine Works, 
 and conferred with the officers of the General Electric Company, with a view 
 
1 86 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 to securing a lower bid. It was learned that George Westinghouse, Jr., of 
 the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company, was supporting the 
 South Side Metal and Machine Works in the bid that had been made. The 
 General Electric Company reduced their bid to $io, and thence by stages the 
 bid was reduced to $5.95 a lamp, thus effecting a saving over the original bid 
 of $1,227,771.76. 
 
 On April 14 the Committee on Grounds and Buildings received a report 
 from its subcommittee presenting the amended bid of the General Electric 
 
 Company at the rate of $5.95 a 
 bid of the South Side Metal and 
 inghouse Electric and Manufac- 
 inal bids were thereupon re- 
 ferred the matter to Vicc-Presi- 
 P. Ketcham, Vice-Chairman of 
 tions to close a contract with the 
 the incandescent lighting, un- 
 the by-laws. This clause 
 tee on Grounds and Build- 
 for large amounts with- 
 the Board of Directors, 
 Committee, whenever 
 Within the next few 
 evident that the bot- 
 yet been reached, 
 house, in company 
 ney, took up the 
 with Mr. Higin- 
 that he had not 
 tunity to inform 
 the plans and pre- 
 After a careful con- 
 matter, Mr. Higin- 
 ing to the absence of 
 acting President at that 
 the Committee on 
 ings on May 3 that in his 
 cy did not exist, and that 
 dient to enter into the 
 by the committee. 
 
 light, and an assignment of the 
 Machine Works to the West- 
 turing Company. All the orig- 
 jected, and the committee re- 
 dent Fliginbotham and William 
 the committee, with instruc- 
 Gcncral Electric Company for 
 dcr the emergency clause in 
 authorized the Commit- 
 ings to close contracts 
 out the authority of 
 or its Executive 
 an emergency arose, 
 days it became 
 tom price had not 
 Mr. Westing- 
 with his attor- 
 matter afresh 
 botham, urging 
 sufficient oppor- 
 himself as to 
 sent a proper bid. 
 sideration of the 
 botham (who, ow- 
 Mr. Baker, was 
 time) reported to 
 Grounds and Build- 
 
 A COMBINATION POST 
 for Arc and Incandescent Lamps. 
 
 opinion an emergen- 
 he deemed it inexpe- 
 contract as directed 
 Previous to this the Vice-President had obtained ample 
 security providing that if the contracts were readvertised a bid lower than 
 $5.95 would be presented. Accordingly, the committee adopted a resolution 
 setting forth that, whereas the committee had directed the Vice-President and 
 the Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Grounds and Buildings to enter into 
 a contract for incandescent electric lighting, and the Vice-President had refused 
 
ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICE. jg^ 
 
 to do SO, believing that an urgent necessity therefor did not exist, therefore 
 the Chief of Construction was authorized to advertise again for bids for the 
 incandescent electric lighting. In response to this advertisement, the General 
 Electric Company submitted the same bid as before, and the Westinghouse 
 Electric and Manufacturing Company a bid for the entire service at a gross 
 sum of $399,000 — except that this did not include a portion requiring nearly 
 9,000 incandescent lamps, which afterward was awarded to a German com- 
 pany, as recorded below. The main contract was awarded to the Westing- 
 house company on May 23, 1892, and a total saving of $1,377,434.32 was 
 effected on the contract for incandescent lighting. Adding to this the amount 
 saved on the contract for arc lighting, makes a total saving of about $1,405,000 
 — a sum greater than the entire surplus fund that the company had on hand 
 after winding up its affairs. The difficulties of this matter were not confined 
 to the financial questions in- 
 volved. The electric-light 
 plant was to be of enormous 
 size — ^two or three times as 
 great as that then in existence 
 in the business district of the 
 city of Chicago. But the 
 Westinghouse Company fully 
 complied with its contract, 
 and performed its huge task 
 in a manner that was entirely 
 satisfactory. 
 
 The Railway Terminal 
 Station, the Choral Hall, and 
 the Wooded Island were in- 
 cluded in a contract for light- 
 ing made July 25, 1892, with 
 the Siemens-Halske Compa- 
 ny, of BerHn, Germany. This contract called for approximately 8,800 16- 
 candle-power incandescent lamps, and approximately 163 2,000-candle-power 
 arc lamps. The Wooded Island was lighted by 130 35-candle-power lamps, 
 operated on the five-wire system, and the amount of wire used was about 
 17,000 feet. 
 
 One hundred and one posts were set at an average distance of thirty feet 
 apart in the main paths. Each post had an ornamental triangular base 
 eighteen inches high, upon which was fitted a wooden column about five feet 
 six inches long, surmounted by a circular cap, to which three ornaments were 
 attached. The lamps stood perpendicularly on the top of the cap, and were 
 covered with colored glass globes. 
 
 In addition to the general lighting of the grounds and buildings by arc 
 and incandescent lamps, it was necessary to provide arc lights for exhibitors 
 14 
 
 PUMP-HOUSE 
 at the southeast corner of Machinery Building. 
 
jgg THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 and concessionnaires, and for this purpose 589 lamps were purchased from the 
 Helios Company, of Philadelphia. Eight alternating-current arc lamps were 
 installed upon the upper dome of the Administration Building, under the 
 contract with the Westinghouse Company. 
 
 For primary service, 242,441 feet of wire were installed, of which 77,462 
 feet were Grimshaw wire, used in the Subway, and 164,977 feet were Waring 
 cable, used in the ducts. These figures indicate the length of one conductor, 
 the total number of feet of conductor being twice the amount named. 
 Three hundred and twenty-seven converter pits were put in position ; and 385 
 converters, with a total capacity of 66,760 1 6-candle-power lights, were in- 
 stalled. On May i, 1893, the Westinghouse Company had ready for use 
 ten 10,000-light and two 4,000-light machines, and twenty-five primary cir- 
 cuits. On September i thirty-three circuits were in service for Exposition 
 lighting, and one additional auxiliary or emergency circuit, from Machinery 
 Hall to the Midway, to be used in case of accident to either of the other 
 circuits supplying light to the Midway. All circuits, except one to the south 
 grounds, were underground. All converters were placed in fire-proof and 
 water-proof pits outside the buildings, and the secondary wires were led into 
 the buildings in vitrified-tile ducts. The largest converter used had a capac- 
 ity of two hundred lights, and nearly all were of that size. Every converter 
 had its own independent secondary circuit, so that no trouble on secondary 
 or inside circuit would put out more than two hundred lights. The lamp 
 used was the new " Stopper" lamp of the Westinghouse Company, of one 
 hundred and five volts. The usual standard of Exposition lighting for lamps 
 suspended at the ordinary height from the floor was forty square feet of floor 
 space to a 1 6-candle-power lamp ; but inasmuch as the plant contained an 
 almost infinite variety of incandescent lighting, the intensity of light varied 
 greatly, from 9.3 square feet for a 1 6-candle-power lamp in the smallest gal- 
 lery of the Fine Arts Building and 14.9 square feet in the large gallery to 
 36.62 square feet for the system of patrol lighting under the floor of the 
 Manufactures Building. 
 
 In the incandescent lighting of the Exposition it was the aim to avoid 
 display, but to secure sufficient and uniform illumination, and, where the 
 lights were used for decoration, to place them so as to be inconspicuous by 
 day and to bring out by night the decoration and the lines of the buildings. 
 Wire sockets were largely used ; stiff pendant fixtures were used in but one 
 building, simple clusters from flexible cord being preferred. 
 
 The most novel service lighting was in the tanks of the Fisheries Build- 
 ing, the aquaria being illuminated by invisible lamps shining through the 
 water. The most brilliant was the lighting of the Gallery of Fine Arts, 
 where the lamps were placed in reflecting screens around each picture gallery, 
 the lamps being only eight inches from socket to socket for nearly two miles 
 of screen. The finest lighting was that of the Administration Building. 
 The uniform lighting of the interior, with the decorative lighting of the ex- 
 
ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICE. 
 
 189 
 
 tenor, formed probably the most difficult and most beautiful lighting that 
 ever was executed. 
 
 The Westinghouse Company established in Machinery Hall its great 
 central plant, which included sixteen generators, giving an aggregate prod- 
 uct of 8,955 kilowatts, driven by fifteen engines aggregating 13,000 horse 
 power. The station was capable of lighting simultaneously 1 72,000 i6-caTidle- 
 power incandescent lights. A marble switchboard for twelve two-phase 
 alternators, two single-phase alternators, four exciters, and forty circuits com- 
 pleted the installation. 
 
 A total of eighty-nine prominent arc-light circuits were operated from 
 Machinery Hall, of which thirty-three were for outside and fifty-six for in- 
 side lighting. In addition, a temporary circuit was used in the Stock 
 Pavilion. 
 
 The plant of the Western Electric Company included 
 ten generators, each for fifty arc lights of ' 2,000-candle 
 power. 
 
 The Standard Electrical Company operated twenty ' ** 
 
 five-light arc dynamos. The General Electrical Com- 
 pany operated four standard bipolar Edison ma- 
 chines, with a capacity of 150 kilowatts, each of 
 140 volts; one 45-kilowatt generator, at 116 
 volts ; two 1 2-pole generators of 400 kilo- 
 watts, each at 150 volts ; one generator of 
 four kilowatts ; also twenty-seven dynamos of 
 Thomson - Houston type, which furnished 
 power for 1,350 2, ooo-can die-power arc lights. 
 The Fort Wayne Electric Company operated 
 one i6o-horse-power and one 125-horse-power 
 generator, wound for 500 volts ; six dynamos 
 with power for 6,500 lights at no volts; and 
 one for forty arc lights at 2,000-candle power. 
 The Mather Electric Company operated four 
 
 generators, aggregating 690 kilowatts, at 550 volts. The Brush Electric 
 Company operated eight 65-light 2,000-candle-power arc-light dynamos. 
 The C. and C. Electric Motor Company operated four 8o-kilowatt machines, 
 having a capacity each of 160 amperes, at 500 volts, or an aggregate of 
 about 430 horse power; also two 8o-kilowatt machines, wound for 250 
 volts. The Eddy Electric Manufacturing Company operated four machines, 
 each of 200 kilowatts. The Siemens-Halske Company, of Berlin, operated 
 one dynamo, which furnished 1,400 amperes at 500 volts. 
 
 Most of the power service provided for exhibitors outside of Machinery 
 Hall was developed by steam-driven machinery in Machinery Hall, was 
 transmitted by conductors, and was transformed by electrically driven ma- 
 chines at the points where power was needed. 
 
 C. M. WILKES, 
 Assistant Engineer of Water, 
 Sewerage, and Fire-Protection, 
 
I go 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 > 
 
 RICHARD H. PIERCE, 
 Electrical Engineer. 
 
 \- 
 
 Although no radically new devices were shown at the Columbian Expo- 
 sition, such as was the telephone at the Centennial or the electric motor at 
 the Vienna Exposition, the demonstration there made of the commercial 
 possibilities of electricity was of great value. A most important factor in the 
 achievement of the section was the opportunity afforded visitors of seeing elec- 
 trical apparatus in operation ; thus the science was divested of much of the, 
 misinformation regarding it that has always prevailed. If incandescent lighting 
 was not shown in new forms, it was at least shown under conditions that were 
 
 eloquent of a popular employment to come. The fact 
 that 1 6-candle-power lights were supplied to the 
 Exposition by the contractor for $5.25 for the 
 six months, taking all the conditions into ac- 
 count, created amazement in the minds 
 even of those who were supposed to be 
 fully informed on such matters. Decora- 
 tive lighting took new forms and received 
 a new impetus. The lighting of the Art 
 Galleries elicited much favorable comment, 
 even from those who opposed the attempt 
 at the beginning ; much information was 
 scheduled as to the actual cost of arc Ught- 
 ing, and conclusive demonstration was at 
 hand as to the conditions calling specially 
 for this kind of illumination. The failure of 
 the corona lighting in the Manufactures 
 Building was undoubtedly a greater lesson 
 than a moderate success would have been. There were five coronas, aggre- 
 gating 3 1 5 lights, of a total capacity of 630,000 candle power. These lamps, 
 which, besides being too few, were at least fifty feet too far above the floor, 
 were supposed to illuminate a space of 434,000 square feet. This was impos- 
 sible, for two reasons : First, a great part of the light was dissipated in the 
 upper atmosphere of the building, and, second, the tall pavilions caused a 
 great number of heavy shadows. The only building in the Exposition that 
 was lighted sufficiently to attract visitors in the evenings was the Electrical 
 Building. 
 
 The Mechanical Department was closely allied to the Electrical Depart- 
 ment, and the latter was naturally dependent upon the former. Their develop- 
 ment was on parallel lines, and for a portion of the time both were under the 
 control of one officer. The amount of power and light that would be re- 
 quired by the Exposition could not be definitely ascertained in advance, and 
 both the power plant and the lighting system had to be constructed with ref- 
 erence to great and unexpected demands for increase from time to time. 
 Much uncertainty as to the amount of power to be required existed in the 
 early stages of construction, and the true figures were arrived at only by 
 
ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICE. igj 
 
 degrees, each degree requiring alternation and enlargement. Power and 
 light were naturally of vital importance to the success of the Exposition, and 
 yet, for perfectly natural causes, these departments were often subordinated 
 in matters of detail to the artistic requirements of constructional work and 
 the demands for exhibit space. 
 
 The Mechanical Department was organized with J. C. Slocum as Me- 
 chanical Engineer, who entered upon the discharge of his duties on March 
 2, 1891. The first estimate was for a plant of 15,000 to 20,000 horse power. 
 As finally completed, the plant aggregated 29,830 horse power. A tempo- 
 rary electrical power house was erected in the angle between the Mines and 
 Transportation Buildings, as an adjunct to a great variety of mechanical 
 service required in the period of construction and to furnish light for con- 
 tinuing the work by night. Its service began October 8, i8gi, and was 
 continued until it was replaced by the permanent power plant. May i, 
 1893. It furnished power for sawmills, hoists, crushers, dredges, tool-sharp- 
 eners, and an almost infinite variety of other purposes. The maximum 
 number of motors used was fifty, varying in capacity from one to fifty horse 
 power. A maximum of 600 arc lamps of 2,000-candle power was used for 
 patrol purposes about the buildings and grounds, and 200 incandescent lamps 
 in the service building. Several engines, aggregating 830 horse power, were 
 installed, together with two 500-horse-power Babcock and Wilcox boilers and 
 three Worthington pumps capable of supplying a million gallons of water 
 a day. All the boilers, engines, and pumps for the temporary plant were 
 furnished to the company free of cost by manufacturers. The first engine 
 was started on October 29, 1891, on which day the first electric lights were 
 also started. The plant was located just west of the Mines Building, a little 
 south of the Building of Transportation Exhibits. It was used continually 
 until April, 1893, when it was torn down. 
 
 The Henry R. Worthington Company offered to furnish four pumps of 
 an aggregate capacity of forty million gallons of water a day for the foun- 
 tains in the Court of Honor, as exhibits, free of cost to the Exposition, 
 under certain conditions. This offer was accepted, and subsequently two 
 additional pumps were furnished by the same company for the purpose of 
 forcing water to the roofs of the highest buildings for use in case of fire. 
 
 The . boiler plant was located in an annex, eighty feet long, extending 
 along the south side of Machinery Hall and opening into it. In addition 
 to this, there was a second boiler-house extending along the -south- side of 
 the annex to Machinery Hall. In these two buildings fifty-two boilers, 
 aggregating more than 20,000 commercial boiler horse-power capacity, were 
 installed, and for the use of these the Exposition paid $5-33 per horse power, 
 except in the case of some later contracts for which $6. 20 per horse power 
 was paid. The engines were located along the south side of Machinery 
 Hall and of its annex, adjoining the boiler-house annexes. They were sup- 
 plied by the manufacturers as exhibits free, the Exposition paying the cost 
 
192 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 of operating. There were seventy-seven engines in all, aggregating 29,830 
 horse power; thirteen engines driving incandescent dynamos, aggregating 
 12,700 horse power; twenty -four engines in the arc-light plant, aggregating 
 6,132 horse power; seventeen engines on electric-power generators, aggre- 
 gating 6,030 horse power ; fourteen engines, aggregating 3,285 horse power, 
 
 driving line shafts ; and 
 six engines, aggregat- 
 ing 1,300 horse power, 
 on compressed-air serv- 
 ice. The fuel used was 
 oil. This was decided 
 upon after much delib- 
 eration as to the use of 
 coal, and also of gas 
 manufactured on the 
 grounds. A contract 
 was made with the 
 Standard Oil Company 
 for fuel at 70 cents a 
 barrel prior to January 
 I, 1893, and 72% cents 
 thereafter. The oil 
 was received from the 
 Standard Oil Com- 
 pany's station at Whit- 
 ing, Ind., twenty-two miles distant, by pipe line, and was delivered into 
 tanks in the southwestern part of the grounds. From these pipes it was 
 pumped to a standpipe, whence it flowed by force of gravity to the burners 
 in the boiler-house. A large amount of machinery and devices of all sorts 
 for use in the Mechanical Department were furnished free as exhibits. 
 
 Mr. Slocum resigned in March, 1892, and Frederick Sargent, the Elec- 
 trical Engineer, became Mechanical Engineer as well. In February, 1893, 
 Mr. Sargent resigned, leaving to Charles H. Foster, who had recently en- 
 tered the service of the company, the difficult task of completing the power 
 plant in time for the opening of the Exposition. At the same time Richard 
 H. Pierce became Electrical Engineer. 
 
 The 2,000-horse-power Allis engine was the only large one in the incan- 
 descent plant that was run on May i, but several others were started during 
 the same week. A few were delayed for. several weeks after the opening. 
 Mr. Foster's work was very satisfactory, and much admiration was expressed 
 for the energy and ability that had enabled him to bring such excellent 
 results out of an apparently desperate situation. 
 
 The Department of Water-Supply, Sewerage, and Fire-Protection was 
 organized in November, 1890, by the appointment of William S. McHarg 
 
 SEWAGE-CLEANSING WORKS. 
 
ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICE. 
 
 193 
 
 as Engineer. The task of this department was to supply drinking-water, 
 and water for domestic purposes, fire protection, and mechanical uses and 
 fountains, and to construct a system of sewerage that would render the 
 grounds habitable for an average population of 200,000 a day, with the pos- 
 sibility of 600,000 on some days. The most economical and satisfactory 
 arrangement for the supply of water for domestic pur- 
 poses and fire protection was to secure the water 
 from Hyde Park Tunnel and Pumping Station. 
 This was done by a contract with the city whereby 
 the Exposition agreed to erect a pair of pumping 
 engines at the Hyde Park Pumping Station, and the 
 city agreed to purchase these engines at cost when 
 the Exposition no longer required them, and 
 until then to supply wafer to the Exposition 
 at a sufficient pressure at a cost not to ex- 
 ceed $20 a million gallons. The engines 
 were of a capacity of 12,000,000 gallons a 
 day, and cost $196,415.71. 
 
 The Worthington pumps supplying the 
 water for the fountains in the Court of 
 Honor were erected south of the southeast 
 corner of Machinery Hall, and were connected 
 by a tunnel, five feet in diameter and one hundred 
 md sixty-five feet long, with the south end of the 
 South Canal. Additional fire protection for the 
 high roofs was furnished also from this pump- 
 ing station. About thirty-two miles of water 
 mains and submains, from thirty-six inches in diameter to four inches in 
 diameter, were laid in the Park. As it was known that sickness, particularly 
 typhoid fever, had been caused at previous expositions by impure water, 
 and as there was much complaint of the condition of the water supply of 
 Chicago at this time, arrangements were made for one hundred Pasteur- 
 Chamberland filters at various points in the grounds for supplying filtered 
 water to the public, and in addition to these a concession was granted to the 
 Waukesha-Hygeia Mineral Springs Company for the sale of water from 
 springs in southern Wisconsin throughout the Exposition grounds. This 
 water was brought by a pipe line over one hundred miles long from the 
 spring in Waukesha to the Exposition grounds, where it was received into 
 a cooling plant and then distributed to convenient points throughout the 
 grounds, to be sold at a cent a glass. There were one hundred and sixty- 
 seven booths for the sale of this water and three hundred and seventy-two 
 private taps for wholesale delivery. 
 
 There were three systems of caring for sewerage : First, the roof 
 water, which was collected and discharged directly into the lagoons or into 
 
 WILLIAM S. MacHARG, 
 
 Chief of Water Supply, Sewerage, 
 
 and Fire-Protection. 
 
194 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Lake Michigan at the most convenient points through pipe sewers. Second, 
 the roadways and grounds were drained of storm water by a system of 
 sewers discharging into Lake Michigan, each sewer being provided with a 
 pump well and pumps. Third, sewers for domestic service, by means of 
 which sewage was pumped to the Sewage-Cleansing Works in the southeast 
 portion of the grounds, where it was treated with chemicals, solidified, and 
 
 LABORATORY IN THE SEWAGE-CLEANSING WORKS. 
 
 burned. These systems were for use in Jackson Park only. The Midway 
 Plaisance was drained into the city sewers. A garbage crematory was erected 
 near the Sewage Cleansing Works, and to this was brought all the garbage 
 collected on the grounds by the teams of the Transportation Department, as 
 well as the material from the Sewage Cleansing Works, all being thoroughly 
 consumed without producing any odor. From May 9 to November i, 
 5,000 tons of garbage were burned, 90,116 gallons of fuel oil being required 
 for the purpose. In addition, 1,854 tons of sludge cake were burned, using 
 79,723 gallons of oil. 
 
 Standpipes for fire protection were connected with the water mains in 
 all the large buildings and supplied with hose and hose reels, so that two or 
 
ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICE. 
 
 195 
 
 three streams of water could be discharged from these standpipes at almost 
 any point. A pressure of seventy-five pounds a square inch was maintained 
 on the pipes connected with the Hyde Park Pumping Station, which was 
 sufficient to protect the roofs throughout the Park to a height of one hun- 
 dred feet. Above this height a secondary system was constructed, connected 
 with the Worthington pumps, on which a pressure of one hundred and eighty 
 pounds was maintained constantly. This pressure could be increased to two 
 hundred pounds to the square inch, which would have afforded forty pounds 
 pressure on the highest roofs. The cost of standpipes, reels, hose, and con- 
 nections was $83,076.84 ; in addition to these, more than one thousand hand 
 fire extinguishers were placed in the buildings, and concessionnaires had over 
 eight hundred others ready for use. The entire amount disbursed by the Ex- 
 position for water and sewerage was $944,492.20. 
 
 The Department of Water Supply, Sewerage, and Fire Protection did not 
 control the fire-engine service upon the grounds. Its fire-protection work 
 consisted in conducting water to points where it could be conveniently used 
 for the protection of all portions of the Exposition buildings and grounds. 
 The fire service proper was under the control of the City Fire Department 
 and is referred to in Chapter XIX, on " Protection." 
 
 A Hoisting-Engine. 
 
The Woman's Building and vicinity, from roof of the Manufactures Building. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS. 
 
 Authorization and appointment of the Board — Its first meeting and organization — List of 
 officers and members — Definition of duties and powers — Plans for a building — Its 
 construction — Congressional appropriations — Appointment of committees — State 
 work — List of State Boards — Foreign co-operation — Statistics of applications and 
 exhibits — Erection of the Woman's Dormitory — Committee of awards — Seal and 
 badges — Congresses in the Woman's Building — Industrial talks — Souvenir coins — 
 Historical and collective exhibits — Difficulties encountered — Space assigned in the 
 Liberal Arts Building — The Woman's Building made an exhibit building — Represen- 
 tation in Committees of Award — Diplomas of honor — Description of the Interior of 
 the Woman's Building — Establishment of a salesroom — Restaurant and tea-rooms — 
 Headquarters of organizations of women — The Assembly Room — Ornamentation and 
 special exhibits. 
 
 O the Hon. William M. Springer, of 
 Illinois, who was a member of the sub- 
 committee of the Quadro-Centennial Com- 
 mittee of the House of Representatives, is 
 due the honor of first proposing that women 
 be officially included in the management of 
 the Exposition. The clause written by 
 him for that purpose received the cor- 
 dial approval of his associates on the 
 committee, and became a part of the 
 World's Fair bill. The essential portions 
 of that bill may be read on pages 15 et 
 seq. of this volume. At the first meeting, 
 June, 1890, of the Columbian Commission 
 the subject of appointing a Board of Lady 
 Managers was discussed, and it was finally 
 the board should be constituted after the pattern of the 
 itself — namely, to consist of two women (one Republican 
 
 ig6 
 
 MRS. SUSAN GALE COOKE, 
 Secretary of the Board of Lady Managers 
 
 agreed that 
 Commission 
 
THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS. 107 
 
 and one Democrat) from each State and Territory, and the District of Co- 
 lumbia, to be appointed by their respective commissioners, and also nine 
 members from the city of Chicago, to be appointed by the President of the 
 Commission. Provision was also made for the appointment of alternates. 
 The Lady Managers were appointed that summer, and in September they 
 were notified to the number of one hundred and fifteen of such appoint- 
 ment. A month later they were called to meet on Wednesday, November 
 19. The Secretary of the Treasury agreed to defray the cost of this first 
 meeting out of the appropriations for the current fiscal year, with the stipu- 
 lation that no further expenditure should be made for the Board of Lady 
 Managers till a new budget, including this necessary expense, should be ap- 
 proved by Congress. 
 
 The meeting was held in Kinsley's Hall, Chicago, and was called to order 
 by the Hon. Thomas W. Palmer, President of the Columbian Commission, 
 who made an address in which he quoted the law under which the Board was 
 constituted, recited the action of Congress and of the Commission, called 
 attention to the unique character of the occasion, gave expression to the 
 warmest sympathy, and predicted the complete success of the experiment. 
 This was followed by an address from John T. Dickinson, Secretary of the 
 Commission, and the roll was then called and a certificate of membership, 
 handsomely printed on parchment, was presented to each member. A tem- 
 porary organization was effected by the election of Mrs. William H. Felton, 
 of Georgia, as temporary chairman, and Miss Cora D. Payne, of Kentucky, 
 as temporary secretary. The next day the Board of Lady Managers organ- 
 ized permanently by the unanimous election of Mrs. Potter Palmer, of Chi- 
 cago, as President, and the election of Miss Phoebe W. Couzins, of Missouri, 
 as Secretary, and of nine Vice-Presidents representing the different sections 
 of the country, as follows : First Vice-President, Mrs. Ralph Trautmann, of 
 New York ; Second Vice-President, Mrs. Edwin C. Burleigh, of Maine ; 
 Third Vice-President, Mrs. Charles Price, of North Carolina ; Fourth Vice- 
 President, Miss Katharine L. Minor, of Louisiana; Fifth Vice-President, 
 Mrs. Beriah Wilkins, of the District of Columbia ; Sixth Vice-President, 
 Mrs. Susan R. Ashley, of Colorado ; Seventh Vice-President, Mrs. Flora 
 Beall Ginty, of Wisconsin ; Eighth Vice-President, Mrs. Margaret Blaine 
 Salisbury, of Utah ; Vice-President at Large, Mrs. Russell B. Harrison, of 
 Montana. Miss Mary E. Busselle, of New Jersey, was subsequently made 
 Sergeant-at-Arms. 
 
 Committees on by-laws and rules of order were appointed, and also a 
 committee to communicate with the Columbian Commission, for the pur- 
 pose of obtaining fuller information as to the duties and powers of the 
 Board of Lady Managers. The list of the Lady Managers, not including 
 the alternates, is as follows : Alabama : Miss Hattie Toney Hundley, Mrs. 
 Anna M. Fosdick. Arkansas : Mrs. James P. Eagle, Mrs. Rollin A. Edger- 
 ton. California : Mrs. Parthenia P. Rue, Mrs. James R. Deane. Colorado : 
 
198 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Mrs. Robert J. Coleman, Mrs. M. D. Thatcher. Connecticut : Miss Frances 
 S. Ives, Mrs. Isabella B. Hooker. Delaware : Mrs. Mary Richard Kinder, 
 Mrs. J. Frank Ball. Florida: Mrs. Mary C. Bell, Miss E. Nellie Beck. 
 Georgia : Mrs. William H. Felton, Mrs. Charles H. Olmstead. Idaho : Mrs. 
 Anna E. M. Farnum, Mrs. Joseph C. Straughan. Illinois : Mrs. Richard J. 
 Oglesby, Mrs. Frances Welles Shepard. Indiana : Miss Wilhelmine Reitz, 
 Mrs. Virginia C. Meredith. Iowa: Mrs. Whiting S. Clark, Miss Ora E. 
 Miller. Kansas : Mrs. Jennie S. Mitchell, Mrs. Hester A. Hanback. Ken- 
 tucky : Miss Jean W. Faulkner, Mrs. A. C. Jackson. Louisiana : Miss 
 Katharine L. Minor, Mrs. Belle H. Perkins. Maine : Mrs. Edwin C. Bur- 
 leigh, Mrs. L. M. N. Stevens. Maryland : Mrs. William Reed, Mrs. Alex- 
 ander Thomson. Massachusetts : Mrs. Rufus S. Frost, Mrs. Jonas H. 
 French. Michigan : Mrs. Eliza J. P. Howes, Mrs. Sarah S. C. Angell. 
 Minnesota : Mrs. Francis B. Clarke, Mrs. H. F. Brown. Mississippi : Mrs. 
 James W. Lee, Mrs. John M. Stone. Missouri : Miss Phoebe W. Couzins, 
 Miss Lillian Mason Brown. Montana : Mrs. Clara L. McAdow, Mrs. Eliza 
 Rickards. Nebraska : Mrs. John S. Briggs, Mrs. E. C. Langworthy. 
 Nevada: Miss Eliza M. Russell, Mrs. M. D. Foley. New Hampshire: 
 Mrs. Mira B. F. Ladd, Mrs. Daniel Hall. New Jersey : Miss Mary E. Bus- 
 selle, Mrs. Martha B. Stevens. New York : Mrs. Ralph Trautmann, Mrs. 
 William Kissam Vanderbilt. North Carolina : Mrs. George W. Kidder, 
 Mrs. Charles Price. North Dakota : Mrs. S. W. McLaughlin, Mrs. W. B. 
 McConnell. Ohio : Mrs. Mary A. Hart, Mrs. Walter Hartpence. Oregon : 
 Mrs. E. W. Allen, Mrs. Mary Payton. Pennsylvania : Miss Mary E. Mc- 
 Candless, Mrs. Matilda Hart Shelton. Rhode Island : Mrs. Amey M. 
 Starkweather, Miss Charlotte F. Dailey. South Carolina : Miss Floride 
 Cunningham, Mrs. Ellery M. Brayton. South Dakota : Mrs. John R. Wil- 
 son, Mrs. Helen M. Barker. Tennessee : Mrs. Laura Gillespie, Mrs. Susan 
 Gale Cooke. Texas : Mrs. Ida L. Turner, Mrs. "Mary A. Cochran. Ver- 
 mont : Mrs. Ellen M. Chandler, Mrs. Elizabeth V. Grinnell. Virginia : 
 Mrs. John S. Wise, Mrs. K. S. G. Paul. Washington : Mrs. Melissa D. 
 Owings, Mrs. Alice Houghton. West Virginia : Mrs. W. Newton Linch, 
 Miss Lily Irene Jackson. Wisconsin : Mrs. Flora B. Ginty, Mrs. William 
 P. Lynde. Wyoming : Mrs. F. H. Harrison, Mrs. Frances E. Hale. 
 Alaska : Mrs. A. K. Delaney, Mrs. Isabella J. Austin. Arizona : Mrs. 
 Thomas J. Butler, Miss Laurette Lovell. New Mexico : Mrs. Franc L. 
 Albright, Mrs. Edward L. Bartlett. Oklahoma : Mrs. Marie P. H. Beeson, 
 Mrs. Genevieve Guthrie. Utah : Mrs. Thomas A. Whalen, Mrs. Margaret 
 B. Salisbury. District of Columbia : Mrs. John A. Logan, Mrs. Beriah Wil- 
 kins. Chicago : Mrs. Potter Palmer, Mrs. Solomon Thatcher, Jr., Mrs. L. 
 Brace Shattuck, Mrs. James A. Mulligan, Frances Dickinson, M. D., Mrs. 
 M. R. M. Wallace, Mrs. Leander Stone, Mrs. James R. Doolittle, Mrs. 
 Matilda B. Carse. Lady Managers at Large : Mrs. D. F. Verdenal, of New 
 York city ; Mrs. Mary Cecil Cantrill, of Georgetown, Ky. ; Mrs. Mary S. 
 
THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS. 
 
 199 
 
 Lockwood, of Washington, D. C. ; Mrs. John J. Bagley, of Detroit, Mich, ; 
 Miss Ellen A. Ford, of Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Mrs. Russell B. Harrison, of 
 Helena, Mont. ; Mrs. Ida A. Elkins Tyler, of Philadelphia, Pa. ; Mrs. 
 Rosine Ryan, of Austin, Texas. 
 
 At first the Board of Lady Managers felt hampered by the lack of 
 knowledge as to their jurisdiction and the directions in which their co-opera- 
 tion would be welcomed by the Commission, and also by the uncertainty as 
 to the action of Congress in regard to an appropriation. The Board there- 
 fore confined themselves to the task of organizing and suggesting general 
 outlines of future work, hoping for early action by Congress and the Com- 
 mission that would enable them to address themselves more definitely to the 
 purposes of the Exposition. The discussions in the Board showed an earnest 
 desire on the part of the women to accept the full responsibility implied in 
 the situation, and to carry out to the best of their abihty the expectations of 
 Congress and of the Commission in this unprecedented organization. They 
 showed every disposition to proceed in the most direct and economical man- 
 ner to accomplish the purposes for which the Board was called into exist- 
 ence, and considered many desirable projects which might be forwarded 
 unofficially by the members, reaching finally the general agreement that each 
 member should work energetically in her own State, not only for the Ex- 
 position directly, but also to advance the interests of women in every possi- 
 ble way and encourage them to exhibit creditable specimens of their skill 
 and handiwork. 
 
 The Board passed a resolution setting forth its desire to have a special 
 building given to it for administrative purposes. The advantages and disad- 
 vantages of a scheme to exhibit the work of women in such a building were 
 discussed at length, and the conclusion was reached that it would be unde- 
 sirable. For this three reasons were apparent. First, that women who pro- 
 duced articles such as they wished to exhibit very naturally and appropriately 
 wanted them installed in the Department buildings that were devoted to 
 similar exhibits by men, so that all could be judged in a fair competition 
 without any reference to the sex of the producer. Second, that a large 
 amount of work is done constantly by women co-operating with men in 
 workshops, factories, and other establishments, and the contributions of the 
 various individuals can hardly be distinguished in the completed work, so 
 that it would be impossible to make any just separation ; therefore a vast 
 amount of such work must necessarily be installed in the Department build- 
 ings, and could not be claimed as an exhibit of woman's work alone. Third, 
 some important exhibits — such, for instance, as that of the dairy — required 
 buildings with special facilities, and others could only be exhibited where 
 power was furnished. For these reasons a building for separate exhibits by 
 women was, almost from the first, decided to be undesirable. 
 
 A committee was appointed to assist the Commission in procuring from 
 Congress an appropriation for the use of the Board, and provision was made 
 
200 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 for an Executive Committee of twenty -six members to have full power when 
 the Board was not in session. In response to a communication from the 
 Board, the National Commission made a formal reply, November 2b, 1890, 
 in a set of resolutions which declared : that the work of the Board of Lady 
 Managers was placed under the control of the Executive Committee ; that 
 the methods and agencies adopted by the Board of Lady Managers in per- 
 forming the duties imposed upon them by the act of Congress 
 should be at the discretion of the Board, but subject to 
 the approval of the Executive Committee of the Com- 
 mission ; that a suitable building should be erected on 
 the Exposition grounds for the use of the Board of 
 Lady Managers ; that the Board of Lady Mana- 
 gers was requested to labor in conjunction with 
 the National Commission to arouse the interest 
 of the people of their respective States and 
 Territories in the success of the Exposition ; 
 that it was inexpedient at this time to formulate 
 any further instruction for the Board, but that 
 a sub-committee would be appointed to confer 
 with the Committee of the Board in reference to 
 a more explicit definition of their duties ; and 
 that the Commission would ;oin with the Board 
 of Lady Managers in a recommendation to Con- 
 gress to make an additional appropriation for the 
 expense of the Board. n^ 
 
 After the adjournment- of the Board, its headquarters were temporarily 
 established with those of the World's Columbian Commission in the Pull- 
 man Building, but they were removed, January i, 1891, to the Rand- 
 McNally Building, adjoining the offices of the National Commission. 
 
 It was manifest that if the Board of Lady Managers was limited to the 
 only duty specifically proposed by Congress (participation in the jury service) 
 its services would be in no wise commensurate with its representative .char- 
 acter, its large membership, and the great expenditure necessary for its meet- 
 ings. To justify its creation it seemed necessary to extend its jurisdiction 
 and amplify its powers, and this could only be done with the consent and 
 good will of other agencies that already occupied the field. A careful read- 
 ing of the act of Congress seemed to show a reason for the marked reserve 
 in conferring powers and duties upon the Board in the fact that two agencies 
 had been charged in the same act with great responsibilities, and it was pos- 
 sible that conflicts of authority and contests for jurisdiction might arise. 
 The Columbian Commission early reached the conclusion that it could not 
 legally delegate, even to one of its own committees, authority that had been 
 vested in it by Congress, and much less could it assign any share in its duties 
 to the Board of Lady Managers. That Board considered that the Commis- 
 
 MRS. EDWIN C. BURLEIGH, 
 
 Second Vice-President 
 of the Board of Lady Managers. 
 
THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS. 
 
 20I 
 
 sion failed to construe properly the clause in the act which said : " And said 
 Commission is authorized and required to appoint a Board of Lady Man- 
 agers of such number and to perform such duties as may be required by said 
 Commission." At the same time, however, they made no complaint of any 
 want of friendliness and interest on the part of either the Directory or the 
 Commission. 
 
 On December 8, 1890, Mrs. Palmer, President of the Board of Lady 
 Managers, wrote to President Gage, of the Directory, in regard to the 
 proposed Woman's Building, inclosing a copy of the resolution adopted 
 by the Board, together with a copy of those adopted on November 26 
 by the Executive Committee of the National Commission. Mrs. Palmer 
 said : "These resolutions recommend the erection of a suitable building on 
 the Exposition grounds, to be placed under the control of the Board of 
 
 MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE WOMAN'S BUILDING. 
 
 Lady Managers, to be known as the Woman's Building, in which shall be 
 placed special exhibits of woman's work, which, on account of their rare 
 merit and value, the exhibitors would prefer to have placed under the special 
 care and custody of the ladies ; the building also to be used as the official 
 15 
 
202 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 headquarters of the Board of Lady Managers, and for such other purposes 
 as they may deem proper and expedient. In behalf of the Board of Lady 
 Managers, I trust that your Directory will decide to have this building 
 erected, and I would request that your architect be instructed to prepare 
 plans and specifications for the construction of this building, and to issue an 
 invitation to the architects of this country, both men and women, to submit 
 competitive designs and drawings for the building in accordance therewith." 
 The Consulting Architect informed the President of the Board that when 
 the request for a building was presented to the Grounds and Buildings Com- 
 mittee, it would be necessary to accompany it with a sketch plan showing 
 the size of the building proposed, the rooms into which the building would 
 be divided, with the use to which they would be put, and other outhnes. 
 The President therefore drew a diagram for the ground plan of a building 
 two hundred by five hundred feet, showing a central gallery throughout 
 lighted by a skylight and surrounded on the main floor by large exhibition 
 rooms, while exterior balconies opened from the second floor, and an interior 
 recessed colonnade formed the promenade around the central gallery. The 
 President was also invited to meet the Committee on Grounds and Build- 
 ings for a conference in regard to details, to which she also invited several 
 other members of the Board. The result of this conference was a determi- 
 nation to erect a building two hundred by four hundred feet at a cost of 
 $200,000, following in the main the sketch plan that had been presented. It 
 was decided, in accordance with the wishes of the Board, to have the build- 
 ing designed by a woman. In obtaining the design, the plan adopted for 
 the other buildings of selecting an architect outright was departed from, 
 at the request of the Board of Lady Managers, for the reason that there 
 was no woman practicing architecture with sufficiently established reputa- 
 tion to warrant her selection. A competition was therefore called for by 
 the Department of Publicity and Promotion in these terms : " Sketches are 
 asked for, on or before March 23, i8gi, for the Woman's Building of the 
 World's Columbian Exposition. None but those made by women will be con- 
 sidered. Applicants must be in the profession of architecture or have had spe- 
 cial training in the same, and each must state her experience, in writing, to the 
 Chief of Construction. All sketches must be sent in sealed, with only a motto 
 on the envelope, which must contain a second envelope inclosing name and 
 address of the designer. The selected design will carry with it the appoint- 
 ment of its author as architect of the building. She will make her working 
 drawings in the Bureau of Construction, and receive an honorarium of 
 $1,000, besides expenses. A prize of $500 and one of $250 will be given 
 for the two next best drawings. A simple light-colored classic type of 
 building will be favored. All drawings to be sent to Daniel H. Burnham, 
 Chief of Construction. The general outline of the building must follow 
 closely the accompanying sketch plans, the extreme dimensions not ex- 
 ceeding two hundred by four hundred feet ; exterior to be of some simple 
 
THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS. 
 
 203 
 
 and definite style, classic lines preferred ; the general effect of color to be 
 in light tints. Staff, stucco, wood, iron, and equivalents to be used as 
 building material, with discretion as to the disposition and ornamentation, 
 so as not to render the building too costly. First story, eighteen feet 
 high ; second story, twenty-five feet high. These dimensions are not obli- 
 gatory, but suggest what would answer the practical requirements, as well as 
 to come within the limit of sum appropriated — viz., $200,000. The plans 
 should show the outline desired, leaving all detail to the ingenuity of the 
 competing architect, who is expected to give them a thorough study, locating 
 openings, etc., so as to give easy access and exit to the constant flow of pass- 
 ing crowds. The main entrance will lead down a series of steps to the water 
 landing, and should be equal in importance and beauty to the one toward the 
 west. Drawings must be made to a scale of one sixteenth of an inch to the 
 foot. They must include elevations of one front and one end, as well as one 
 perspective." 
 
 Thirteen designs were submitted. Miss Sophia G. Hayden, of Boston, 
 recently graduated from the Massachusetts School of Technology, was the 
 successful competitor for the first prize ; Miss Lois Howe, of Boston, re- 
 ceived the second ; Miss Laura Hayes, of Chicago, the third. 
 The decision was made on March 25, 1891, and on the 
 following day Miss Hayden was summoned to Chi- 
 cago to prepare the working drawings. It was 
 decided to locate the building near one of the 
 principal entrances to the grounds at Sixtieth 
 Street, and work on the foundation was 
 begun immediately. 
 
 After the acceptance of Miss Hayden's 
 first plan she was requested by the President 
 to provide for roof gardens, and to make cer- 
 tain other changes which affected somewhat 
 both the sky line and the general plan. She 
 brought such freshness and versatility to the 
 study of the problem presented in this building 
 that the architects of the Exposition highly 
 commended her skill and experts were enthusi- 
 astic in her praise. The building when com- 
 pleted differed substantially from all previous models, and was especially suc- 
 cessful in preserving the general spirit of the Italian Renaissance. The 
 grand gallery of honor, with its striking features of vestibules, second story 
 colonnade, and springing arches opening into clearstory and sky-hghted roof 
 at the level of the third floor, was strikingly symmetrical and stately. This 
 gave a dignity and finish to the interior which were the more desirable as the 
 exhibitors were not able to meet the expense of rich and harmonious settings 
 for their installations. 
 
 Miss SOPHIA G. HAYDEN, 
 Architect of the Woman's Building. 
 
204 "T^E WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Mr. Richard M. Hunt, President of the American Architectural League, 
 was so surprised and pleased with Miss Hayden's design that he wrote her a 
 special letter of congratulation ; and the medal awarded to her by the Ex- 
 position jury was for delicacy of style, artistic taste, geniality, and elegance of 
 the interior hall. Miss Hayden received no honorarium except $i,ooo given 
 to her as winner of the first prize, and her pay for subsequent daily service 
 at the rate paid to draughtsmen ($977.60) while superintending and herself 
 working on the elaboration of the details of her plan and the working draw- 
 ings. 
 
 As the Woman's Building assumed proportions, the Board of Lady Man- 
 agers, through the courtesy of the Directory of the Exposition, was granted 
 permission to invite competition among woman artists for the statuary on 
 the exterior of the building, and in August, 1891, circular letters to this 
 effect were generally distributed. The conditions were these : Designs to be 
 submitted in the form of miniature models, or by original drawings in pencil, 
 ink, or water color, accompanied by a typewritten description of the princi- 
 pal features, to be delivered on or before November 15, 1891. The designs 
 required were : First, one group of figures in high relief, to fill the pediment 
 over the main entrance, forty-five feet long at the base line and seven feet high 
 in the center. Second, the groups of statuary standing free above the attic 
 cornice, resting on bases five feet long, three feet deep, and two feet high. 
 These groups to consist of a central winged figure standing about ten feet 
 high to the tips of the wings, and supported by smaller sitting figures. Two 
 designs were required for these. The compositions should be typical of 
 woman and woman's work in history. Each design submitted to be accom- 
 panied by an estimate of the cost of the full-size plaster models, and the 
 authoress of the design to receive the contract for the execution of these 
 full-size models, provided the estimate was satisfactory to the Chief of Con- 
 struction. Twenty artists presented models and drawings, which were sub- 
 mitted to the following committee : Daniel H. Burnham, Chief of Construc- 
 tion of the Exposition ; William Pretyman, Director of Color, Bureau of 
 Construction ; and F. M. Whitehouse, art connoisseur and critic. 
 
 The character of the work, as a whole, was creditable and showed much 
 serious study and originality. One of the artists that were afterward chosen 
 to act on the committee examined the sketches without knowing that they 
 were the work of young women, and, although he judged them by the most 
 severe standards of art, pronounced them excellent. The designs were known 
 to the committee only by number, so that each was judged solely on its 
 merits. Miss AHce Rideout, of San Francisco, nineteen years of age, was the 
 successful competitor. Her subject was represented in three groups, respec- 
 tively : Woman's Virtues, Woman as the Genius of Civilization, and Woman's 
 Place in History, the first two being those of the winged figures repeated on 
 the cornice, and the third filling the pediments over the eastern and western 
 entrances. 
 
THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS. 
 
 205 
 
 In the group illustrative of Woman's Virtues she is represented by a 
 slender figure in rising posture, with face turned upward as if in aspiration. 
 Sacrifice is personated at her right by the figure of a nun in the act of laying 
 her jewels on the altar, and at her left is Charity in the form of a mother 
 nourishing and protecting childhood. 
 
 In the second grouping. Woman as the Genius of Civilization, the cen- 
 tral angelic figure looks down and the wings are outspread as if poised in 
 flight. In her hand she bears the torch of 
 wisdom. At her right is the figure of a 
 modern woman with pen and student's cap, 
 while the darker age is represented by a 
 rude, barbaric figure at the left. 
 
 The series of figures representing Wom- 
 an's Place in History shows her as filling 
 the many places accorded her in the present 
 century — as a principal factor in moral and 
 social reform, a promoter of charitable and 
 philanthropic enterprises, a student of poet- 
 ry, art, and literature, of music, science, and 
 the drama, as an industrial worker, and a 
 teacher of the young, and finally as the ge- 
 nius of the home, surrounded by husband 
 and children. 
 
 After the announcement of the result of 
 this competition Miss Rideout was called to 
 Chicago by Mr. Burnham and personally car- 
 ried out the work of enlarging her models to the heroic size required. The 
 modeling of the caryatides to support the roof garden was intrusted to Miss 
 Enid Yandell, of Louisville, Kentucky. The Woman's Building stood near 
 one of the principal entrances, and was approached both by land and by 
 water. From its balconies and roof garden there was a grand view of the 
 Exposition grounds, the buildings, and the lake. 
 
 When the House of Representatives passed the bill for the expenses of 
 the Commission in the fiscal year 1891-92, there was serious disappointment 
 at the small amount of the appropriation ; and this amount was still further 
 reduced in the Senate. The President of the Board of Lady Managers had 
 called the Finance Committee of the Board to meet in Washington, Feb- 
 ruary 22, and they arrived just after this unfavorable action became known. 
 Accompanied by several members of the Board, she appeared before the 
 Appropriation Committee of the Senate and the House and made a full ex- 
 planation of the proposed work to be done by the Board of Lady Managers. 
 This included an exhibit showing the development during the past four cen- 
 turies of the industries of women, the personal relation of women to the 
 industrial world, the grade of work performed by them, and the relative 
 
 
 '&■ ' m 
 
 MISS ENID YANDELL, 
 Sculptor. 
 
206 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 amount of wages they received. She showed how the appropriation asked 
 for would be employed in furthering these ends, and dwelt upon the benefits 
 to be derived by women from the Exposition. The plans of the Woman's 
 Building were also shown. The result of this appeal was a vote increasing 
 the sum for the use of the Commission to $95,000, of which $36,000 was to 
 be used for the Board of Lady Managers. Throughout the Exposition the 
 Board felt that they were treated generously by Congress, as that body, hav- 
 ing provided an organization to perform these services in the interests of 
 women, sustained the agency it had created by such legislation and appropri- 
 ations as were necessary to make it an efficient force. While the questions 
 asked as to proposed expenditures were always direct and searching, yet 
 when satisfactory answers were given and evidence was 
 ^5«,^ furnished that the funds would be employed in useful 
 work and managed with strict economy, the money 
 was invariably voted and unofficial assurance was 
 given of pleasure felt in the promotion of this 
 unusual feature. The Columbian Commission 
 adopted a resolution of thanks to the Presi- 
 dent of the Board of Lady Managers and the 
 Finance Committee for their timely aid in 
 procuring the necessary appropriation from 
 Congress. At this juncture the Board re- 
 quested the Board of Control to formulate a 
 further definition of its duties, in order that it 
 might organize its work upon an appropriate 
 scale, and in response to this request the Board 
 of Control adopted a series of resolutions pre- 
 scribing that the Board of Lady Managers 
 should be empowered to appoint one or more 
 members of all committees authorized to award 
 prizes for exhibits that should be produced in 
 whole or in part by female labor, and the number of women members 
 should be in proportion to the percentage of female labor performed in 
 the production of such exhibits ; that the Board should have the manage- 
 ment and control of the Woman's Building, and should have general charge 
 and management of all the interests of women in connection with the Ex- 
 position, declaring it to be the official channel of communication through 
 which all women should be brought into relation with the Exposition, and 
 through which all applications for space should be made for the exclusive 
 use of women or their exhibits in the buildings, or for the construction of 
 buildings intended exclusively for the use of women in the Exposition ; that 
 in the conduct of the- work assigned to the Board of Lady Managers all 
 things should be done under the direction and supervision of the President 
 of the Board, who should have full and complete control, subject to the 
 
 \/' 
 
 MRS. MARY F. MacMONNIES, 
 Painter. 
 
THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS. 
 
 207 
 
 direction of the Executive Committee of the Board, and to the approval of 
 the Commission and its Director General ; and that all correspondence, 
 clerical and working force, and expenditures of money should be directed, 
 ordered, and approved by the President of the Board, who should have all 
 accounts duly audited, and certify them to the Board of Reference and Con- 
 trol for approval ; that the Executive Committee of the Board, or a subcom- 
 mittee of the Executive Committee, should be authorized, in the absence of 
 the Board, to exercise any and all powers that the Board might exercise in 
 session ; that a salary of $5,000 per annum should be paid to the President 
 of the Board of Lady Managers, and a salary of $3,000 to the Secretary, each 
 of these salaries being subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Treas- 
 ury, as required by law. Mrs. Palmer, President of the Board, declined to 
 accept any remuneration, except a sum sufficient to pay for the services of 
 a private secretary. 
 
 In April, 1891, the President announced the appointment of the Execu- 
 tive Committee of the Board, consisting of the following members : Mrs. 
 Jonas H. French, Massachusetts ; Miss Frances S. Ives, Connecticut ; Mrs. 
 Amey M. Starkweather, Rhode Island ; Miss Ellen A. Ford, New York ; 
 Miss Mary E. Busselle, New Jersey ; Miss Mary E. McCandless, Pennsyl- 
 vania ; Mrs. William Reed, Maryland : Mrs. W. Newton Linch, West Vir- 
 ginia ; Mrs. Susan G. Cooke, Tennessee ; Miss E. Nellie Beck, Florida ; 
 Mrs. Mary C. Cantrill, Kentucky ; Miss Josephine Shakspeare, Louisiana ; 
 Mrs. Rosine Ryan," Texas ; Mrs. Virginia C. Meredith, Indiana ; Mrs. Par- 
 thenia P. Rue, California ; Mrs. Sarah S. C. Angell, Michigan ; Mrs. 
 Frances W. Shepard, Illinois ; Mrs. Solomon Thatcher, Jr., Chicago ; Miss 
 Ora E. Miller, Iowa ; Mrs. John S. Briggs, Nebraska ; Mrs. E. W. Allen, 
 Oregon ; Mrs. John A. Logan, District of Columbia ; Mrs. Edward L. 
 Bartlett, New Mexico ; Mrs. Frances B. Clarke, Minnesota ; Mrs. James P. 
 Eagle, Arkansas. 
 
 The first meeting of this committee was convened on April 8, 1891, in 
 the directors' room at Exposition headquarters, Rand-McNally Building. 
 Mrs. Palmer presided. Mrs. Susan Gale Cooke, of Tennessee, was elected 
 temporary secretary, and on April 2 1 of the same session she was elected 
 permanent secretary of the cornmittee. Mrs. Cooke therefore resigned her 
 membership in the committee, and subsequently Mrs. K. S. G. Paul was 
 appointed to succeed her. Mrs. Virginia C. Meredith, of Indiana, was 
 elected vice-chairman. 
 
 Early in this meeting of the Executive Committee the matter of appoint- 
 ing a new secretary in place of Miss Phoebe Couzins (who was elected Secre- 
 tary of the Board in November, 1890) was considered, and on April 16 Mrs. 
 Susan Gale Cooke, of Tennessee, was appointed acting Secretary, and on 
 September 2 the Board elected her permanent Secretary. 
 
 The President of the Board was authorized to appoint a committee to 
 superintend the furnishing of the Woman's Building, and she was also em- 
 
208 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 powered to appoint a committee to assign space in that building to associa- 
 tions and exhibitors, and for other purposes. The President was authorized 
 to have designs made for an official seal for the Board of Lady Managers, and 
 a resolution directing that no member of the Board of Lady Managers should 
 
 be employed as clerk 
 or stenographer in the 
 President's and Sec- 
 retary's offices was 
 adopted. Thirty class- 
 ification committees, 
 embracing the entire 
 membership of the 
 Board, were appointed. 
 The standing commit- 
 tees of the Board, cre- 
 ated from time to time 
 by the Board and its 
 Executive Committee, 
 were those on By-laws, 
 Finance, the Execu- 
 tive and Subexecutive, 
 Classification, Federal 
 Legislation, Awards, 
 Ceremonies, Colonial 
 Display, Congresses in Woman's Building, Music in Woman's Building, 
 Auxiliary Work, Board of Management of Sales, Assignment of Space, 
 Memorial Building, Children's Building, Scientific Exhibit, National 
 Flower, Guides, and the Committee on History. 
 
 The important subject of State work next came under consideration. As 
 many of the State Legislatures were discussing the desirability of State rep- 
 resentation in the Exposition, the Director General sent to each a communi- 
 cation inclosing a suggested bill which it was desirable that all should adopt 
 in its general features. This bill was based upon those passed at the time of 
 the Centennial Exposition in 1876. When the Board of Lady Managers 
 learned of the issuance of this circular they made the criticism that a clause 
 should have been inserted requesting the appointment of women upon the 
 State Boards. The justice of this was admitted by the Director General, and 
 in a subsequent communication to the Legislatures the suggestion was made 
 that women so appointed might either become full members of their respec- 
 tive State Boards, or might have an organization of their own, in which case 
 a specific sum should be appropriated for their work and expenses. It was 
 set forth plainly that no part of the appropriation made by Congress could 
 be used for the expenses of State organizations. To set an example for 
 other States, the President and the Illinois members of the Board of Lady 
 
 LOGGIA OF THE WOMAN'S BUILDING, 
 looking eastward across the Wooded Island. 
 
THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS. 
 
 209 
 
 Managers exerted themselves to secure an appropriation from the Legislature 
 of that State. Many members of that Legislature visiting Chicago to inform 
 themselves as to the scope and condition of the Exposition were invited by 
 the President of the Board to meet at her residence, and were there addressed 
 on the subject by Hon. Joseph Medill, Benjamin Butterworth, Thomas B. 
 Bryan, Moses P. Handy, W. I. Buchanan, and others. Afterward the Presi- 
 dent and other members of the Board visited Springfield, where they laid 
 before the Appropriation Committee of the Legislature a communication in 
 which they set forth at length the purposes of their organization, and asked 
 that a State Board of women be constituted to whom should be given one 
 tenth of the appropriation for purposes at the Exposition. This was done, 
 ' and accordingly they received $80,000 of the $800,000 appropriated by the 
 State of Illinois. In September, 1891, thirty-one States and Territories had 
 secured World's Fair appropriations from their Legislatures. The complete 
 list of the State Boards is as follows : 
 
 Alabama : Mrs. Irene W. Semple, Miss i 
 
 Julia Tutwiler, Mrs. E. F. Crook, Mrs. • , ■ 
 
 Lawrence Moore, Mrs. Rosa Gardner, 
 Mrs. J. W. Foster, Mrs. L. P. Gary, 
 Mrs. J. R. Dowdell, Mrs. Ellen Cole- 
 man, Mrs. W. J. Seibert, Miss Sue 
 Donnell, Mrs. R. H. Pearson, the Lady 
 Managers, ex officio. Arkansas : Mrs. 
 Logan H. Roots, Mrs. William H. 
 Neal, Miss Corinne Kimball, Miss Fan- 
 ny Scott, Mrs. William C. Ratcliffe, 
 Mrs. Frank Douglas, Miss Mary May- 
 the Lady Managers, ex officio. 
 
 ers. 
 
 California : Mrs. E. O. Smith, Mrs. 
 Flora Kimball, Mrs. A. Marcellus, 
 Mrs. Hester A. Harland, Mrs. Virginia 
 Bradley, Mrs. Olive C. Cole, Mrs. An- 
 na M. Reed, Mrs. Ella Sterling Cum- 
 mins, and the Lady Managers, ex offi- 
 cio. Colorado : The Lady Managers, 
 ex officio. Connecticut : Mrs. George 
 H. Knight, Mrs. P. H. Ingalls, Mrs. 
 Franklin Farrell, Miss Lucy P. Trowbridge, Miss Anna L. Chappell, Miss 
 Edith Jones, Miss Hattie Brairtard, Mrs. E. T. Whitmore, Mrs. Cyril John- 
 son, Mrs. A. R. Goodrich, Mrs. Wealthea A. Hammond, Mrs. Jabez H. 
 Alvord, Mrs. H. C. Morgan, Mrs. E. S. Hubbard. Delaware : Mrs. Caleb 
 Churchman, Miss Ida Bacon, Mrs. Anna E. Hall, and the Lady Managers, 
 ex officio. Florida : The Lady Managers, ex officio. Georgia : No State 
 board and no appropriation. Idaho : The Lady Managers, ex officio. Illi- 
 
 MRS. FLORA BEALL GINTY, 
 
 Seventh Vice-President 
 of the Board of Lady Managers. 
 
2IO THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 nois : Mrs. Marcia L. Qould, Mrs. Alice Bradford Wiles, Miss Mary Cal- 
 lahan, Mrs. Frances L. Gilbert, Mrs. Frances E. Patton, Mrs. Isabella Lan- 
 ing Candee, and the Lady Managers, ex officio. Indiana : Mrs. May 
 Wright Sewall, Miss Susan W. Ball, Miss Mary H. Krout, Mrs. S. S. 
 Harrell, Mrs. Laura D. Worley, Mrs. E. P. Hammond, and the Lady 
 Managers, ex officio. Iowa: Mrs. N. C. Deering, Miss Eliza G. Rhodes, 
 Miss Mary B. Hancock, Mrs. Ellen H. Cook, Mrs. Flora J. McAchran, 
 Mrs. G. H. Salts, Mrs. L. O. Ferson, Mrs. John F. Buncombe, Miss Jen- 
 nie E. Rogers, and the Lady Managers, ex officio. Kansas : Mrs. M. C. 
 Clark, and the Lady Managers, ex officio. Kentucky : Mrs. Sue Phil- 
 lips Brown, Mrs. Ida E. Symmes-Coats, Miss Lucy Lee Hill. Louisi- 
 ana : Mrs. Scott McGhee, Mrs. Joseph H. Oglesby, Miss Rowena Loeb, 
 Mrs. W. W. Carre, Mrs. Thomas Sefton, Mrs. James T. Rodd, Mrs. J. H. 
 Leovy, Mrs. R. M. Walmsley, Mrs. George Nicholson, Mrs. M. R. Field, 
 Mrs. P. G. Richardson, Mrs. J. Pinckney Smith, Mrs. F. D. Blake, Miss 
 Janie Dixon, Miss Mary Wilson, Mrs. John Barkley, Mrs. James K. Gut- 
 hein, Mrs. T. S. Kennedy, Miss Janie Wilde, Miss Kate Nobles, Mrs. C. R. 
 Churchill, Mrs. J. W. Fee, Mrs. L. D. Nicholls, Mrs. Bowling S. Leathers, 
 and the Lady Managers, ex officio. Maine : Miss Eva J. Parcher, Mrs. Kate 
 Andrews, Mrs. Lucinda M. Bellowes, Mrs. Agnes C. Paul, and the Lady 
 Managers, ex officio. Maryland : Mrs. William Reed, Lady Manager, ex 
 officio. Massachusetts : Miss Alice L. Dawes. Michigan : Mrs. Julia A. 
 Pond, Mrs. J. S. Valentine, and the Lady Managers, ex officio. Minnesota : 
 Mrs. F. L. Greenleaf, Mrs. A. A. White, Miss Minnie Dassell, Mrs. A. T. 
 Stebbins, Mrs. L. P. Hunt, Mrs. Frances M. Crosby, Mrs. Henry Hasen- 
 winkle, Mrs. L. W. Collins, and the Lady Managers, ex officio. Mississippi : 
 No State appropriation. Represented by the Lady Managers. Missouri : 
 Mrs. Patti Moore, Mrs. J. N. Edwards, Mrs. Theresa B. Adams, Mrs. S. P. 
 Sparks, Mrs. L. P. Munger, Mrs. John E. Phelps. Montana: Mrs. Russell 
 B. Harrison, Mrs. Mariam D. Cooper, Mrs. Laura E. Howey, and the Lady 
 Managers, ex officio. Nebraska : Mrs. Allan Bock, Mrs. Elizabeth W. 
 Irwin, Mrs. C. H. Van Wyck, Mrs. Edward Stuart, Mrs. W. H. McDonald, 
 Mrs. Alice D. Hume, Mrs. J. B. Smith, Mrs. E. J. Eaton, Mrs. J. H. Lynch, 
 Mrs. S. Antoinette Wortham, Mrs. C. B. Wells, Mrs. R. A. Patterson, and 
 the Lady Managers, ex officio. Nevada : Miss Mary E. Davies, and the 
 Lady Managers, ex officio. New Hampshire : Mrs. Frank H. Daniell, Miss 
 Ellen J. Cole, and the Lady Managers, ex officio. New Jersey : Mrs. 
 Thomas L. Kinney, Mrs. Washington Roebling, Miss Mary S. Clark, Miss 
 Rosa Murray, Miss Sarah G. Ware, Mrs. Charles B. Yardley, Mrs. Michael 
 Barrett, and Mrs. Stevens, of the Lady Managers. New York : Mrs. Eras- 
 tus Corning, Mrs. J. S. T. Stranahan, Mrs. R. V. R. Waddington, Mrs. 
 Leslie Pell-Clarke, Mrs. Frances Todd Patterson, Mrs. William J. Averall, 
 Mrs. Frederick P. Bellamy, Miss Caroline E. Dennis, Mrs. Arthur M. 
 Dodge, Mrs. Caspar Griswold, Miss Anna Roosevelt, Mrs. Fred R. Halsey, 
 
THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS. 
 
 211 
 
 Miss Annie Hemstraught, Miss Imogene Howard, Miss Marie M. Love, 
 Mrs. Fred Rhinelander, Miss Elizabeth T. Minturn, Mrs. Dean Sage, Mrs. 
 Oscar S. Straus, Mrs. Charles F. Wadsworth, Mrs. Walter H. Webb, Mrs. 
 Andrew D. White, Mrs. Howard G. White, Mrs. Florence C. Ives, Mrs. 
 Candace E. Wheeler. North Carolina : 
 Mrs. Sallie 8. Cotton, Miss Virginia S. Di- 
 vine, and the Lady Managers, ex officio. 
 North Dakota : Miss Sadie Davidson, Mrs. 
 AHce Vineyard Brown, Mrs. Frances C. 
 HoUey, and the Lady Managers, ex officio. 
 Ohio : Mrs. WilUam Ritchie, and the Lady 
 Managers, ex officio. Oregon : The Lady 
 Managers, ex officio. Pennsylvania : Mrs. 
 Thomas M. Jones, Mrs. Ida Elkins Tyler, 
 and the Lady Managers, ex officio. Rhode 
 Island : Mrs. George A. Mumford, Miss Lo- 
 raine P. Bucklin, and the Lady Managers, 
 ex officio. South Carolina : Mrs. Clark 
 Waring, Mrs. John W. Lewis, Mrs. John- 
 son Hagood, Mrs. C. A. Wood, and the 
 Lady Managers, ex officio. South Dakota : 
 Mrs. William Duff Haynie, Mrs. J. S. Oli- 
 ver, Mrs. J. Q. Jeffries, Mrs. John E. Ben- 
 nett, Mrs. A. C. Melette, Mrs. W. A. Bur- 
 leigh, Mrs. George A. Silsby, Mrs. J. A. Trow, Mrs. C. E. Daniels, Miss 
 Marie J. Gaston, and the Lady Managers, ex officio. Tennessee : No 
 State appropriation ; represented by the Lady Managers. Texas : Mrs. 
 Benedette B. Tobin, Mrs. J. C. Terrell, Mrs. Caroline Willis Ladd, Mrs. E. 
 A. Fry, Mrs. James C. Swayne, Mrs. J. L. Henry, Mrs. C. F. Drake, Mrs. 
 E. M. House, Mrs. Anna D. Hearne, Mrs. J. M. Boroughs, Mrs. A. V. 
 Doak, Mrs. Val. C. Giles. Vermont : Mrs. Minna G. Hooker, Mrs. Theresa 
 J. Cochrane, and the Lady Managers, ex officio. Virginia : The Lady Man- 
 agers, ex officio. Washington : Mrs. Chauncey W. Griggs, and the Lady 
 Managers, ex officio. West Virginia : The Lady Managers, ex officio. Wis- 
 consin : Mrs. John Winans, and the Lady Managers ex officio. Wyoming : 
 No representation. Alaska : The Lady Managers, ex officio. Arizona : 
 The Lady Managers, ex officio. New Mexico : The Lady Managers, ex 
 officio. Oklahoma : Mrs. A. M. Holloman, Mattie B. Kelso, Miss May I. 
 Overstreet, Mrs. Mortimer Bixler, Mrs. H. C. St. Clair, Mrs. C. M. Burnes, 
 Mrs. J. E. Sater, Mrs. J. Buchanan, Mrs. Kirk. Utah : Mrs. F. S. Rich- 
 ards, Mrs. F. D. Richards, Mrs. Electa Bullock, Mrs. G. W. Thatcher, Mrs. 
 Mary C. Lyman, Miss May Preston, and the Lady Managers, ex officio. 
 
 The work of the Board of Lady Managers was carried on in two distinct 
 lines — that developing through the various sessions of the Board and of its 
 
 MRS. RUSSELL B. HARRISON, 
 
 Vice-President at Large 
 
 of the Board of Lady Managers. 
 
212 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 /^^■-S" \_ 
 
 Executive Committee, and that relating to the details of applications for space 
 for exhibits, including in one building nearly every department of the Expo- 
 sition. 
 
 As the work advanced, lists of the applications received from the various 
 States were forwarded monthly to all State Boards and Lady Managers, and 
 requests were made for information regarding the representation of the work 
 of women as shown by these applications, in comparison with the statistics 
 of each State. 
 
 Members of the Board were also requested to send to the office of the 
 Board a list of the representative work done by the women of their respec- 
 tive States which it was desired to recommend for exhibition in the Wom- 
 an's Building. This was considered necessary because of the limitations of 
 space, and members were therefore requested to recommend only such 
 objects as were considered to be of the highest degree of excellence. 
 
 The chairmen of the various classification 
 committees were urged to correspond with 
 members of their committees and get them 
 actively to work investigating the topics as- 
 signed to each, and to send full reports to 
 headquarters. The chairmen were also urged 
 to ascertain, by correspondence with mem- 
 bers, and by other means, where the most 
 notable collections properly embraced in the 
 classification of their respective committees 
 were located. This information was consid- 
 ered desirable in order that these collections 
 might be invited to occupy a place in the 
 Woman's Building, providing it should prove 
 advisable, after examination, to supplement 
 the exhibits promised in the applications on 
 file in the office of the Secretary. 
 
 A circular was issued to State Boards 
 and commissions soliciting the collection of 
 statistics and all interesting data connected 
 with woman's work, and an appeal was made to secure from every country a 
 chronological exhibit showing the evolution and progress of woman's indus- 
 tries from the earliest times, and to secure for the library in the Woman's 
 Building books written by women of all countries, especially those relating 
 to the sciences, philosophy, and art. 
 
 In a statement distributed by the Board of Lady Managers regarding the 
 scope and purpose of exhibits to be placed in the general buildings of the 
 Exposition, and also in the Woman's Building, charitable and philanthropic 
 organizations conducted by women were requested to send, in the form of 
 small maps or graphic charts to be hung on the walls, the record of their 
 
 MRS. CHARLES PRICE, 
 
 Third Vice-President 
 
 of the Board of Lady Managers. 
 
o 
 
 1-1 
 
 Q 
 
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THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS. 213 
 
 origin, growth, and achievements. All organizations of women, however 
 small and whatever their object, were requested to send their addresses, in 
 order that they might be entered in the complete Ust showing the enormous 
 numbers of such organizations and the good accomplished by them, and in- 
 dustrial organizations were especially invited to make themselves known by 
 writing to Mrs. Helen M. Barker, Superintendent of the Industrial Depart- 
 ment of the Board of Lady Managers. 
 
 A call was issued to the various States and Territories appealing for the 
 formation of auxiliary juries to carry out a system of preliminary examination 
 and approval of exhibits, before such exhibits were forwarded to Chicago. 
 While the State Boards had authority to receive, examine, and decide 
 upon the merits of all exhibits intended for the Columbian Exposition, and 
 to be placed in the Woman's Building, it was distinctly stated in this notice 
 that no exhibitor was debarred from an appeal to the final committee of 
 experts detailed by the Lady Managers to examine and report upon the 
 admission of exhibits to the Woman's Building. 
 
 Greatly encouraged by the aid so generally promised by the women of 
 every part of the country, the representatives of the Board of Lady Managers 
 turned from the United States to foreign lands, ambitious to secure for their 
 industrial women the consideration and help that had been accorded to 
 women in America. Much discretion was requisite in presenting the subject, 
 as it was difficult to explain the ends proposed by means of letters, circulars, 
 and documents which, owing to the variation in the customs of different 
 countries, might arouse prejudice. After much thought and consultation a 
 simple and effective scheme was evolved. It was seen that if foreign gov- 
 ernments could be induced to appoint committees of co-operation, the same 
 governmental recognition would be obtained for foreign women that had 
 been secured for the women of • the United States, and the committees so 
 formed would find all doors open before them, would have access to all docu- 
 ments and reports, the full co-operation of Government bureaus, and would 
 be maintained by the funds appropriated by each Government for the promo- 
 tion of the Columbian Exposition, and to these women would attach the un- 
 accustomed dignity and consideration belonging to chosen officials in the 
 honored- service of their governments. 
 
 The interest of the Secretary of State was enlisted, and he most cordially 
 proposed to transmit in his private-dispatch bag letters of invitation asking 
 that women's commissions be appointed to co-operate with the Board of Lady 
 Managers, together with a personal note from himself to each American 
 Minister requesting him to deliver the invitations and to promote, as far as 
 lay in his power, favorable answers to them. Shortly after this interview the 
 health of the Secretary of State gave way, and the subject was necessarily 
 postponed until his recovery. But the result proved that the enforced delay 
 w_as no disadvantage, for the President of the Board went abroad, and by 
 means of conferences the sentiment of officials, whose assent was of the ut- 
 
21 A THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 most importance, was found to be favorable, and assurances were given of a 
 kindly welcome for future communications. By means of these interviews 
 the interest of many influential women was secured, and later, when trans- 
 mitting the long-delayed official invitation, the President was enabled to ac- 
 company it with letters giving a list of representative women who had ex- 
 pressed wiUingness to serve upon the proposed commission. Women in 
 every country needed only, through some common impulse, to be brought 
 into relation with one another to find how closely they were aUied ; their 
 views of life, their helpful activities, and even their methods of promoting them, 
 being almost identical. It was only necessary for the President of the Board 
 of Lady Managers to meet the leaders of progressive movements to arouse 
 the most cordial response from experienced allies, who were fully capable of 
 judging the value of the opportunity thus opened to them. 
 
 The American Minister in London arranged for the President of the Board 
 a private audience with Her Royal Highness, the Princess Christian, always 
 most active in encouraging useful public measures. During a long confer- 
 ence the possibilities of the plan proposed were fairly discussed. The princess 
 proved to be most conservative in her views concerning the higher education of 
 women and their entrance into the professions, deprecating every influence 
 that would draw them from their homes and interfere with their functions as 
 wives and mothers. She was a most earnest advocate, however, of every 
 measure to increase their practical knowledge, to make them more expert 
 housewives and economists, and to teach them how to earn a satisfactory 
 support for themselves. The princess suggested the formation of an Eng- 
 lish Women's Committee for the Columbian Exposition, and consented to 
 act as its patroness should such a committee be formed. The English women 
 who were interested were all at the head of movements which they wished 
 to have represented at the Exposition. 
 
 Lady Aberdeen, representing the Irish and Scottish Industrial Associa- 
 tions, had already applied for space in the Woman's Building, and the Baron- 
 ess Burdett-Coutts wished to show the work of the pupils in her schools for 
 technical training. 
 
 One embarrassing feature that presented itself was that the inadequate 
 appropriation for the English exhibit was probably absorbed by the different 
 departments already created. The ladies proposed to raise the funds indi- 
 rectly if this proved to be the case, but felt that they would be placed at 
 great disadvantage if, when working under the protection of the Government 
 and in its name, they were obliged to m'ake appeals to the pubhc to secure 
 funds. No final action could be taken, however, and no committee ap- 
 pointed, until the meeting of the Royal Commission in September. 
 
 The American Minister in Paris did not feel at liberty to take any steps 
 to promote the formation of a women's committee in France without direct 
 instructions from the State Department, and consequently other means were 
 used. The Corps Legislatif, before adjournment, had created a " Committee 
 
THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS. 
 
 215 
 
 Provisoire " to consider and report upon co-operation in the Columbian Ex- 
 position, and Antonin Proust had been appointed Director of Fine Arts. 
 The President met socially several members of this committee, as well as the 
 Fine Art Director, and it was then learned that the action of the United 
 States Government regarding women was not so greatly in advance of prece- 
 dent as had been supposed, for in con- 
 nection with the Universal Exposition 
 held in Paris in 1889 the French Gov- 
 ernment had conducted important con- 
 gresses for the discussion of many vital 
 topics, one of the most important being 
 devoted to philanthropic work and char- 
 itable institutions conducted by women, 
 which congress was placed in the hands 
 of a committee of women appointed by 
 the Government. This committee was 
 still in existence, and Mrs. Palmer was 
 speedily brought into relation with 
 them. They were most cordial in their 
 expressions of good will and most ener- 
 getic in their plans for helpfulness, and 
 at once summoned those persons who 
 would be interested to an informal 
 meeting. At this conference were pres- 
 ent, among others, the venerable Sena- 
 tor Jules Simon, who had presided at 
 the meeting of the Women's Congress 
 in 1889, Mme. de Morsier, President of the Congress Committee, M. and 
 Mme. Jules Siegfried, the former of whom was a member of the Chamber of 
 Deputies and at that time chairman of its Provisional Committee for the 
 Columbian Exposition. 
 
 The practical experience of the French in conducting expositions was 
 immediately shown by their quick apprehension of every point that was 
 raised, and the many direct and pertinent questions asked concerning the ad- 
 ministration and detailed plans of the Exposition. After forming a tempo- 
 rary committee and directing it to recommend to the Provisional Committee 
 of the Chamber of Deputies the formation of a Woman's Commission, and 
 also to present a list of names suitable for membership, the meeting ad- 
 journed. Mme. Carnot, wife of the President of the French Republic, was 
 deeply interested and most anxious that the proposed committee should be' 
 composed of congenial elements, and that all political and religious questions 
 should be eliminated. It was explained to her, as had been done in England, 
 that the Board of Lady Managers had not taken any action upon topics con- 
 cerning which there was a great diversity of opinion among its members ; 
 16 
 
 MISS KATHARINE L. MINOR, 
 
 Fourth Vice-President 
 
 of the Board of Lady Managers. 
 
2l6 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 that it had to obtain a fair presentation of the industrial work of women, 
 secure for them judges of award who would be sympathetic and give their 
 exhibits just consideration, etc. The Director of Fine Arts was eager in 
 seeking general information concerning the Exposition, especially its Fine 
 
 PRESIDENT'S OFFICE, WOMAN'S BUILDING. 
 
 Art Department, and was appreciative of the novel features included in the 
 part of the work belonging to the Lady Managers. He promised to advo- 
 cate the formation of a Woman's Commission and the furnishing of money 
 to carry out its projects on a liberal scale. He arranged a conference with 
 the • Minister of Commerce, M. Jules Roche, in whose bureau the work of 
 the Exposition was placed, and several members of the Board who were in 
 Paris accompanied Mrs. Palmer, who had fortified herself with the plans of 
 the Woman's Building and other documents. The interview was most for- 
 tunate in its resialts. After detailing the plans so far as they had been 
 matured and showing the sketch of the Woman's Building, the President 
 of the Board extended a formal invitation, asking for the co-operation of 
 a Woman's Commission in France. M. Roche and the members of the 
 Committee Provisoire who were present expressed informally the heartiest 
 approval of the project, and promised a prompt reply. As a result, at 
 the meeting of the Provisional Committee held a few days later a resolu- 
 
THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS. 217 
 
 tion was adopted authorizing the creation of a committee of French women 
 and assigning the sum of two hundred thousand francs with which to carry- 
 on their work. This resolution was to be presented with the report of the 
 committee to the Corps Legislatif when it met in the autumn. The imme- 
 diate response in Paris was beyond the most sanguine hopes of those advocat- 
 ing the measure. M. Berger, organizer of the French Exposition, immedi- 
 ately planned an exhibition of the work of women in the Palais de I'lndustrie, 
 to be held the following summer, and this resulted in an artistic collection 
 from which choice was made of a large number of objects to be sent across 
 the sea. 
 
 The American Minister to Austria, though anxious to advance Exposi- 
 tion interests, felt that it was a most unfortunate moment to press the sub- 
 ject in that country. Public sentiment was greatly agitated by the recent 
 breaking off of commercial relations with the United States, resulting from 
 the passage of a high-tariff bill. The pearl-button makers, who exported an 
 enormous proportion of their product to the United States, had been largely 
 thrown out of employment during the winter, and the distress was so great 
 that mass meetings had been held and elaborate means of relief devised for 
 giving employment to them. In the face of such commercial convulsions 
 all suggestions for the Columbian Exposition were received with coolness, 
 notwithstanding the diplomatic answers given by the chiefs to the American 
 Minister. An absurdly small appropriation was talked of in case the Gov- 
 ernment decided to accept the invitation at all, and it was conceded that the 
 appointment of an Imperial Commission would be merely a formal compli- 
 ment. Notwithstanding this feeling, an effort was made to interest a few 
 prominent women. The Princess Metternich, who at that time was organiz- 
 ing the Musical Exposition which occurred the following year in Vienna, 
 took great interest in the. plan for a Woman's Commission, and promised the 
 benefit of her influence and her service upon the committee when formed. 
 Princess Windisgratz, who was at the head of an organization analogous to our 
 women's exchanges, was eager for the opportunity of sending the work of her 
 peasant women to Chicago, hoping thereby to open a market for it. The 
 princess and those associated with her, desiring to help the peasants on their 
 estates to find outlets for their efforts, had themselves learned to weave beau- 
 tiful rugs and hangings, had secured patterns for novel shapes for chairs, 
 tables, and rustic furniture in basket work, which they had taught peasant 
 women to make, and opened a salesroom in Vienna. The President of the 
 Board of Lady Managers was shown this organized work by women, which 
 was most remarkable. 
 
 The President also received an official call from the Minister in whose 
 hands Austrian co-operation for the Columbian Exposition was placed. He 
 spoke frankly of the discouraging situation and his feeling that Austrian 
 women would not desire to co-operate ; that they were very conservative and 
 attended only to their society duties, thus manifesting the same lack of un- 
 
2l8 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 derstanding of what the women were doing that had been found to prevail 
 in so many countries. It strained the courtesy of the diplomats to speak 
 with toleration of the inconsistencies of our attitude, legislating, as they said, 
 against commercial intercourse by the most drastic measures on the one hand, 
 and on the other proposing to hold an international exposition which was to 
 promote commercial intercourse and mutual benefits. There was a feel- 
 ing among European manufacturers that Yankee shrewdness led us to wish 
 to secure an exhibit from each country in order to take advantage of foreign 
 progress, patterns, and inventions. 
 
 Regretting that many countries had to be left unvisited, in which action 
 
 might have been hastened by a personal visit, the President turned her face 
 
 horneward, greatly encouraged by the cordial responses 
 
 which she had received. After her return she addressed 
 
 a letter to the Hon. James G. Blaine, Secretary of 
 
 State of the United States, of which the following 
 
 is the significant portion : 
 
 " The Board of Lady Managers of the World's 
 Columbian Commission earnestly desires to pro- 
 cure a more comprehensive and adequate pre- 
 sentation of woman's work and progress than 
 has ever been made. The Board is deeply 
 sensible of the magnitude and difficulty of 
 this undertaking, and realizes that it can not 
 be fully accomplished without the zealous co- 
 operation of representative women throughout 
 the world. The Board therefore begs the aid 
 of the Department of State to secure the selec- 
 tion and appointment in all other countries of 
 eminent women who will unite with the Lady 
 Managers in all proper ways to insure the most 
 appropriate and adequate exhibit which is prac- 
 ticable of woman's achievements in all depart- 
 ments of civilized life, with such information and 
 statistics in relation thereto as may be needed for a proper understanding 
 of difficulties overcome and results attained. The Woman's Branch of 
 the World's Congress Auxiliary also desires the aid and co-operation of the 
 most distinguished women of other countries in the World's Congresses to 
 be held in connection with the Exposition of 1893, and hopes that the 
 eminent women whose selection and appointment are sought by the Board 
 of Lady Managers will also largely contribute by their presence, participa- 
 tion, genius, and accomplishments to the success of the intellectual and 
 moral conference proposed by the Auxiliary." 
 
 In due time responses came announcing the formation of Women's Com- 
 missions in the following countries : Austria, Belgium, Brazil, France, Ger- 
 
 MRS. MARGARET BLAINE 
 
 SALISBURY, 
 
 Eighth Vice-President 
 
 of the Board of Lady Managers. 
 
THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS. 2IQ 
 
 many, Great Britain (including Cape Colony, Ceylon, and New South Wales), 
 Guatemala, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Siam, Spain 
 (including Cuba), and Sweden ; and as many more countries were repre- 
 sented by exhibits, though they had no commissions. 
 
 Forced thus to abandon partially, in forming committees of women, the 
 feature upon which expositions depend so largely for success — namely, the 
 promotion of large commercial interests — the Woman's Commission was 
 obliged to rise to a higher ethical plane, studying the position of women in 
 modern civilization and their relation to it, a general view of their Hfe and at- 
 tainments in the various countries, and the conditions under which they per- 
 fornl their part of the industrial work committed to them. It was in this 
 spirit that the unusual claims of the Board of Lady Managers were under- 
 stood and responded to by the women of foreign countries. Persons in offi- 
 cial, social, professional, and expert circles were associated on their foreign 
 committees, and the work was based on original investigation, which would 
 tend to explain unrecognized or misunderstood facts and cause the gradual 
 amelioration of conditions and sentiments that unfavorably affect women. 
 
 Circulars giving information of plans and containing suggestions that might 
 prove helpful were promptly forwarded to foreign commissions. These were 
 in four languages — English, French, German, and Spanish. 
 
 As the prerequisite for a successful assignment of space in the Woman's 
 Building, it was necessary to notify exhibitors of the special rules that, 
 owing to the limitation of space, it had been necessary to formulate govern- 
 ing the admission of exhibits to this building. 
 
 These special rules prescribed that a committee of experts should be ap- 
 pointed by the President of the Board of Lady Managers whose duty should 
 be to make final decision upon the merits of articles for which application 
 for space had been made in the Woman's Building, and no article should be 
 installed by the Director of the Woman's Building that had not been ap- 
 proved by the committee of experts. 
 
 In accordance with these rules, only tentative assignments of space, to be 
 confirmed by the decision of the expert committee, were issued between the 
 dates of March 15 and April i, 1893. The statistics of applications, assign- 
 ments, etc., were as follow : Total number of applications for space for 
 domestic exhibits (exclusive of books, portraits, and loan exhibits), 3,575; 
 total number of domestic applications accepted, 1,559; total number of 
 applications referred to "office of the Director General, 561 ; number of for- 
 eign countries represented by exhibits, 41 ; number of domestic exhibitors, 
 4,869; number of domestic articles exhibited, 19,267; number of foreign 
 exhibitors, 3,627; number of foreign articles exhibited, 62,709; total num- 
 ber of exhibitors, 8,496; total number of exhibits, 81,976; number of ex- 
 hibitors in Woman's Division, Manufacturers and Liberal Arts Building, 
 253 ; number of exhibitors requesting examination of exhibits by juries of 
 awards, 970 ; number of contributors to Salesroom, Woman's Building, 
 
2 20 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 182 ; number of concessions in Woman's Building, 57 ; number of societies 
 represented in Organization Room, 60. It will be seen from this explana- 
 
 A CORNER IN THE WOMAN'S BUILDING. 
 
 tion that the number of applications accepted did not represent the actual 
 number of exhibits, a single application for a collective exhibit representing 
 many exhibitors. 
 
 Concessionnaires were granted space in the Woman's Building on approval 
 of the application by the President of the Board of Lady Managers. It was 
 necessary for them to file two applications — one with the Board of Lady 
 Managers, and another with the Committee on Ways and Means of the 
 Exposition, with whom all business details were arranged, including the 
 profit accruing to the Exposition from the percentage to be derived from 
 sales. 
 
 In the spring of 1892, the President of the Board called a meeting of the 
 Lady Managers resident in Chicago to consider what could be done for 
 wage-earning and industrial women of the country who might desire to 
 visit the Exposition but would be deterred from so doing on account of 
 the great expense. Mrs. Matilda B. Carse was appointed to look up the 
 matter ; a plan presented by her at the next meeting was accepted, and 
 the Woman's Dormitory Association was formed and duly incorporated May 
 20, 1892, with a capital stock of $25,000, increased June 22, 1892, to $150,- 
 
THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS. • 221 
 
 GOG. The Woman's Dormitory occupied the block on Ellis Avenue between 
 Fifty-second and Fifty-third Streets, in one of the pleasantest portions of 
 Hyde Park, a few blocks from the Exposition grounds, and but a short dis- 
 tance from the Cottage Grove Avenue line of cable cars. A line of wagon- 
 ettes made regular trips to and from the grounds. The build 
 ing had a frontage on Ellis Avenue of 450 feet and was 
 1 50 feet deep and two stories high. The monotony of 
 the roof line was broken by towers in the center and 
 at each end of the structure. There was not a 
 dark room in the building, all opening either on 
 streets or grassy courts. 
 
 The architect was James Gamble Rogers. 
 The cost of construction was $38,688.41. The 
 price paid for ground rent was $2,500. The 
 cost of furnishing was $11,440. When the en- 
 terprise was started, Mr. Pullman was asked to 
 give the free use of a large lot on the lake front on 
 which to erect the building. This he cheerfully 
 
 consented to do ; but afterward, desiring to make mrs. susan r. ashley, 
 use of the arround, he gave a check for $2,000 in , , ^l^* Vice-President 
 
 ° . "^ of the Board of Lady Managers. 
 
 heu of the lot promised. 
 
 The Dormitory had accommodations for a thousand persons, and 12,210 
 women found a home in the Dormitory during the Fair. The enterprise was 
 a financial success ; long before the close of the Exposition every cent of 
 its indebtedness was paid, and the $2,000 was returned to Mr. Pullman. 
 
 At the third session of the Board of Lady Managers, held in October, 
 1892, and the meetings of the Executive and Subexecutive Committees 
 following soon afterward, many important actions were taken, including 
 arrangements for a children's building, the story of which is told in the next 
 chapter. 
 
 At this time, also, the Committee on Awards was appointed, consisting 
 of the following members : Mrs. Virginia C. Meredith, of Indiana, Chair- 
 man ; Mrs. Flora Beall Ginty, Wisconsin ; Mrs. Edwin Stevens, New Jersey ; 
 Mrs. Ida M. Ball, Delaware ; Mrs. Anna M. Fosdick, Alabama. 
 
 In accordance with a resolution adopted at the first session of the Execu- 
 tive Committee of the Board, requesting the President to have an official 
 seal designed and made for the use of the Board of Lady Managers, on 
 August 15, 1 89 1, the woman designers of the United States were invited 
 to submit competitive designs. Augustus St. Gaudens was asked to make 
 the selection, and an honorarium of fifty dollars was offered for the ac- 
 cepted design. In response to this invitation one hundred and nine designs 
 were received, and of these, seven were selected, known only by numbers, 
 and were forwarded to Mr. St. Gaudens, who chose the design desig- 
 nated as No. 54, submitted by Miss Sarah Bodtker, of Chicago. The 
 
222 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 execution of this seal was intrusted to the firm of Tiffany & Co.; of New- 
 York, who very generously made a gift of it to the Board of Lady Man- 
 agers. Impressions of this seal appeared on all certified official documents, 
 the diplomas of honorable mention, and the certificates of the Children's 
 Building. At the second session of the Board of Lady Managers, beginning 
 
 September 2, 1891, a resolution was adopted 
 providing for an official badge for members of 
 the Board. A committee was appointed to 
 take charge of this matter, and in March, 1892, 
 a circular letter was issued inviting the woman 
 designers of the United States to make com- 
 petitive sketches. An honorarium of fifty dol- 
 lars was offered, and it was required that all 
 drawings should bear a mot- 
 to. Two hundred and for- 
 ty-seven designs were sub- 
 mitted, from which ten were 
 selected by the committee 
 and sent to Augustus St. 
 Gaudens, who chose the de- 
 sign bearing the motto Junc- 
 ti valemus (" United we pre- 
 vail "). Miss Martha D. Bes- 
 sey, of New York, the only 
 woman designer employed by 
 Messrs. Tiffany & Co. of that 
 city, proved to be the success- 
 ful competitor. These badges were made in either gold or silver, with blue 
 enamel, the name of the wearer, title, and State appearing, respectively, on 
 the three separate bars. The cost was defrayed by the individual members of 
 the Board of Lady Managers. Owing to the fact that the Exposition com- 
 pany decided upon a uniform official badge for both the National Com- 
 mission and the Board of Lady Managers, this especial badge of the Board, 
 though universally worn by the Lady Managers, was never officially rec- 
 ognized beyond the limits of the Woman's Building ; but within that 
 building it entitled the wearer to all privileges allowed to members of the 
 Board. The official badge adopted by the Exposition for the National 
 Commissioners and the Board of Lady Managers was everywhere most 
 useful throughout the entire Exposition period. By presenting a personal 
 card, the wearer of this badge was admitted at any of the entrances, thus 
 obviating the necessity of carrying the photograph pass, which was large 
 and inconvenient. At the third session of the Board, in October, 1892", the 
 Exposition company presented the Lady Managers with bronze badges of 
 still another design, as souvenirs of the dedication ceremonies of the Exposi- 
 
 BADGE. 
 
 BADGE. 
 
THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS. 
 
 tion. Badges were also worn by the Committee on Ceremonies and the 
 Committee on History, the cost of which was defrayed by the individual 
 members of these committees. 
 
 The Board of Lady Managers, at its second session, also provided for one 
 of the most important, profitable, and entertaining features of the woman's 
 exhibit at the Exposition by adopting, on September 7, 1891, a resolution 
 recommending that a special committee of seven be appointed, who should 
 have charge of arranging for congresses to be held in the Woman's Building 
 during the Fair. The President appointed the following committee : Mrs. 
 James P. Eagle, Mrs. Helen M. Barker, Miss Laurette Lovell, Miss Eliza 
 M. Russell, Mrs. L. M. N. Stevens, Mrs. Susan R. Ashley, and Mrs. Jennie 
 Sanford Lewis. Mrs. John J. Bagley and Mrs. L. Brace . Shattuck were 
 afterward added to the committee. It was soon ascertained that it would 
 incur too great an expense to keep the entire committee together, and the 
 conduct of this work was intrusted to Mrs. James P. Eagle, chairman of the 
 committee, who, through correspondence with the more active women of the 
 two continents, arranged to fill a daily and continuous programme. The 
 energy, tact, and ability on the part of the chairman and the counsel and 
 encouragement of the committee and those members of the Board most 
 interested in the literary advancement of the women of our day, or in some 
 of the numerous questions from time to time brought under discussion, were 
 the important factors that brought about the marvelous success of this under- 
 taking. The congresses were not opened formally until May 15, after 
 which time, except on Sundays, daily sessions were held, beginning at eleven 
 o'clock, until and including the closing day of the Exposition, making 
 one hundred and forty-seven sessions. Twenty-four nations and thirty- 
 five States and Territories were represented by women nominated on ac- 
 count of their splendid attainments or marked efficiency in their chosen 
 fields of labor. The subjects discussed may be said to embrace every depart- 
 ment of thought and activity in which the women of the whole civilized 
 world are at present engaged. Prominently to be mentioned are the following : 
 Educational, industrial, social, progressional, reformatory, charitable, philan- 
 thropic, religious, moral, missionary, professional, hygienic, scientific, literary, 
 artistic, domestic, economic, commercial, political, and patriotic. That the 
 strong and carefully prepared papers on these and other themes and the ani- 
 mated and brilliant discussions that frequently followed gave a fresh and 
 vigorous impetus to women in all avocations and activities of life is beyond 
 question. Considered in the light of an exhibit, this feature was both gratis 
 fying and encouraging. The degree of culture indicated the wide field of 
 thought occupied, and the singleness of purpose shown to improve the con- 
 dition of humanity, with the conspicuous fact that not one of these women 
 undertook to define man's sphere or to keep him in it was most delightful 
 and charming. There were two hundred and fifty-four formal articles read, 
 with about fifty impromptu addresses of much merit, besides the discussion 
 
224 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 from the floor, which was frequently both entertaining and instructive. The 
 estimated average of the daily audience was six hundred persons, and on 
 many occasions the hall was filled to its utmost capacity. 
 
 At the third meeting of the Executive Committee, held October 27, 1892, 
 the chairman of the Committee on Music was empowered to confer with the 
 
 choral director of the Exposition and 
 take action in reference to the promotion 
 of higher education among the people by 
 — means of music. As a result of this con- 
 
 ference, awards for excellence, signed by 
 the expert jury appointed by Theodore 
 Thomas, were given to ninety-four com- 
 petitors, including vocalists and instru- 
 mentalists of all kinds, men as well as 
 women. These certificates specified the 
 circumstances in each case, and testified 
 to the fact that the individual had passed 
 examination by the expert jury, and was 
 adjudged worthy to appear in concert in 
 the Woman's Building under the auspices 
 of the Board of Lady Managers. They 
 were beautifully prepared on parchment 
 paper, in partially colored text, with ap- 
 propriate musical symbols, and bore the 
 official seal of the Board. They were 
 issued from the office of the Board of 
 Lady Managers, each one being accom- 
 panied by an attested letter signed by the Secretary. The President of the 
 Board was also instructed to appoint a librarian for the Woman's Building, 
 and an arrangement was effected by which professional librarians, selected 
 from the most capable in the country, took charge of the work. It was 
 decided to employ a special cataloguer, and on April 25, 1893, Miss Edith 
 E. Clarke, head cataloguer of the Newberry Library, was engaged. For 
 several weeks the library was in the hands of the carpenters, and Miss Clarke 
 carried on her work under difficulty, but as soon as circumstances would per- 
 mit she engaged four assistants, and the work progressed rapidly. 
 
 At this session of the Executive Committee a resolution was adopted 
 favoring a plan by which short talks, intended to be especially helpful to in- 
 dustrial women, should be made by distinguished women in the assembly 
 room of the Woman's Building during the Exposition, and this work was 
 given to the Committee on Auxiliary Work, consisting of the following 
 members : Helen M. Barker, Chairman, Virginia C. Meredith, and Mrs. 
 John J. Bagley. 
 
 Letters were sent to the Lady Managers of each State and Territory, and 
 
 MRS. HELEN M. BARKER, 
 
 Chairman of the Committee on Auxiliary Work, 
 
 Board of Lady Managers. 
 
THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS. 
 
 225 
 
 to leaders of different lines of work, asking them to suggest the persons that 
 they could recommend as qualified to speak in an instructive manner upon 
 topics of especial interest to women. Prompt responses were received by the 
 committee, and subjects covering a large field of educational, philanthropic, 
 and industrial topics were assigned. As there was 
 no fund from which speakers could be paid, the 
 service was gratuitous, and the readiness with 
 which women of ability consented to speak to 
 the crowds that gathered daily was very grati- 
 fying. The addresses, almost without excep- 
 tion, were carefully prepared, well delivered, 
 and instructive, and the exercises were 
 brightened by songs and recitations giv- 
 en by artists of national reputation. 
 Ninety-one meetings were held dur- 
 ing the summer. Fifteen of these 
 talks were by foreign representatives, 
 giving the industrial and moral stat- 
 us of women in Syria, Italy, Iceland, 
 Spain, Spanish America, Sweden, Eng- 
 land, and France ; and judges of awards 
 in various departments gave instructive 
 talks on the exhibits passing under their 
 examination. 
 
 When Congress convened in December, 1892, the President of the Board 
 of Lady Managers went to Washington to place in the hands of the Presi- 
 dent of the United States her annual report, together with the budget for the 
 succeeding year to be inserted in the Appropriation bill, then . in course of 
 preparation. When the bill came up for consideration the Committee of the 
 Board of Lady Managers, to whom was intrusted the subject of Federal 
 legislation, was summoned to Washington. It was found that at the close 
 of the fiscal year June 30, 1892, there was a balance remaining in the Treas- 
 ury to. the credit of the Board of $7,000, and by a ruling of the Treasury 
 Department this amount was carried over to the Board's account for the 
 following year. As a matter of fact, the unexpended balance was about 
 $6,000, the discrepancy being covered by unsettled claims. 
 
 On December 10 the Subexecutive Committee of the Board of Lady 
 Managers adopted a resolution, previously presented at the third session of 
 the Board, requesting Congress to make $10,000 or more of their appropria- 
 tion for the next fiscal year, beginning July i, 1893, in souvenir coins of the 
 denomination of twenty-five cents. This request was promptly granted, and 
 in July, 1893, the souvenir coins were delivered to the Board of Lady Managers. 
 This coin bore on the obverse a portrait of Queen Isabella surrounded by the 
 words " United States of America," and on the reverse a figure in relief sym- 
 
 MRS. VIRGINIA C. MEREDITH, 
 
 Chairman of the Committee on Awards. 
 
 Board of Lady Managers. 
 
2 26 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 bolic of woman's industries, surrounded by the words "Board of Lady 
 Managers." The coin was on sale in the Woman's Building during the 
 Exposition, and was sold at a profit, which profit will be funded probably to 
 establish scholarships for poor girls or for a chair of sociology with special 
 relation to women. 
 
 It was soon apparent that if the Woman's Building were devoted exclu- 
 sively to administrative purposes it would be lacking in interest and cause 
 universal disappointment to visitors. It was thought best, therefore, to gather 
 in its beautiful Gallery of Honor an attractive historical exhibit, showing the 
 high rank that had been attained in art, science, literature, and industry by 
 exceptional women in all parts of the world during "the four centuries of the 
 Columbian era, and also the diversified achievements of the women of our 
 own day with the view of showing the great change in their relation to prac- 
 tical affairs and the marked increase in their usefulness. For this purpose 
 extensive loan collections were necessary, and to secure and install them an 
 appropriation of $8,000 was obtained from Congress, with an additional sum 
 of $7,000 for obtaining articles illustrating the development of the indus- 
 tries of women. 
 
 It was also considered desirable to make an exhibit that would illustrate 
 the ethical forces determining the character of modern life, and place beside 
 the production of modern skill and ingenuity some evidence of the influ- 
 ences that are ameliorating the hard conditions under which most people 
 still labor. The Board earnestly desired that the elements embraced under 
 the general head of sociology and ethics should be demonstrated not only in 
 the Liberal Arts Building, where exhibits of this nature were to be installed, 
 but also in the Woman's Building, and comprehensive plans were made for 
 the development of this idea so far as the limited space at command of the 
 Board would permit. Organizations of women whose work was in the use- 
 ful and practical arts as well as those who were laboring with ethical and 
 theoretical questions were invited to establish headquarters in the Woman's 
 Building, and a systematic effort was made to secure information on all 
 points touching the actual condition of women in business and industrial 
 life, including their social, moral, mental, and physical well-being, their rates 
 of wages, hours of work, etc. 
 
 In the prosecution of the general work of promotion, letters were written 
 not only to associations, but to business firms and individuals from whom 
 desirable articles might be expected, asking them to represent themselves 
 suitably at the Exposition, and in general the responses were gratifying. But 
 many difficulties had to be overcome. Associated artists, decorative art 
 societies, and kindred associations in the principal States of our country were 
 communicated with, and, after long correspondence, they consented to make 
 a combined exhibit in the Liberal Arts Building, showing the advance that 
 had been made under their influence in the weaving and coloring of textile 
 fabrics, and the success of their trained workers in designing, including house- 
 
THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS. 
 
 227 
 
 hold furniture and decorations. After this coalition between organizations 
 that were natural rivals had been concluded and arrangements had been made 
 for a fine exhibit, which would have been very effective and at the same 
 time occupied less space than if each contributor had exhibited separately, 
 
 THE CALIFORNIA ROOM, WOMAN'S BUILDING. 
 
 the Director General declared that it was impossible to give space for such 
 an exhibit, since the scheme of classification that had been adopted demanded 
 the separation of the various classes of objects included in the projected 
 exhibit. This separation would have scattered articles made by each society 
 and impaired the effect, and the allied association, being discouraged, there- 
 fore abandoned their attempt. The preparation of the contemplated exhibits 
 involved usually the special production of the objects to be exhibited and a 
 large outlay of money. 
 
 Although at a later date the rule was modified, and any manufacturer was 
 allowed to install a collective exhibit, including the large variety of artistic 
 and fancy articles made by himself, yet at this earlier time such a necessity 
 had not been contemplated. The rejection of the application from the ap- 
 plied art associations was a serious loss to the Exposition as well as to the 
 Woman's Board, which realized that the most artistic, original, and creditable 
 
228 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 work that was done in the country was thus thrown out. The situation will 
 perhaps be made clearer by a detailed statement of the peculiar difficulties 
 that confronted the numerous organizations and individuals who were de- 
 voted to the decoration of pottery and porcelain. The exhibits included 
 
 in Group 91 were divided into four classes, which 
 may be distinguished generally as : i, earthern- 
 ware ; 2, porcelain ; 3, tiles ; 4, mural dec- 
 orations. This classification could be 
 construed to mean that the decoration 
 was incidental and the pottery the main 
 object, and it was so construed, and 
 immediately taken possession of by 
 the great potters of the country, who 
 laid stress on the form and quality of 
 the ware rather than upon its decora- 
 tion. The greatest noticeable ad- 
 vances in the United States in con- 
 nection with ceramic art had been 
 the varied processes of decoration and 
 glazing, which were originated or de- 
 veloped to a large extent by women. 
 When it was found that these classes 
 were monopolized by the potters, the 
 decorators were told to apply to the 
 Fine Arts Department. But there they 
 were told that it was impossible to admit 
 into that section any merely decorative 
 painting, and they should apply to the Liberal Arts Department. The Chief 
 of the Liberal Arts decided that the exhibit belonged either to the Depart- 
 ment of Fine Arts or to Manufactures, and he could not admit it in his sec- 
 tion. Thus through months of elaborate correspondence and personal in- 
 terviews these exhibitors were referred from one department chief to another. 
 Many of them were alienated, and much valuable time was lost. Finally 
 the President of the Board of Lady Managers wrote to the Director Gen- 
 eral and obtained from him a ruling as to where such exhibits were to be in- 
 stalled. Letters asking for suggestions and for exhibits to illustrate the de- 
 velopment of a more intelligent system of household economy were sent to 
 various people who were eminent in that work. Letters were also written 
 to firms engaged in the manufacture of stained glass, wall paper, etc., who 
 employed large numbers of women, both for designing and for work, asking 
 that they allow those women to make a special exhibit showing their skill 
 and ability. All applications for space for women were promptly trans- 
 mitted to the Director General, accompanied by recommendations for a fa- 
 vorable consideration in case of worthy applicants. By request of the Board 
 
 MRS. ROSINE RYAN, 
 
 Superintendent of the Woman's Division in the 
 
 Departments of Manufactures and Liberal Arts. 
 
THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS. 229 
 
 of Lady Managers, the questions in the application blanks, which intend- 
 ing exhibitors were required to answer before space could be assigned, were 
 supplemented with other questions concerning the proportionate amount of 
 women's labor that entered into each proposed exhibit. The answers re- 
 ceived from manufacturers showed that, while in many instances the pro- 
 portion was small, there were few department groups or classes in which 
 the work of women was not included. When, at a later date, the Com- 
 mission decided that the number of judges to be appointed by the Board of 
 Lady Managers should be determined by the proportion of women's work 
 in each department, this matter assumed greater importance. 
 
 During the months prior to the opening of the Exposition many applica- 
 tions for space for the inventions of women were sent to the chief of installa- 
 tion of Machinery Hall. When it was urged that a woman's invention to be 
 used in connection with sewing machines deserved an allotment of space be- 
 cause of its usefulness and the ingenuity exercised in its practical application, it 
 was stated, in explanation of the reluctant refusal, that, while this exhibit was 
 worthy of a place in Machinery Hall, only a specified number of square feet 
 had been set apart for the representation of the evolution of the sewing ma- 
 chine, and more than sixty inventors had made application for the whole or a 
 part of this space. The inventions of each and all presented one or more 
 features calling for recognition ; but three qualifications demanded considera- 
 tion : First, the exhibitors who could show the greatest evolution of the sew- 
 ing machine from the time of its first invention ; second, those who could 
 make the most artistic display ; third, those who were willing and able to make 
 an outlay that would compare favorably with other exhibits in the same build- 
 ing. While the chief of installation of Machinery Hall was interested in the 
 exhibits of the work of women, it was essential that such selection should be 
 made as would embody these three requirements. The woman applying for 
 a subsection of space had invented a self -threading needle ; she had not the 
 means to make a magnificent or an artistic display, and her intended exhibit 
 represented but one part of a sewing machine. The applicant for space for 
 this exhibit was but one among many whose work merited recognition, who 
 realized the benefits to be gained by practical demonstration, and whose 
 insufficient capital rendered it impossible to compete successfully with 
 wealthy organizations and firms. It will be admitted that the exhibit was 
 not attractive or artistic. It did not show the evolution of the machine as a 
 whole, nor did it compare favorably with the installation of exhibits in other 
 exhibit buildings ; but it did secure for the exhibitor what the Board of 
 Lady Managers hoped to gain for the women of the United States — a mar- 
 ket for her invention, an award for its merit, ample sales to cover the expense 
 of exhibiting, as well as the liberal advertisement — indeed, all the benefits 
 that exhibitors hope to gain through representation in any international 
 exposition. 
 
 Finally about 5,000 square feet of space in the gallery of the Manufac- 
 
210 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 turers and Liberal Arts Building was assigned to the Board of Lady Man- 
 agers for exhibition purposes, which they accepted, and installed in it some 
 very attractive exhibits. Mrs. Rosine Ryan, of Texas, was put in charge of 
 the assignment of space to exhibitors, and her success in performing that 
 duty received the highest commendation. 
 
 The anomalous position of the Woman's Division placed the Superintend- 
 ent in the official families, respectively, of the President of the Board of Lady 
 Managers, of the Director General, and of the Chiefs of the Departments of 
 
 THE CINCINNATI ROOM, WOMAN'S BUILDING. 
 
 Manufactures and Liberal Arts. This unique condition afforded the division 
 many advantages and not one complication. 
 
 The 690 applications called for 25,300 square feet of space ; but, after 
 diligent attention to applications and diagram, it proved impossible to allot 
 space to more than 320 exhibits. 
 
 Conforming to the expressed purpose of the Board of Lady Managers — to 
 present the broadest scope of woman's work in the educational, professional, 
 artistic, inventive, and industrial fields — the effort was made to embrace in 
 this small area one or more exhibits offered in each of the groups of classifica- 
 tion. This crowding was in some instances at the sacrifice of the symmetrical 
 effect and attractive presentation of the division. Exhibits in the Depart- 
 
THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS. 
 
 231 
 
 ment of Manufactures predominated in the division, for the reason that the 
 majority of the pronounced and creditable works of women are in educa- 
 tional and philanthropic lines, and these important exhibits had already 
 received distinguished consideration from the Department of Liberal Arts, 
 where they took their places among the leaders in the different groups. Of 
 the thirty -four classified groups in the Department of Manufactures, one or 
 more classes in twenty-three groups were represented. Of the eleven groups 
 in the Department of Liberal Arts, one or more classes in nine groups were 
 represented. Hence, in this small area there were presented to the visitor 
 interesting exhibits in topographical and dissected maps, photography, book 
 illustration, kindergarten instruction, dentistry, architectural and wall-paper 
 designs, inventions, stained glass, mosaics, ceramics, carved wood, pottery, 
 leather work, embroideries and tapestries, 
 silk weaving, blankets, rugs, ceramic paints, 
 varnish, etc. 
 
 On April 24, 1893, the Executive Com- 
 mittee of the Board of Lady Managers 
 passed a resolution providing that $500, or 
 so much thereof as might be necessary, be 
 appropriated for the decoration and appro- 
 priate fitting up of the space under the con- 
 trol of the Board in the Manufactures and 
 Liberal Arts Building. Of this sum, $147 
 was used for furnishing and decorations, 
 such as painting walls for background of 
 exhibits and canopies for better protection 
 from strong light. 
 
 This space was especially valuable for 
 certain exhibits that required a strong light ; 
 but it was utterly inadequate to the needs 
 of the woman exhibitors, and therefore the 
 Woman's Building, in which it had been intended to make an historical ex- 
 hibit, was of necessity used as a general exhibit building. It was found 
 that many important scientific and other collections were offered on condi- 
 tion that the owners be relieved of the expense of providing cases, and there- 
 fore the President of the Board decided to invest the entire sum that had 
 been secured for " supplying and instaUing collections " in wall cases suitable 
 for the installation of such collections. Many exhibitors required only a foot 
 or two of space in a large case, and wall cases were provided in which such 
 assignments could be made. 
 
 This arrangement necessarily brought up the question of considering these 
 women's exhibits as coming under the general classification and subject to 
 awards. On October 19, 1892, the Board of Lady Managers adopted a reso- 
 lution " that the exhibits in the Woman's Building be opened to the juries 
 
 MRS. RALPH TRAUTMANN, 
 
 First Vice-President 
 of the Board of Lady Managers. 
 
 17 
 
2 02 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 on awards." There appeared to be some technical difficulties in the way of 
 this, but they were all disposed of, and on the recommendation of the Director 
 General the Woman's Building was made an exhibit building. Some of the 
 reasons for this action which were not at first apparent are set forth in the re- 
 port of Commissioner St. Clair (April 5, 1893), to whom the question was 
 referred. He said : " Under the plan and scope of the Exposition, as already 
 adopted, the Woman's Building was never understood or intended to con- 
 tain exhibits which should come under the general classification and be en- 
 titled to examination and awards, but in soliciting exhibits to take part in 
 the Exposition, the Board of Lady Managers (more especially in Europe) 
 have induced a great many exhibits to be consigned from foreign countries 
 for exhibition in this building, with the expectation that they would be ex- 
 amined and their points of excellence passed upon, and awards granted them 
 in proper cases. In order that these exhibits might escape the impost duty 
 the Director General is required to certify that the various exhibits consigned 
 to this building would be installed for exhibition purposes. Therefore it be- 
 comes necessary, in view of the very large collection which has been accu- 
 mulated for this building, not only from abroad but in this country as well, 
 that the Woman's Building should be adopted as one of the exhibit build- 
 ings of the Exposition." 
 
 The question of the constitution of the committees or juries of award 
 and the representation of the Board of Lady Managers thereon was the sub- 
 ject of a long and not very agreeable controversy. According to the act of 
 Congress, the Board of Lady Managers was empowered to " appoint one or 
 more members of all committees authorized to award prizes for exhibits 
 which may be produced in whole or in part by female labor." The literal in- 
 terpretation of this clause would have placed one or more women on almost 
 every committee of award throughout the Exposition. And when it was 
 proposed to have the awards made by individual judges instead of by juries it 
 was pointed out that if the act of Congress were strictly complied with nearly 
 all these individuals would have to be women, because female labor entered 
 to some extent into the production of almost everything that was exhibited. 
 The Board of Control first attempted to solve the question by adopting a 
 resolution that the Board of Lady Managers be empowered to appoint one 
 half of all committees authorized to award prizes for exhibits which may be 
 produced in whole or in part by female labor. It was seen that in passing 
 this resolution the committee really had in mind only such exhibits as are 
 commonly thought of as the productions of women, like needlework, canned 
 fruits, etc., but the resolution would give women equal power in making the 
 awards on thousands of articles in which the work of women was but a very 
 small proportion. The Commission, on considering and discussing this reso- 
 lution, changed it so as to make it read : "That the Board of Lady Man- 
 agers be, and they are hereby, directed and empowered to appoint one or 
 more members of all committees authorized to award prizes for exhibits 
 
THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS. 
 
 233 
 
 which may be produced in whole or in part by female labor. And the num- 
 ber of such women members so to be appointed shall be in proportion to the 
 percentage of female labor performed in the production of such exhibits." 
 In this form it was acceptable to the Board of Lady Managers ; but subse- 
 quently the Commission added the words " said number to be determined by 
 the standing Committee on Awards of the Commission." This was not so 
 acceptable. New difficulties and new misunderstandings arose when the an- 
 nouncement was made that the principles of award would be different from 
 any that had been followed in previous expositions, the exhibits being com- 
 pared with ideal standards instead of with one another ; that the judges and 
 examiners would be divided in thirteen departmental committees, and that the 
 Committee on Awards was to assign the duty of each judge or examiner and 
 review his decision. There was also a great practical difficulty in the task of 
 
 THE CONNECTICUT ROOM, WOMAN'S BUILDING. 
 
 ascertaining the percentages of female labor that had entered into each ex- 
 hibit. After appeals and conferences it was announced late in June, 1893, 
 by the chairman of the Executive Committee on Awards, that thirty-six was 
 the maximum number of women whom he would accept as judges. The 
 Board of Lady Managers, deeming this to be very small, at once appealed to 
 the Committee on Awards, and that Committee decided that as the act of 
 Congress of March 3, 1893, appropriating $570,000 for the payment of the 
 
^^. THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Committee's judges and examiners of awards, stipulated that $100,000 of this 
 amount should be for the Board of Lady Managers, it would be just to main- 
 tain the same proportion in the appointment of judges, which would give the 
 Board of Lady Managers (as the Committee figured it) fifty-seven. The 
 Committee also notified the Board that it would accept such number of addi- 
 tional woman judges as might be appointed by the various foreign commis- 
 sioners out of the judges allotted to them. It was also found that the quota 
 of foreign judges had already been filled, and there was no possibility of in- 
 creasing the number of woman judges by foreign appointment. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee on Awards, January 16, 1893, the Presi- 
 dent introduced a series of resolutions which recommended that all expert 
 workers or principal producers who have assisted in the production of such 
 exhibits as are awarded medals and diplomas in the Columbian Exposition 
 shall be furnished with a lithographic facsimile of such medal and diploma, 
 to the end that the honor and credit of having created distinguished work, 
 together with financial benefit accruing therefrom, may be accorded to the 
 industrial worker who produced it, as well as to the manufacturer or capital- 
 ist offering the exhibit, and that the Appropriation Committee of Congress 
 order the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to " prepare the necessary plates 
 and take 100,000 impressions, at a cost not to exceed $5,000, and that these 
 impressions be delivered to the Committee on Awards of the Board of Lady 
 Managers to be distributed by them." 
 
 This resolution was unanimously adopted by the Committee and afterward 
 by the entire Board. The Board of Control of the Columbian Commission 
 was officially notified of this action, and the Commission apparently approved 
 it, as it was included in its report to the President of the United States. 
 The amount of money asked for was inserted in the Appropriation bill which 
 passed both Houses of Congress, but afterward it was discovered that, al- 
 though the appropriation had been voted, no specific authority had been 
 given by Congress for the distribution of the proposed diplomas. For any 
 further legislation on the subject it was necessary to await the reassembling 
 of Congress, and on September 19 a joint resolution was introduced in 
 the House giving authority to the Board of Lady Managers to "confer upon 
 all expert workers and principal producers who have assisted in the produc- 
 tion of such exhibits as are awarded medals and diplomas in the Columbian 
 Exposition, lithographic facsimiles of such medals and diplomas." It now 
 appeared that there was serious opposition to the passage of any such meas- 
 ure at all, and a long and somewhat complicated controversy ensued. There 
 was much misunderstanding among exhibitors both as to the character and 
 as to the extent of the proposed award, and many of them became alarmed 
 because they supposed it would diminish if not entirely destroy the value of 
 such diplomas as they might receive. The principal argument against it was 
 thus stated in a letter from the Secretary of the Foreign Commission to the 
 Director General : " Medals and diplomas are given by the Jury on Awards 
 
THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS. 
 
 235 
 
 to exhibits only in their perfected form and entirety. To now confer fac- 
 similes of such medals and diplomas upon those who have had a hand in pro- 
 ducing exhibits which are awarded prizes would the less seem to be justified 
 from the fact that the part which the individual worker may have had in the 
 production of such exhibits is not of necessity one that deserves or has claim 
 to a reward. It is further to be remembered that in many instances large 
 numbers of workers have co-operated in producing exhibits, some of whom 
 did the mechanical work only, while others executed the artistic portion 
 thereof. It is manifest that it would involve an injustice to award prizes of 
 
 FINE-ART EXHIBIT IN THE WOMAN'S BUILDING. 
 
 the ^ame kind to both of these classes of workingmen, and it would be neces- 
 sary, in order to evade this apparent injustice, to have a Board of Examina- 
 tion ascertain for each exhibit what portion of the workers who have assisted 
 in the production of the same are to be awarded prizes. The foreign com- 
 missioners are of the opinion that by far the majority of the exhibitors will, 
 for the reasons set forth above, decline to name their employees who ' have 
 
236 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 had an active part in tlie execution of their exhibits, which fact in itself 
 would obviate the possibility of putting the resolution into effect in its full 
 extent ; but even a partial execution of the proposed measure would, in the 
 respectful judgment of the foreign commissioners, tend to greatly impair 
 the value of the medals awarded by the jury." In a report of a special com- 
 mittee of the National Commission, September 25, 1893, these points were 
 made : "The Commission is in honor bound to keep faith with exhibitors, 
 and not make new conditions that shall impose additional burdens upon them 
 or impair the value of any awards they may receive. As the representative 
 of the United States, it is the plain duty of the Commission to see to it that 
 our foreign exhibitors are fairly and honorably treated. Our duty to exhib- 
 itors from our own country is no less imperative. It is the opinion of your 
 Committee that the adoption at this late day of the above joint resolution, 
 authorizing the issue of an unlimited number of facsimiles of diplomas and 
 medals, would be unjust and unfair to all exhibitors of manufactures, and 
 would greatly impair, if not wholly destroy, the value of all original medals 
 or diplomas that may be awarded. A lithographic facsimile of a diploma 
 could be used by designing persons as effectually as the original, and not one 
 person in a thousand the world over would know the difference. To be of 
 full value to the recipient, any diploma should represent the deliberate de- 
 cision of properly qualified judges acting in a deliberate and lawful manner, 
 under the regulations of the Exposition. This Commission should not, even 
 by implication, place the skilled artisan on a lower plane than the capitalist, 
 but insist that no recognition of the artisan should be in dignity and value 
 less than that of the capitalist." 
 
 The gist of the reply made by the President of the Board of Lady Man- 
 agers to these arguments is found in the following passage : " As all points 
 of excellence or advancement were to be formulated in words and recited in 
 the diploma accompanying the Exposition medal, the words so recited would 
 point with unerring certainty to the natural recipient of the Diploma of Hon- 
 orable Mention, and the Board of Lady Managers had only to .apply to the 
 manufacturer, who alone had the knowledge and could give the information 
 desired, to secure the names of the artisans, inventors, and principal workers 
 who had produced the good results enumerated and deserved the recompense. 
 To illustrate : Let it be assumed that John Doe & Co. made an exhibit of 
 silverware, and that an expert judge reported that it excelled in beauty of 
 design, and also showed marvelous skill in the chiseled undercutting of its 
 relief ornamentation ; these points of merit would be fully set forth in the 
 Exposition diploma which accompanies the medal awarded to the firm of 
 John Doe & Co. When the Board of Lady Managers requested John Doe 
 to nominate for a Diploma of Honorable Mention the inventor, designer, or 
 expert artisan who contributed to the perfection of the exhibit, he naturally, 
 following the indication of his award, would send the name of the man who 
 designed his silver, and also the man whose trained hand produced the delicate 
 
THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS. 
 
 237 
 
 undercut chiseling. Assuming that the awards were made with inteUigence, 
 therefore, no number of expensive juries and especially appointed judges 
 could reach the end with more unerring certainty than did the simple plan of 
 the Board of Lady Managers." The American exhibitors, assembled in mass 
 meeting, made a protest in which they said of the resolution : " It would 
 legalize the invasion of property rights, inasmuch as the medal and diploma 
 which should be clearly the property of the recipient are to be converted to 
 ulterior and depreciating purposes without his consent. It is preposterous 
 to empower women to distribute awards for merit of which they can know 
 little or nothing, as they have not examined the machinery and manufac- 
 tures on which the work was done and which there is not now time to 
 examine. It would afford unwarranted intrusion into an employer's busi- 
 ness to distribute rewards to his employees that he had not authorized or 
 approved." 
 
 The Board of Lady Managers thus found itself in opposition to the 
 whole organized force of the Exposition, and as it had received the money 
 from Congress for the Diplomas of Honorable Mention it was in a very em- 
 barrassing position, from which there seemed to be no proper escape except 
 in a direct appeal to Congress. The officers of the American Exhibitors 
 Association were invited to a conference with representatives of the Board, 
 which brought about a clearer understanding, and after their 
 conference it was proposed that the Exhibitors' Associa- 
 tion participate with the Board of Lady Managers in 
 the distribution of the diplomas of honorable mention. 
 To this the Board assented, and a substitute for the 
 joint resolution of Congress was prepared in which 
 the word facsimile was dropped, the proposed 
 diploma was given the distinct name of " Di- 
 ploma of Honorable Mention," the American 
 Exhibitors' Association was joined with the 
 Board of Lady Managers in the award of diplo- 
 mas, and it was made possible to include exhib- 
 its that were withheld from the award service, 
 provided they received the formal commenda- 
 tion of the Director General. This substitute 
 was forwarded to the member of Congress who 
 had the matter in charge, and he, under date of 
 October 10, replied : " So much opposition has 
 been aroused to your award scheme and so 
 
 many protests have come in from exhibitors and others connected with the 
 Fair, that I do not feel that it would be possible to pass any resolution 
 through Congress on this matter." A special committee of the National 
 Commission made another report, in which, having stated clearly the diffi- 
 culties, he said : " While we fully appreciated the desirability of the object 
 
 MRS. AMANDA BREWSTER 
 
 SEWELL, 
 
 Painter. 
 
238 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 sought, we have been unable to evolve any comprehensive plan that gives 
 reasonable promise of accomplishing it." 
 
 The substitute resolution was now placed in charge of the Hon. William 
 M. Springer, representative in Congress from Illinois, and was referred to 
 the Committee on Appropriations. It passed the Committee, and was made 
 a part of the Urgency Deficiency bill. But Mr. Springer, seeing that this 
 bill would not pass, reintroduced it as an independent resolution in the 
 House, where it was passed at once ; he then took it to the Senate a few 
 minutes before adjournment, and also secured its passage there ; but it did not 
 reach the President in time to be signed before Congress adjourned, and 
 therefore it was laid aside as unfinished business. " At this juncture," says 
 the President of the Board, " valuable support was received from members of 
 labor organizations, who, learning of the contest over the measure, and real- 
 izing that it was intended to benefit their class, came forward to offer their 
 assistance. This was very welcome, as opponents had stated that discussions 
 could be developed in labor organizations in such a way that they would 
 end by putting themselves on record against the Diplomas of Honorable 
 Mention." 
 
 The bill was taken up early in the December session of Congress, and 
 quickly became a law, and its execution was immediately placed in the hands of 
 the Committee on Awards of the Board of Lady Managers. The President of 
 that Board writes : " The report of the committee will show how much prized 
 were the honors by those who never previously had enjoyed such distinction, 
 and will also indicate the wide territory covered in the distribution of the 
 diplomas of honor mentioned. A tourist recently returned from Japan- re- 
 ports that he never traveled so far into the interior of that country as to 
 lose trace of the diplomas issued by the Board of Lady Managers, which 
 formed the principal ornament in numberless homes of the skillful artisans of 
 that country." 
 
 The interior of the Woman's Building, owing to the various uses to 
 which it was devoted, was quite different in construction and arrangement 
 from the buildings that were intended only for exhibition purposes. It was 
 a two-story structure, with added clearstory and end pavilions, having for its 
 main feature a large central hall or Rotunda, rising to the full height of the 
 building and covered with a skylight. Around this Rotunda were grouped 
 the smaller rooms, the pavilions forming large exhibition spaces on the first 
 floor. Entrances were provided on the four sides of the building, those on 
 the east and west being the more important, and opening into large spaces 
 called the Eastern and Western Vestibules. Stairways at the four corners of 
 the Rotunda led up from corridors to the second floor. The rooms in the 
 second story were arranged in the same manner around the Rotunda, each 
 opening into an arched, cloisterlike gallery overlooking the hall. At the 
 north and south extremities of this gallery were stairways on both sides, 
 giving access to the roof gardens and third-story additions. 
 
THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS. 
 
 239 
 
 The Rotunda was the most prominent feature of the Woman's Building, 
 its "geniaUty and elegance" being among the points of excellence for which 
 an award was given to the architect. A great opportunity was there afforded 
 for the exercise of woman's talent in mural decorative painting. The filling 
 of the large,, half -oval tympana at the northern and southern ends of the hall 
 was intrusted to Mrs. Frederick MacMonnies and Miss Mary Cassatt. The 
 subject taken by the former was Primitive Woman, and that of the latter 
 was Modern Woman. Four large decorative panels, two on either side, 
 marked the centers of the clearstory. Paintings representing The Women 
 of Plymouth, by Miss Lucia Fairchild, and Woman in Arcadia, by Mrs. 
 Amanda Brewster Sewell, were placed together on one side. Opposite them 
 were The Republic welcoming her Daughters, by Mrs. Rosina Emmet 
 Sherwood, and Art, Science, and Literature personified, 
 
 Miss Anne Whitney, ^^mSlm^^^^^KB^ surrounded by mar- 
 
 ble busts of distin- ^^^^^BJjj^^^^ guished women. Other 
 
 statuary was also placed j^jgg lydia f. emmet, ^^^^ ^"^ there in advan- 
 tageous places. The deco- Painter. ration of the ceiling of the 
 library was entrusted to Mrs. Dora Wheeler Keith, 
 by order of the New York Board, which finished and furnished that room. 
 
 The Rotunda was especially constructed and set apart for a general ex- 
 hibit of art from all countries, for which purpose it was admirably adapted. 
 The wall space was divided into sections assigned respectively to Austria, 
 France, England, Italy, Spain, Germany, and the United States, one section 
 being left for countries not otherwise provided for. Occupying the floor 
 space and ranged around the walls under the pictures were. glass cases filled 
 with valuable loan exhibits of artistic handiwork from Austria, Bohemia, 
 Denmark, India, England, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Portugal, 
 Russia, Syria, Siam, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Persia, and the United States. 
 
 The Eastern Vestibule was decorated at the expense of the English 
 Woman's Commission. Two large mural paintings in triptych form adorned 
 the side walls. One, by Mrs. Swynnerton, represented woman as the nurse 
 of the young, the sick, and the aged ; the other, by Mrs. Anna Lea Merritt, 
 showed her in various lines of feminine employment. The ceiHng of this 
 
240 
 
 THE WORLDS' COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 vestibule was the work of Mrs. Emily Crawford, and the placing of the dec- 
 orations was superintended by Mrs. Roberts Austen, President of the Art 
 Section of the English Woman's Commission. The wainscoting, of Ten- 
 nessee marble, was obtained through the efforts of Mrs. Charles J. McClung, 
 Alternate Lady Manager from Tennessee. 
 
 In the center of the Western Vestibule was a large bronze statue of Leif 
 Ericsson, designed and executed by Miss Anne Whitney, of Boston. On the 
 walls were two mural paintings loaned by Miss Astra Sturdevant, of New 
 York, two hand-painted panels from France, and a couchant lion in pastel 
 by Miss Newman. The wainscoting was paneled with ornamental tiles con- 
 tributed by the Menlo Tile Company, of New Jersey. A marble statue, on 
 the south side of the vestibule, representing a hunting-scene, was exhibited 
 by France ; a granite slab for electrolier, by the women of Gunnison County, 
 Colorado, was installed on the south side, and a marble settee by the women 
 of Maryland. The center of the vestibule was adorned by a fountain exe- 
 cuted in silver and gold, purchased and loaned by 
 the women of Montana. A rustic booth on the 
 south side of the vestibule was known as the 
 " National Flower Emblem Booth." All 
 who were interested had the privilege 
 of recording their preference for a na- 
 tional flower, inscribing also their 
 names and addresses in books kept 
 for that purpose. 
 
 On October 25 a resolution was 
 adopted directing that space should 
 be set apart in the Woman's Build- 
 ing for the display and sale of the 
 work of the decorative-art societies,, 
 the women's exchanges, the women's 
 industrial associations, the women's 
 Christian associations throughout the 
 United States, the sisterhoods and convents, 
 and the Indian women, including all articles 
 that could bear transportation. A Com- 
 mittee on Management of Sales was ap- 
 pointed, consisting of the following members : 
 Mrs. Belle H. Perkins, Vice-Chairman ; Mrs, 
 Candace Wheeler, Mrs. Amey M. Starkweather. After the committee had 
 decided the question of percentage on sales, based on the payment of a? mini- 
 mum concession to the Exposition company and the expenses of attendance, 
 etc., including no question of gain to the Board of Lady Managers, a circular 
 was prepared by Mrs. Starkweather, superintendent of State work, and sent out 
 to all the State boards, decorative-art societies, and exchanges, inclosing the 
 
 i.r- 
 
 MRS. AMEY M. STARKWEATHER, 
 Superintendent of the Woman's Building. 
 
 Mrs. William Reed, Chairman 
 
THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS. 
 
 241 
 
 rules for sales adopted by the subcommittee. For the purpose of compiling- 
 these rules, Mrs. Starkweather had procured the rules and regulations of the 
 most successful exchanges in the United States. Mrs. Reed, chairman of the 
 committee, was prevented from being in Chicago, and Mrs. Perkins therefore 
 filled the office of chairman. To her constant attention, good business methods, 
 and untiring energy may be attributed much of the success of the work in the 
 salesrooms. The number of employees at the opening of the salesrooms was 
 thirteen ; before the close of the Exposition it was twenty -three. Individuals 
 and exchanges who sold their goods here paid twenty per cent for the privi- 
 lege ; five per cent went to the Ways and Means Committee of the World's 
 Columbian Exposition Company, and fifteen per cent to pay running ex- 
 penses. The gross receipts amounted to $42,882.45, of which $32,531.67 was 
 realized by the consignors. 
 
 Early in January, 1893, in accordance with action taken by the Board 
 of Lady Managers at the October session, Mrs. Starkweather was appointed 
 a committee to consider the applications for the restaurant privilege in the 
 Woman's Building. No rental was to be required, and no percentage of the 
 receipts was to accrue to the Board of Lady Managers, but the usual percent- 
 age was to be paid to the Exposition Company. It was required that the 
 concessionnaire should fit up the room in an attractive manner, with willow 
 chairs and bright-colored cushions, tasteful china, cutlery, glassware, and 
 linen, and that everything should be done to avoid a commercial appearance. 
 Meals were to be served a la carte, and prices were to be moderate. There 
 were nine applicants for the concession, and it was granted to Mrs. E. W. 
 Riley, of Chicago. The space set apart for the restaurant was one wing of 
 the third floor, 40 by 58 feet, and the roof garden, 65 by 70 feet, the garden 
 to be decorated with awnings. There was also a kitchen 27 feet square and 
 a pastry kitchen 17 by 19 feet. To obtain intelligent and reliable waitresses, 
 applications were made to normal schools and other educational institutions, 
 asking the students to apply for places, the compensation to be board and 
 lodging and $4.25 a week. The first intention was to use the roof-garden 
 caf4 for luncheons for the Board of Lady Managers, the State Board repre- 
 sentatives and their friends, and exhibitors and employees in the Woman's 
 Building ; but it soon became evident that the general throng of visitors 
 had discovered its attractions, and nearly every day crowds stood in line 
 waiting their turn at the tables. The smallest number served on any one day 
 in June was 434, and the largest number 1,637. After the first of July the 
 average was 3,000 a day. On Chicago Day 102 waitresses served 4,800 vis- 
 itors, and the average time consumed in serving each guest was twelve min- 
 utes. It was acknowledged that the whole conduct of the restaurant was 
 remarkably good. It paid in percentages to the Exposition Company 
 $44,547.19. The most serious obstacles encountered were want of storage 
 space for provisions and hindrance in the way of removing d4bris. 
 
 Mrs. Sarah T. Rorer, of the Philadelphia Cooking School, gave daily lee- 
 
2^2 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 tures and demonstration lessons .in the model kitchen in the Woman's Build- 
 ing, the expenses of which were borne by the Illinois Woman's State Board. 
 Mrs. E. H. Richards, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, exhibited 
 scientific cooking in the Liberal Arts Department. 
 
 One of the perplexing questions that presented themselves during the 
 first few weeks of the Exposition was how to provide suitable accommoda- 
 tion for the hundreds of visitors who brought their own luncheons to the 
 grounds and made the Woman's Building their rendezvous. Toward noon 
 all the available seats in the main portions of the building, as well as the gal- 
 leries and loggia, were crowded with groups of visitors who met to take their 
 luncheons together. The guards were forced to expend all their energies to 
 preserve order and, as far as possible, to prevent the scattering of boxes, pa- 
 pers, and the remains of the repasts. Janitors, whose duties compelled con- 
 stant attendance at the entrances or in sprinkling floors, were called off duty 
 to gather up the debris as best they could in the jostling crowd of sight- 
 seers, who regarded with much disfavor the bearers of baskets filled to over- 
 flowing and taking up so much unnecessary room. In order to provide a 
 suitable and comfortable place where luncheons could be taken without in- 
 terference, and to divert the crowds from the exhibit portion of the building, 
 the President of the Board of Lady Managers apportioned the third story of 
 the north wing for privileges for tea, coffee, and chocolate. Robert 
 Blechynden, who represented an Indian tea house, provided tea, with all the 
 necessary furnishings and equipments for brewing and serving it, as well as 
 gorgeous East Indian draperies, which gave the booth and the entrances a 
 most cheerful and attractive appearance. Mr. Massiah procured a concession 
 for making and dispensing chocolate and coffee at the same stand. Along 
 the gallery and on the roof garden were placed small tables with chairs, where 
 luncheons could be spread, and where a cup of hot tea, coffee, or chocolate, 
 sandwiches, and beaten biscuit could be purchased for a small sum. Large 
 receptacles were provided for discarded boxes, papers, and refuse, and a janitor 
 in attendance was kept busy from 11.30 a. m. to 3 p.m. removing baskets 
 filled with remains of luncheons scattered over the floors and stairways. As 
 the Tea Garden was more generally known it became overcrowded, and sight- 
 seers not only secured places at all the tables, but the stairways were lined 
 with tired, hungry travelers who were glad to avail themselves of even that 
 privilege in order to procure the cup of hot tea, coffee, or chocolate. This 
 overcrowding called for still larger accommodations, and in September 
 another and more convenient tea room was opened on the second floor. 
 
 While the Woman's Building served the purpose of a general exhibit of 
 woman's work, combining under one roof every department, with one excep- 
 tion, of the general classification, it was considered most desirable that the 
 spiritual as well as the material interests of women should find representation. 
 For this purpose a large space adjoining the Board Room and occupying the 
 remainder of the South Pavilion was assigned and known as the Organization 
 
THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS. 
 
 243 
 
 Room. Here were represented the interests of nearly sixty organizations of 
 women, embracing every feature of woman's work in all lines of reform, both 
 religious and secular. Each society was domiciled in its own particular head- 
 
 FRENCH SALON IN THE WOMAN'S BUILDING. 
 
 quarters, where every member was free to seek and find companionship and 
 hospitality with others. The plan of division and arrangement of this room 
 was original and unique, and was designed by Mrs. William H. Felton, 
 chairman of the Committee on Assignment of Space. The seeming laby- 
 rinth soon resolved itself into cozy squares, parallelograms, and triangles, each 
 defined with iron rods and posts and hung with robin's-egg-blue silk curtains 
 to the floor. Every space was arranged upon an aisle, and every aisle was 
 connected with the main entrance, thus providing easy exit for the small as 
 well as the large societies. 
 
 The interests of more than a million and a half of women were here rep- 
 resented, and the individual aims of these several societies were made known 
 to the world through this successful arrangement of the different organiza- 
 tions of women, a movement without a precedent up to that time. The fol- 
 lowing classified list contains the names of the organizations represented : 
 
 Religious. — ^The King's Daughters, International Committee of Young 
 Women's Christian Association, Young Women's Christian Association, 
 
244 "^"^ WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 National Deaconesses' Association, Woman's Board of Missions of the Con- 
 gregational Churches of the United States, Women's Board of Missions of 
 the Northwest, Women's Presbyterian Board of Missions, Women's Home 
 Missionary Society, Women's Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church. 
 
 Benevolent or Philanthropic. — National Women's Christian Temperance 
 Union, Nonpartisan Women's Christian Temperance Union, The Temperance 
 Rescue Department, Woman's Work for Woman, The Shut-in Society, Wom- 
 en's Relief Corps, South End Flower Mission, Needlework Guild of America, 
 Order of the Eastern Star, Oregon Philanthropic Association, The Illinois 
 Industrial School for Girls, The Ladies' Catholic Benevolent Association, 
 Girls' Friendly Society, Home of the Merciful Saviour for Crippled Chil- 
 dren, The Women's National Indian Association. 
 
 Educational — The Emma Willard Association, Association of College 
 Alumnae, The Industrial College and Institute of Mississippi, Women's 
 Educational and Industrial Union, National Science Club, Lasell Seminary, 
 Abbot Academy, Helmuth College, Monticello Seminary, Rockford College, 
 Kappa Kappa Gamma Society. 
 
 For Adva7tcement of Women. — National Council of Women, Federation 
 of Women's Clubs, West End Club, Society for the Promotion of Physical 
 Culture and Correct Dress, The P. E..O. Sisterhood, The American Society 
 of Authors, The Chicago Woman's Club, National Columbian Association 
 of Housekeepers, New York Association of Working Girls' Societies, Girls 
 Mutual Benefit Society, The Woman's Club of Wisconsin, The Klio Club. 
 
 The Press. — The Woman's National Press Association, The National 
 Press League. 
 
 Patriotic. — The National Society of the Daughters of the American 
 Revolution, The Hermitage Association, Mary Washington Monument Asso- 
 ciation, The National Association of Loyal Women of America. 
 
 The Assembly Room, in the North Pavilion, had a seating capacity of about 
 fifteen hundred, and was especially designed to afford an opportunity for the 
 display of woman's intellectual and musical gifts and for social and ceremo- 
 nious occasions. On the walls were hung portraits of many women of all 
 countries distinguished in the past and in the present in the various lines of 
 woman's activity. Here were held the congresses in the Woman's Building 
 and the series of concerts and recitals provided for by the Committee on 
 Music ; and here were delivered the addresses and informal discourses ar- 
 ranged by the Committee on Auxiliary Work. In this room were also dis- 
 pensed the hospitalities comprised in the twenty-seven entertainments which 
 should be regarded as official functions conducted by the Committee on 
 Ceremonies of the Board of Lady Managers. 
 
 The idea of special exhibits for the ornamentation and furnishing of the 
 Woman's Building originated in the President's address to the Board at its 
 second session, in which she stated that there were many places in the build- 
 
THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS. 
 
 245 
 
 iiag for utilizing decorative work intended as exhibits. In accordance there- 
 with, a resolution was adopted by which it was provided that certain rooms in 
 the Woman's Building should be set apart for special ornamentation and 
 decoration by States. To this end, the States and Territories having special 
 products suitable for the purpose, such as fine woods, marbles, and onyx, 
 were invited to contribute native materials 
 that should illustrate and emphasize the 
 natural and special characteristics of their 
 different localities. 
 
 The first offer of a room completely dec- 
 orated and furnished throughout was made 
 by California, and was received through 
 Mrs. Frona Eunice Wait, Alternate Lady 
 Manager from that State. 
 
 The Redwood Lumberman's Association 
 of San Francisco, through its president, Mr. 
 Dolbeer, furnished the woodwork. As the 
 desire was to make this room suggestive of 
 its historical associations, the architect. Cot- 
 ter Pelton, studiously avoided the adoption 
 of the Renaissance style of the exterior of 
 the building, as 'this school of architecture 
 was unknown in Spain at the time Califor- 
 nia was discovered, and had recourse to the 
 simple interiors of the old Spanish missions. The cactus was selected for the 
 color scheme and motif of this room. All the unique ideas carried out in the 
 fittings and furnishings of the room were suggested by this plant, and the 
 blending of the redwood and cactus was most appropriate for this special 
 offering, as one typified the northern, and the other the southern portion of 
 California, the soft gray green of the one complementing the warm red of 
 the other, and thus giving harmony and strength to the entire room. 
 
 To break the regularity of the arrangement, a large mirror was placed in 
 the wall opposite the entrance, set in a magnificent frame of redwood, and 
 above it was a panel carved with the shield of the State. Above it was a frieze 
 of canvas made of jute, decorated with branches of redwood boughs and simu- 
 lated disks. This was bordered by an elaborate molding of redwood, blend- 
 ing perfectly with the deep paneled ceiling of the same wood. The floor 
 was a simple parquetry of hard wood, and in keeping with the general design. 
 The archway connecting the room with the remainder of the suite was 
 hung with leather portieres, designed and made by Miss Lillian O'Hara, 
 who also contributed two wood panels in fire-etched figures for the wall 
 finish. 
 
 A notable panel, the work of Miss Eva McCormick, was the view of the 
 Del Monte Cactus Gardens. A companion piece was the Lake Tahoe, by 
 
 MRS. CANDACE WHEELER, 
 Color-Director of the Woman's Building. 
 
246 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Miss Elizabeth P. Bradley. Mrs. Frances Sleeth contributed a canvas show- 
 ing the celebrated San Juan Capistrano corridors, with the bent figure of the 
 oldest padre leaning against one of the arches. Other paintings were Miss 
 Marion Froelich's Chrysanthemums, Miss Bertha Stringer's Sycamore Trees, 
 Miss Martha Patterson's Glimpses of Golden Gate Park, Miss Selina New- 
 man's Chinese Mission Girl, Jules Mersfelder's two canvases. Miss Anna 
 
 Boland's curious study of California Desert Life, 
 and a canvas by Thomas Hill representing a red- 
 wood tree — all being contributed by these artists 
 in the most generous spirit. 
 
 In front of the mirror was a huge grizzly- 
 bear skin, on either side were terra-cotta 
 urns filled with cactus plants, and on 
 an onyx pedestal was placed a jar- 
 diniere gorgeous with red cactus blos- 
 soms. In addition, a unique cactus 
 cabinet, filled with articles painted by 
 each member, was offered by the Ceram- 
 ic Club. The women -of Alameda city 
 gave an onyx clock, made and designed 
 in Alameda. 
 
 Adjoining this room on the south, and 
 MRS. FRANCES WELLES SHEPARD. forming the main parlor of the eastern suite, 
 
 was the reception-room, furnished by Cin- 
 cinnati and presented by Miss Anna Laws in behalf of the Cincinnati Wom- 
 an's Columbian Exposition Association. To Miss Agnes Pitman were in- 
 trusted the color scheme and wall decoration, all of which she designed and 
 executed personally. A most noticeable feature of her plan was a frieze of 
 roses, each spray a study in itself, painted on a background, shading with the 
 prevailing tint of the room. When completed, this room contained richly 
 carved cabinets, a piano, a side-board, hanging shelves, easels, desks, chairs, 
 pedestals, etc. The walls were hung with pictures, oil paintings, water 
 colors, and engravings ; handsome portieres of original designs draped the 
 open doorway ; cases filled with interesting specimens of pottery, porcelain 
 painting, and metal work showed the various stages of progress from the 
 first experiment ; others contained beautiful displays of fine laces, delicate 
 drawn work, exquisitely decorated glass, handsome embroideries, and artistic 
 needlework. Here and there were pieces of sculpture, and a bookcase was 
 filled with books written by Cincinnati women — all these articles represent- 
 ing an aggregate money value of nearly $40,000. There were thirty-one 
 pictures from the Cincinnati Art Academy, twenty-four pieces of wood- 
 carving from the School of Design, about two hundred pieces of deco- 
 rated china from the Cincinnati Pottery Club, ten exquisite pieces of the 
 famous Rookwood pottery and thirty-four decorated pieces from the Cin- 
 
THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS. 
 
 247 
 
 cinnati Art Academy, twenty etchings on metal and one hundred and 
 twenty pieces of art needlework from the Art Museum. 
 
 On the south of this room was the reception-room furnished by Kentucky, 
 designed and arranged under the auspices of the Women's Columbian Clubs 
 of Kentucky. The presidents of 
 these various clubs formed a board 
 representing their local societies, and 
 to this board were submitted designs 
 and plans for this room, the money 
 being contributed by the local clubs. 
 The design accepted was that of 
 Miss Josephine Carter, of Versailles, 
 and was the old colonial of the Ital- 
 ian Renaissance, in contradistinction 
 to the colonial of New York and 
 New England. The furniture and 
 portraits were loaned by the members 
 of the clubs of Louisville, Lexing- 
 ton, Versailles, and Paris. The room 
 was not furnished for exhibits or dis- 
 play of any kind of work, but as a 
 place of rest and rendezvous. 
 
 On the opposite side of the build- 
 ing, near the northern end of the 
 western gallery, was the charming 
 room furnished by Connecticut and 
 devoted to the use of foreign repre- 
 sentatives. The design and decora- 
 tions were executed by Miss Elizabeth B. Sheldon, of New Haven. The 
 prevailing color scheme was the soft pinkish yellow of the apricot, with 
 touches of dark pink, red, green, and brown sympathetically related to the 
 general color tone of the room. The motif of the design was interlacing 
 garlands of conventionalized flowers hanging from ornamental lattices. It 
 was emphasized most decidedly in the frieze, appeared in the ornamentation 
 of the ceiling, was suggested in the cornice and in the design of the border of 
 the inlaid floor. The artistic treatment of the room coinbined lightness, 
 grace, and daintiness, and the effect attained was most cheerful and harmo- 
 nious. 
 
 The floor was of handsome polished oak, laid in diagonal eight-inch 
 squares, with mosaic border of white maple in the lattice pattern, and was 
 the generous gift of Mrs. J. Joseph, Manager of the Wood Mosaic Company 
 of New York. Of the two windows in the western wall, one was of stained 
 glass, consisting almost entirely of "chip jewels" in soft, golden tints. This 
 
 was designed and executed by Mrs. Maud P. Gibbs, of Brooklyn, N. Y., 
 18 
 
 MRS. BERIAH WILKINS, 
 
 Fifth Vice-President 
 of the Board of Lady Managers. 
 
248 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 and was most brilliant in effect. The companion window was broken in 
 transportation. 
 
 A representation of the Connecticut coat of arms occupied the place of 
 honor on the wall between the windows. A carved-wood mantel in old 
 colonial design was given by the women of New Haven. The furniture 
 consisted of delicate mahogany cabinet, table, desks, and chairs, the latter 
 upholstered in satin damask, generously given by the Cheney Brothers, South 
 
 LIBRARY OF THE WOMAN'S BUILDING. 
 
 Manchester, Conn., who also gave brocaded velours and silk for the draperies 
 and cushions, which added greatly to the attractiveness of the room. Messrs. 
 Marshall Field & Co., of Chicago, very kindly loaned an antique Iran rug to 
 cover the divan. 
 
 The water-color exhibit from various parts of the country and the ex- 
 hibit of miniature painting were installed here, and served as appropriate 
 wall decoration. 
 
 With one exception, the preliminary arrangements with regard. to these 
 rooms were carried on by correspondence with the Secretary's office. This 
 exception occurred in the case of the Library, undertaken by the New York 
 Board of Women Managers. On June i, 1892, the Secretary received a 
 letter from Mr. John Boyd Thacher, inviting her, in the absence of Mrs. 
 Palmer, to be present in Albany on the 7th of June, at the organization of 
 
THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS. 
 
 249 
 
 the New York Board of Women Managers. The Secretary accepted this 
 invitation, and was thus enabled to make a much more satisfactory statement 
 of the plans and purposes of the Board of Lady Managers than was possible 
 by correspondence. With reference to the decoration and furnishing of 
 the Woman's Building, she told of offers made by several of the States, and 
 read in this connection a letter from Mrs. Frona Eunice Wait, Alternate 
 Lady Manager from California, describing the proposed California Redwood 
 Room. Great enthusiasm was thus created on this subject, and as the 
 Library was still unprovided for, its fitting and furnishing were suggested by 
 the Secretary, whereupon it was at once decided by the newly formed Board 
 of Women Managers to undertake this 
 work, which they did with a result that 
 was a credit to their State. 
 
 The plan for the whole was intrusted 
 to Mrs. Candace Wheeler, of New York 
 city. The color scheme of the room was 
 its crowning charm, being a harmonious 
 blending of shades of green, brown, blue, 
 and gold into a general tone that invited 
 to rest and quiet, and suggested elegant 
 literary ease. The chief decoration was the 
 ceiling, the work of Mrs. Dora Wheeler 
 Keith. The design embraced five large 
 oval medallions — one at each of the four, 
 corners, and one in the center-^each con- 
 taining a symbolical figure or group. The 
 central oval, representing Science, Liter- 
 ature, and Imagination, was encircled by 
 a wreath of lilies bound into form by 
 bands of ribbon. The medallions in the 
 corners, representing History, Romance, 
 
 Poetry, and the Drama, were connected with scarflike drapery, caught up 
 at intervals, and intertwined with lilies and streamers. The whole was in- 
 closed in a border of Venetian scroll work, and the wall skirting the ceiling 
 carried a frieze of modeled plaster colored in harmony with the remainder 
 of the room. 
 
 The bookcases that lined the walls, carrying above them a wide, contin- 
 uous paneling, were of dark oak, carved in a sixteenth-century design, in 
 accordance with which the furniture was also modeled. Several fine pieces 
 of hammered brass and Rookwood pottery were placed at intervals above the 
 bookcases. The leaded windows on the west showed the arms and seal of 
 the State. A bust of Harriet Beecher Stowe and a cabinet containing 
 copies of the forty-two translations of Uncle Tom's Cabin were placed in the 
 Library by the Women's State Board of Connecticut. Two large winged 
 
 MRS. JAMES P. EAGLE, 
 of the Board of Lady Managers. 
 
2 50 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Standards with frames containing autographs of the most famous women of 
 the world were loaned by Mr. and Mrs. John Boyd Thacher. 
 
 Besides these, there were a great many special exhibits and articles loaned 
 for ornamentation by individuals and associations, which added immeasur- 
 ably to the beauty and interest of the Library. 
 
 The collection of books and documents that formed the Library was 
 intended to present, as nearly as possible, a complete view of the work of 
 American women in literature. Its collection was due largely to the skill 
 and industry of Mrs. Frederick P. Bellamy, of the New York State Board. 
 
 Living authors were appealed to for 
 complete sets of their works ; similar 
 application was made, where possible, to 
 the relatives of those who have passed 
 away ; and the various pubhshing houses 
 also were asked to contribute. The re- 
 sponses were most generous, and the 
 resulting collection was surprising in its 
 extent and variety, constituting one of 
 the most creditable of all the exhibits. 
 An effort was made to classify it by 
 States, and to make a satisfactory cata- 
 logue. But in this, although the best 
 was done that could be, the result was 
 not altogether satisfactory, because of 
 certain unsurmountable difficulties. In 
 many instances it was found that an au- 
 thor had been born in one State but 
 had spent most of her life in another, 
 and the question would of course arise 
 as to which State should be permitted to 
 claim her — a question to which it was impossible to give an answer satisfac- 
 tory to all concerned. It was not forgotten that much good and significant 
 literary work appears otherwise than in the form of bound books ; and ac- 
 cordingly the collection of books was supplemented with articles that had 
 appeared in periodicals or had been read before a club or on the platform. 
 
 Such, in brief description, was the Woman's Building. With its glories 
 and its imperfections, its successes and its failures, it will always hold a warm 
 place in the hearts and memories of the women who labored to create it or 
 derived inspiration from lessons learned and hospitahties enjoyed within its 
 walls. 
 
 MRS. DORA WHEELER KEITH, 
 Painter. 
 
View of the Wooded Island, near the Children's Building. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 THE children's BUILDING. 
 
 How the fund was raised — Description of the building — The nursery, kindergarten, and 
 kitchen garden^Number of children cared for — School of modeling — School for the 
 deaf — The library — Gifts — Receipts and expenditures. 
 
 A 
 
 T a meeting of the Chicago members of 
 the Board of Lady Managers held in 
 June, 1892, it was decided to erect a 
 building in the Exposition grounds to be 
 known as the Children's Building. Appli- 
 cation was made for space, and the Commit- 
 tee on Grounds and Buildings granted a 
 plot 150 by 90 feet, provided the amount 
 necessary for the building, estimated at 
 $20,000, could be raised in sixty days. Let- 
 ters were sent to each State and Territory 
 asking co-operation in the work. Many 
 States found it impossible to give their 
 quota, but the sum of $10,000 was pledged. 
 In addition to this, many of the resident 
 members promised to raise $100 each, and 
 the proceeds of a pastoral play, given at 
 the residence of Mrs. Chatfield Taylor, of 
 Chicago, netted $2,566.54. The sum of $325 was also subscribed, so that 
 by September i the money pledged and received amounted to $12,359. 
 
 251 
 
 MRS. GEORGE L.- DUNLAP, 
 Director of the Children's Building. 
 
2C2 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 The committee in charge of this building consisted of Mrs. George L. 
 Dunlap, Chairman, Mrs. L. Brace Shattuck, Secretary, Mrs. Solomon 
 Thatcher, and Mrs. W. W. Kimball, all of Chicago, who carried on the work 
 without compensation, save the satisfaction derived from the success that 
 crowned their efforts. 
 
 At the end of the sixty days, application was made to the Committee on 
 Grounds and Buildings for postponement of work on the building while 
 money was being raised to carry on the construction ; but to insure the reten- 
 tion of the space allotted for the building, four gentlemen of Chicago — Mr. 
 Palmer, Mr. Field, Mr. Fairbank, and Mr. Pullman — guaranteed the sum 
 required, viz., $20,000, and for the four months required for construction 
 $5,000 was to be paid each month until the building was completed. 
 
 During the delay thus caused the price of building materials greatly in- 
 creased, so that the building cost $24,000 instead of $20,000, as at first esti- 
 mated. A certificate stamped with the seal of the Board of Lady Managers 
 was issued to every child subscribing one dollar, and a circular letter — ap- 
 proved by Mr. Bellamy, who had been appointed by President Harrison 
 chairman of the Executive Committee on Public-school Celebration of 
 Columbus day — was sent to those interested in the education of children, 
 asking their influence toward a celebration in all schools on October 21 
 (Columbus day) for this cause. From this source $461.34 was realized. 
 
 In November, 1892, a bazaar was given by the members of the Chicago 
 Friday Club at the residence of Mrs. Potter Palmer, and the sum of $22,000 
 was realized — sufficient to complete and maintain the building during the 
 Exposition. The money having been secured, the work was at once begun. 
 The building was opened on June 15, the opening having been delayed a 
 month by very bad weather. The location of the building was just south of 
 the Woman's Building, at the Sixtieth Street entrance. The exterior was 
 very attractive, the decoration being in light blue, with a frieze of this color 
 under the cornice painted in oil, and life-size medallions representing the 
 children of different races, dressed in national costume, painted by Prof. 
 Schreiber, of Chicago, ornamented the fagades. Over each of the four en- 
 trances was inscribed a well-known and appropriate quotation : " The hope 
 of the world is in the children," " Just as. the twig is bent the tree's inclined," 
 " God's little ones are to become the great of the earth," " Men are but chil- 
 dren of a larger growth." The roof, where the children played, was inclosed 
 with a strong wire netting. 
 
 The exhibits in the Children's Building were divided into departments ; 
 each department was given to an association or individual, and these associa- 
 tions or individuals were responsible for the expense and quality of the 
 exhibit in their respective departments, all being under the control of the 
 supervising committee in charge of the building. The aim was not only to 
 represent child life, its toys, plays, and work, but at the same time to illus- 
 trate the most approved methods of rearing children from infancy to years 
 
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THE CHILDREN'S BUILDING. ^KT. 
 
 of greater development. Thus each department in doing its present work en- 
 deavored by practical illustration to convince the mature visitor of the value 
 of the methods adopted and the usefulness of the work. For instance, the day- 
 nursery exhibit, although it furnished a department of public comfort where 
 small children were cared for by competent nurses while the mother enjoyed 
 the wonders of the Exposition, failed in its great aim if it did not inspire 
 thousands of philanthropic women, with time and money at their disposal, to 
 estabhsh in their own cities and towns similar nurseries where women obliged 
 to labor for support of their families may leave their little ones in safety. 
 
 All foreign countries were asked to contribute articles connected with 
 their child Ufe, and books, toys, etc., were received from many. Japan con- 
 tributed a beautiful collection of toys ; Siam and Bohemia, several cradles ; 
 and books were sent from all lands. 
 
 The day nursery, kindergarten, and kitchen garden were at once applied 
 for by the New York State Board of Women Managers, and by them were 
 supported throughout the time of the Exposition. In addition to this, they 
 very generously appropriated $2,000 toward the erection of the building. 
 
 The number of children cared for in the nursery was 10,002. During the 
 months of June and July this exhibit was made by the Fitch Creche, of Buf- 
 falo, under the supervision of Miss Maria M. Love, of Buffalo, a member of 
 the New York State board, and from June 7 to August 3 3,002 chil- 
 dren were cared for. From August 3 to October 31, during which time 
 the New York Day Nursery had the work in charge, 7,000 children were 
 cared for. Miss Love came at a time when, owing to the unfinished state of 
 the building, there were many inconveniences, and her burden was very 
 heavy. Miss Marjorie Hall, of the New York Day Nursery, and her assist- 
 ants were devoted and faithful to the children placed in their care. 
 
 The kitchen garden, under the able conduct of Miss Emily Huntington, 
 was a unique and attractive feature of the building. This exhibit had for its 
 object the removal of drudgery from so-called menial work and the eleva- 
 tion of the home duties of woman. The means adopted were occupations, 
 games, and songs referring to housework and adapted to the childish nature. 
 
 The North American Turner-Bund of Chicago, Henry Hartung, director, 
 took charge of classes in physical culture. From ten thousand to fifteen 
 thousand children were here cared for, free of charge, during the five months, 
 and there was not one accident. Eight thousand names were registered in 
 their books, open to visitors during July, besides the thousands that daily 
 thronged the gallery and crowded about the court. 
 
 The school of sloyd and clay modeling was most successfully carried on 
 under the management of Prof. Gustav Larson and Mrs. Holland, of Boston, 
 all expense of these classes being paid by Mrs. Quincy Shaw, of Boston, as 
 her tribute to the Exposition. This department was instrumental in the 
 adoption of sloyd in the public schools of Minneapolis, whose Board of 
 Education visited the school during August. 
 
2 54 '^■"^ WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Miss Garrett's school for the deaf was a most attractive feature of the 
 building. A class of twenty little unfortunates, of both sexes, were brought 
 from Philadelphia by Miss Emma Garrett and her sister. Miss Mary Garrett, 
 
 CRECHE IN THE CHILDREN'S BUILDING. 
 
 who, after the death of the former, carried on the work until September 1 5. 
 Some idea of the attraction this department had for visitors may be gained 
 from the fact that 40,000 leaflets were distributed in the room to visitors, 
 but one being given to parties of three or four persons, and the supply 
 being exhausted two weeks before the close of their term. This school 
 was a State exhibit from Pennsylvania, and, in addition to the expense of 
 maintaining the school, that State subscribed $1,000 to the building fund. 
 
 It was followed by the McCowen School for the Deaf, of Chicago, where 
 pupils were daily trained in their studies. Children from five to eighteen 
 years of age here demonstrated, in a manner that was a revelation to thou- 
 sands, the possibilities open to deaf children by way of speech-reading. 
 
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THE CHILDREN'S BUILDING. 255 
 
 The school for sewing, for two months under the charge of Mrs. Willetts 
 Cornwall, of Chicago, attracted its share of attention. Colonel Francis A. 
 Parker, of the Cook County (111.) Normal School, had the assembly room 
 in charge, where each day a lecture to children was given, with stereopticon 
 illustrations, furnished by Mr. McAUister, of New York, and this was a most 
 attractive feature. 
 
 The women of Prague gave the Children's Building a collection of books 
 and toys, the latter typical of Bohemian games, and the Japanese commis- 
 sioner sent a most complete collection of toys, masks, etc. Madame Dupuy 
 de Lome, of Spain, sent an attractive representation in relief of Christmas 
 in Spain. 
 
 The library, the cases for which were presented by the Illinois State Board, 
 was selected and secured by the Committee on Literature for Children, of 
 the Congress Auxiliary of the Columbian Exposition (Mrs. Clara Doty 
 Bates, chairman). It contained French, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, 
 German, Bohemian, Belgian, and English books. The case of authors' 
 copies was the heart of its interest. These books were collected volume by 
 volume, and each one had the writer's autograph in it, and often a special 
 message or sentiment or a bit of pen-and-ink drawing. Of these, 150 copies 
 were gifts, many more being loaned. The periodicals for youth contributed 
 manuscripts, artists' drawings, engravers' blocks, stereotype plates, and edi- 
 tors' proofs, together with bound volumes of the paper— all showing how 
 much labor of various kinds went to the making of a single issue. One lad 
 was strangely roused by studying the artists' drawings upon the walls. For 
 the first time he gained the idea of the process of illustrating books, and he 
 determined to become an artist. He visited the Children's Building every 
 day, boldly began trying his hand at sketching, and displayed a remarkable 
 faciHty and originality. 
 
 The Cook County Normal School exhibit of class work — clay modeling, 
 sloyd work, and relief maps — in the assembly room attracted much atten- 
 tion, demonstrations being made daily by some teacher in attendance. 
 
 Another class that found inspiration here was the teachers. They were 
 next to mothers in their perceptions of values. Hundreds of addresses were 
 left to secure a catalogue in case one should be printed, not only by teachers, 
 but by men and women of almost all nationalities — American, Cuban, Jap- 
 anese, French, German, etc. Mrs. Bates was untiring in her work. 
 
 Notwithstanding the fact that 10,000 children were cared for in the 
 nursery, but one foundling was left, a boy about three months old, who was 
 abandoned by an unnatural mother, but was taken by the Children's Aid So- 
 ciety and provided with a good home. 
 
 The receipts from the various States was $10,000; from Mrs. Palmer, as 
 trustee of the bazaar fund, $22,000 ; from Mrs. H. C. C. Taylor, a fund raised 
 by an entertainment at her house, $2,266.54; from Mrs. Doolittle, $100; 
 from Mrs. Carse, $100; from Mrs. Leander Stone, $100; from Mrs. H. O. 
 
256 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Stone, $100; from the public schools, by the efforts of Mrs. S. B. Shattuck, 
 $461.34; from Mrs. W. W. Kimball, $100; from the charity-ball fund, 
 $1,700; from Mrs. George L. Dunlap, $342; and sundry small contribu- 
 
 SLOYD IN THE CHILDREN'S BUILDING. 
 
 tions, bringing the entire sum to $37,492.48. The expenses were nearly 
 equal to this. 
 
 Without the assistance of Mrs. Palmer and the Friday Club of Chicago 
 the building could not have existed. No assistance was given by the Board 
 or the Exposition authorities ; stationery, stamps, furniture, stoves, etc., all 
 had to be paid for. There was a special fund of money received in the build- 
 ing from sales, and the committee decided that one fourth of this amount 
 should go to the charity fund, and three quarters should be given to Mrs. 
 Potter Palmer in trust to be added to the fund for the erection of a Woman's 
 Memorial Building. The itemized statement of this was as follows : 
 
 To Mrs. Potter Palmer in trust for the Woman's Memorial Building.. .$13,115 10 
 
 To Lake Geneva fresh-air fund 1,000 00 
 
 To Margaret Etter Creche building fund, Chicago 1,000 00 
 
 To the McCowen Oral School for Young Deaf Children, Chicago 800 00 
 
 To building fund of the Home for Destitute Crippled Children, Chicago 500 00 
 
 To Children's Aid Society, Chicago 100 00 
 
 To Chicago Humane Society 400 00 
 
 To Free Kindergarten 500 00 
 
 To Master Hugh Copp, of Chicago, to aid in pursuing art studies abroad 300 00 
 
 $17,715 10 
 
THE CHILDREN'S BUILDING. 
 
 257 
 
 In addition, the cortimittee gave to the Woman's Memorial Building its 
 collection of Japanese and Bohemian toys, its library exhibit, comprising 150 
 books (authors' copies with autographs), 115 musical books, 55 French and 
 7 Italian books, 230 Bohemian books ; also 76 framed photographs of writers 
 with autographs, 28 photographs of authors, and 8 original manuscripts, 
 frames with portraits, i safe, 3 large rubber door mats, 3 bulletin boards, 
 canvas decorations, and the secretary's desk and chair ; also to the Chicago 
 University Social Settlement and Creche 75 folding chairs and mirrors. To 
 the emergency relief rooms 125 folding chairs and worktables, and to 
 other institutions chairs, bath tubs, gas range, laundry tubs, and closets for 
 sloyd work. 
 
 The Broom Brigade, in the Children's Building. 
 
'H'„iijiMl. 
 
 
 « ;;; ;« » ?i r« $ ; 1^ Si j!i iti fii i!i,!» Si (n w in ^' 
 
 '.^^au 
 
 Railroad on the Lake Front during Construction. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 DEDICATION OF THE BUILDINGS. 
 
 Choice of days — Official invitations — Order of exercises — The procession — Transportation 
 of visitors — Refreshments — The vast audience — Addresses of George R. Davis, Hemp- 
 stead Washburne, Daniel H. Burnham, Mrs. Palmer, Harlow N. Higinbotham, Thomas 
 W. Palmer, Levi P. Morton, Henry Watterson, and Chauncey M. Depew — The Ode. 
 
 ^^■j^^^ '' I "^HE date fixed by the act of Congress for the 
 
 ^^^^^^^^ I dedication of the Exposition buildings was Oc- 
 
 f ^^. j^ tober 12, 1892 ; but it was found desirable to 
 
 ■P ^^^ a^ change this date, because the four hundredth anni- 
 versary of the discovery of America was to be ob- 
 served throughout the country. The city of 
 New York especially had arranged for an 
 elaborate demonstration to commemorate 
 the landing of Columbus, and those in 
 charge of it urged the management of the 
 Exposition to change the date for the dedi- 
 cation from October 12 to Friday, October 
 21, this being the correct date of the discov- 
 ery according to the New-Style calendar, be- 
 sides being the very day of the week on which 
 Columbus landed in the New World. The 
 Board of Directors, wishing to assist the citi- 
 zens of New York in achieving the desired 
 success in their celebration, as well as to give an opportunity to those inter- 
 ested in local celebrations throughout the country to visit Chicago for the 
 great event nine days later, consented to this change. 
 
 2^8 
 
 HEMPSTEAD WASHBURNE, 
 Member of the Directory. 
 
DEDICATION OF THE BUILDINGS. 2i;q 
 
 In the spring of 1891 the dedicatory ceremonies were placed in charge of 
 a Committee on Ceremonies of the Board of Directors, in conjunction with 
 a similar Committee of the World's Columbian Commission. The Commit- 
 tee on Ceremonies of the Board of Directors consisted of Edward F. Law- 
 rence, chairman, and Messrs. James W. Ellsworth, Charles T. Yerkes, Charles 
 H. Schwab, Charles H. Wacker, William D. Kerfoot, Charles Henrotin, and 
 Alexander H. Revell ; and the committee of the Commission consisted of 
 Peter A. B. Widener, chairman, and Messrs. William Lindsay, George H. 
 Barbour, Adlai T. Ewing, John D. Adams, Thomas B. Keogh, Gorton W. 
 Allen, and Virginius D. Groner. 
 
 The Secretary was directed to invite the President of the United States 
 and his Cabinet officers, the justices of the Supreme Court, the members 
 of foreign embassies, the Governors of the States and Territories, with their 
 suites, and other dignitaries and guests as the committee might select, to 
 attend the dedicatory ceremonies. 
 
 The Committee on Ceremonies recognized that the details of arranging 
 for the reception of the specially appointed guests, and for their care and com- 
 fort while in the city, would require the assistance of other gentlemen than 
 members of the committee, and it was finally decided to appoint a Citizen's 
 Committee of twenty-five, with power to increase the number. The entire 
 charge of the reception of distinguished guests and provision for their ac- 
 commodation while in the city was given to this committee, and the great 
 success attending the ceremonies was largely due to the unflagging zeal man- 
 ifested by each member in performing the duty assigned to him. The com- 
 mittee was composed of the following-named gentlemen : Norman Williams, 
 George E. Adams, Lambert Tree, John M. Clark, Hobart C. Chatfield-Tay- 
 lor, John E. Wilkie, Louis Huck, Huntington W. Jackson, Edward H. Val- 
 entine, Ephraim Otis, William A. Alexander, J. Harley Bradley, Clarence I. 
 Peck, Melville E. Stone, Martin A. Ryerson, William J. Onahan, Edward E. 
 Ayer, Henry A. Knott, F. Willis Rice, Henry J. McFarland, Leroy T. 
 Steward, John J. Janes, Louis Nettlehorst, Henry Ives Cobb, Robert J. Smith. 
 
 A convention of National Guard officers was held in Chicago, by invita- 
 tion of the Committee on Ceremonies, in October, 1890, and remained in ses- 
 sion two days. Representatives from thirty-four States were present, and it 
 was the expression of the convention that the National Guard selected to 
 participate in the dedicatory ceremonies should be drawn from States contig- 
 uous to Illinois. In obedience to this wish, the Committee on Ceremonies 
 invited the Governors of Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, 
 Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio to furnish in the aggregate ten thousand men. 
 In addition to this, some of the Governors of more distant States brought 
 military escorts. Twenty-five hundred men of the United States army, 
 together with the United States Marine Corps and band, were also ordered 
 to Chicago, so that the total number of soldiers was more than fourteen 
 
 thousand. 
 
 19 
 
26o 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Major-General Nelson A. Miles, U. S. A., was designated by the Secretary 
 of War to take charge of the military parade, and subsequently was invited 
 to assume the duties of grand marshal of the civic parade. General Joseph 
 Stockton was appointed chief of staff. Invitations were extended to the 
 various civic organizations of Chicago and vicinity to participate in a parade 
 in commemoration of the four hundredth anniversary. of the landing of Co- 
 lumbus, and the Governors of the differ- 
 . , ;^r — — -1 ent States, with their aids and escorts, were 
 
 invited to occupy a place in the proces- 
 sion. 
 
 The dedication of the buildings six 
 months before the grounds were to be 
 formally opened to the public was looked 
 upon as a means of disseminating through- 
 out the country a knowledge of the gran- 
 deur of the Exposition. Therefore an 
 elaborate programme, extending over 
 three days, was prepared, preceded by Co- 
 lumbian services in all the city churches 
 on Sunday, October i6. The programme 
 was as follows : 
 
 Wednesday, October 19, Columbus 
 Day in all the schools at 1.30 p. m. Re- 
 ception and ball at the Auditorium at nine 
 o'clock in the evening. 
 
 Thursday, October 20, civic parade 
 through the business portion of the city, beginning at nine o'clock in the 
 morning, reviewed by the President of the United States from a stand 
 erected at the Adams Street front of the Custom-house Building. Military 
 reception and ball given by Colonel Henry L. Turner at the First Regi- 
 ment Armory in the evening. Dinner to the President of the United States 
 and the distinguished guests of the occasion by the Fellowship Club at 
 Kingsley's. 
 
 Friday, October 21, military parade to Jackson Park, reviewed by the 
 President in Washington Park. Dedication of the Exposition buildings by 
 appropriate ceremonies in the Manufactures Building at Jackson Park. ■ Ded- 
 icatory services of the World's Congress Auxiliary at the Auditorium in the 
 evening. Fireworks displays in the parks on the north, south, and west 
 divisions of the city. 
 
 It was intended originally that the reception on Wednesday evening 
 should be a part of the official ceremonies ; but it was finally decided to omit 
 this from the official programme, and it was taken in charge personally by 
 Major-General Miles, Marshall Field, George M. Pullman, Philip D. Ar- 
 mour, and Nathanael K. Fairbank. This arrangement proved very satisfac- 
 
 EDWARD F. LAWRENCE, 
 
 Member of the Directory, and 
 
 Chairman of the Committee on Ceremonies. 
 
DEDICATION OF THE BUILDINGS. 26 1 
 
 tory. The reception and ball took place at the Auditorium on Wednesday 
 evening, October 19. It was a brilliant event, and called forth praise for 
 the perfection of the arrangements and the faultless manner in which all 
 the details were carried out. 
 
 President Harrison was unable to attend the dedication, owing to the 
 fact that Mrs. Harrison was suffering from the illness that soon resulted in 
 her death, and Vice-President Morton represented the President on this oc- 
 casion. The civic parade, on the day preceding the formal dedication of the 
 buildings, was participated in by many thousands of people, including all the 
 non-military organizations of the city. The Governors of States, with their 
 aids and escorts, occupied a proininent place in the procession, which added 
 much to the enthusiasm along the line of march. Almost every European 
 nationahty resident in Chicago, a division of colored citizens, and even the 
 Indian boys from the Government school ,at Carlisle, Pa., all joined in 
 marching under the flag of our country. The column was in platoon front 
 of sixteen and twenty abreast, close order, music in quick time. It was over 
 ten miles long, and occupied three hours in passing the northern portal of 
 the Customhouse, where it was reviewed by the Vice-President of the 
 United States and other distinguished gentlemen. The marching of the civic 
 societies, composed of men not accustomed to marching, and the assembling 
 and dispersing, which would have been creditable to military organizations, 
 received the applause/ of the countless thousands of spectators who lined the 
 streets and occupied the windows. It would be impossible to name every 
 society or to give each individual participating the proper credit. To Gen- 
 eral Joseph Stockton, however, who for weeks devoted his entire time to the 
 duties devolving upon him ; to the Hon. Hempstead Washburne, Mayor of 
 the city ; to Major Robert W. McClaughry, Chief of Pohce ; to the specta- 
 tors ; and to those participating in the parade, was chiefly due the credit for 
 the successful marching of the immense procession of October 20, without a 
 halt or break in the line from its start to its dispersion. To the different di- 
 vision commanders and aids for the able manner in which they handled their 
 commands, to the Committee on Ceremonies, to the citizens for their mag- 
 nificent decorations, and to all connected with the dedicatory exercises, much 
 praise is due for making the occasion one of which every citizen of Chicago 
 could well be proud. One of the most interesting features of the day was 
 the grouping of over four thousand children of the public schools, so dressed 
 in colors and arranged as to represent the Stars and Stripes. This was done 
 adjoining the reviewing stand, and elicited the most favorable comments 
 from the spectators and from those participating in the parade. 
 
 In the meantime, directors and officers were gravely anxious as to the 
 successful transportation of visitors to Jackson Park for the dedicatory cere- 
 monies. The tracks of the Illinois Central Railroad were but partially ele- 
 vated, and the road was unable to supply even ordinary facilities for trans- 
 portation of patrons. Invitations to the ceremonies had been issued to 
 
262 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 members of Congress, officers of the United States Government, Governors 
 of'States and members of their staffs, and members of the various State 
 legislatures. Several cards of invitation were issued to each member of the 
 World's Columbian Commission and also to each member of Congress, and 
 one to each stockholder of the Exposition, making in all over one hundred 
 
 thousand invitations, each being good 
 for a gentleman and a lady. Possi- 
 bly half of these invitations had been 
 sent to persons who would not use 
 thern ; but the demand for admission 
 to Jackson Park on Dedication Day 
 was so great that it was reasonable to 
 expect that most of the cards of 
 admission that accompanied these in- 
 vitations would find their way into 
 use, and that the number that would 
 secure admission would be great 
 enough to render possible some 
 grave disaster, either at the stations 
 of the Illinois Central Railroad near 
 the Park, or within the grounds. 
 Therefore every precaution was tak- 
 en to guard against accident. As 
 the procession was to pass from 
 Washington Park to Jackson Park 
 by way of the Midway Plaisance, 
 across the Illinois Central tracks, a 
 large temporary viaduct was constructed over these tracks at a cost of 
 $9,616.11. To illustrate the haste with which matters had to be acted upon, 
 the construction of the viaduct was authorized by the Board of Directors on 
 September 28, leaving only twenty-three days in which to complete it. 
 
 Milward Adams was appointed to arrange the building for Manufactures 
 and Liberal Arts for the ceremonies which were to be held therein. This 
 was a most difficult task, as it required the preparation of a platform large 
 enough to seat twenty-four hundred guests, a stand for the chorus to accom- 
 modate five thousand singers, and an auditorium for the seating of one 
 hundred thousand people. The arrangement of that vast auditorium was 
 complete in every particular. 
 
 The entire central portion of the city, between the river on the north 
 and west and Twelfth Street on the south, was cleared of vehicles of every 
 description by the police at sunrise on October 21, the district presenting a 
 most peculiar appearance to those who were familiar with it on ordinary 
 days. Carriages conveying persons officially connected with the ceremonies 
 were passed through the police lines by means of written orders issued by 
 
 THE FORM OF INVITATION 
 
 TO THE DEDICATION CEREMONIES. 
 
 Size of the original, 8J^ by li inches. 
 
DEDICATION OF THE BUILDINGS. 26^ 
 
 the Chief of Police. The military escort and parade on this day was one of 
 the most interesting and imposing features of the dedicatory ceremonies, 
 and was admirably carried out under the direction of Major-General Nelson 
 A. Miles, U. S. A. A national salute was fired at sunrise. The mounted 
 escort, consisting of ten troops of cavalry, two cavalry bands, and four bat- 
 teries of light artillery, formed on the Lake Front Park before nine o'clock, 
 where the members of the Board of Directors, the World's Columbian Com- 
 mission, the Board of Lady Managers, and the distinguished guests of the 
 occasion soon assembled in carriages, and whence they were escorted to the 
 
 THE MILITARY REVIEW IN WASHINGTON PARK. 
 Dedication Day, October 22, 1892. 
 
 residence of President Higinbotham, on Michigan Avenue. There they 
 were joined by Vice-President Morton and' party, and President Palmer 
 of the Commission, and the line of march was resumed south on Michigan 
 Avenue and the Grand Boulevard to Washington Park, where the remainder 
 of the troops were formed in lines of brigades, awaiting the arrival of the 
 guests escorted by the mounted troops. The carriages containing the presi- 
 dential party, the Cabinet, the Supreme Court, the Diplomatic Corps, Gov- 
 ernors of States, senators, members of the House of Representatives, gen- 
 erals of the army and admirals of the navy, and other distinguished guests, 
 were placed in parallel lines on the west side of the field. The carriage 
 containing Vice-President Morton was some distance in front of the middle 
 of the line of carriages, whence he reviewed the column. The weather 
 was most propitious ; hundreds of thousands of citizens who witnessed the 
 garade from advantageous locations along the entire line of march to Jack- 
 son Park were in the best of spirits, and the soldierly bearing of the troops 
 was beyond criticism. The perfect day (one of the most delightful of the 
 
264 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 autumnal season), the extensive plain covered with green turf and fringed 
 with trees, the circle of nearly two miles surrounded by many acres covered 
 with people, the brilliant uniforms and equipments of the troops, the waving 
 banners and inspiring martial music, with the lofty buildings of the Expo- 
 sition towering in the distance — all contributed to give the scene a splendor 
 commensurate with the sublimity of the occasion. As General Miles led 
 the column past the reviewing stand and emerged from the open park into 
 the avenue that led to the World's Fair grounds, he was greeted with the 
 most enthusiastic demonstrations. Shouts and plaudits rent the air as the 
 Vice-President and Cabinet, ex-President Hayes and Senator Sherman, Chief- 
 Justice Fuller and the Supreme Court, the Diplomatic Corps, and the Gov- 
 ernors at the head of their State troops appeared. The excellent marching 
 and fine military bands elicited protracted applause. 
 
 No serious halt, break, or hesitation of any importance was noticed along 
 the entire route passed over. In the presence of one hundred and forty 
 thousand people the simple but impressive ceremonies of the dedication were 
 then held in the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building. 
 
 The burden of guard duty for the preservation of order and protection of 
 property fell chiefly upon the troops and the Columbian Guards. This was 
 by no means an easy task, owing to the great crowds within and without the 
 Park and the extent and unfinished condition of the grounds. 
 
 Had the plan for a military parade from the business district of the city 
 to Jackson Park been carried out, as had been urged, the ceremonies could 
 not have been concluded until after nightfall. General Miles had firmly re- 
 sisted this plan, and, being in charge of the military features of the day, 
 under orders from the Secretary of War, he insisted that the review at Wash- 
 ington Park should occur as soon as the carriages for the Vice-President and 
 party arrived at that point, whence he moved the procession to the Exposi- 
 tion grounds. Before the day was over the wisdom of his decision was 
 apparent, and he subsequently received a vote of thanks from the Board of 
 Directors. 
 
 One of the most satisfactory things connected with the ceremonies was 
 the luncheon provided for the invited guests. The general luncheon was 
 spread in the Electrical Building, while the guests occupying the platform 
 were served in the gallery adjoining the stage. The service was perfect, 
 and was a gratifying surprise to the thousands who availed themselves of this 
 hospitality. The work of serving refreshments was undertaken by the Wel- 
 lington Catering Company, which had received the principal concession for 
 restaurant service during the approaching Exposition season. It was not con- 
 sidered proper to permit the opening of restaurants and the sale of refresh- 
 ments to the assemblage, as those within the Park were present as guests in 
 response to the invitations of the management. Over seventy thousand were 
 thus supplied with luncheon. 
 
 When the ceremonies were about to begin, it was found that the vast 
 
DEDICATION OF THE BUILDINGS. 
 
 265 
 
 grounds had easily absorbed the many thousands who were entitled to 
 admission, and that the fears of the management as to congestion were 
 unwarranted. A large crowd had gathered outside, and the gates were 
 opened to all who desired to enter. 
 
 The interior of the Manufactures Building presented a novel spectacle. 
 In the middle of the east side a grand stand, or platform, to seat twenty 
 five hundred people had been erected. 
 
 Over it, and high above, decorations of ' ;:; r .. ^ 
 
 flags and bunting had been massed in a 
 most effective manner. At the south 
 end of the building, a thousand feet 
 from the grand stand, was another stand 
 for the chorus, seating fifty-five hundred 
 people. It was filled with singers who 
 had been trained for a year previous by 
 the Choral Director, William L. Tom- 
 lins, to render music on this occasion. 
 In front of the chorus was the Chica- 
 go Orchestra, led by Theodore Thomas, 
 augmented for the occasion to one hun- 
 dred and ninety pieces and fifty drums. 
 The grand platform was filled with 
 officers of the National Government, 
 members of the diplomatic corps, offi- 
 cers of the various States, senators and 
 representatives, directors and commis- 
 sioners. In front of the grand stand, 
 and covering the area within the large 
 
 trusses of the building, were chairs and benches for the accommodation of 
 sixty thousand people, and in the surrounding galleries fifteen thousand 
 additional seats had been placed. The seats immediately in front of the 
 platform were provided with tables for the accommodation of seven hundred 
 and fifty reporters. Beyond these tables fifteen thousand seats were reserved 
 for families of directors, commissioners, and distinguished guests from with- 
 out the city. 
 
 The spectator could scarcely comprehend the vastness of the audience 
 stretching out before this platform, nearly every one seated or being con- 
 ducted to a seat by soldiers and the Columbian Guards in the most orderly 
 manner. There was but little motion, but a great indescribable hum of 
 voices. In the distance, at the south end of the building, the chorus of 
 five thousand persons seemed, as one expressed it, " but a mere island in an 
 ocean of humanity." The number gathered under this one roof can not 
 be accurately determined, but must have been over one hundred thousand 
 persons. Good order and perfect restraint prevailed. The size of the 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL NELSON A. MILES, 
 
 U. S. A. 
 
 Commanding the Department of Missouri. 
 
256 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 building and the dignity of the occasion seemed to have cast a spell over 
 every one. 
 
 The perfect weather contributed to the great success of the ceremonies. 
 The sunlight, the cloudless sky, and ' the spring-like air lent a charm to the 
 grounds in spite of their unfinished condition. The dedication of October 
 21, 1892, may be counted as possibly the most successful of all the pageants, 
 ceremonies, and celebrations that occurred in connection with the Exposi- 
 tion. The total cost of the ceremonies amounted to $287,709.31, including 
 those features that were abandoned and special work by the Construction 
 Department. This was almost twice the original estimate. But for the 
 number of alterations required from time to time in the original plan, the 
 ceremonies could have been carried out for a much smaller sum. There can 
 be no doubt, however, that they were well worth all they cost the company. 
 More unfavorable rumors and attacks upon the plans and management were 
 laid at rest upon this day than could have been quieted by any other means. 
 
 The fact that the enormous assemblage in the Manufactures Building wit- 
 nessed the impressive programme and dispersed without an accident worthy 
 of note, either within or Avithout the half-finished grounds, spoke for the care, 
 intelligence, and thoughtfulness of the officers and employees of the company 
 and of the various transportation lines. 
 
 It had been estimated that five hundred thousand people witnessed the 
 civic parade, and, judging from the cash sales of fares to Washington and 
 Jackson Parks via the Illinois Central, South-Side Cable, and elevated rail- 
 ways, fully eight hundred thousand people witnessed the military parades. 
 Two hundred thousand were admitted to Jackson Park, and at one time 
 more than a hundred and fifty thousand were within the Manufactures and 
 Liberal Arts Building. 
 
 It was finally decided that the pyrotechnic feature of the programme should 
 be given in the three parks of the city. The displays were admirable, and it 
 was estimated that nearly three quarters of a million people witnessed them. 
 
 The ceremonies held by the World's Congress Auxiliary at the Audi- 
 torium on Friday evening, October 2 1 , were interesting and impressive. 
 
 The National Band of Mexico was sent, with the compliments of Presi- 
 dent Diaz, to participate in the ceremonies of dedication. Director-General 
 Davis deemed it proper that this graceful courtesy should be. acknowledged 
 in a marked manner, and, with the concurrence of the governing bodies of 
 the Exposition, sent medals to the individual members of the band, with a 
 letter addressed to President Diaz. In due time a cordial response was 
 received from that distinguished ruler and statesman. 
 
 This was the first great task encountered by the Council of Administra- 
 tion, and it caused much labor and grave anxiety. Before the Council was 
 many days old, in connection with the proposed ceremonies, it was compelled 
 to exercise its powers vigorously in all departments of the Exposition, for 
 the purpose of harmonizing details and insuring the safety of the public. 
 
DEDICATION OF THE BUILDINGS. 
 
 267 
 
 The occurrences of Dedication Day formed an object lesson as to the ability 
 of intelligent and orderly people to care for their own safety on public 
 occasions. 
 
 The representatives of the press who attended the ceremonies included 
 many distinguished journalists, and all were so thoroughly impressed with 
 , the magnitude of the preparation and the grandeur of the 
 scope of the Exposition that there were praise and 
 commendation for the great enterprise all over the 
 country, even in quarters where only criticism had 
 been heard before. 
 
 Thanks are due to Chairman Lawrence 
 and to the members of his committee for 
 their labors in connection with this occa- 
 sion, as well as other occasions where 
 suitable ceremonies were required. The 
 work of the committee extended over 
 two years. In preparing for the dedi- 
 cation they were confronted with all the 
 vexations and obstacles which the crude- 
 ness of the organization rendered possi- 
 ble ; but, in spite of this, their duties were 
 most creditably discharged. The members of 
 the committee of the National Commission, 
 being non-residents, were less actively engaged, 
 but they also performed valuable service. 
 
 The dedicatory ceremonies were opened with the Columbian March com- 
 posed by Prof. John K. Paine, of Cambridge, Mass., rendered by the Co- 
 lumbian Orchestra and Chorus. Prayer was offered by Bishop Charles H. 
 Fowler, D. D., LL. D., of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of California, 
 after which came the' introductory address by the Director General, Colonel 
 George R. Davis, who said : 
 
 " By virtue of my official position it is my pleasurable duty to present 
 the noted personages who at this hour, in their several functions, are to 
 contribute to the exercises with which we here dedicate the grounds and 
 buildings of the World's Columbian Exposition. In a presence so vast, on 
 an occasion so pre-eminent in the progress of universal affairs, I am moved 
 by emotions that can sweep a human heart but once in life. Awe over- 
 masters inspiration, and both are lost in gratitude that I am permitted to in- 
 augurate these ceremonies. 
 
 " The citizens of our common country may be pardoned the pride and 
 satisfaction with which we study the historic steps by which our people have 
 been led to their present exalted position. Of the great nations of the 
 world, the United States is the youngest ; our resources are equal to those 
 of any other nation. Our sixty millions of people are among the most in- 
 
 PROF. JOHN K. PAINE, 
 Composer of the Columbian March. 
 
268 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 telligent, cultured, happy, and prosperous of mankind. But what we are 
 and what we possess as a nation is not ours by purchase, not by conquest, 
 but by virtue of the rich heritage that was spread out beneath the sun and 
 stars, beneath the storms and rains and dews, beneath the frosts and snows, 
 ages before a David, a Homer, or a Virgil sang, or before Italy's humble 
 and immortal son had dreamed his dream of discovery. This rich heritage 
 is ours, not by our own might, not even by our own discovery, but ours by 
 the gift of the Infinite. It is fitting that, on the threshold of another cen- 
 tury, we reverently pause in the presence of the world, and with confession 
 and supplication, with thanksgiving and devotedness, with praise and adora- 
 tion, acknowledge our dependence on the Creator of the universe, the God 
 of nations, the Father of mankind. 
 
 " Nature has given us a virgin soil of incomparable richness and variety. 
 Our climate is so diversified that all the fruits of tree and vine ripen under 
 our autumnal skies. The great seas that form our boundaries and with 
 their ebb and flow bathe our shores are rich with all the treasures of the 
 deep. The granite vaults of our mountain chains are stored with untold 
 mineral wealth. In the prodigality of Nature, bountiful provision has been 
 made for our multiplying people, and in times of emergency, from our 
 great abundance we may succor and comfort the distressed and afHicted of 
 other lands. 
 
 " A single century has placed this people side by side with the oldest and 
 most advanced nations of the world — nations with a history of a thousand 
 years. But in the midst of our rejoicing no American citizen should forget 
 our national starting point, and the quality of the manhood on which was 
 laid the very foundation of our Government. Our fathers were born under 
 foreign flags. The very best brain, and nerve, and muscle, and conscience 
 of the older governments found their way to this Western Continent. Our 
 ancestors had the map of the world before them. What wonder that they 
 chose this land for their descendants ! Over the very cradle of our national 
 infancy stood the spirit and form of the completed civilization of other lands, 
 and the birth cries of the republic rang out over the world with a voice as 
 strong as a giant of a thousand years. From the morning of our history 
 the subjects of all nations have flocked to our shores and have entered 
 into our national life and joined in the upbuilding of our institutions. 
 They have spaded and planted, they have sown and gathered, they have 
 wrought and builded, and to-day everywhere over all this land may be seen 
 the products and results of this toil, constituting our national prosperity, 
 promoting our national growth. To all such the doors of the nation are 
 ever open. 
 
 " The World's Columbian Exposition is the national outgrowth of this 
 nation's place in history. Our continent, discovered by Christopher Colum- 
 bus, whose spirits were revived as his cause was espoused by the generous- 
 hearted Queen of Spain, has, throughout all the years from that time to this, 
 
DEDICATION OF THE BUILDINGS. 
 
 269 
 
 been a haven to all who saw here the promise of requited toil, of liberty, and 
 of peace. 
 
 "The ceaseless, resistless march of civilization westward — ever westward — 
 has reached and passed the Great Lakes of North America, and has founded 
 
 ENTERING THE GROUNDS. 
 Dedication Day, October 22, 1892. 
 
 on their farthest shore the greatest city of modern times. Chicago, the peer- 
 less, has been selected for the great celebration which to-day gives new fire 
 to progress and sheds its light upon ages yet to come. Established in the 
 heart of this continent, her pulse throbs with the quickening current of our 
 national life. And that this city was selected as the scene of this great com- 
 memorative festival was the natural outgrowth of predestined events. Here 
 all nations are to meet in peaceful, laudable emulation on the fields of 
 art, science, and industry, on the fields of research, invention, and scholar- 
 
2^Q THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 ship, and to learn as could be learned in no other way the nearness of man 
 to man, the Fatherhood of God, and the brotherhood of the human race. 
 
 " This, ladies and gentlemen, is the exalted purpose of the World's 
 Columbian Exposition. May it be fruitful of its aim, and of peace forever 
 to all the nations of the earth ! " 
 
 The Mayor of Chicago, Hon. Hempstead Washburne, then delivered 
 an address of welcome, tendering the freedom of the city to the Vice- 
 President of the United States and the representatives of foreign nations. 
 He said : 
 
 " These centuries have evolved the liberty-loving American people who 
 are gathered here to-day. We have with us the pioneer, bearing in his 
 person the freedom of his Western home — the aging veteran, whom all 
 nations honor, without whose valor government, liberty, and patriotism 
 would be but idle words. We have with us builders of cities, founders of 
 States, dwellers in the forests, tillers of the soil, the mechanic, and the arti- 
 san ; and noble women, daughters of the republic,, not less in patriotism and 
 deserved esteem than those who seem to play the larger part in building up 
 a state. 
 
 " Those foreign nations which have contributed so much to our growth 
 will here learn wherein our strength lies — that it is not in standing armies, 
 not in heredity or birth, not even in our fertile valleys, not in our com- 
 merce nor our wealth, but that we have built and are building upon the 
 everlasting rock of individual character and intelligence, seeking to secure an 
 education for every man, woman, and child over whom floats the Stars and 
 Stripes— that emblem which signifies our Government and our people. That 
 flag guards to-day 21,500,000 school children of a country not yet four cen- 
 turies old, who outnumber nearly four times the population of Spain in 
 1492. 
 
 " You, sirs, who are the chosen representatives of our people — ^you into 
 whose keeping we intrust our property and our rights — ^you whose every act 
 becomes a link in that long chain of history which spans four hundred years 
 without a break and whose every link signifies a struggle and victory for 
 man — you who represent that last and most perfect experiment of human 
 government — have by your official acts honored this young city with your 
 choice as the most fitting place to mark this country's dawn. She accepts 
 the sacred trust, with rivalry toward none and fellowship for all. She stands 
 ready to fulfill the pledges she has made. She needs no orator to speak her 
 merits, no poet to sing her glories. She typified the civilization of this con- 
 tinent and this age ; she has no hoary locks, no crumbling ruins ; the gray- 
 haired sire who saw her birth to-day holds on high his prattling child to see 
 the nations of the earth within her gates. Less than a century ago the site 
 of this young city was unknown ; to-day a million and a half people support 
 her honor, enterprise, and thrift. Her annual commerce of one billion and a 
 half of dollars tells the eloquent story of her material greatness. Her liber- 
 
DEDICATION OF THE BUILDINGS. 
 
 271 
 
 ality to all nations and all creeds is boundless, broad as humanity and high 
 as the dome of heaven. 
 
 " This, sirs, is the American city of your choice ; her gates are open, her 
 people at your service. To you and those you represent we offer greeting, 
 hospitality and love. 
 
 " Welcome, you men of older civilization, to this young city whose most 
 ancient landmark was built within the span of a present life. Our hos- 
 pitalities and our welcome we now extend without reserve, without regard 
 to nationality, creed, or race." 
 
 Selected passages from the Columbian Ode — ^which Miss Harriet 
 Monroe, of Chicago, by appointment of the joint Committee on Ceremonies, 
 had written for -the occasion — were read by Mrs. Sarah C. Le Moyne, of 
 New York, whose resonant voice and excellent .delivery overcame the diffi- 
 culties of the hall to a greater extent than was done by most of the other 
 speakers. Between the selections thus read the orchestra and the Columbian 
 Chorus of five thousand voices rendered the lyric passages of the ode, which 
 had been set to music by George W. Chadwick, of Boston. The full text 
 of the Ode is as follows : 
 
 Columbia, on thy brow are dewy flowers 
 
 Plucked from wide prairies and from mighty hills. 
 
 Lo ! toward this day have led the steadfast hours. 
 Now to thy hope the world its beaker fills. 
 
 The old earth hears a song of blessed themes, 
 
 And lifts her head from a deep couch of dreams. 
 
 Her queenly nations, elder-born of Time, 
 Troop from high thrones to hear. 
 
 Clasp thy strong hands, tread with thee paths sublime. 
 Lovingly bend the ear. 
 
 Spain, in the broidcred robes of chivalry, 
 
 Comes with slow foot and inward-brooding eyes. 
 Bow to her banner ! 'twas the first to rise 
 Out of the dark for thee. 
 And England, royal mother, whose right hand 
 
 Molds nations, whose white feet the ocean tread. 
 Lays down her sword on thy beloved strand 
 
 To bless thy wreathed head ; 
 Hearing in thine her voice, bidding thy soul 
 Fulfill her dream, the foremost at the goal. 
 And France, who once thy fainting form upbore. 
 Brings beauty now where strength she brought of yore. 
 France, the swift-footed, who with thee 
 Gazed in the eyes of Liberty, 
 
 And loved the dark no more. 
 
 MISS HARRIET MONROE, 
 author of the Columbian Ode. 
 
 Around the peopled world 
 
 Bright banners are unfurled. 
 The long procession winds from shore to shore. 
 
 The Norseman sails 
 
 Through icy gales 
 To the green Vineland of his long-ago. 
 Russia rides down from realms of sun and snow. 
 
272 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Germany casts afar 
 Her iron robes of war, 
 And strikes her harp with thy triumphal song. 
 
 Italy opens wide her epic scroll, 
 In bright hues blazoned, with great deeds writ 
 long. 
 And bids thee win the kingdom of the soul. 
 And the calm Orient, wise with many days. 
 From hoary Palestine to sweet Japan 
 Salutes thy conquering youth ; 
 Bidding thee hush while all the nations praise, 
 Know, though the world endure but for a span. 
 Deathless is truth. 
 Lo ! unto these the ever-living Past 
 
 Ushers a mighty pageant, bids arise 
 Dead centuries, freighted with visions vast, 
 Blowing dim mists into the Future's eyes. 
 Their song is all of thee. 
 Daughter of mystery. 
 
 Alone ! alone ! 
 Behind wide walls of sea ! 
 And never a ship has flown 
 A prisoned world to free. 
 Fair is the sunny day 
 
 On mountain and lake and stream. 
 Yet wild men starve and slay, 
 And the young earth lies adream. 
 Long have the dumb years passed with vacant 
 eyes. 
 Bearing rich gifts for nations throned afar. 
 Guarding thy soul inviolate as a star, 
 Leaving thee safe with God till man grow wise. 
 At last one patient heart is born 
 Fearless of ignorance and scorn. 
 His strong youth wasteth at thy sealed gate — 
 
 Kings will not open to the untrod path. 
 His hope grows sere while all the angels wait. 
 The prophet bows under the dull world's wrath ; 
 Until a woman fair 
 As morning lilies are 
 Brings him a jeweled key — 
 And lo ! a world is free. 
 Wide swings the portal never touched before. 
 Strange luring winds blow from an unseen shore. 
 Toward dreams that can not fail 
 He bids the three ships sail. 
 While man's new song of hope rings out against 
 the gale. 
 
 Over the wide unknown, 
 
 Far to the shores of Ind, 
 On through the dark alone, 
 
 Like a feather blown by the wind ; 
 Into the west away. 
 
 Sped by the breath of God, 
 Seeking the clearer day 
 
 Where only his feet have trod: 
 
 From the past to the future we sail ; 
 
 We slip from the leash of kings. 
 Hail, spirit of freedom — hail! 
 
 Unfurl thine impalpable wings ! 
 Receive us, protect us, and bless 
 
 Thy knights who brave all for thee. 
 Though death be thy soft caress. 
 
 By that touch shall our souls be free. 
 Onward and ever on, 
 
 Till the voice of despair is stilled. 
 Till the haven of peace is won, 
 
 And the purpose of God fulfilled ! 
 
 O strange, divine surprise ! 
 Out of the dark man strives to rise. 
 And struggles inch by inch with toil and tears ; 
 Till, lo ! God stoops from his supernal spheres. 
 And bares the glory of his face. 
 Then darkness flees afar. 
 This earth becomes a star — 
 Man leaps up to the lofty place. 
 We ask a little — all is given. 
 We seek a lamp— God grants us heaven. 
 So these who dared to pass beyond the pale 
 For an idea tempting the shrouded seas. 
 Sought but Cathay. God bade their faith prevail 
 
 To find a world — blessed his purposes ! 
 The hero knew not what a virgin soul 
 
 Laughed through glad eyes when at her feet he 
 
 laid 
 The gaudy trappings of man's masquerade. 
 She who had dwelt in forests, heard the roll 
 Of lakes down-thundering to the sea. 
 Beheld from gleaming mountain heights 
 Two oceans playing with the lights 
 Of eve and morn — ah ! what would she 
 With all the out-worn pageantry 
 Of purple robes and heavy mace and crown } 
 Smiling she casts them down. 
 Unfit her young austerity 
 Of hair unbound and strong limbs bare and brown. 
 
 Yet they who dare arise 
 
 And meet her stainless eyes 
 Forget old loves, though crowned queens these be ; 
 
 And whither her winged feet fare 
 
 They follow though death be there — 
 So sweet, so fleet, so goddess-pure is she. 
 Her voice is like deep rivers, that do flow 
 
 Through forests bending low. 
 Her step is softest moonlight, that doth force 
 
 The ocean to its course. 
 Gentle her smile, for something in man's face. 
 World-worn, time-weary, furrowed deep with 
 tears, 
 Thrills her chaste heart with a more tender grace. 
 Softly she smoothes the wrinkles from his brow. 
 
 Wrought by the baleful years. 
 
DEDICATION OF THE BUILDINGS. 
 
 273 
 
 Smiles sunshine on the hoar head, whispers low 
 New charges from the awakened will of Truth — 
 Words all of fire, that thrill his soul with youth. 
 Not with his brother is man's battle here. 
 
 The challenge of the earth, that Adam heard, 
 His love austere breathes in his eager ear. 
 And lo! the knight who warred at love's com- 
 mand, 
 
 And scarred the face of Europe, sheathes his 
 sword. 
 
 Hearing from untaught lips a nobler word, 
 Taking new weapons from an unstained hand. 
 With axe and oar, with mallet and with spade. 
 She bids the hero conquer, unafraid 
 Though cloud-veiled Titans be his lordly foes — 
 Spirits of earth and air, whose wars brook no re- 
 pose. 
 
 For from far-away mountain and plain, 
 
 From the shores of the sunset sea. 
 The unwearying rulers complain, complain. 
 And throng from the wastes to defend their reign. 
 
 Their threatened majesty. 
 The low prairies that lie abloom 
 
 Sigh out to the summer air : 
 Shall our dark soil be the tomb 
 
 Of the flowers that rise so fair ? 
 Shall we yield to man's disdain. 
 And nourish his golden grain ? 
 We will freeze and burn and snare. 
 Ah ! bid him beware ! beware ! 
 And the forests, heavy and dark and deep 
 With the shadows of shrouded years. 
 In a murmurous voice, out of age-long sleep. 
 Ask the winds : What creature rude 
 Would storm our solitude ? 
 Hath his soul no fears, no tears ? 
 The prone rivers lift up their snow - crowned 
 
 heads. 
 Arise in wrath from their rock-hewn beds. 
 And roar : We will ravage and drown 
 Ere we float his white ships down. 
 And the lakes, from a mist 
 Of amethyst. 
 Call the storm-clouds down, and grow ashen arid 
 brown. 
 And all the four winds wail : 
 Our gales shall make him quail. 
 By blinding snow, by burning sun 
 His strength shall be undone. 
 Then men in league with these — 
 Brothers of wind and waste — 
 Hew barbs of flint, and darkly haste 
 From sheltering tents and trees ; 
 And mutter : Away ! away ! 
 Ye children of white-browed day ! 
 Who dares profane our wild gods' reign 
 We torture and trap and slay. 
 
 Child of the light, the shadows fall in vain. 
 Herald of God, in vain the powers conspire. 
 Armed with truth's holy cross, faith's sacred fire. 
 Though often vanquished, he shall rise again. 
 Nor rest till the wild lords of earth and air 
 Bow to his will, his burdens glad to bear. 
 The angels leave him not through the long strife, 
 But sing large annals of their own wide life. 
 Luring him on to freedom. On that field. 
 From giants won, shall man be slave to man ? 
 
 Lo ! clan on clan. 
 The embattled nations gather to be one. 
 Clasp hands as brothers 'neath Columbia's shield. 
 Upraise her banner to the shining sun. 
 Along her blessed shore 
 
 One heart, one song, one dream — 
 Man shall be free forevermore. 
 And love shall be supreme. 
 
 When dreaming kings, at odds with swift-paced 
 time. 
 Would strike that banner down, 
 A nobler knight than ever writ or rhyme 
 With fame's bright wreath did crown 
 Through armed hosts bore it till it floated high 
 Beyond the clouds, a light that can not die ! 
 Ah, hero of our younger race ! 
 
 Great builder of a temple new ! 
 Ruler, who sought no lordly place ! 
 
 Warrior, who sheathed the sword he drew ! 
 Lover of men, who saw afar 
 A world unmarred by want or war. 
 Who knew the path, and yet forbore 
 To tread, till all men should implore ; 
 Who saw the light, and led the way 
 Where the gray world might greet the day ; 
 Father and leader, prophet sure. 
 Whose will in vast works shall endure. 
 How shall we praise him on this day of days. 
 Great son of fame who has no need of praise ? 
 
 How shall we praise him ? Open wide the doors 
 Of the fair temple whose broad base he laid. 
 Through its white halls a shadowy cavalcade 
 Of heroes moves o'er unresounding floors — 
 Men whose brawned arms upraised these columns 
 
 high. 
 And reared the towers that vanish in the sky — 
 The strong who, having wrought, can never die. 
 
 And lo ! leading a blessed host comes one 
 Who held a warring nation in his heart ; 
 Who knew love's agony, but had no part 
 In love's delight ; whose mighty task was done 
 Through blood and tears that we might walk in 
 
 joy. 
 
 And this day's rapture own no sad alloy. 
 
 Around him heirs of bliss, whose bright brows wear 
 
2 74 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Palm-leaves amid their laurels ever fair. 
 
 Gayly they come, as though the drum 
 Beat out the call their glad hearts knew so well. 
 
 Brothers once more, dear as of yore. 
 Who in a noble conflict nobly fell. 
 Their blood washed pure yon banner in the sky, 
 And quenched the brands laid 'neath these arches 
 
 high— 
 The brave who, having fought, can never die. 
 
 Then surging through the vastness rise once more 
 The aureoled heirs of light, who onward bore 
 Through darksome times and trackless realms of 
 
 ruth 
 The flag of beauty and the torch of truth. 
 They tore the mask from the foul face of wrong ; 
 
 Even to God's mysteries they dared aspire ; 
 
 High in the choir they lit yon altar fire, 
 And filled these aisles with color and with song : 
 The ever young, the unfallen, wreathing for time 
 
 Fresh garlands of the seeming-vanished years ; 
 Faces long luminous, remote, sublime, 
 
 And shining brows still dewy with our tears. 
 Back with the old glad smile comes one we knew — 
 
 We bade him rear our house of joy to-day. 
 
 But Beauty opened wide her starry way. 
 And he passed on. Bright champions of the true. 
 Soldiers of peace, seers, singers ever blest — 
 From the wide ether of a loftier quest 
 Their winged souls throng our rites to glorify — 
 The wise who, having known, can never die. 
 
 Strange splendors stream the vaulted aisles along — 
 To these we loved celestial rapture clings. 
 And music, borne on rhythm of rising wings, 
 
 Floats from the living dead, whose breath is song. 
 
 Columbia, my country, dost thou hear.-" 
 
 Ah ! dost thou hear the songs unheard of Time ? 
 Hark ! for their passion trembles at thine ear. 
 
 Hush ! for thy soul must heed their call sublime 
 Across wide seas, unswept by earthly sails. 
 
 Those strange sounds draw thee on, for thou 
 shalt be 
 Leader of nations through the autumnal gales 
 That wait to mock the strong and wreck the free. 
 Dearer, more radiant than of yore. 
 Against the dark I see thee rise ; 
 Thy young smile spurns the guarded shore 
 And braves the shadowed ominous skies. 
 And still that conquering smile who see 
 Pledge love, life, service all to thee. 
 The years have brought thee robes most fair — 
 
 The rich processional years. 
 And filleted thy shining hair, 
 And zoned thy waist with jewels rare. 
 
 And whispered in thine ears 
 Strange secrets of God's wondrous ways. 
 Long hid from human awe and praise. 
 
 For lo ! the living God doth bare his arm. 
 
 No more he makes his house of clouds and gloom. 
 Lightly the shuttles move within his loom ; 
 Unveiled his thunder leaps to meet the storm. 
 From God's right hand man takes the powers that 
 sway 
 
 A universe of stars. 
 He bows them down ; he bids them go or stay ; 
 
 He tames them for his wars. 
 He scans the burning paces of the sun. 
 And names the invisible orbs whose courses run 
 
 Through the dim deeps of space. 
 He sees in dew upon a rose impearled 
 The swarming legions of a monad world 
 Begin life's upward race. 
 
 Voices of hope he hears 
 Long dumb to his despair, 
 
 And dreams of golden years 
 Meet for a world so fair. 
 For now Democracy doth wake and rise 
 From the sweet sloth of youth. 
 By storms made strong, by many dreams made wise. 
 
 He clasps the hand of Truth. 
 Through the armed nations lies his path of peace. 
 
 The open book of knowledge in his hand. 
 Food to the starving, to the oppressed release. 
 And love to all he bears from land to land. 
 Before his march the barriers fall, 
 The laws grow gentle at his call. 
 His glowing breath blows far away 
 The fogs that veil the coming day — 
 That wondrous day 
 When earth shall sing as through the blue she rolls 
 Laden with joy for all her thronging souls. 
 Then shall Want's call to Sin resound no more 
 
 Across her teeming fields. And Pain shall sleep. 
 Soothed by brave Science with her magic lore. 
 
 And War no more shall bid the nations weep. 
 Then the worn chains shall slip from man's desire. 
 And ever higher and higher 
 His swift foot shall aspire ; 
 Still deeper and more deep 
 His soul its watch shall keep, 
 Till Love shall make the world a holy place, 
 Where Knowledge dares unveil God's very face. 
 
 Not yet the angels hear life's last sweet song. 
 
 Music unutterably pure and strong 
 
 From earth shall rise to haunt the peopled skies 
 
 When the long march of Time, 
 Patient in birth and death, in growth and blight, 
 Shall lead man up through happy realms of light 
 
 Unto his goal sublime. 
 
 Columbia ! Men beheld thee rise 
 
 A goddess from the misty sea. 
 
 Lady of joy, sent from the skies, 
 
 The nations worshiped thee. 
 
DEDICATION OF THE BUILDINGS. 
 
 275 
 
 Thy brows were flushedwith dawn's first light , 
 By foamy waves with stars bedight 
 Thy blue robe floated free. 
 
 Now let the sun ride high o'erhead. 
 
 Driving the day from shore to shore. 
 His burning tread we do not dread. 
 
 For thou art evermore 
 Lady of love whose smiles shall bless. 
 Whom brave deeds win to tenderness. 
 Whose tears the lost restore. 
 
 Lady of hope thou art. We wait 
 With courage thy serene command. 
 
 Through unknown seas, toward undreamed fate. 
 
 We ask thy guiding hand. 
 On! though sails quiver in the gale ! — 
 Thou at the helm, we can not fail. 
 
 On to God's tijne-veiled strand ! 
 
 Lady of beauty ! thou shall win 
 
 Glory and power and length of days. 
 The sun and moon shall be thy kin. 
 The stars shall sing thy praise. 
 All hail! we bring thee vows most sweet 
 To strew before thy winghd feet. 
 Now onward be thy ways ! 
 
 After this the Director of Works, Daniel H. Burnham, tendered the 
 buildings, and presented the master artists of construction of the Exposition 
 to President Higinbotham, in an address setting forth the work that these 
 artists had accomplished. Mr. Burnham said : 
 
 " In August, 1890, the people of Chicago had to decide upon a site for 
 this great Exposition. Without hesitation, they invited the most eminent 
 of American landscape architects to join them and give advice. The sugges- 
 tions of these men were approved and adopted. In December it became 
 necessary to select the architects of the buildings. The corporation that had 
 been formed intrusted the work of choosing to an expert, and since that 
 time no single important step of the World's Columbian Exposition has been 
 taken without the advice of an expert man. When before has any com- 
 munity so intrusted its interests to its strongest sons ? And what are the 
 results ? They lie around you. When this day shall stand in the long per- 
 spective of the past, and your children read the story, it will be called an 
 epoch — one of those rare moments which can only come with intervals of 
 centuries. I congratulate the city upon the devotion and generosity of her 
 sons, which have made this day possible. I congratulate the company upon 
 the success it has attained by its wise course in suffering its expert advisers 
 to lead it on, and in supporting them so nobly with its millions and its per- 
 fect faith. I congratulate the country in the possession of such a populace 
 whose spirit has risen to such an occasion. And I congratulate the world 
 upon the result. 
 
 " My countrymen, you have freed the arm of the allied arts, which until 
 now has been bound since Columbus day, four hundred years ago. You 
 have bidden architecture, sculpture, painting, and music be free ; and, as has' 
 ever been the case when after many centuries a community shakes off the 
 sordid chain of its spirit, the allied arts have repaid your devotion and have 
 produced this result. I now have the honor to present to you the master 
 artists of the Exposition." 
 
 In reply to Mr. Burnham, President Higinbotham delivered this address: 
 
 " It becomes my agreeable duty, in behalf of the Board of Directors of 
 the World's Columbian Exposition, to receive from you these buildings 
 
276 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 which represent your thought, skill, and labor as Master Artists of Construc- 
 tion. It is difficult to command language adequate to express our satisfac- 
 tion with your achievements. We have observed with admiration the rapid 
 development of your plans until there stand before us structures that repre- 
 sent the ripened wisdom of the ages. 
 
 ARRIVAL OF ESCORT OF OFFICERS. 
 Dedication Day, October 22, i8g2. 
 
 " Never before have men brought to their task greater knowledge, higher 
 aims, or more absolute purpose. Never before have such magnificent fruits 
 been the result of thought and toil. The earth and all it contains have been 
 subservient to your will. You have pursued your work loyally, heroically, 
 and with an unselfish devotion that commands the applause of the world. 
 Your country and the nations of the earth will join us in congratulating you 
 upon the splendid issue of your plans and undertakings. 
 
 " We accept these buildings from you, exulting in the belief that these 
 beautiful structures furnish proof to the world that, with all our material 
 growth and prosperity since the Columbian discovery of America, we have 
 not neglected these civilizing arts which minister to a people's refinement 
 and become the chief glory of a nation. 
 
 " Peace hath her victories. 
 No less renowned than war. 
 
DEDICATION OF THE BUILDINGS. 
 
 277 
 
 " In this Exposition, one of the adorning victories of our age of peace, 
 you take the conspicuous part, and the work accomplished reflects honor 
 alike upon yourselves and your country. 
 
 " In recognition of your faithful and efficient services, and in order to 
 commemorate more substantially than by mere words the successful termina- 
 
 MEDAL PRESENTED TO THE ARCHITECTS OF THE EXPOSITION. 
 
 tion of your great work as Master Artists of Construction, the Board of 
 Directors have issued this medal, which I have the honor to present to you. 
 A simple token it is, which finds its real and abiding value, not in its intrinsic 
 worth, but -rather in the high merit which receives and the grateful apprecia- 
 tion which bestows it." 
 
 President Higinbotham presented the medals, while the chorus rendered 
 Mendelssohn's " To the Sons of Art." 
 
 The President of the Board of Lady Managers, Mrs. Potter Palmer, then 
 delivered an address on the work of that Board. She spoke as follows : 
 
 " Official representation for women upon so important an occasion as the 
 present is unprecedented. It seems peculiarly appropriate that this honor 
 should have been accorded our sex when celebrating the great deeds of 
 Columbus, who, inspired though his visions may have been, yet required the 
 aid of an Isabella to transform them into realities. 
 
 " The visible evidences of the progress made since the discovery of this 
 great continent will be collected six months hence in these stately buildings 
 now to be dedicated. The magnificent material exhibit, the import of which 
 will presently be eloquently described by our orators, will not, however, so 
 vividly represent the great advance of modern thought- as does the fact that 
 man's ' silent partner ' has been invited by the Government to leave her 
 retirement to assist in conducting a great national enterprise. The provision 
 of the act of Congress, that the Board of Lady Managers appoint a jury of 
 woman's peers to pass judgment upon her work, adds to the significance of 
 the innovation, for never before was it thought necessary to apply this fun- 
 damental principle of justice to our sex. 
 
278 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 " Realizing the seriousness of the responsibilities devolving upon it, and 
 inspired by a sense of the nobility of its mission, the Board has from the time 
 of its organization attempted most thoroughly and most conscientiously to 
 carry out the intentions of Congress. It has been able to broaden the scope 
 of its work and extend its influence, through the co-operation and assistance 
 so generously furnished by the Columbian Commission and the Board of 
 Directors of the Exposition. The latter took the initiative in making an 
 appropriation for the Woman's Building, and in allowing the Board to call 
 attention to the recent work of women in new fields by selecting from their 
 own sex the architect, decorators, sculptors, and painters to create both the 
 building and its adornments. 
 
 " Rivaling the generosity of the Directors, the National Commission has 
 honored the Board of Lady Managers by putting into its hands all the inter- 
 ests of women in connection with the Exposition, as well as the entire con- 
 trol of the Woman's Building. 
 
 " In order the more efficiently to perform the important functions as- 
 signed to it, the Board hastened to secure necessary co-operation. At its 
 request, women were made members of the World's Fair boards of almost 
 every State and Territory of the Union. Inspired by this success at home, 
 it had the courage to attempt to extend the benefits it had received to the 
 women of other countries. It officially invited all foreign governments that 
 had decided to participate in the Exposition to appoint committees of women 
 to co-operate with it. The active help given by the Department of State 
 was invaluable in promoting this plan, the success of which has been notable, 
 for we now have under the patronage of royalty or the heads of govern- 
 ment committees composed of the most influential, intellectual, and prac- 
 tical women in France, England, Germany, Austria, Russia, Italy, Holland, 
 Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Portugal, Japan, Siam, Algeria, Cape Colony, 
 Ceylon, Brazil, the Argentine Republic, Cuba, Mexico, and Nicaragua, and 
 although committees have not yet been announced, favorable responses have 
 been received from Spain, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Panama, and the 
 Sandwich Islands. 
 
 " No organization comparable to this has ever before existed among 
 women. It is official, acting under Government authority and sustained by 
 Government funds. It is so far-reaching that it encircles the globe. 
 
 " This unique organization of women for women will devote itself to the 
 promotion of their material interests. It will address itself to the formation 
 of a public sentiment which will favor woman's industrial equality and her 
 receiving just compensation for services rendered. It will try to secure for 
 her work the consideration and respect which it deserves, and establish her 
 importance as an economic factor. To this end it will endeavor to obtain 
 and install in these buildings exhibits showing the value of her contributions 
 to the industries, sciences, and arts, as well as statistics giving the proportion- 
 ate amount of her work in every country. 
 

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DEDICATION OF THE BUILDINGS. 2 70 
 
 " Of all the changes that have resulted from the great ingenuity and 
 inventiveness of the race, there is none that equals in importance to woman 
 the application of machinery to the performance of the never-ending tasks 
 that have previously been hers. The removal from the household to the 
 various factories where such work is now done of spinning, carding, dyeing, 
 knitting, the weaving of textile fabrics, sewing, the cutting and making of 
 garments, and many other laborious occupations, has enabled her to lift her 
 eyes from the drudgery that has oppressed her since prehistoric days. 
 
 "The result is that women, as a sex, have been hberated. They now 
 have time to think, to be educated, to plan and pursue careers of their own- 
 choosing. Consider the value to the race of one half of its members being 
 enabled to throw aside the intolerable bondage of ignorance that has always 
 weighed them down ! See the innumerable technical, professional, and art 
 schools, academies, and colleges that have been suddenly called into existence 
 by the unwonted demand ! It is only about one hundred years since girls 
 were first permitted to attend the free schools of Boston. They were then 
 allowed to take the places of boys, for whom the schools were instituted, 
 during the season when the latter were helping to gather in the harvest. 
 
 " It is not strange that woman is drinking deeply of the long-denied foun- 
 tain of knowledge. She had been told, until she almost believed it, by her 
 physician, that she was of too delicate and nervous an organization to endure 
 the application and mental strain of the schoolroom ; by the scientist, that 
 the quality of the gray matter of her brain would not enable her to grasp the 
 exact sciences, and that its peculiar convolutions made it impossible for her to 
 follow a logical proposition from premise to conclusion ; by her anxious par- 
 ents, that there was nothing a man so abominated as a learned woman, 
 nothing so unlovely as a blue-stocking, and yet she comes smiling from her 
 curriculum, with her honors fresh upon her, healthy and wise, forcing us 
 to acknowledge that she is more than ever attractive, companionable, and 
 useful. 
 
 "What is to be done with this strong, self-poised creature of glowing 
 imagination and high ideals, who evidently intends, as a natural and inherent 
 right, to pursue her self-development in her chosen line of work ? Is the 
 world ready to give her industrial and intellectual independence, and to 
 open all doors before her ? The human race is not so rich in talent, genius, 
 and useful creative energy that it can afford to allow any considerable pro- 
 portion of these valuable attributes to be wasted or unproductive, even 
 though they may be possessed by women. 
 
 " The sex which numbers more than half the population of the world is 
 forced to enter the keen competition of life with many disadvantages, both 
 real and factitious. Are the legitimate compensation and honors that should 
 come as the result of ability and merit to be denied on the untenable ground 
 of sex aristocracy ? 
 
 " We are told by scientists that the educated eye and ear of to-day are 
 
28o THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 capable of detecting subtle harmonies and delicate gradations of sound and 
 color that were imperceptible to our ancestors ; that artists and musicians 
 will, consequently, never reach the last possible combination of tones, or of 
 tints, because their fields will widen before them, disclosing constantly new 
 beauties and attractions. We can not doubt that human intelligence will 
 gain as much by development ; that it will vibrate with new power because 
 of the uplifting of half of its members — and of that half which is, perhaps, 
 conceded to be the more moral, sympathetic, and imaginative — from dark- 
 ness into light. 
 
 " As a result of the freedom and training now granted them, we may con- 
 fidently await, not a renaissance, but the first blooming of the perfect flower 
 of womanhood. After centuries of careful pruning into conventional shapes, 
 to meet the requirements of an artificial standard, the shears and props have 
 been thrown away. We shall learn, by watching the beauty and the vigor 
 of the natural growth in the open air and sunshine, how artificial and false 
 was the ideal we had previously cherished. Our efforts to frustrate Nature 
 will seem grotesque, for she may always be trusted to preserve her types. 
 Our utmost hope is, that woman may become a more congenial companion 
 and fit partner for her illustrious mate, whose destiny she has shared during 
 the centuries. 
 
 " We are proud that the statesmen of our own great country have been 
 the first to see beneath the surface and to understand that the old order of 
 things has passed away, and that new methods must be inaugurated. We 
 wish to express our thanks to the Congress of the United States for having 
 made this great step forward, and also for having subsequently approved the 
 plans of the Board of Lady Managers, as was manifested by its liberal appro- 
 priation for carrying them out. 
 
 " We most heartily appreciate the assistance given us by the President of 
 the United States, the Department of State, and our foreign ministers. We 
 hope to have occasion to thank all the other great departments of the Gov- 
 ernment before we finish our work. 
 
 " Even more important than the discovery of Columbus, which we are 
 gathered together to celebrate, is the fact that the General Government has 
 just discovered woman. It has sent out a flash light from its heights, so 
 inaccessible to us, which we shall answer by a return signal when the Expo- 
 sition is opened. What will be its next message to us ? " 
 
 At the conclusion of Mrs. Palmer's address. President Higinbotham ten- 
 dered the buildings to the President of the World's Columbian Commission, 
 the Hon. Thomas W. Palmer, in the following speech : 
 
 " But yesterday these surrounding acres comprised a dismal morass — a 
 resting place for the wild fowls in their migratory flight. To-day they stand 
 transformed by art and science into a beauty and grandeur unrivaled by any 
 other spot on earth. Herein we behold a miniature representation of that 
 marvelous development, and that unprecedented growth of national greatness, 
 
DEDICATION OF THE BUILDINGS. 28 1 
 
 which, since the day of Columbus, have characterized the history of this New 
 World. 
 
 " The idle boy, strolling on the shore of this inland sea, carelessly threw 
 a pebble into the blue waters. From that center of agitation spread the cir- 
 cHng wave, which fainter and still fainter grew, lost at last in the distant 
 calm. Not so did the great thought come and vanish which has culminated 
 in these preparations for the World's Columbian Exposition. It was not 
 the suggestive impulse of any single brain or locality that originated this 
 noble enterprise. From many minds and many localities seemed to come, 
 spontaneously and in unison, the suggestions for a Columbian celebration. 
 Those individual and local sentiments did not die out like the waves, but in 
 an inverse ratio grew more and more powerful, until they mingled and cul- 
 minated in the grand and universal resolve of the American people, ' It shall 
 be done.' 
 
 " To-day, sir, in behalf of the Board of Directors, representing the citizens 
 of Chicago, to me has been assigned the pleasant duty of presenting to the 
 World's Columbian Commission these buildings for dedication to the uses of 
 the World's Columbian Exposition, in celebration of the four hundredth 
 anniversary of the discovery of America. 
 
 " In viewing the work thus far accomplished, we gladly acknowledge our- 
 selves debtors to the patriotic pride of our fellow-citizens throughout the 
 land, to the kindly interest manifested by the President of the United 
 States, to the generosity of Congress, to the hearty sympathy of the civilized 
 nations of the earth, and to the efficient co-operation of the honorable Com- 
 mission which you represent. 
 
 " The citizens of Chicago have cherished the ambition to furnish the 
 facilities for the Exposition, which in character should assume a national 
 and international importance. They entertain the pleasing hope that they 
 have not come short of the nation's demand and of the world's expectation. 
 Permit us, sir, to believe that it was not a narrow ambition, born of local 
 pride and selfishness, that asked for the location of the World's Columbian 
 Exposition at Chicago. Rather let it justly be said that it was in view of 
 the fact that twenty-five million people live within a radius of five hundred 
 miles of Chicago ; and that, standing here, so near the center of population, 
 Chicago would be accessible to a larger number of American people who are 
 the creators of our wealth and prosperity than would any other city on the 
 continent. The citizens of Chicago have been actuated by the most patriotic 
 sentiments in asking for the location of the Exposition at this place. Ani- 
 mated by the most public-spirited motives, they have made such prepara- 
 tions for the Exposition as we trust you can not but look upon with satis- 
 faction. 
 
 " The fidelity and remarkable skill of the Master Artists of Construction 
 must be a justification for the pride with which we point to the structures 
 that rise about us in such graceful and magnificent proportions. In furnish- 
 
282 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 ing grounds and buildings ttiat should meet the modern demands for utility 
 and scientific adaptation, we have not done violence, let us hope, to that 
 growing love for the beautiful which gratifies the eye and educates the taste. 
 Nature, Science, and Art have been called upon to contribute their richest 
 gifts to make these grounds and buildings worthy of your acceptance. 
 
 " The Board of Directors now beg leave to tender to the World's Colum- 
 bian Commission and to the Nation these buildings, in fulfillment of Chica- 
 go's pledge, and in honor of the great event we celebrate." 
 
 Thus receiving the buildings from President Higinbotham, President 
 Palmer in turn tendered them to the United States 
 Government, represented by Vice-President Levi P. 
 Morton, in the following speech of presentation : 
 
 " When a structure designed for a beneficent 
 purpose has reached completion, and is about to be 
 devoted to its object, it is deemed fitting, in 
 accordance with a custom which sprang from 
 the aspirations of man and which has re- 
 ceived the sanction of successive genera- 
 tions, that its intent and aim shall be de- 
 clared amid imposing ceremonies, and the 
 good will of the present and the blessing 
 of the future be invoked upon it. 
 " If this occasion shall have as one of 
 its results the inauguration of another festal 
 day to enlarge the too meager calendar of 
 our people, the world will be richer thereby, 
 and a name which has been hitherto held in 
 vague and careless remembrance will be made 
 a vital and elevating force to mankind. 
 
 "Anniversaries are the punctuations of history. They are the emphasis 
 given to events, not by the song of the poet or the pen of the rhetorician, 
 but by the common acclaim of mankind. They are the monuments of the 
 heroes and the saviors of the race. They are the Memnons which fill the 
 heart with promise, the eye with gladness, and the ear with song. The 
 teacher of Socrates, when dying, was asked what he wished for a monument. 
 He answered, ' Give the boys a holiday.' 
 
 " It was a happy thought to have linked with the achievements of Colum- 
 bus and Pinzon, which doubled the area of the habitable globe, an undertak- 
 ing whereby we hope to illustrate the fact that they also made possible more 
 than a duplication of blessings to mankind. As these great men died igno- 
 rant of the magnitude of their work, may we not hope that this Exposition 
 will accomplish a greater good than will be revealed to us to-day, be its 
 outcome never so brilliant ? May we not hope that lessons here learned, 
 transmitted to the future, will be potent forces long after the multitudes 
 
 CHARLES T. YERKES, 
 Member of the Directory. 
 
DEDICATION OF THE BUILDINGS. 
 
 283 
 
 which will throng these aisles shall have measured their span and faded 
 away? 
 
 " Four hundred years ago tp-day Rodrige de Triana, from the prow of 
 the Pinta, cried ' Land ! ' That cry marked the commencement of an era 
 wherein has been condensed more of good import to the race than in any 
 other. To-day, at the flood time of that era, we are reminded of what that 
 cry involved, and of how much there is yet to do to give it its fullest 
 significance. 
 
 " There are no more continents to discover, but there is much to do to 
 make both hemispheres the home of intelligence, virtue, and consequent 
 happiness. To that end no one material thing can contribute more than 
 expositions to which are invited, in a fraternal spirit, all nations, tribes, 
 and peoples, where each shall give and receive according to their respective 
 capacities. 
 
 " The foundations of civilizations have been laid. Universal enlighten- 
 ment, now acknowledged as the safe substructure of every state, receives an 
 added impulse from the commingling of peoples and the fraternization of 
 races, such as are ushered in by the pageant of to-day. 
 
 " Hitherto the work of the National Commission and that of the Expo- 
 sition Company have been on different but convergent lines ; to-day the 
 roads unite, and it may not be amiss at this time to speak of the work already 
 done. Two years ago the ground on which we stand was a dreary waste of 
 sand dunes and quagmires, a home for wild fowl and aquatic plants. Under 
 skilled artists, supplemented by intelligence, force, industry, and money, this 
 waste has been changed by the magic hand of labor to its present attractive 
 proportions. I do not speak of this work as an artist, but as one of the great 
 body of laymen whom it is the high calling of art to uplift. To me it seems 
 that, if these buildings should never be occupied, if the exhibits should never 
 come to attract and educate, if our people could only look upon these walls, 
 towers, avenues, and lagoons, a result would be accomplished by the influence 
 diffused well worth all the cost. 
 
 " It was an act of high intelligence which, in the beginning, called a con- 
 gress of the most eminent of our architects for consultation and concerted 
 action. No one brain could have conceived this diream of beauty or lured 
 from fancy and crystallized in form these habitations where art will love to 
 linger, and Science, Cornelia-like, shall expose her children to those who ask 
 to see her jewels. 
 
 " Of the Commission and its agencies, its Director General and the heads 
 of its departments, its agents and envoys, I, although a part of that national 
 organization, may be permitted to speak. Called together by the President 
 two years ago, its organic law difficult of construction with room for honest 
 and yet contradictory opinions, it has striven honestly, patriotically, and dil- 
 igently to do its whole duty. Through its agencies, it has reached to the 
 uttermost parts of the earth to gather in all that could contribute to make 
 
284 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 this not only the museum of the savant and the well read, but the kinder- 
 garten of child and sage. 
 
 "The National Commission will, in due time, take appropriate action 
 touching the formal acceptance of the buildings provided under their direc- 
 tion by the World's Columbian Exposition Company for this National and 
 International Fair. And to you, Mr. President, as the highest representa- 
 tive of the nation, is assigned the honor of dedicating them to the purposes 
 determined and declared by the Congress of the United States. 
 
 " In behalf of the men and women who have devoted themselves to this 
 great work, of the rich who have given of their abundance, and the poor who 
 have given of their necessities ; in behalf of the architects who have given to 
 their ideals a local habitation and a name, and the artists who have brought 
 hither the three graces of modern life — form, color, and melody — to decorate 
 and inspire ; of the workmen who have prepared the grounds and reared the 
 walls ; in behalf of the chiefs who have organized the work of the exhibit- 
 ors ; in behalf of the city of Chicago, which has munificently voted aid, of 
 the Congress which has generously given of the national moneys ; in behalf 
 of the World's Columbian Commission, the World's Columbian Exposition 
 Company, and the Board of Lady Managers, I ask you to dedicate these 
 buildings and grounds to humanity, to the end that all men and women of 
 every clime may feel that the evidence of material progress which may here 
 meet the eye is good only so far as it may promote that higher life which 
 is the true aim of civilization — that the evidences of wealth here exhibited 
 and the stimulus herein given to industry are good only so far as they may 
 extend the area of human happiness." 
 
 Vice-President Morton received the buildings and formally dedicated 
 them in the following address : 
 
 " Deep indeed must be the sorrow that prohibits the President of the 
 United States from being the central figure in these ceremonies. Realizing, 
 from these sumptuous surroundings, the extent of design, the adequacy of 
 execution, and the vastness of results, we may well imagine how ardently he 
 has aspired to be officially and personally connected with this great work, so 
 linked to the past and to the present of America. With what eloquent 
 words he would have spoken of the heroic achievements and radiant future 
 of his beloved country ! While profoundly anguished in his most tender 
 earthly affection, he would not have us delay or falter in these dedicatory 
 services, and we can only offer to support his courage by a profound and 
 universal sympathy. 
 
 " The attention of our whole country, and of all peoples elsewhere con- 
 cerned in industrial progress, is to-day fixed upon the city of Chicago. The 
 name of Chicago has become familiar in the speech of all civilized countries ; 
 bureaus are established at many points in Europe for the purpose of provid- 
 ing transportation hither ; and during the coming year the first place sug- 
 gested to the mind when men talk of America will be the city of Chicago. 
 
DEDICATION OF THE BUILDINGS. 
 
 285 
 
 This is due not only to the Columbian Exposition, which marks an epoch, 
 but to the marvelous growth and energy of the second commercial city of 
 the Union. 
 
 " I am not here to recount the wonderful story of the city's rise and 
 advancement, of the matchless courage of her people, of her second birth 
 out of the ashes of the most notable conflagration of modern times, nor of 
 the eminent position she has conquered in commerce, in manufactures, in 
 science, and in arts. These are known to all men who keep pace with the 
 world's progress. I am here in behalf of the Government of the United 
 States, in behalf of all the people, to bid all hail to Chicago, all hail to the 
 Columbian Exposition. 
 
 " From the St. Lawrence to the Gulf, and from the peerless cosmopol- 
 itan capital by the sea to the Golden Gate of California, there is no longer a 
 rival city to Chicago, except to emulate her in promoting the success of this 
 work. New York has signalized the opening of the new era by a commem- 
 orative function, instructive to the student, encouraging to the philanthro- 
 pist, and admonitory to the forces arrayed against liberty. Her houses of 
 worship, without distinction of creed, have voiced their thanks to Almighty 
 God for religious freedom ; her children, to the number of five-and-twenty 
 thousand, have marched under the inspiration of a light far broader than 
 Columbus, with all his thirst for knowledge, enjoyed at the University of 
 Pavia ; and for three successive days and nights processional progresses on 
 land and water, aided by Spain and Italy and France, saluted the memory 
 of the great pilot with the fruits of the great discovery in a pageant more 
 brilliant than that at Barcelona when, upon a throne of Persian fabrics, 
 Ferdinand and Isabella, disregarding the etiquette of Castile and Aragon, 
 received him standing, attended by the most splendid court of Christendom. 
 
 " And what a spectacle is presented to us here ! As we gaze upon these 
 magnificent erections, with their columns and arches, their entablatures and 
 adornments, when we consider their beauty and rapidity of realization, they 
 would seem to be evoked at a wizard's touch of Aladdin's lamp. Praise for 
 the organization and accomplishment, for the architect and builder, for the 
 artist and artisan, may not now detain me for, in the years to come in the 
 mouths of all men it will be unstinted. 
 
 " These are worthy shrines to record the achievements of the two Amer- 
 icas, and to place them side by side with the arts and industries of the older 
 world, to the end that we may be stimulated and encouraged to new en- 
 deavors. Columbus is not in chains, nor are Columbian ideas in fetters. I 
 see him, as in the great picture under the dome of the Capitol, with kneeling 
 figures about him, betokening no longer the contrition of his followers, biit 
 the homage of mankind, with erect form and lofty mien animating these 
 children of a new world to higher facts and bolder theories. 
 
 " We may not now anticipate the character and value of our national 
 exhibit. Rather may we modestly anticipate that a conservative award will 
 
286 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 be made by the world's criticism to a young nation eagerly listening to the 
 beckoning future, within whose limits the lightning was first plucked from 
 heaven at the will of man, where the expansive power of steam was first 
 compelled to transport mankind and merchandise over the water ways of the 
 world, where the implements of agriculture and handicraft have been so per- 
 fected as to lighten the burden of toil, and where the subtle forces of Nature, 
 acting through the telegraph and the telephone, are daily startling the world 
 by victories over matter, which in the days of Columbus might have been 
 reckoned among the miracles. 
 
 " We can safely predict, however, those who will come from the near 
 and distant regions of our country, and who will themselves make part of 
 the national exhibit. We shall see the descendants of the loyal cavaliers of 
 Virginia, of the Pilgrim fathers ^^^^ of New England, of the sturdy 
 Hollanders who in 1624 
 thousand acres of the 
 the sum of twenty- 
 herents of the old 
 found a resting place 
 Quakers and Pala- 
 settled in Pennsyl- 
 sey, of the Hugue- 
 the revocation of 
 to the banks of 
 North, and those of 
 ley Rivers in the 
 gees from Salzburg 
 Charles Edward's 
 
 Carolina. With them 
 son, or in their sons, the 
 many climes, who with 
 joined their futures to 
 or who with sinewy arms 
 ways and builded our iron ways 
 
 bought the twenty - two 
 island of Manhattan for 
 four dollars, of the ad- 
 Christian faith who 
 in Baltimore, of the 
 tine Germans who 
 vania and New Jer- 
 nots who fled from 
 the Edict of Nantes 
 the Hudson in the 
 the Cooper and Ash- 
 South, of the refu- 
 in Georgia, and of 
 High-landers in North 
 also we shall have in per- 
 thousands of others from 
 moderate fortunes have 
 that of the great republic, 
 have opened our water 
 We trust that from the lands beyond 
 
 BENJAMIN HARRISON, 
 
 President of the United States, 
 
 1892. 
 
 the seas many will come to engage in fraternal competition or to point 
 us to more excellent standards. If they shall find little in our product to 
 excite their admiration, we shall welcome them to the atmosphere of the 
 New World, where some of the best efforts have been made in the cause of 
 freedom and progress by Washington and Franklin and Lafayette ; by 
 Agassiz and Lincoln and Grant ; by Bolivar and Juarez and Toussaint 
 L'Ouverture ; by Fulton and Morse and Edison. 
 
 " Columbus lived in the age of great events. In 1440, about the time 
 he was born, printing was first done with movable types ; seven years later 
 the Vatican Library, the great fountain of learning, was founded by Nicholas 
 the Fifth ; and 1445 is given as the probable date of the Mazarin Bible, the 
 
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DEDICATION. OF THE BUILDINGS. o„ 
 
 earliest printed book known. It was not until a hundred years after the dis- 
 covery that Galileo, pointing his little telescope to the sky, found the satel- 
 lites of Jupiter, and was hailed as the Columbus of the heavens. His 
 character was complex, as was that of many of the men of his time who 
 made their mark in history. But his character and attainments are to be 
 estimated by those of his contemporaries, and not by other standards. 
 Deeply read in mathematical science, he was certainly the best geographer 
 of his time. I believe, with Castelar, that he was sincerely religious ; but 
 his sincerity did not prevent his indulging in dreams. He projected, as the 
 eloquent Spanish orator says, the purchase of the holy places of Jerusalem, 
 in the event of his finding seas of pearls, cities of gold, streets paved with 
 sapphires, mountains of emerals, and rivers of diamonds. How remote, and 
 yet how marvelous, has been the realization ! Two products of the southern 
 continent which he touched and brought into the world's economy have 
 proved of inestimable value to the race — far beyond what the imagined wealth 
 of the Indies could buy. The potato, brought by the Spaniards from what 
 is now the Republic of Ecuador, in the beginning of the century following 
 the discovery, has proved, next to the principal cereals, to be the most valu- 
 able of all plants for human food. It has sensibly increased the wealth of 
 nations and added immeasurably to the welfare of the people. More certain 
 than other crops, and having little to fear from storm or drought, it is hailed 
 as an effectual barrier against the recurrence of famines. Nor was the other 
 product of less importance to mankind. Peruvian bark comes from a tree 
 of spontaneous growth in Peru and many other parts of South America. It 
 received its botanical name from the wife of a Spanish viceroy, liberated 
 from an intermittent fever by its use. Its most important base, quinine, 
 has come to be regarded, as nearly as may be, as a specific for that disease 
 and also for the preservation of health in certain latitudes, so that no vessel 
 would dare to approach the east or west coast of Africa without a supply, 
 and parts of our own land would be made desolate by its disappearance. 
 No words that I could use would magnify the blessings brought to mankind 
 by these two individuals of the vegetable kingdom from the shores of the 
 New World. 
 
 " We are near the beginning of another century, and if no serious change 
 occurs in our present growth, in the year 1935, in the lifetime of many now 
 in manhood, the English-speaking republicans of America will number more 
 than one hundred and eighty millions. And for them John Bright, in a 
 burst of impassioned eloquence, has predicted ' one people, one language, 
 one law, and one faith,' and all over the wide continent the home of free- 
 dom and a refuge for the oppressed of every race and every clime. 
 
 " The transcendent feature in the character of Columbus was his faith. 
 
 That sustained him in days of trial and darkness, and finally gave him the 
 
 great discovery. Like him, let us have faith in our future. To insure that 
 
 future, the fountains must be kept pure, public integrity must be preserved. 
 21 
 
288 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 While we reverence what Garibaldi and Victor Emanuel fought for — the 
 union of peoples — we must secure above all else what Steuben and Kosciusko 
 aided our fathers to establish — Hberty regulated by law. If the time should 
 ever come when men trifle with the public conscience, let me predict the 
 patriotic action of the republic in the language of Milton : ' Methinks I see 
 in my mind a noble and puissant nation rousing herself hke a strong man 
 after sleep and shaking her invincible locks ; methinks I see her as an eagle 
 mewing her mighty youth and kindling her undazzled eyes at the full mid- 
 day beam ; purging and unsealing her long-abused sight at the fountain itself 
 of heavenly radiance ; while the whole noise of timorous and flocking birds, 
 with those also that love the twilight, flutter about, amazed at what she 
 means.' 
 
 " Mr. President, in the name of the Government of the United States, 
 I hereby dedicate these buildings and their appurtenances, intended by the 
 
 Congress of the United States for the use of the 
 World's Columbian Exposition, to the world's prog- 
 ress in arts, in science, in agriculture, and in manu- 
 factures. I dedicate them to humanity. God save 
 the United States of America ! " 
 
 When Vice-President Morton had done 
 speaking, the " Hallelujah Chorus " from 
 Handel's "Messiah" was rendered by the 
 orchestra and chorus. The Hon. Henry 
 Watterson, of Kentucky, was then intro- 
 duced as the special orator of the occasion, 
 and delivered the following Dedicatory 
 Oration : 
 
 " Among the wonders of creative and con- 
 structive genius in course of preparation for this 
 Festival of the Nations, whose formal and official 
 inauguration has brought us together, will present- 
 ly be witnessed upon the margin of the inter- 
 ocean which gives to this noble and beautiful city the character and rank 
 of a maritime metropolis a spectatorium, wherein the Columbian epic will 
 be told with realistic effects surpassing the most splendid and impressive 
 achievements of the modern stage. No one who has had the good for- 
 tune to see the models of this extraordinary work of &,rt can have failed 
 to be moved by the union, which it embodies, of the antique in history and 
 the current in life and thought, as, beginning with the weird mendicant 
 fainting upon the hillside of Santa Rabida, it traces the strange adventures 
 of the Genoese seer from the royal camp of Santa Fd to the sunny coasts of 
 the isles of Inde ; through the weary watches of the endless night, whose 
 sentinel stars seemed set to mock but not to guide ; through the trackless 
 and shoreless wastes of the mystic sea, spread day by day to bear upon every 
 
 LEVI p. MORTON, 
 
 Vice-President of the United States, 
 
 1892. 
 
DEDICATION OF THE BUILDINGS. 280 
 
 rise and fall of its heaving bosom the death of fair, fond hopes, the birth of 
 fantastic fears ; the peerless and thrilling revelation, and all that has followed 
 to the very moment that beholds us here, citizens, freemen, equal share- 
 holders in the miracle of American civilization and development. Is there 
 one among us who does not thank his Maker that he has lived to join in this 
 universal celebration, this jubilee of mankind ? 
 
 " I am appalled when I reflect upon the portent and meaning of the 
 proclamation which has been delivered in our presence. The painter em- 
 ployed by the King's command to render to the eye some particular exploit 
 of the people or the throne knows in advance precisely what he has to do : 
 there is a Hmit set upon his purpose ; his canvas is measured ; his colors are 
 blended, and, with the steady and sure hand of the master, he proceeds, touch 
 upon touch, to body forth the forms of things known and visible. Who 
 shall measure the canvas or blend the colors that are to bring to the mind's 
 eye of the present the scenes of the past in American glory ? Who shall dare 
 attempt to summon the dead to Hfe, and out of the tomb of the ages recall 
 the tones of the martyrs and heroes whose voices, though silent forever, still 
 speak to us in all that we are as a nation, in all that we do as men and 
 women ? 
 
 " We look before and after, and we see through the half-drawn folds of. 
 Time, as through the solemn archways of some grand cathedral, the long pro- 
 cession pass, as silent and as real as a dream ; the caravels, tossing upon At- 
 lantic billows, have their sails refilled from the East and bear away to the 
 West ; the land is reached, and fulfilled is the vision whose actualities are to 
 be gathered by other hands than his who planned the voyage and steered the 
 bark of discovery ; the long-sought, golden day has come to Spain at last, 
 and Castilian conquests tread one upon another fast enough to pile up per- 
 petual power and riches. 
 
 " But even as simple justice was denied Columbus was lasting tenure 
 denied the Spaniard. 
 
 "We look again, and we see in the far Northeast the Old- World struggle 
 between the French and English transferred to the New, ending in the tragedy 
 upon the heights above Quebec ; we see the sturdy Puritans in bell-crowned 
 hats and sable garments assail in unequal battle the savage and the elements, 
 overcoming both to rise against a mightier foe ; we see the gay but daunt- 
 less cavaliers to the southward join hands with the Roundheads in holy 
 rebellion. And, lo, down from the green-walled hills of New England, out 
 of the swamps of the Carolinas, come, faintly to the ear like far-away forest 
 leaves stirred to music by autumn winds, the drum-taps of the Revolution ; 
 the tramp of the minute-men, Israel Putnam riding before ; the hoof-beats 
 of Sumter's horse galloping to the front ; the thunder of Stark's guns in 
 spirit battle ; the gleam of Marion's watch-fires in ghostly bivouac ; and 
 there, there in serried, saintlike ranks on Fame's eternal camping-ground, 
 stand 
 
290 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 " The old Continentals, 
 In their ragged regimentals, 
 Yielding not, 
 
 as, amid the singing of angels in Heaven, the scene is shut out from our 
 mortal vision by proud and happy tears. 
 
 "We see the rise of the young republic; and the gentlemen in knee- 
 breeches and powdered wigs who signed the Declaration and the gentlemen 
 
 in knee-breeches and powdered wigs 
 who made the Constitution. We see 
 the little nation menaced from without. 
 We see the riflemen in hunting shirt 
 and buckskin swarm from the cabin in 
 the wilderness to the rescue of country 
 and home ; and our hearts swell to a 
 second and final decree of independence 
 won by the prowess and valor of Ameri- 
 can arms upon the land and sea. 
 
 "And then, and then — since there is 
 no life of nations or of men without its 
 shadow and its sorrow-^ — there comes a 
 day when the spirits of the fathers no 
 longer walk upon the battlements of 
 freedom ; and all is dark ; and all seems 
 lost, save liberty and honor and, praise 
 God, our blessed Union. With these 
 surviving, who shall marvel at what we 
 see to-day ; this land filled with the treas- 
 ures of earth ; this city, snatched from 
 the ashes, to rise in grandeur and renown, passing the mind to preconceive ? 
 " Truly, out of trial cometh the strength of man, out of disaster cometh 
 the glory of the State ! 
 
 " We are met this day to honor the memory of Christopher Columbus, 
 to celebrate the four hundredth annual return of the year of his transcendent 
 achievement, and, with fitting rites, to dedicate to America and the universe 
 a concrete exposition of the world's progress between 1492 and 1892. No 
 twenty centuries can be compared with those four centuries, either in impor- 
 tance or in interest, as no previous ceremonial can be compared with this in 
 its wide significance and reach ; because, since the advent of the Son of God, 
 no event has had so great an influence upon human affairs as the discovery 
 of the Western hemisphere. Each of the centuries that have intervened 
 marks many revolutions. The merest catalogue would crowd a thousand 
 pages. The story of the least of the nations would fill a volume. In what I 
 have to say upon this occasion, therefore, I shall confine myself to our own ; 
 and, in speaking of the United States of America, I propose rather to dwell 
 
 
 
 
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 CHARLES H. WACKER, 
 Member of the Directory. 
 
DEDICATION OF THE BUILDINGS. 2QI 
 
 Upon our character as a people and our reciprocal obligations and duties as 
 an aggregation of communities, held together by a fixed constitution, and 
 charged with the custody of a union upon whose preservation and .perpetu- 
 ation in its original spirit and purpose the future of free, popular government 
 depends, than to enter into a dissertation upon abstract principles, or to 
 undertake an historic essay. We are a plain, practical people. We are a 
 race of inventors and workers, not of poets and artists. We have led the 
 world's movement, not its thought. Our deeds are to be found not upon 
 frescoed walls, or in ample libraries, but in the machine shop, where the spin- 
 dles sing and the looms thunder ; on the open plain, where the steam plow, 
 the reaper and the mower, contend with one another in friendly war against 
 the obduracies of nature ; in the magic of electricity as it penetrates the 
 darkest caverns with its irresistible power and light. Let us consider our- 
 selves and our conditions, as far as we are able, with a candor untinged by 
 cynicism and a confidence having no air of assurance. 
 
 " A better opportunity could not be desired for a study of our peculiari- 
 ties than is furnished by the present moment. 
 
 " We are in the midst of the quadrennial period established for the selec- 
 tion of a Chief Magistrate. Each citizen has his right of choice, each has 
 his right to vote and to have his vote freely cast and fairly counted. Wher- 
 ever this right is assailed for any cause wrong is done and evil must follow, 
 first to the whole country, which has an interest in all its parts, but most to 
 the community immediately involved, which must actually drink of the cup 
 that has contained the poison, and can not escape its infection. 
 
 " The abridgment of the right of suffrage, however, is very nearly pro- 
 portioned to the ignorance or indifference of the parties concerned by it, and 
 there is good reason to hope that, with the expanding intelligence of the 
 masses and the growing enlightenment of the times, this particular form of 
 corruption in elections will be reduced below the danger-line. 
 
 " To that end, as to all other good ends, the moderation of public senti- 
 ment must ever be our chief reliance ; for when men are forced by the gen- 
 eral desire for truth, and the light which our modern vehicles of information 
 throw upon truth, to discuss public questions for truth's sake, when it be- 
 comes the plain interest of public men, as it is their plain duty, to do this, 
 and when, above all, friends and neighbors cease to love one another less 
 because of individual differences of opinion about public affairs, the struggle 
 for unfair advantage will be relegated to those who have either no character 
 to lose or none to seek. 
 
 " It is admitted on all sides that the current Presidential campaign is freer 
 from excitement and tumult than was ever known before, and it was argued 
 from this circumstance that we are traversing the epoch of the common- 
 place. If this be so, thank God for it ! We have had full enough of the 
 dramatic and sensational, and need a season of mediocrity and repose. But 
 may we not ascribe the rational way in which the people are going about 
 
202 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 their business to larger knowledge and experience, and a fairer spirit than 
 have hitherto marked our party contentions ? 
 
 " Parties are as essential to free government as oxygen to the atmosphere 
 or sunshine to vegetation. And party spirit is inseparable from party organ- 
 ism. To the extent that it is tempered by good sense and good feeling, by 
 love of country and integrity of purpose, it is a supreme virtue ; and there 
 should be no gag short of a decent regard for the sensibilities of others put 
 upon its freedom and plainness of utterance. Otherwise, the limpid pool of 
 Democracy would stagnate, and we should have a republic only in name. 
 But we should never cease to be admonished by the warning words of the 
 Father of his Country against the excess of party spirit, re-enforced as they 
 are by the experience of a century of party warfare — a warfare happily culmi- 
 nating in the complete triumph of American principles, but brought many 
 times dangerously near to the annihilation of all that was great and noble in 
 the national life. 
 
 " Sursum cor da ! We have in our own time seen the republic survive an 
 irrepressible conflict, sown in the blood and marrow of the social order. We 
 have seen the Federal Union, not too strongly put together in the first place, 
 come out of a great war of sections, stronger than when it went into it, its 
 faith renewed, its credit rehabilitated, and its flag saluted with love and hom- 
 age by sixty millions of God-fearing men and women, thoroughly reconciled 
 and homogeneous. We have seen the Federal Constitution outlast the 
 strain not merely of a reconstructory ordeal and a presidential impeachment, 
 but a disputed count of the electoral vote, a congressional deadlock, and an, 
 extra constitutional tribunal, yet standing firm against the assaults of its ene- 
 mies, while yielding itself with admirable flexibility to the needs of the 
 country and the time. And, finally, we saw the gigantic fabric of the Fed- 
 eral Government transferred from hands that had held it a quarter of a cen- 
 tury to other hands, without a protest, although so close was the poll in the 
 final count that a single blanket might have covered both contestants for the 
 chief magisterial office. With such a record behind us, who shall be afraid 
 of the future ? 
 
 "The young manhood of the country may take this lesson from those of 
 us who lived through times that did, indeed, try men's souls — when, pressed 
 down from day to day by awful responsibilities and suspense, each night 
 brought a terror with every thought of the morrow, and when, look where 
 we would, there were light and hope nowhere — that God reigns and wills, 
 and that this fair land is, and has always been, in his own keeping. 
 
 " The curse of slavery is gone. It was a joint heritage of woe, to be 
 wiped out and expiated in blood and flame. The mirage of the Confederacy 
 has vanished. It was essentially bucolic, a vision of Arcady, the dream of a 
 most attractive economic fallacy. The Constitution is no longer a rope of 
 sand. The exact relation of the States to the Federal Government, left open 
 to double construction by the authors of our organic being, because they 
 
DEDICATION OF THE BUILDINGS. 
 
 293 
 
 could not agree among themselves, and union was the paramount object, 
 has been clearly and definitely fixed by the three last amendments to the 
 original chart, which constitute the real treaty of peace between the North 
 and the South, and seal our bonds as a nation forever. 
 
 " The republic represents at last the letter and the spirit of the sublime 
 Declaration. The fetters that bound her to the earth are burst asunder. The 
 rags that degraded her beauty are cast aside. Like the enchanted princess in 
 the legend, clad in spotless raiment and wearing a crown of living light, she 
 steps in the perfection of her maturity upon the scene of this, the latest and 
 proudest of her victories, to bid a welcome to the world ! 
 
 " Need I pursue the theme ? This vast assemblage speaks with a reso- 
 nance and a meaning which words can never reach. It speaks from the 
 fields that are blessed by the never-failing waters of the Kennebec and 
 from the farms that sprinkle the valley of the Connecticut with mimic 
 principalities more potent and lasting than the 
 real ; it speaks in the whir of the mills of Penn- 
 sylvania and in the ring of the woodcutter's 
 ax from the forests of the Lake peninsulas ; it 
 speaks from the great plantations of the South 
 and West, teeming with staples that insure us 
 wealth and power and stability, yea, and from 
 the mines and forests and quarries of Michi- 
 gan and Wisconsin, of Alabama and Geor- 
 gia, of Tennessee and Kentucky, far away 
 to the regions of silver and gold, that have 
 linked the Colorado and the Rio Grande 
 in close embrace, and annihilated time 
 and space between the Atlantic and the 
 Pacific ; it speaks in one word from the 
 hearthstone in Iowa and Illinois, from the 
 home in Mississippi and Arkansas, from the 
 hearts of seventy millions of fearless, free-born 
 men and women — and that one word is ' Union ! 
 
 " There is no geography in American man- 
 hood. There are no sections to American fra- 
 ternity. It needs but six weeks to change a Vermonter into a Texan, and 
 there never has been a time when upon the battlefield or the frontier 
 Puritan and Cavalier were not convertible terms, having in the begin- 
 ning a common origin, and so diffused and diluted on American soil as 
 no longer to possess a local habitation, or a nativity, except in the national 
 
 unit. 
 
 " The men who planted the signals of American civilization upon that 
 sacred rock by Plymouth Bay were Englishmen, and so were the men who 
 struck the coast a little farther down, and founded by Hampton Roads a race 
 
 HENRY WATTERSON, 
 
 Author of the Dedicatory Oration, 
 
 delivered October 22, 1892. 
 
2Q4 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 of heroes and statesmen the mention of whose names brings a thrill to every 
 heart. The South claims Lincoln, the immortal, for its own ; the North has 
 no right to reject Stonewall Jackson, the one typical Puritan soldier of the 
 war, for its own ! Nor will it ! The time is coming, is almost here, when 
 hanging above many a mantelboard in fair New England — glorifying many 
 a cottage in the sunny South — shall be seen bound together, in everlasting 
 love and honor, two cross-swords carried to battle respectively by the grand- 
 father who wore the blue and the grandfather who wore the gray. 
 
 " I can not trust myself to proceed. We have come here not so much 
 to recall bygone sorrows and glories as to bask in the sunshine of present 
 prosperity and happiness, to interchange patriotic greetings and indulge good 
 auguries, and, above all, to meet upon the threshold the stranger within our 
 gate, not as a foreigner, but as a guest and friend, for whom nothing that we 
 have is too good. 
 
 " From wheresoever he cometh, we welcome him with all our hearts ; the 
 son of the Rhone and the Garonne, our Godmother, France, to whom we 
 owe so much, he shall be our Lafayette ; the son of the Rhine and the Mo- 
 selle, he shall be our Goethe and our Wagner ; the son of the Campagna 
 and the Vesuvian bay, he shall be our Michael Angelo and our Garibaldi ; 
 the son of Aragon, and the Indes, and Mexico, and Central and South 
 America, he shall be our Christopher Columbus, fitly honored at last through- 
 out the world. 
 
 " Our good cousin of England needs no words of special civility and 
 courtesy from us. For him the latchstring is ever on the outer side ; though 
 whether it be or not, we are sure that he will enter and make himself at 
 home. A common language enables us to do full justice to one another at 
 the festive board or in the arena of debate, warning both of us in equal 
 tones against further parley on the field of arms. 
 
 " All nations and all creeds be welcome here ; from the Bosporus and 
 the Black Sea, the Viennese woods and the Danubian plains ; from Holland 
 dike to Alpine crag ; from Belgrade and Calcutta, and round to China seas 
 and the busy marts of Japan, the isles of the Pacific and the far-away capes 
 of Africa — Armenian, Christian, and Jew — the American, loving no country 
 except his own, but loving all mankind as his brother, bids you enter and 
 fear not ; bids you partake with us of these fruits of four hundred years of 
 American civilization and development, and behold these trophies of one 
 hundred years of American independence and freedom ! 
 
 " At this moment, in every part of the American Union, the children are 
 taking up the wondrous tale of the discovery, and from Boston to Galves- 
 ton, from the little log schoolhouse in the clearing to the towering academy 
 in the city and the town, may be witnessed the unprecedented spectacle of a 
 powerful nation captured by an army of Lilliputians, of embryo men and 
 women, of toddling boys and girls, and tiny elves scarce big enough to lisp 
 the numbers of the national anthem ; scarce strong enough to lift the minia- 
 
DEDICATION OF THE BUILDINGS. 
 
 295 
 
 ture flags that make of arid streets and autumn wood an emblematic garden, 
 to gladden the sight and to glorify the red, white, and blue. See 
 
 " Our'young barbarians all at play, 
 
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 for better than these we have nothing to exhibit. They, indeed, are our 
 crown jewels ; the truest, though the inevitable, offsprings of our civilization 
 and development ; the representatives of a manhood vitalized and invigorated 
 by toil and care, of a womanhood elevated and inspired 
 by liberty and education. God bless the children and 
 their mothers ! God bless our country's flag ! 
 God be with us now and ever — God in the roof- 
 tree's shade and God on the highway, God in 
 the winds and waves, and God in all our 
 hearts ! " 
 
 The Columbian chorus and orchestra 
 then rendered the " Star Spangled Ban- 
 ner," after which the Hon. Chauncey M. 
 Depew, of New York, was introduced and 
 delivered the Columbian Oration, as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 " This day belongs not to America, but 
 to the world. The results of the event it 
 commemorates are the heritage of the peoples 
 of every race and clime. We celebrate the emanci- 
 pation of man. The preparation was the work of 
 almost countless centuries ; the realization was the 
 revelation of one. The Cross on Calvary was hope ; 
 the cross raised on San Salvador was opportunity- 
 But for the first, Columbus would never have sailed ; but for the second, 
 there would have been no place for the planting, the nurture and the ex- 
 pansion of civil and religious liberty. Ancient history is a dreary record 
 of unstable civilizations. Each reached its zenith of material splendor, 
 and perished. The Assyrian, Persian, Egyptian, Grecian, and Roman Em- 
 pires were proofs of the possibilities and limitations of man for conquest 
 and intellectual development. Their destruction involved a sum of misery 
 and relapse which made their creation rather a curse than a blessing. Force 
 was the factor in the government of the world when Christ was born, 
 and force was the source and exercise of authority both by Church and 
 State when Columbus sailed from Palos. The Wise Men traveled from the 
 East toward the West under the guidance of the Star of Bethlehem. The 
 spirit of the equality of all men before God and the law moved westward 
 from Calvary, with its revolutionary influence upon old institutions, to the 
 Atlantic Ocean. Columbus carried it westward across the seas. The emi- 
 
 CHAUNCEY M. DEPEW, 
 
 Orator on Dedication Day, 
 
 October 22, 1892. 
 
296 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 grants from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, from Germany and 
 Holland, from Sweden and Denmark, from France and Italy, from Spain 
 and Portugal, under its guidance and inspiration, moved west, and again 
 west, building States and founding cities until the Pacific limited their march. 
 The exhibition of arts and sciences, of industries and inventions, of educa- 
 tion and civilization, which the Republic of the United States will here pre- 
 sent, and to which, through its Chief Magistrate, it invites all nations, con- 
 denses and displays the flower and fruitage of this transcendent miracle. 
 
 " The anarchy and chaos which followed the breaking up of the Roman 
 Empire necessarily produced the feudal system. The people,^ preferring 
 slavery to annihilation by robber chiefs, became the vassals of territorial 
 lords. The reign of physical force is one of perpetual struggle for the mas- 
 tery. Power which rests upon the sword neither shares nor limits its 
 authority. The king destroyed the lords, and the monarchy succeeded feu- 
 dalism. Neither of these institutions considered or consulted the people. 
 They had no part but to suffer or die in this mighty strife of masters for the 
 mastery. But the throne, by its broader view and greater resources, made 
 possible the construction of the highways of freedom. Under its banner 
 races could unite and petty principalities be merged, law substituted for 
 brute force, and right for might. It founded and endowed universities and 
 encouraged commerce. It conceded no political privileges, but uncon- 
 sciously prepared its subjects to demand them. 
 
 "Absolutism in the State and intolerance in the Church shackled pop- 
 ular unrest, and imprisoned thought and enterprise in the fifteenth century. 
 The divine right of kings stamped out the faintest glimmer of revolt against 
 tyranny, and the problems of science, whether of the skies or of the earth, 
 whether of astronomy or geography, were solved or submerged by ecclesias- 
 tical decrees. The dungeon was ready for the philosopher who proclaimed 
 the truths of the solar system, or the navigator who would prove the sphericity 
 of the earth. An English Gladstone, or a French Gambetta, or a German 
 Bismarck, or an Italian Garibaldi, or a Spanish Castelar, would have been 
 thought a monster, and his death at the stake or on the scaffold, and under 
 the anathemas of the Church, would have received the praise and approval 
 of kings and nobles, of priests and peoples. Reason had no seat in spiritual 
 or temporal realms. Punishment was the incentive to patriotism, and piety 
 was held possible by torture. Confessions of faith extorted from the writh- 
 ing victim on the rack were believed efficacious in saving his soul from fires 
 eternal beyond the grave. For all that humanity to-day cherished as its 
 best heritage and choicest gifts, there was neither thought nor hope. 
 
 " Fifty years before Columbus sailed from Palos, Gutenberg and Faust 
 had forged the hammer which was to break the bonds of superstition and 
 open the prison doors of the mind. They invented the printing press and 
 movable types. The prior adoption of a chief process for the manufacture 
 of paper at once utilized the press. Its first service, like all its succeeding 
 
■5' 
 
 ■S yi S • 
 
DEDICATION OF THE BUILDINGS. 20 7 
 
 efforts, was for the people. The universities and the schoolmen, the privi- 
 leged and the learned few of that age, were longing for the revelation and 
 preservation of the classic treasures of antiquity, hidden, and yet insecure, in 
 monastic cells and libraries. But the firstborn of the marvelous creation 
 of these primitive printers of Mayence was the printed Bible. The priceless 
 contributions of Gjeece and Rome to the intellectual training and develop- 
 ment of the modern world came afterward, through the same wondrous 
 machine. The force, however, which made possible America, and its reflex 
 influence upon Europe, was the open Bible by the family fireside. And 
 yet neither the enlightenment of the new learning nor the dynamic power 
 of the spiritual awakening could break through the crust of caste which had 
 been forming for centuries. Church and State had so firmly and dexterously 
 interwoven the bars of privilege and authority that liberty was impossible 
 from within. Its piercing light and fervent heat must penetrate from 
 without. 
 
 " Civil and religious freedom are founded upon the individual and his in- 
 dependence, his worth, his rights and his equal status and opportunity. For 
 his planting and development a new land must be found where, with limit- 
 less areas for expansion, the avenues of progress would have no bars of 
 custom or heredity, of social orders or privileged classes. The time had 
 come for the emancipation of the mind and soul of humanity. The factors 
 wanting for its fulfillment were the New World and its discoverer. 
 
 " God always has in training some commanding genius for the control 
 of great crises in the affairs of nations and peoples. The number of these 
 leaders is less then the centuries, but their lives are the history of human 
 progress. Though Caesar, and Charlemagne, and Hildebrand, and Luther, 
 and William the Conqueror, and Oliver Cromwell, and all the epoch makers 
 prepared Europe for the event, and contributed to the result, the lights 
 which illumine our firmament to-day are Columbus the discoverer, Wash- 
 ington the founder, and Lincoln the savior. 
 
 " Neither realism nor romance furnishes a more striking and picturesque 
 figure than that of Christopher Columbus. The mystery about his origin 
 heightens the charm of his story. That he came from among the toilers of 
 his time is in harmony with the struggles of our period. Forty-four au- 
 thentic portraits of him have descended to us, and no two of them are the 
 counterfeits of the same person. Each represents a character as distinct as 
 its canvas. Strength and weakness, intellectuality and stupidity, high 
 moral purpose and brutal ferocity, purity and licentiousness, the dreamer and 
 the miser, the pirate and the Puritan, are the types from which we may select 
 our hero.' We dismiss the painter, and piercing, with the clarified vision of 
 the dawn of the twentieth century, the veil of four hundred years, we con- 
 struct our Columbus. 
 
 " The perils of the sea in his youth upon the rich argosies of Genoa, or 
 in the service of the licensed rovers who made them their prey, had de- 
 
298 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 veloped a skillful navigator and intrepid mariner. They had given him a 
 glimpse of the possibilities of the unknown, beyond the highways of travel, 
 which roused an unquenchable thirst for adventure and research. The study 
 of the narratives of previous explorers, and diligent questionings of the dar- 
 ing spirits who had ventured far toward the fabled West, gradually evolved 
 a theory which became in his mind so fixed a fact that he could inspire 
 others with his own passionate beliefs. The words, ' that is a lie,' written 
 by him on the margin of nearly every page of a volume of the travels of 
 Marco Polo, which is still to be found in a Genoese library, illustrate the 
 
 skepticism of his beginning, and the first vision of the 
 New World the fulfillment of his faith. 
 
 " To secure the means to test the truth of his 
 speculations, this poor and unknown dreamer 
 must win the support of kings and overcome the 
 hostility of the Church. He never doubted 
 his ability to do both, though he knew of 
 no man living who was so great in power 
 or lineage or learning that he could ac- 
 complish either. Unaided and alone, 
 ~ he succeeded in arousing the jealousies 
 
 of sovereigns and dividing the councils 
 of the ecclesiastics. ' I will command 
 your fleet and discover for you new realms, 
 but only on condition that you confer on me 
 hereditary nobility, the Admiralty of the Ocean 
 and the Vice Royalty and one tenth the reve- 
 nues of the New World,' were his haughty 
 terms to King John of Portugal. After ten 
 years of disappointment and poverty, subsisting 
 most of the time upon the charity of the enlightened monk of the Con- 
 vent of Rabida, who was his unfaltering friend, he stood before the throne 
 of Ferdinand and Isabella, and, rising to imperial dignity in his rags, em- 
 bodied the same royal conditions in his petition. The capture of Granada, 
 the expulsion of Islam from Europe, and the triumph of the Cross, aroused 
 the admiration and devotion of Christendom. But this proud beggar, 
 holding in his grasp the potential promise and dominion of El Dorado and 
 Cathay, divided with the Moslem surrender the attention of sovereigns and 
 of bishops. France and England indicated a desire to hear his theories 
 and see his maps while he was still a suppliant at the gates of the camp of 
 Castile and Aragon, the sport of its courtiers, and the scoff of its confessors. 
 His unshakable faith, that Christopher Columbus was commissioned from 
 Heaven, both by his name and by Divine command, to carry ' Christ across 
 the sea' to new continents and pagan peoples, lifted him so far above 
 the discouragements of an empty purse and a contemptuous court that he 
 
 ALEXANDER H. REVELL, 
 Member of the Directory. 
 
DEDICATION OF THE BUILDINGS. 
 
 was proof against the rebuffs of fortune or of friends. To conquer the prej- 
 udices of the clergy, to win the approval and financial support of the State, 
 to venture upon that unknown ocean — which, according to the beliefs of the 
 age, was peopled with demons and savage beasts of frightful shape, and 
 from which there was no possibility of return — required the zeal of Peter the 
 Hermit, the chivalric courage of the Cid, and the imagination of Dante. 
 Columbus belonged to that high order of cranks who confidently walk where 
 ' angels fear to tread,' and often become the benefactors of their country or 
 their kind. 
 
 " It was a happy omen of the position which woman was to hold in 
 America, that the only person who comprehended the majestic scope of his 
 plans and the invincible quality of his genius was the able and gracious 
 Queen of Castile. Isabella alone of all the dignitaries of that age shares 
 with Columbus the honors of his great achievement. She arrayed her king- 
 dom and her private fortune behind the enthusiasm of this mystic mariner, 
 and posterity pays homage to her. wisdom and faith. 
 
 " The overthrow of the Mohammedan power in Spain would have been 
 a forgotten scene in one of the innumerable acts in the grand drama of his- 
 tory had not Isabella conferred immortality upon herself, her husband, and 
 their dual crown by her recognition of Columbus. The devout spirit of the 
 Queen and the high purpose of the explorer inspired the voyage, subdued 
 the mutinous crew, and prevailed over the raging storms. They covered, 
 with the divine radiance of religion and humanity, the degrading search for 
 gold and the horrors of its quest which filled the first century of conquest 
 with every form of lust and greed. 
 
 " The mighty soul of the great admiral was undaunted by the ingrati- 
 tude of princes and the hostility of the people by imprisonment and neg- 
 lect. He died as he was securing the means and preparing a campaign for 
 the rescue of the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem from the infidel. He did 
 not know, what time has revealed, that while the mission of the crusades of 
 Godfrey of Bouillon and Richard of the Lion Heart was a bloody and fruit- 
 less romance, the discovery of America was the salvation of the world. The 
 one was the symbol, the other the spirit ; the one death, the other life. The 
 tomb of the Savior was a narrow and empty vault, precious only for its 
 memories of the supreme tragedy of the centuries, but the new continent 
 was to be the home and temple of the living God. 
 
 " The rulers of the Old World began with partitioning the New. To 
 them the discovery was expansion of empire and grandeur to the throne. 
 Vast territories, whose properties and possibilities were little understood 
 and whose extent was greater than the kingdoms of the sovereigns, were the 
 gifts to court favorites and the prizes of royal approval. But individual in- 
 telligence and independent conscience found here haven and refuge. They 
 were the passengers upon the caravels of Columbus, and he was uncon- 
 sciously making for the port of civil and religious liberty. Thinkers, who 
 
300 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 believed men capable of higher destinies and larger responsibilities, and pious 
 people, who preferred the Bible to that union of Church and State where 
 each serves the other for the temporal benefit of both, fled to these distant 
 and hospitable lands from intolerable and hopeless oppression at home. It 
 required three hundred years for the people thus happily situated to under- 
 stand their own powers and resources, and to break bonds which were still 
 reverenced or loved, no matter how deeply they wounded or how hard they 
 galled. 
 
 " The nations of Europe were so completely absorbed in dynastic diffi- 
 culties and devastating wars, with diplomacy and ambitions, that if they 
 heard of they did not heed the growing democratic spirit and intelligence in 
 their American colonies. To them these provinces were sources of revenue, 
 and they never dreamed that they wefe also schools of liberty. That it ex- 
 hausted three centuries under the most favorable conditions for the evolu- 
 tion of freedom on this continent, demon- 
 " " -' strates the tremendous strength of custom 
 
 and heredity when sanctioned and sanctified 
 by religion. The very chains which fet- 
 tered became inextricably interwoven with 
 the habits of life, the associations of child- 
 hood, the tenderest ties of the family, and 
 the sacred offices of the Church from the 
 cradle to the grave. It clearly proves that 
 if the people of the Old World and their 
 descendants had not possessed the oppor- 
 tunities afforded by the New for their 
 emancipation, and mankind had never ex- 
 perienced and learned the American ex- 
 ample, instead of living in the light and 
 glory of nineteenth-century conditions, they 
 would still be struggling with mediseval 
 problems. 
 
 " The northern continent was divided 
 between England, France, and Spain, and 
 the southern between Spain and Portugal. 
 France, wanting the capacity for colonization, which still characterizes her, 
 gave up her western possessions and left the English, who have the genius 
 of universal empire, masters of North America. The development of the 
 experiment in the English domain makes this day memorable. It is due 
 to the wisdom and courage, the faith and virtue of the inhabitants of this 
 territory that government of the people, for the people, and by the people 
 was inaugurated, and has become a triumphant success. The Puritan settled 
 in New England and the Cavalier in the South. They represented the op- 
 posites of spiritual and temporal life and opinions. The processes of liberty 
 
 PETER A. B. WIDENER, 
 
 Commissioner at Large, 
 
 Chairman of the Committee on Ceremonies. 
 
DEDICATION OF THE BUILDINGS. ,qj 
 
 liberalized the one and elevated the other. Washington and Adams were 
 the new types. Their union in a common cause gave the world a republic 
 both stable and free. It possessed conservatism without bigotry, and liberty 
 without license. It founded institutions strong enough to resist revolution 
 and elastic enough for indefinite expansion to meet the requirements in 
 government of ever-enlarging areas of population and the needs of progress 
 and growth. It was nurtured by the toleration and patriotism which bound 
 together in a common cause the Puritans of New England and the Catho- 
 Ucs of Maryland, the Dutch Reformers of New York and the Hugue. 
 nots of South Carolina, the Quakers and Lutherans of Pennsylvania, and 
 the Episcopalians, Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists, and religionists of all 
 and of opposite opinions in the other colonies. 
 
 " The Mayflower with the Pilgrims, and a Dutch ship laden with African 
 slaves, were on the ocean at the same time, the one saiHng for Massachusetts 
 and the other for Virginia. This company of saints, and first cargo of slaves, 
 represented the forces which were to peril and rescue free government. The 
 slaver was the product of the commercial spirit of Great Britain, and the 
 greed of the times to stimulate production in the colonies. The men who 
 wrote in the cabin of the Mayflower the first charter of freedom, a govern- 
 ment of just and equal laws, were a little band of Protestants against every 
 form of injustice and tyranny. The leaven of their principles made possible 
 the Declaration of Independence, liberated the slaves, and founded the free 
 commonwealths which form the Republic of the United States. 
 
 " Platforms of principles, by petition, or protest, or statement, have been 
 as frequent as revolts against established authority. They are a part of the 
 political literature of all nations. The Declaration of Independence, pro- 
 claimed at Philadelphia, July 4, 1776, is the only one of them which ar- 
 rested the attention of the world when it was published, and has held its 
 undivided interest ever since. The vocabulary of the equality of man had 
 been in familiar use by philosophers and statesmen for ages. It expressed noble 
 sentiments, but their application was Hmited to classes or conditions. The 
 masses cared little for them nor remembered them long. Jefferson's superb 
 crystallization of the popular opinion that ' all men are created equal, that 
 they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among 
 these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,' had its force and effect 
 in being the deliberate utterance of the people. It swept away in a single 
 sentence kings and nobles, peers and prelates. It was Magna Charta, and the 
 Petition of Rights planted in the virgin soil of the American wilderness, and 
 bearing richer and riper fruit. Under its vitalizing influence upon the indi- 
 vidual, the farmer left his plow in the furrow, the lawyer his books and briefs, 
 the merchant his shop and the workman his bench, to enUst in the patriot 
 army. They were fighting for themselves and their children. They em- 
 bodied the idea in their constitution in the immortal words with which that 
 great instrument of liberty and order began : ' We, the people of the United 
 
-Q2 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 States, do ordain.' The scope and limitations of this idea of freedom have 
 neither been misinterpreted nor misunderstood. The laws of nature in their 
 application to the rise and recognition of men according to their mental, 
 moral, spiritual, and physical endowments are left undisturbed. But the 
 accident of birth gives no rank and confers no privilege. Equal rights and 
 common opportunity for all have been the spurs of ambition and the motors 
 of progress. They have established the common schools and built the pub- 
 lic libraries. A sovereign people have learned and enforced the lesson of 
 free education. The practice of government is itself a liberal education. 
 People who make their own laws need no lawgivers. After a century of 
 successful trial the system has passed the period of experiment, and its dem- 
 onstrated permanency and power are revolutionizing the governments of the 
 world. It has raised the largest armies of modern times for self-preservation, 
 and at the successful termination of the war returned the soldiers to the pur- 
 suits of peace. It has so adjusted itself to the pride and patriotism of the 
 defeated that they vie with the victors in their support of and enthusiasm for 
 the old flag and our common country. Imported anarchists have preached 
 their baleful doctrines, but have made no converts. They have tried to 
 inaugurate a reign of terror under the banner of the violent seizure and dis- 
 tribution of property only to be defeated, imprisoned, and executed by the 
 law made by the people and enforced by juries selected from the people, and 
 judges and prosecuting officers elected by the people. Socialism finds dis- 
 ciples only among those who were its votaries before they were forced to fly 
 from their native land, but it does not take root upon American soil. The 
 State neither supports nor permits taxation to maintain the Church. The 
 citizen can worship God according to his belief and conscience, or he may 
 neither reverence nor recognize the Almighty. And yet religion has flour- 
 ished, churches abound, the ministry is sustained, and millions of dollars are, 
 contributed annually for the evangelization of the world. The United States 
 is a Christian country and a living and practical Christianity is the character- 
 istic of its people. 
 
 " Benjamin Franklin, philosopher and patriot, amused the jaded courtiers 
 of Louis XVI by his talks about liberty, and entertained the scientists of 
 France by bringing lightning from the clouds. In the reckoning of time, 
 the period from Franklin to Morse and from Morse to Edison is but a span, 
 and yet it marks a material development as marvelous as it has been benefi- 
 cent. The world has been brought into contact and sympathy. The elec- 
 tric current thrills and unifies the people of the globe. Power and produc- 
 tion, highways and transports have been so multiplied and improved by in- 
 ventive genius that within the century of our independence sixty-four mill- 
 ions of people have happy homes and improved conditions within our bor- 
 ders. We have accumulated wealth far beyond the visions of the Cathay of 
 Columbus or the El Dorado of De Soto. But the farmers and freeholders, 
 the savings banks and shops, illustrate its universal distribution. The majority 
 
DEDICATION OF THE BUILDINGS. 
 
 303 
 
 are its possessors and administrators. In housing and living, in the elements 
 which make the toiler a self-respecting and respected citizen, in avenues 
 of hope and ambition for children, in all that gives broader scope and 
 keener pleasure to existence, the people of this republic enjoy advantages 
 far beyond those of other lands. The unequaled and phenomenal pro- 
 gress of the country has opened wonderful opportunities for making for- 
 tunes, and stimulated to madness the desire and rush 
 for the accumulation of money. Material prosper- 
 ity has not debased literature or debauched the press ; 
 it has neither paralyzed nor repressed intellectual 
 activity. American science and letters have re- 
 ceived rank and recognition in the older centers 
 of learning. The demand for higher education 
 has so taxed the resources of the ancient uni- 
 versities as to compel the foundation and 
 liberal endowment of colleges all over the 
 Union. Journals, remarkable for their abili- 
 ty, independence, and power, find their 
 streijgth, not in the patronage of government 
 or the subsidies of wealth, but in the , support 
 of a nation of newspaper readers. The hum- 
 blest and poorest person has, in periodicals 
 whose price is counted in pennies, a library 
 larger, fuller, and more varied than was within 
 the reach of the rich in the time of Columbus. 
 
 " The sum of human happiness has been infinitely increased by the mill- 
 ions from the Old World who have improved their conditions in the New, 
 and the returning tide of lesson and experience has incalculably enriched the 
 Fatherlands. The divine right of kings has taken its place with the instru- 
 ments of mediaeval torture among the curiosities of- the antiquary. Only the 
 shadow of kingly authority stands between the government of themselves, by 
 themselves, and the people of Norway and Sweden. The union in one 
 empire of the States of Germany is the symbol of Teutonic power and the 
 hope of German liberalism. The petty despotisms of Italy have been merged 
 into a nationality which has centralized its authority in its ancient capitol on 
 the hills of Rome. France was rudely roused from the sullen submission of 
 centuries to intolerable tyranny by her soldiers returning from service in the 
 American Revolution. The wild orgies of the reign of terror were the 
 revenges and excesses of a people who had discovered their power, but were 
 not prepared for its beneficent use. She fled from herself into the arms of 
 Napoleon. He too was a product of the American experiment. He played 
 with kings as with toys, and educated France for liberty. In the processes 
 of her evolution from darkness to light she tried Bourbon, and Orleanist, 
 and the third Napoleon, and cast them aside. Now in the fullness of time. 
 
 GORTON W. ALLEN, 
 Commissioner at Large. 
 
 22 
 
304 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 and through the training in the school of hardest experience, the French 
 people have reared and enjoy a permanent republic. England of the May- 
 flower and of James II, England of George III and of Lord North, has 
 enlarged suffrage, and is to-day animated and governed by the Demo- 
 cratic spirit. She has her throne, admirably occupied by one of the wisest 
 of sovereigns and best of women, but it would not survive one disso- 
 lute and unworthy successor. She has her hereditary Peers, but the 
 House of Lords will be brushed aside the moment it resists the will of the 
 people. 
 
 "The time has arrived for both a closer union and greater distance 
 between the Old World and the New. The former indiscriminate welcome 
 to our prairies, and the present invitation to these palaces 
 of art and industry, mark the passing period. Un- 
 watched and unhealthy immigration can no longer 
 be permitted to our shores. We must have a 
 national quarantine against disease, pauperism, 
 and crime. We do not want candidates for 
 our hospitals, our poorhouses, or our jails. 
 We can not admit those who come to under- 
 mine our institutions and subvert our laws. 
 But we will gladly throw wide our gates for, 
 and receive with open arms, those who by 
 intelligence and virtue, by thrift and loyal- 
 ty, are worthy of receiving the equal ad- 
 vantages of the priceless gift of American 
 citizenship. The spirit and object of this 
 exhibition are peace and kinship. 
 " Three millions of Germans, who are 
 among the best citizens of the republic, send 
 greeting to the Fatherland their pride in its 
 glorious history, its ripe literature, its traditions 
 and associations. The Irish, equal in number 
 to those who still remain upon the Emerald 
 Isle, who have illustrated their devotion to 
 their adopted country on many a battlefield fighting for the Union and 
 its perpetuity, have rather intensified than diminished their love for the 
 land of the shamrock, and their sympathy with the aspirations of their 
 brethren at home. The Italian, the Spaniard and the Frenchman, the 
 Norwegian, the Swede and the Dane, the English, the Scotch, and the 
 Welsh are none the less loyal and devoted Americans because in this con- 
 gress of their kin the tendrils of affection draw them closer to the hills and 
 valleys, the legends and the loves associated with their youth. 
 
 " Edmund Burke, speaking in the British Parliament with prophetic 
 voice, said : ' A great revolution has happened — a revolution made, not by 
 
 WILLIAM D. KERFOOT, 
 Member of the Directory. 
 
DEDICATION OF THE BUILDINGS. 
 
 305 
 
 chopping and changing of power in any of the existing states, but by the ap- 
 pearance of a new state, of a new species, in a new part of the globe. It has 
 made as great a change in all the relations and balances and gravitations of 
 power as the appearance of a new planet would in the system of the solar 
 world.' Thus was the humiliation of our successful revolt tempered to the 
 motherland by pride in the State created by her children. If we claim herit- 
 age in Bacon, Shakespeare, and Milton, we also acknowledge that it was for 
 liberties guaranteed Englishmen by sacred charters our fathers triumphantly 
 fought. While wisely rejecting throne and caste and privilege and an 
 established church in their newborn state, they adopted the substance of 
 English liberty and the body of English law. Closer relations with England 
 than with other lands, and a common language rendering easy interchanges 
 of criticisms and epithet, sometimes irritate and offend, 
 but the heart of republican America beats with respon- 
 sive pulsations to the hopes and aspirations of the 
 people of Great Britain. 
 
 " The grandeur and beauty of this spectacle are 
 the eloquent witnesses of peace and progress. 
 The Parthenon and the cathedral exhausted 
 the genius of the ancient and the skill of 
 the mediaeval architects in housing the 
 statue or spirit of Deity. In their ruins or 
 their antiquity they are mute protests 
 against the merciless enmity of nations, 
 which forced art to flee to the altar for 
 protection. The United States welcome 
 the sister republics of the southern and 
 northern continents, and the nations and peo- 
 ples of Europe and Asia, of Africa and Aus- 
 tralia, with the products of their lands, of their 
 skill and of their industry, to this city of yester- 
 day, yet clothed with royal splendor as the 
 Queen of the Great Lakes. The artists and 
 
 architects of the country have been bidden to design and erect the buildings 
 which shall fitly illustrate the height of our civilization and the breadth of 
 our hospitality. The peace of the world permits and protects their efforts 
 in utilizing their powers for man's temporal welfare. The result is this Park 
 of Palaces, l^he originality and boldness of their conceptions and the 
 magnitude and harmony of their creations are the contributions of America 
 to the oldest of the arts and the cordial bidding of America to the peoples 
 of the earth to come and bring the fruitage of their age to the boundless 
 opportunities of this unparalleled exhibition. 
 
 " If interest in the affairs of this world are vouchsafed to those who have 
 gone before, the spirit of Columbus hovers over us to-day. Only by 
 
 MARTIN A. RYERSON, 
 Member of the Directory. 
 
3o6 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 celestial intelligence can it grasp the full significance of this spectacle and 
 ceremonial. 
 
 " From the first century to the fifteenth counts for little in the history of 
 progress, but in the period between the fifteenth and the twentieth is 
 crowded the romance and reality of human development. Life has been 
 prolonged and its enjoyment intensified. The powers of the air and the 
 water, the resistless forces of the elements, which in the time of the dis- 
 coverer were the visible terrors of the wrath of God, have been subdued to 
 the service of man. Art and luxuries which could be possessed and enjoyed 
 only by the rich and noble, the works of genius which were read and under- 
 stood only by the learned few, domestic comforts and surroundings beyond 
 the reach of lord or bishop, now adorn and illumine the homes of our 
 citizens. Serfs are sovereigns and the people are kings. The trophies and 
 splendors of their reign are commonwealths, rich in every attribute of great 
 States, and united in a republic whose power and prosperity and liberty 
 and enlightenment are the wonder and admiration of the world. 
 
 " All hail, Columbus, discoverer, dreamer, hero, and apostle ! We here, 
 of every race and country, recognize the horizon which bounded his vision 
 and the infinite scope of his genius. The voice of gratitude and praise for 
 all the blessings which have been showered upon mankind by his adventure 
 is limited to no language, but is uttered in every tongue. Neither marble 
 nor brass can fitly form his statue. Continents are his monument, and un- 
 numbered millions, present and to come, who enjoy in their liberties and 
 their happiness the fruits of his faith, will reverently guard and preserve, 
 from century to century, his name and fame." 
 
 The ceremonies were closed with prayer by His Eminence Cardinal 
 Gibbons, Archbishop of Baltimore, Beethoven's chorus " In Praise of God," 
 and a benediction by the Rev. Henry C. McCook, of Philadelphia. 
 
 While the great audience was passing out, a national salute was fired by 
 the artillery. 
 
The Machinery Building, July 2, 1892. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 LAST MONTHS OF CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION. 
 
 Scenes at the Park — The Festival Hall and the Anthropological Building — Conflicting 
 claims for space — Speeding the final preparations — Obstacles from snow and cold — 
 The power plant — Withdrawal of application for space — The temper of the press — 
 Transportation — The final rush — Insurance — A strike. , 
 
 w 
 
 HEN the Council of Administration entered 
 upon its duties, August 19, 1892, Jackson 
 Park presented a most interesting specta- 
 cle. It was teeming with activity. From five thou- 
 sand to ten thousand men were employed con- 
 stantly. All the buildings, except Festival Hall, 
 the Anthropological Building, and the additional 
 Service Building (Accounting Building), were 
 under contract. The roof of the Manufactures 
 Building was about half completed, the Mines 
 Building and Woman's Building were complete, 
 and several other buildings lacked only a portion 
 of the decorative staff work and other minor details. 
 Machinery Hall was the only building so far behind 
 as to give cause for alarm. Its triple row of steel 
 arches stood forth, bare and roofless, and the frame- 
 work was being put in place. The concentrated en- 
 ergy of the Construction Department was being directed toward pushing the 
 work forward at this point. 
 
 The grounds were a network of tracks, extending from the great switch- 
 ing yards in the southwest corner in all directions, reaching each one of the 
 great buildings and running into many of them. Upon these tracks con- 
 
 307 
 
 '^S^^^'-T" 
 
 HERMAN H. KOHLSAAT, 
 Member of the Directory. 
 
3o8 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 struction material was being brought in, and they were arranged so as to 
 bring exhibits quickly from the yards to the buildings for which they were 
 destined, and place them on or adjacent to the point of installation. Scaf- 
 folding enveloped the more important buildings, and great masses of staff 
 work for the typical groups were being hoisted into place on the Administra- 
 tion, Agriculture, and other buildings. The grounds were littered with 
 dibris — timber, staff, earth, and road material — but even the ddbris told the 
 story of the activity surrounding it, for it changed daily. Portions of the 
 grounds were cleared over and over again, every effort being made to keep 
 them as free as possible, and to facilitate the final clearing up. 
 
 The landscape work was assuming something of its complete condition, 
 according to plan. Where the architect and contractor had finished their 
 labors grass was springing up, and there were indications of the final holiday 
 aspect of things. The Wooded Island, being free from structural material 
 or building operations of any kind — with the exception of the dainty, grace- 
 ful Ho-o-den or Phenix Palace of the Japanese — had given the landscape 
 architects an opportunity to push their work. Over and over again attempts 
 had been made to secure space on this island for various purposes, and it had 
 required the utmost vigilance of the friends of the original plan to preserve 
 it, for, with the growth of the Exposition plans, space was lacking for the 
 worthy projects that from time to time seemed essential to the completeness 
 of the Exposition. When any officer was baffled in the effort to secure 
 space for his favorite project he usually concluded his search at the Wooded 
 Island and made a desperate attempt to secure space thereon. Among 
 these was the Public Comfort Department, which, discouraged and neglected 
 on many sides, thought to increase its efficiency by providing a place of rest 
 on the island, but finally had to succumb to the artistic features of the plan. 
 
 The Electrical Department was struggling with the task of installing a 
 plant to produce 4,710 arc lights and 93,040 incandescent lights of sixteen- 
 candle power. Subways or conduits, some of them large enough for a man 
 to walk upright in, were being constructed to carry the wires. The Mechan- 
 ical Department had in charge the work of installing seventy-seven engines 
 aggregating 29,830 horse-power, and a battery of fifty-two boilers. All these 
 engines, together with the great Worthington pumps to supply water for the 
 fountains of the Grand Court and the fire service, were furnished for the use 
 of the Exposition as exhibits free of cost, under certain conditions. The 
 boilers were supplied by manufacturers as exhibits, but a charge of one dollar 
 per horse-power was made for their use. Contracts for the use of engines, 
 boilers, and machinery were being prepared and executed, and portions of 
 the plant were being constructed at shops in various parts of the country. 
 
 The Water and Sewerage Department was pushing forward its plans for 
 providing an adequate water supply and for effectually disposing of the 
 sewage of the Park when it should contain three hundred thousand people. 
 
 The complicated details of the dedicatory ceremonies were engrossing 
 
LAST MONTHS OF CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION. oOQ 
 
 much of the time of the Council of Administration, and construction opera- 
 tions were claiming constant attention. The volume of the Council's busi- 
 ness grew to be enormous, and in addition it found itself at once the arbiter 
 of an endless array of disputes and disagreements over the construction 
 work — disagreements between officers, disagreements over contracts, over 
 payments, over the installation of machinery, boilers and appliances, etc. It 
 was found that there was no budget of estimates worthy the name, the one 
 drawn up in February, 1891, having been entirely outgrown. The Council 
 had no power to spend money except as appropriated by the Board of Direc- 
 tors, and it was manifestly impossible to await action from the Executive 
 Committee for the authorization of new expenditures from day to day. 
 Therefore the Council endeavored to have a complete budget of estimates on 
 hand duly approved by the Board of Directors, with authority conferred 
 upon the Council to make expenditures up to the amount of the estimates. 
 These budgets proved radically defective from time to time, and required the 
 substitution of others, each one showing a heavy increase over the last. 
 
 The Administration Building had been partially completed. Heating 
 apparatus was provided for a portion of it, and arrangements were made for 
 warming sections of some of the exhibit buildings to accommodate the offices 
 of the chiefs of the several exhibit departments. Some of the chiefs moved 
 to the Park early in the autumn, and in November the Director General 
 took up his quarters in PaviUon B of the Administration Building. The 
 Council of Administration took up temporary quarters in the Service Build- 
 ing, but continued to have offices also in the Rand-McNally Building in the 
 city, meeting during the winter at either place as the necessities of the work 
 required. In March, 1893, it discontinued the meetings in the city, and in 
 April it moved to its permanent quarters on the first floor of Pavilion B in 
 the Administration Building. 
 
 Two buildings, which were regarded as necessary, had not been contracted 
 for on account of the doubt as to the financial ability of the company to 
 carry its work through. These were Festival Hall and the Anthropological 
 Building. But the Exposition was pledged to the erection of the Festival 
 Hall, to provide facilities for the large choral concerts and musical festivals 
 that were being arranged by the Bureau of Music. Plans were made for 
 this building by Francis M. Whitehouse, and a space was set apart for it on 
 the west side of the Park, facing Wooded Island, between the Transportation 
 Exhibits Building and the Horticultural Building. It was to have a seating 
 capacity of 5,200. The total cost was $89,581.21. This building was of a 
 sufficiently high grade of architecture to be in harmony with the best portions 
 of the Exposition, and for economy in construction, combined ^Yith archi- 
 tectural effect and' adaptability to its purpose, was perhaps the most satis- 
 factory building that the company constructed. 
 
 The Anthropological Building was the outgrowth of a movement for en- 
 largement of the space for educational exhibits. From the outset the man- 
 
3IO 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 agement had been troubled by the complaint of lack of space in the largest 
 building, Manufactures and Liberal Arts. This was due to the fact that the 
 main exhibits of all foreign nations were concentrated in this building, im- 
 mense spaces being assigned to these nations, leaving available a compara- 
 tively small space for the 
 exhibits of the manufac- 
 turers of this country, and 
 for the departments of 
 Liberal Arts and Ethnol- 
 ogy. A small portion of 
 the south end of the 
 building, together with 
 space in the galleries, had 
 been assigned to the De- 
 partment of Liberal Arts, 
 and the Ethnological De- 
 partment had been placed 
 entirely in the galleries. 
 Then foreign nations de- 
 manded the gallery space 
 immediately over the 
 spaces assigned to them 
 on the main floor, which, 
 in the interest of ade- 
 quate representation from 
 abroad, was conceded to 
 them. Then came an 
 organized protest from 
 the press and from many 
 educational associations 
 and assemblies through- 
 out the country against 
 the small amount of space 
 allowed for educational exhibits, coupled with a demand for a separate 
 building. The sympathies of the Board of Directors were with this move- 
 ment, but there were two grave obstacles — namely, lack of funds, and the 
 difficulty of finding a suitable and prominent location for an Educational 
 Building. The only spot available was in the southeastern portion of the 
 grounds, near the south pond, behind the Agricultural Building. This, 
 while not a prominent location, was accepted as satisfactory — after the 
 inevitable attempt to secure the Wooded Island — and finally the Board of 
 Directors decided that it could safely appropriate $100,000 for this build- 
 ing. Then it was decided to install in this building the archaeological 
 and ethnological material of the Exposition, giving to the educational ex- 
 
 HEAD OF THE STATUE OF THE REPUBLIC. 
 
LAST MONTHS OF CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION. ^u 
 
 hibit, in common with the rest of the Department of Liberal Arts, space 
 at the south end of the Manufactures Building and in the galleries. Thus 
 the educational exhibit secured space bordering on the Court of Honor, 
 perhaps the most favorable location in the Park. The Anthropological Build- 
 ing was a plain and unpretentious structure, the chief requirement being 
 that it should contain the necessary amount of space for an adequate display 
 of the material collected, and the Council succeeded in having this building 
 constructed at a cost greatly within the appropriation, the entire amount ex- 
 pended being $87,612.02. In it was installed the ethnological material that 
 the Chief of the Department had collected from every part of the American 
 continent, at a cost to the company of over $100,000, together with the 
 ethnological displays loaned for the occasion by various institutions of this 
 and other countries — the whole forming one of the most memorable and in- 
 teresting exhibits of the Exposition. The material collected by the com- 
 pany was finally deposited in the Field Columbian Museum. These two 
 buildings were not contracted for until autumn, and construction was riot 
 begun until winter had set in and snow was upon the ground. They were, 
 in consequence, seriously delayed, neither of them being ready until some 
 time after the ist of May. 
 
 After the dedication, the final goal. May i, 1893, was in sight, and every 
 nerve was strained in the effort to reach it in satisfactory condition. The 
 work to be done was enormous. Doubts as to the possibility of completing 
 the Exposition were expressed freely, not only by those outside of the 
 organization and coming in contact with its work only as spectators and 
 critics, but by many of those identified with the management. The great 
 organized army, charged with the duty of completing the Exposition, was 
 sustained by faith and the indomitable energy of the officers of the various 
 departments. The Director of Works seemed omnipresent. No hour was 
 too early and no weather too severe for him to be abroad inspecting and di- 
 recting the progress of the work and urging on his lieutenants. It was his 
 custom to drive through the Park in an open vehicle at daybreak or earlier, 
 accompanied by his secretary, Mr. Pickett, and a stenographer, and occa- 
 sionally by one or more of his officers, making notes and informing himself 
 as to the condition of the work in every part of the grounds. When the 
 enormous space to be covered is considered, the labor of this feat can be ap- 
 preciated. The wonderful physical strength of the Director of Works en- 
 abled him to undergo this exertion without apparent effort or detriment to 
 his health. At seven or half past seven o'clock his officers held a " bureau 
 meeting," usually presided over by the Assistant Director of Works, Mr. 
 Graham, at which the Director of Works generally assisted. Officers were 
 enabled at this meeting to secure information, prefer complaints and make 
 requests, and minutes were kept of the proceedings. It was possible for the 
 Director of Works at these meetings to urge on such portions of the work 
 as were behindhand, calling to account any one who appeared to be delin- 
 
312 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 quent, and settling every complaint by prompt, stern, and vigorous measures. 
 By these morning inspections and bureau meetings a vast amount of actual 
 work was planned ready for execution while the good people of Chicago 
 were rising from bed or preparing for breakfast. Thus the efficiency of the 
 
 department was so great as to render 
 easy of accomplishment things that 
 would be looked on ordinarily as impos- 
 sibilities within the time allowed for car- 
 rying them out. 
 
 But indeed the situation looked seri- 
 ous, even to those who appreciated the 
 energy and excellence of the organiza- 
 tion. The impressive ceremonies by 
 which the magnificent equipment of the 
 World's Columbian Exposition had been 
 dedicated to its grand uses, to progress, 
 and to humanity, had passed. The im- 
 mense multitude had assembled beneath 
 the roof of the Manufactures Building, 
 and the still greater throngs that crowded 
 the streets of Chicago for miles, and 
 filled the broad acres of the parks, had 
 witnessed the imposing spectacle of the 
 marches and the parades. The possibili- 
 ties of dealing successfully with enor- 
 mous crowds had been demonstrated. The combined effects of the build- 
 ings and the landscape were no longer a conjecture or a promise, but a 
 splendid realization. Everything seemed to prefigure ultimate success, 
 and to indicate that it was within easy reach ; but nothing could have 
 been farther from the truth. Winter set in, and manifold difficulties ap- 
 peared. 
 
 The regulations had provided that the general reception of articles at the 
 Exposition buildings should begin on November i, 1892. It was the inten- 
 tion to provide six months in which the exhibitors might erect their pavilions, 
 set foundations for heavy machinery, and otherwise install their exhibits, in 
 ample time for the opening on the ist of May, 1893. A few of the exhibits 
 were arriving, but most of them were delayed, thus rendering it certain that 
 a traffic-congestion would occur. But the alarming feature was not the delay 
 in the arrival of exhibits so much as the fact which now appeared that the 
 buildings were in no condition to receive them. The interiors were not 
 painted. In the Manufactures Building the galleries were not completed. 
 In many instances the roofs were not proof against rain, and none of them 
 prevented the entry of snow, which filtered everywhere through louvers and 
 ventilators. The Administration Building, as the central and official one. 
 
 SAMUEL W. ALLERTON, 
 Member of the Directory. 
 
LAST MONTHS OF CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION. 
 
 3^3 
 
 was. not ready for use until about December i. The winter was unusually 
 cold and stormy, and snow was abundant. Drifts formed in the angles of 
 the roofs, and as the accumulations became heavy by reason of thaw or rain, 
 the skylights were unequal to the pressure, and tumbled their burdens upon 
 the floors. Especially did these accidents befall the great building. Here a 
 
 THE MACHINERY BUILDING, MARCH 25, 1892. 
 
 single roof covered an area of more than ten acres, and its crest was nearly 
 two hundred and fifty feet from the ground. They who build mountains 
 may expect avalanches, and in this case the avalanches were frequent. About 
 the middle of January snow began to accumulate on the upper areas of the 
 great roof of this building. On the 28th a change of temperature, accom- 
 panied by rain, caused the masses of snow weighted with water to slide down, 
 and with the acquired momentum to crash through the skylights. In some 
 instances the moving masses carried away not only the timber and ironwork 
 of the roof, but the platform of the gallery and the main floor, and piled 
 the wreck upon the ground. The weather again turned cold, and repeated 
 snows followed. An effort was made by the contractor charged with the 
 construction of the roof to have this work put in proper shape. Finally the 
 Construction Department took the work in hand and placed upon the 
 alpine summits men who pushed down the snow as it fell, and others who 
 
214 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 passed it through the breaches already made, and finally packed it away 
 beneath the ground floor. 
 
 In this building nearly an acre of glass had been destroyed. The roof re- 
 mained without repair for several weeks because of repeated storms, and be- 
 cause the glass had to be reproduced at the manufactory. On March 9 an 
 inspection showed that in the valley surrounding the great dome there was 
 an opening twelve feet wide and about thirty -eight hundred feet long, through 
 which all the rain falling on more than twenty acres was delivered on the 
 floor of the building. The Manufactures Building was not the only one to 
 suffer. Those for Agriculture, Machinery, and Transportation Exhibits were 
 also damaged seriously. 
 
 One of the discouragements was the delay in the completion of the 
 power plant, which was expected to start when the button was pressed by 
 the President of the nation on the ist of May. The boilers were arriving 
 and being put in place, but the engines and some other portions of the plant 
 came very slowly. Further than this, the condition of the roof of Machin- 
 ery Hall, where the power plant was to be installed, was little if anything 
 better than that of the Manufactures Building, rendering it doubtful whether, 
 if engines were installed, they could be preserved from serious damage. The 
 leaky-roof trouble, however, while seemingly hopeless, in time was remedied. 
 An assistant engineer, John Colley, was sent out to visit all the shops in the 
 country where portions of the plant were being made to report progress and 
 urge manufacturers to greater haste. He found the work much delayed. 
 Late in the winter the situation was further complicated by the resignation 
 of the mechanical and electrical engineer, who became discouraged at the 
 difficulties surrounding him. Charles F. Foster, who succeeded as mechan- 
 ical engineer, possessed courage, energy, and industry equal to the task com- 
 mitted to him. He inspired confidence and hope among his subordinates, 
 and labored day and night to bring the work, if not to a completed state, 
 at least to such a condition as would reflect no discredit upon the manage- 
 ment when the gates were thrown open to the public. This he accom- 
 plished, but only by heavy outlay of money and by heroic work on the part 
 of himself and his assistants. The entire expenditure charged to " Power 
 Plant," " Mechanical Engineering," and " Mechanical Implements and 
 Tools," on account of construction, was over $750,000; the Exposition 
 purchased no engines or boilers for its power plant, and many other portions 
 of its machinery and appliances were exhibits loaned at little or no expense 
 to the company. Vast outlays were incurred for pipe, fittings, etc., not 
 included in the budget, and for which no estimates had been made. The 
 mechanical engineer found no time for making estimates, and could not 
 count the cost until his work of construction was closed. As the result of 
 his exertion, the power plant was in fair condition on May i. The 2,000- 
 horse-power engine furnished by E. P. AUis & Co., of Milwaukee, Wis., 
 moved for the first time a few days before the opening. This engine was 
 
LAST MONTHS OF CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION. 
 
 315 
 
 connected by wire with the key upon the grand stand in front of the Ad- 
 ministration Building. 
 
 Owing to delays that had occurred in some departments in the allotment 
 of space, and the inevitable dissatisfaction of some exhibitors with space allot- 
 ted to them, withdrawals of applications became frequent, and much alarm 
 was felt over the loss of these exhibits. Some of the losses were irreparable, 
 
 i|*l:iiHi[ljJ!ii 
 
 ■■ I li^.'*^'' • J •U 111 
 
 m 
 
 APPROACHING COMPLETION. LOOKING SOUTHEAST. 
 
 Part of the Fisheries Building in the foreground, the Dome of the Government Building at the left, 
 
 and the Manufactures Building in the background. 
 
 and were greatly deplored by the management ; but in most cases their 
 importance was exaggerated, particularly by the press of the locality in 
 which the applicant was engaged in business. Indeed, the temper of the 
 press was such as to cause many misgivings, especially as the management 
 was naturally sensitive to criticism, and while doubtless much was said in the 
 way of praise and encouragement, only the unfavorable criticisms came to 
 its notice. The erroneous statements so widely circulated seemed suffi- 
 ciently general to justify the fear that the Exposition was being put in an 
 unfavorable light before the world, to the detriment of the expected patron- 
 age. The condition of the roofs was widely published, and, bad as it was, 
 became greatly exaggerated. The incomplete condition of the grounds and 
 buildings was noised abroad, coupled with the assertion that the Exposition 
 would not be ready in time — an assertion very easy to make and very hard 
 to disprove. Criticisms as to the general plan and the details of the Expo- 
 sition, and statements that great discomfort would be experienced in view- 
 
3i6 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 ing it ; that the grounds were full of side shows and special attractions, to 
 which admission fees would be charged, each being a part of the general 
 plan to defraud the public ; that restaurant prices would be extortionate ; 
 that hotels and boarding houses in Chicago, and in fact all lines of trade, 
 were waiting for a chance to practice extortion upon the visitors — these 
 were the chief items of news regarding the Exposition that came to the 
 attention of the management, which it was bound to counteract and dis- 
 prove by every means in its power. Naturally those statements were hardest 
 to disprove which contained some small proportion of truth. For the pur- 
 pose of meeting some of the criticisms, in March, 1893, an address to the 
 pubHc was issued, stating that the Exposition would be opened in readiness 
 for visitors on May i ; that an abundance of drinking water would be pro- 
 vided free to all ; that ample provisions for seating would be made without 
 charge ; that about fifteen hundred toilet rooms would be* located at con- 
 venient points in the buildings and about the grounds, and would be abso- 
 lutely free to the public ; that the admission fee of fifty cents would entitle 
 the visitors to enter all the Exposition buildings and inspect the exhibits ; 
 and that free medical and emergency hospital services would be provided on 
 the grounds by the Exposition management. 
 
 As the spring opened, a thin stream of exhibits began to flow into the 
 Park, by wagon loads from the city and by car loads from the various rail- 
 roads. 
 
 On March 16, car loads of glass began to arrive, and as large a force as 
 could be utilized was set to repair the breaches. On March 20 another 
 severe storm of wind, with much rain, came from the lake. Deluges of 
 water poured through the broken spaces, while it was evident that even -the 
 unbroken roofs permitted its entrance too freely. Complaint came from 
 Manufactures, Agriculture, Machinery, Horticulture, Fisheries, Mines, 
 Transportation, Fine Arts, and elsewhere ; while Anthropology, which had 
 no roof at all, was in a condition not much worse. Exhibitors, State and 
 foreign commissions, and chiefs united in the most vigorous protests. Less 
 than forty days remained before the opening day, and yet, on March 22, a 
 general order was issued arresting all delivery of exhibits. The exigency 
 was imperative. Material arrived ; the entire construction force was em- 
 ployed ; better weather ensued ; delivery was resumed, and on March 30 
 the Chief of Construction reported that the roofs were practically water- 
 tight. 
 
 The Department of Transportation, was charged with the handling of 
 exhibits from railroad cars to points of installation. The cars were received 
 in the vast switching yards constructed by the Exposition in the southwest 
 corner of the Park. From this point they were taken charge of by the 
 Department of Transportation and shifted to convenient points for unload- 
 ing, the entire matter of their reception, shifting, and unloading being sub- 
 ject to rules and regulations carefully prepared for the guidance of this 
 
LAST MONTHS OF CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION. ,17 
 
 department and the various exhibit departments under the Director General. 
 Cars were unloaded by hand or by means of traveling steam cranes. An 
 electric transfer table was used in the Building of Transportation Exhibits, 
 and in Machinery Hall, where the exhibits to be installed were of the 
 heaviest weights, three electric cranes traveled overhead the entire length of 
 the building. 
 
 It was required that freight charges upon exhibits be prepaid from points 
 of shipment, plus an additional charge' of six cents a hundred weight, to 
 cover the cost of receiving and unloading at the Exposition grounds. When- 
 ever a shipment came through to Jackson Park with charges on it, the joint 
 agent, who represented all the railroads doing business at the Park, collected 
 the proper charges, making return to the railroads interested and to the com- 
 pany. As the spring advanced it was found that the macadam roads, which 
 were just being completed, were liable to be cut up and destroyed by the 
 heavy teaming, as they were suitable only for pedestrians and light traffic. 
 Therefore a rule was adopted prohibiting the admission of vehicles not 
 equipped with broad tires, a three-inch tire being required for a one-horse 
 vehicle and a four-inch tire for vehicles of two or more horses. 
 
 The rules of the Exposition, which accompanied the application for space, 
 required that all exhibits be delivered at Jackson Park by April 15, 1893. 
 This requirement was made for the purpose of impressing on intending 
 exhibitors the necessity for promptness ; but it was rendered ineffective by 
 reason of the natural tendency to delays in the shipment of exhibits, the 
 unfavorable weather, and the delays in the completion of the Exposition 
 grounds and buildings. 
 
 The movement of exhibits into the Park by railroad was 7,900 car loads 
 made up of 332,467 packages weighing 60,509 tons; by wagon, 66,292 pack- 
 ages weighing 12,192 tons — making a total of 398,759 packages weighing 
 72,701 tons. As many exhibits were brought into the Park by teams other 
 than the Exposition teams, of which no account was kept, the total volume 
 of exhibits handled is considerably above these figures. The work of hand- 
 ling exhibits was extremely arduous. The movement was delayed until the 
 last moment, and then the exhibits came so rapidly as to tax the energies of 
 the Department of Transportation to the utmost. 
 
 Another duty of the Department of Transportation was the care of 
 empty packing cases, which were received from exhibitors, removed to the 
 warehouses provided for that purpose at the south end of the grounds, and 
 restored to exhibitors at the close of the Exposition. A charge of four and 
 a half cents a cubic foot was made for this service, which charge, it was found, 
 did not quite cover the cost of warehouses and expense of handling. During 
 the Exposition 1,776,064 cubic feet of packing cases were stored for exhib- 
 itors, representing 59,376 cases, only 4, 2 5 9 of which were unclaimed. Storage 
 charges were not collected promptly, owing to a variety of causes, among 
 which were misunderstandings between the exhibitors and the management 
 
3i8 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 during the early part of the Exposition. At the close there was great 
 pressure, as exhibitors desired to pay up and secure their cases at once. 
 
 The spring was even more trying than the winter — cold and stormy, with 
 severe snows and much rain. Late in April a heavy storm, which was ac- 
 
 UNLOADING EXHIBITS. 
 
 companied by much rain, blew down staff-work in various parts of the 
 grounds. The Manufactures Building was flooded in several places and 
 hundreds of the Guards were busy during the night covering exhibits with 
 tarpaulins, shifting boxes, and preventing damage where possible. It was 
 not easy to find good workmen who would venture upon the roof of Manu- 
 factures Building, and who could work to advantage during the weather 
 experienced in April, but by May i the roofs were in much better condi- 
 tion. 
 
 During the winter it became evident that the Service Building was not 
 large enough to furnish sufficient accommodation. This was three hundred 
 and eight feet long by one hundred and sixty-four feet wide, two stories in 
 height, with a central court, and contained quarters for the Medical Depart- 
 ment, Emergency Hospital, headquarters and barracks for a portion of the 
 
LAST MONTHS OF CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION. ojq 
 
 Guard, the general offices of the Department of Works, sleeping rooms for 
 its principal officers who were constantly on the grounds, and a small mess 
 room for these officers and also for the nurses detailed for duty in con- 
 nection with the Emergency Hospital. 
 
 Accommodations were needed for the Departments of Collections and 
 Admissions and the Auditor's and Treasurer's offices, each of which required 
 a large amount of office room. The Auditor's office had been for some time 
 located in the Service Building. The Treasurer was still at the Rand- 
 McNally Building, and the Departments of Admissions and Collections 
 were not yet fully organized. Plans were made hastily for an office build- 
 ing two hundred and thirty feet long from north to south by seventy feet 
 wide, two stories in height, and containing brick vaults in the center. It 
 was located just north of the Service Building and west of Horticultural 
 Building. The offices of the Auditor and Treasurer and of the Department 
 of Collections were upon the first floor, and the Department of Admissions 
 upon the second floor, space being set apart on the second floor for sleeping 
 accommodations for a portion of the force of these four departments, who 
 were frequently called on to work late into the night. The Department of 
 Works made its record for rapid work on this building. It was known as 
 the Accounting Building, and was constructed in about five weeks at a cost 
 of $36,199.61. 
 
 The Exposition property had never been properly covered by insurance. 
 The risks were considered extra hazardous, and difficulty was experienced in 
 inducing companies to write policies. Sufficient consideration was not given 
 to the extraordinary precautions taken to prevent fires, and the facilities that 
 had been provided for controlling them. As a matter of fact, while small 
 blazes were of frequent occurrence in the Park, and there were several large 
 fires just outside the inclosure, no serious damage was done to any of the 
 company's property within Jackson Park. Only one bad fire occurred dur- 
 ing the Exposition season — that which destroyed the Cold-Storage Ware- 
 house. This was a building erected under a concession contract, and was 
 not the property of the company. 
 
 Insurance was written during the construction period through a commit- 
 tee of agents who endeavored to distribute the risk among the companies 
 doing business in Chicago, or such as could be induced to write. While 
 exhibits were arriving, the companies began to cancel policies upon buildings 
 and write up to their maximum upon exhibits, leaving the Exposition Com- 
 pany unprotected. Thus the amount of insurance on buildings was con- 
 stantly shrinking, until finally President Higinbotham, in whose discretion 
 the matter had been left, finding that a considerable amount was being 
 expended for premiums, without adequate or even partial protection to the 
 company, canceled all remaining insurance. The management thereafter 
 concentrated attention upon the effort to protect its property from fire so 
 thoroughly as to render loss from this source a practical impossibility. 
 23 
 
320 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 In the case of the works of art forming the Loan Collection of the 
 American section, the owners required insurance to protect them against 
 loss, and the Exposition was in no position to meet the demand. Com- 
 panies wrote insurance on exhibits belonging to their regular customers as a 
 favor, but the Exposition could not secure satisfactory insurance on material 
 
 1! 1^ 
 
 THE PERISTYLE, JANUARY, 1893. 
 
 or buildings. The Art Building was constructed chiefly of brick and steel, 
 with exterior covering of staff, and was practically fireproof. The loan col- 
 lection of works of art aggregated about three million dollars in value, the value 
 placed upon the various works being in most cases the amount paid for the 
 work itself by the owner, without allowance for any appreciation in value 
 that might have occurred after his purchase. Finally the Board of Directors 
 authorized the execution of contracts in the nature of insurance policies, 
 whereby the Exposition became responsible for these exhibits as an insurer, 
 the value of the various works being fixed before their shiprnent, and con- 
 tracts delivered to the owners. The profits that the Exposition expected to 
 realize over and above its bonded and floating debt and operating expenses 
 were deemed sufficient to meet any possible losses by injury to exhibits in 
 
LAST MONTHS OF CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION. ^21 
 
 the loan collection. As a matter of fact, the surplus over fixed charges and 
 operating expenses did not prove large enough to have more than half paid 
 the values named in these guarantees, had a total loss occurred ; for the finan- 
 cial panic that set in just as the Exposition opened had the effect of dimin- 
 ishing the company's receipts, while its expenditures ultimately proved much 
 greater even than was indicated by the figures at hand in March, 1893. For- 
 tunately, no loss of any kind occurred, and no damage beyond one or two 
 trifling matters that were easily repaired at an expense of a few hundred dol- 
 lars. This result must be attributed to the care and watchfulness of the 
 Chief of the Department of Fine Arts, Halsey C. Ives, and of his assistants, 
 and the vigilance of the Guard and Fire Departments, both of which were 
 strictly and repeatedly enjoined to use the greatest diligence and every pre- 
 caution that could be devised for protecting the precious contents of the Art 
 Building. In two instances owners of works of art declined to accept the 
 Exposition's guarantees. Rather than suffer any impairment of the loan col- 
 lection, of which great things were expected. President Higinbotham em- 
 powered the Chief of the Department of Fine Arts to offer his personal 
 giiarantee to cover these and any similar ones that might arise ; but Mr. Ives 
 declined to use this guarantee, preferring to persuade owners of works of art 
 to change their position, or else to do without the pictures. 
 
 Last of all among the great barriers that had to be overcome in the prog- 
 ress toward the opening of the Exposition was a strike, which occurred less 
 than thirty days before May i. (See chapter on Construction.) There 
 were at least ten thousand men employed in Jackson Park at this time, a 
 majority of them being members of closely affiliated labor organizations. 
 More than two years before the company had been confronted with a de- 
 mand that it employ none but Union men, agree to arbitrate all disputes with 
 the workmen, fix a minimum rate of wages, and make eight hours a day's 
 work. It had declined to fix a minimum rate of wages, or to employ none 
 but Union men, but it had entered into an agreement with the officers of the 
 Building-Trades Council that eight hours should constitute a day's work, and 
 that all differences should be settled by arbitration. The officers of the 
 Trades Council at the same time agreed that their Trades Unions should not 
 engage in any strikes, but should submit to awards after fair arbitration. All 
 work in excess of eight hours a day was to be paid fo^ at the rate of " time 
 and a half " on working days and double time on Sundays. Pursuant to this 
 agreement, the Chief of Construction had made every effort to enforce the 
 eight-hour clause. He had been instructed specifically on this point by the 
 Board of Directors. The eight-hour rule had prevailed in all work directly 
 conducted by the Construction Department, and was made a part of every 
 contract entered into ; but this fact did not render it possible for the com- 
 pany to compel contractors in all cases to adhere to the agreement. Indeed, 
 under the laws of the State, eight hours constitute a day's work ; and where 
 the law could not be made effective, naturally little could be hoped for from 
 
-„- THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 any contract that the company might enter into in its haste to complete its 
 great work. No fault could be found justly with the company, nor could 
 the sincerity of its efforts to carry out this agreement be fairly questioned. 
 On the other hand, the agreement not to strike without notice, and to sub- 
 mit disputes to arbitration, was often violated by the Unions, and finally, in 
 April, 1893, a formal demand was made upon the Exposition by the Carpen- 
 ters and Builders Association and the United Carpenters Council for an 
 agreement the principal provisions of which declared that the Unions might 
 call out all their members in case of a sympathetic strike of other trades on 
 any job where it might be necessary for the parties to the agreement to take 
 part in order to protect the union principles laid down in the agreement, and 
 that a joint committee composed of five members of each of the two bodies 
 — the Builders Association and the Carpenters Council— should have power 
 to establish a minimum rate of wages and adjust all questions of interest to 
 the respective associations. In addition to this, the agreement named forty 
 cents an hour as a minimum rate of wages until altered by the joint com- 
 mittee referred to, overtime to be at the rate of time and a half. It pro- 
 hibited overtime work unless life or property were in danger, and prohibited 
 members of the Carpenters and Builders Association from hiring other than 
 Union carpenters, and members of the United Carpenters Council from 
 working for any one not a member of the Carpenters and Builders Asso- 
 ciation. 
 
 This agreement was, in form, a contract between these two Unions, the 
 one composed of working carpenters and the other of employing carpenters, 
 builders, or bosses. The chief significance of the agreement lay in the at- 
 tempt to have it subscribed to by the officers of the Exposition Company, 
 which would have resulted in the fixing of a minimum scale of wages, and 
 prohibiting the employment of non-Union men, and, instead of an arbitration 
 of both of the principal parties in interest, would have bound the Exposition 
 to any award that the Joint Committee of these two affiliated orders might 
 determine upon. The minimum rate named was not a matter of great in- 
 terest practically, as the demand for skilled labor was very great and higher 
 wages were the rule. But, in view of the agreement of two years before and 
 of the principle involved, the Council of Administration felt bound to refuse 
 acquiescence in this or the other demands implied in the new agreement. 
 
 These demands doubtless had been made without the concurrence or 
 desire of the great body of workmen who made up the Unions. It must 
 have been the thought of the leading officers of the Unions that, with a 
 great amount of work still to be accomplished upon the Exposition grounds, 
 no demand was too great to be made with safety at this time, and that the 
 Council of Administration could be forced to yield, in order that it might 
 fulfill its task with credit. 
 
 It does not seem to have been thought possible that the Management 
 would refuse to acquiesce in these demands, and take the alternative of 
 
LAST MONTHS OF CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION. 
 
 323 
 
 allowing the date for the opening of the Exposition to approach with the 
 grounds in an incomplete condition. But the latter was precisely what the 
 Council of Administration decided to do. It was learned on Sunday, April 
 9, that the strike would begin on the following morning, and members of 
 
 
 
 THE MACHINERY BUILDING, AUGUST 11, 1892. 
 
 the Council of Administration were urged to call in some one who had been 
 prominent in resisting previous strikes to take charge of this one, with the 
 powers of a dictator. The Council, however, after considering the situation 
 thoroughly, decided that with firm and cautious action it would be able to 
 avert the threatened disaster. Monday morning came, and, in place of 
 thousands of busy hands, there was silence and gathering of crowds of idle 
 men, with the consequent danger of violence, particularly to non-Union men 
 who might be found at work. The representatives of the Trades Unions 
 participating in the strike entered into a conference with the Council of 
 Administration early in the morning, which conference lasted without inter- 
 ruption until ten o'clock at night, the Council steadily refusing to subscribe 
 to the agreement, presented to it by the Unions, to concede the demand for 
 the exclusion of non-Union labor. Appeals were made to the better judg- 
 ment and to the sense of justice of the representatives of the Unions; 
 
324 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 these appeals were re-enforced by every possible argument, and the entire 
 situation was considered in its minutest details. The representatives of the 
 Unions were informed that the Council would immediately publish to the 
 world a statement of the circumstances under which it had acted, and allow 
 the Exposition to be opened in its unfinished state, and that, therefore, the 
 Unions must prepare to have their acts submitted to the closest scrutiny of 
 public opinion. The Council urged that the conference then in progress 
 must continue until a final decision was reached — either that the dispute be 
 completely healed, so that the men might go to work as usual on Tuesday 
 morning, or that the Exposition must be opened in an incomplete state, 
 leaving the public to fix the blame therefor. This proposition the labor 
 leaders did not relish, knowing, as they did, that the Exposition was as dear 
 to the laboring men of Chicago — Union or otherwise — as it was to any other 
 portion of the community. The injustice of the demands that had been 
 made upon the Council of Administration would cer- 
 tainly have brought protests from the members of the 
 ^ "^ labor organizations, and the leaders would have found 
 
 t ^k their support growing weaker within a few days. 
 
 R J^^'I^H None of the Council and few of the labor leaders 
 
 ^ ^iP ^H left the room where the conference was held from 
 
 ten o'clock in the morning until ten o'clock at 
 night, and they scarcely partook of food. 
 
 Finally the labor leaders withdrew their de- 
 mands, the Council of Administration promising 
 them that Union labor should be entitled to equal 
 consideration with non-Union labor, that work- 
 men who had struck would be taken back with- 
 out prejudice, and that the Exposition would pay 
 to every artisan employed by it " at least the mini- 
 mum rate of wages prescribed for the trade in which 
 he is employed." Passes were to be issued to a 
 representative of each trade, to enable them to enter 
 the grounds and confer with the workmen of their respective trades at all 
 times, provided such conferences should not materially interfere with work. 
 This agreement was made with the distinct understanding that it was in full 
 settlement of the whole matter in controversy, and that the striking men 
 would return to work at once. 
 
 Thus a most threatening and serious strike was averted. Had it con- 
 tinued, the firm resolve of the Council of Administration would have been 
 carried into effect, and the Exposition would have been opened in a far less 
 satisfactory condition than was actually the case. 
 
 At one time it seemed almost impossible to have a moiety of the exhibit 
 ready on the ist of May. But as weeks passed and evils were remedied, a 
 congestion of arrivals followed, requiring the most diligent effort to receive 
 
 EUGENE S. PIKE, 
 Member of the Directory. 
 
LAST MONTHS OF CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION. 
 
 325 
 
 and care for them. On the day of opening, more than forty thousand ex- 
 hibits had been received and installed, and yet about three hundred car-loads 
 lay in the yards awaiting their turn to be moved to their proper destination 
 and unloaded. During the last two days of April — Saturday and Sunday — 
 the grounds were cleared up, and the exhibits in the various buildings were 
 displayed to the best advantage. Exhibits still in the packing-cases were 
 hidden with much skill and dexterity, and a beautiful effect was produced in 
 many buildings. Last of all, in the few hours before the dawn of May i the 
 freight cars, full and empty, were drawn back into the yards, thus enabling 
 one to obtain an uninterrupted view in all directions through the Park and 
 among the buildings. The grounds were improved in every possible way, in 
 spite of the heavy rains, by hundreds of teams and many quickly-moving 
 hands, and at dawn a fairly complete holiday appearance was presented. 
 
 A capital on the Fisheries Building 
 
The Sixty-Second Street Entrance. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 BUREAU OF ADMISSIONS AND COLLECTIONS. 
 
 Complimentary tickets — Passes — Composition of the Bureau — Gate money and conces- 
 sions — Use of tickets — Photographic passes — Employment of experts. 
 
 THE general rules and regulations provided for a 
 Bureau of Admissions and Collections, which 
 in reality was a committee composed of the 
 chairmen of the Committees on Ways and Means and 
 Finance and the President, Treasurer, and Auditor 
 of the company, charged with the duty of man- 
 aging and controlling the sale and collection of 
 all tickets of admission and the issuance of 
 passes^ to the Exposition grounds ; also the 
 collection of moneys that might become due to 
 the World's Columbian Exposition on account 
 of privileges and concessions or from exhibitors 
 and State boards. This bureau was empowered to 
 adopt such regulations and employ such servants 
 and agents as might be necessary. 
 
 The general rules provided that complimentary 
 tickets should be issued to those whose official po- 
 sition demanded recognition by the Exposition, viz. : the President and 
 Vice-President of the United States, members of the Cabinet, justices of the 
 Supreme Court of the United States, members of Congress and chief offi- 
 cers of the National Government, the diplomatic corps. Governors of the 
 
 States and Territories, the Mayor of the city of Chicago and members of 
 
 326 
 
 EDWARD B. BUTLER, 
 Member of the Directory, 
 and Chairman of the 
 Committee on Ways and Means 
 
BUREAU OF ADMISSIONS AND COLLECTIONS. 
 
 327 
 
 the City Council, members of the World's Columbian Commission and their 
 alternates, the Board of Directors of the Exposition and ex-members of said 
 Board, members of the Board of Lady Managers and their alternates, mem- 
 bers of the State and Territorial World's Fair boards, members of the Board 
 of Management of the United States Government exhibit, foreign commis- 
 sioners and their secretaries, judges and jurors of awards, all the executive 
 ofi&cers of the Exposition, all the Customhouse officials, clerks employed by 
 the Secretary of the Treasury within the Exposition grounds, members of 
 the Board of South Park Commissioners, representatives of the most im- 
 portant journals of this and foreign countries, and other persons who were 
 adjudged to be entitled to a pass by the President of the World's Colum- 
 bian Commission, the President of the World's Columbian Exposition, and 
 the Director General. 
 
 In all cases where a pass was issued on the request of the President of the 
 World's Columbian Commission, the President of the Exposition, or the 
 Director General, such pass was required to bear the signature of the officer 
 who made application therefor. All passes bore facsimiles of the signatures 
 of the Presidents of the two bodies and also of the Director General. The 
 rules further provided for the issuance of passes to all necessary employees 
 during their term of service, and each exhibitor was allowed one pass, pro- 
 vided his presence was required during the installation of his exhibit and 
 the time of exhibition. Passes were issued also to all necessary and regular 
 employees and attendants in connection with exhibits, and to concessionnaires 
 and their necessary servants and employees. 
 
 The Bureau of Admissions and Collections was composed of Edward B. 
 Butler, Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means ; Ferdinand W. 
 Peck, Chairman of the Committee on Finance ; William K. Ackerman, Au- 
 ditor ; Anthony F. Seeberger, Treasurer ; and President Higinbotham. It 
 organized by electing Mr. Butler its Chairman and Howard O. Edmonds, 
 Secretary of the company, its Secretary. No provision was made as to the 
 relation that the Bureau should sustain to the Council of Administration. 
 It was theoretically an independent and co-ordinate body, applying to the 
 Board of Directors for appropriations, and then pursuing its work without 
 reference to any other jurisdiction. This was of course wrong in theory. 
 However, a poor system can be made to work fairly well when the individ- 
 uals composing it are filled with a desire to make the best of the situation, 
 to pursue their work with discretion, and to follow it up carefully and thor- 
 oughly. The Bureau of Admissions and Collections always endeavored to 
 keep in close touch with the Council of Administration, and consequently 
 there never was any serious friction or misunderstanding between the two 
 bodies. The President of the company was a member of both, which fact, 
 while adding to his already heavy demands, and dividing his attention, 
 assisted in bringing about the necessary co-operation between the two bodies. 
 
 As soon as the Bureau was organized the Auditor, Mr. Ackerman, was 
 
328 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 HORACE TUCKER, 
 Superintendent of Admissions. 
 
 requested to draw up a report on the subject of gate admissions. This re- 
 port was carefully considered, and led to the appointment, on December 27, 
 1892, of Horace Tucker, of Chicago, as Superintendent of Admissions, to 
 have charge of the sale of tickets and the gate admis- 
 sions. Mr. Tucker entered at once upon the dis- 
 charge of his duties. 
 
 The work of the Bureau naturally divided it- 
 self into two departments, that for the control of 
 gate admissions and that for the collection of 
 moneys due the Exposition from conces- 
 sions. As to the moneys that might be- 
 come due from exhibitors and State boards, 
 suitable arrangements had been made al- 
 ' ready for their collection through the Audi- 
 
 tor's office. These latter sums became due 
 in payment for work done by the Exposi- 
 tion Company through the various branches 
 of its Department of Works. It was a sim- 
 ple matter to require statements from the 
 branches of the Department of Works perform- 
 ing the service to the Auditor, who thereupon 
 rendered bills for the proper amounts and col- 
 lected them. 
 The time allowed for the organization of the Departments of Admissions 
 and Collections was altogether too short. The Superintendent of Admis- 
 sions had but four months in which to make all his preparations and complete 
 his arrangements, and, owing to the difficulty of finding a suitable man for 
 the place of Superintendent of Collections, that officer when appointed had 
 less than three months at command. A year would have been a very short 
 time for the purpose. When we realize how great was the disadvantage 
 under which these officers were placed, much allowance must be made for 
 any defects or shortcomings that may have been found in their work. In 
 the main, their work was more than satisfactory ; but for all cases where 
 arrangements were found incomplete on May i, or where mistakes were 
 made, the handicap of insufficient time is an ample excuse. The Exposi- 
 tion, through its Committee on Ways and Means, had given attention to the 
 ■ subject of admissions and collections before, but, owing to the pressure of 
 other matters, these had been postponed until long past the period of safety. 
 Soon after the appointment of the Superintendent of Admissions the 
 Bureau determined to adopt the system of admission by a printed or en- 
 graved ticket rather than by the use of half dollars as tickets, as at the Cen- 
 tennial Exposition. A contract was made with the American Bank-note 
 Company for six million tickets in four series, each distinguished by the vi- 
 gnette on its face — one series bearing the portrait of Columbus, another that 
 
BUREAU OF ADMISSIONS AND COLLECTIONS. 
 
 329 
 
 of Washington, the thu-d that of Lincoln, and the fourth the head of a typical 
 North American Indian. These tickets, it was conceived, would be interest- 
 ing as souvenirs, and they were to be sold, not only at the gates, but in the 
 city and elsewhere, and to be good for admission on any day of the Ex- 
 position. 
 
 The great bulk of admissions was to be handled by means of a cheaper 
 form of ticket, of which the Exposition ordered twenty-five milhons, divided 
 into series, each series distinguished by letters and fig'ures — A, i A, 2 A, 
 B, I B, 2 B, etc. These tickets were to be sold only at the booths imme- 
 diately outside the turnstiles, and were to be good only on the day of sale, 
 tickets of one series being put out for sale at the beginning of a day, and 
 instructions given to ticket takers not to recognize tickets of any other 
 series. Thus the ticket takers had two forms of admission to watch — one 
 the engraved souvenir ticket, and the other the ticket of the series adopted 
 for the day. The Department of Admissions had the power to discontinue 
 the use of a series of tickets in the course of the day and put out another 
 series in its place, thus reducing the danger of counterfeiting to a minimum. 
 
 The souvenir tickets were of the size of the old United States twenty- 
 five-cent notes, en- 
 graved on an especial- 
 ly prepared paper hav- 
 ing a mottled appear- 
 ance, which could be 
 detected by holding 
 the ticket up to the 
 light. The spots in 
 the paper could also 
 be felt with the hands. 
 They were elaborately 
 and handsomely en- 
 graved, and bore fac- 
 similes of the signa- 
 tures of the President 
 
 and Treasurer of the Exposition. The Exposition was felt to be in no 
 danger from the counterfeiting of these tickets. The cheaper form of ad- 
 mission tickets could not be counterfeited to advantage, for the reason 
 that no one except the Superintendent of Admissions and the head of his 
 Ticket Department knew what series would be in use on any day until the 
 hour for opening the gates arrived. Had it been suspected on any day that 
 counterfeits of the series in use were being passed, they could have been 
 easily detected by instantly changing the series on sale at the ticket booths 
 outside the gates. 
 
 The complimentary cards of admission were engraved and printed for 
 the Exposition by the American Bank Note Company without charge, for 
 
 SOUVENIR ADMISSION TICKET. 
 
,,0 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 which compliment the thanks of the Bureau were tendered to the officers of 
 that company. 
 
 A turnstile was adopted for the gates which had combined with it a chop- 
 per for mutilating the tickets, also a register to indicate the number of per- 
 sons that had passed through the stile within a given time. The chopper 
 was abandoned subsequently because the mutilation of the ticket was too 
 great to allow a satisfactory count for the purpose of checking the register 
 and the report of tickets sold. 
 
 The enormous number of free admissions which the management had 
 reason to expect was the cause of great anxiety. The system was sub- 
 jected to some abuse, and many persons obtained admission who were not 
 entitled thereto ; but the abuse was detected in the majority of instances, 
 where it extended over a considerable period, and subsequently there was no 
 cause for complaint. Had there been time enough in which to organize the 
 department thoroughly, doubtless the abuse of passes would, under the care- 
 ful attention of the Superintendent, have been reduced to a minimum. 
 
 Neatly engraved cards of admission were issued to the President and 
 Vice-President of the United States, Members of the Cabinet, Justices of 
 the Supreme Court, Members of Congress, Governors of States, etc., but 
 for the great bulk of the free admissions a photographic pass was provided 
 in the form of a book, which bore on the inside of the cover the photograph 
 and autograph of the person entitled to use it. The rest of the book was 
 made up of coupons, one for each day of the Exposition. As the pass 
 holder entered the gate the coupons were detached and deposited in the 
 chopper. 
 
 It was not expected that the ticket taker would scrutinize the photograph 
 at each admission and make comparison with the pass holder, but the advan- 
 tage of the photographic pass system was that it placed it within the power 
 of the Superintendent of Admissions to require this comparison and scrutiny 
 whenever he desired ; and even if a holder of a pass were not refused admis- 
 sion at the time, a clew could be established by means of the report of the 
 ticket taker, giving the number of the pass suspected to be illegally held. 
 Thus an investigation could be started and, if deemed proper, the pass could 
 be taken up when next presented. Besides this, the fact that a photograph 
 was contained in the passbook rendered persons chary of attempting an un- 
 lawful use of it. 
 
 It was felt that there would be some opposition to photographic passes 
 among the thousands of employees and exhibitors, and therefore the Bureau 
 of Admissions and Collections resolved to put this system into use among 
 the Directors and the Commissioners, so that the argument could be urged 
 that the system was submitted to by all alike — the highest and the lowest. 
 This course provoked some opposition, although in the main it was cheer- 
 fully acceded to and commended as a wise precaution when the reasons were 
 properly explained. 
 
BUREAU OF ADMISSIONS AND COLLECTIONS. 
 
 331 
 
 There were day laborers in the employ of contractors doing work for the 
 Exposition or for the exhibitors, and these laborers were constantly changing 
 and diminishing in number as the Exposition approached completion. It 
 was not feasible to require photographs from these, as they were hired and 
 discharged from day to day, and therefore workmen's tickets, good for a 
 month, were printed with a different color for each month. These were good 
 only through certain turn- 
 
 Stiles, and were punched as 
 the holder went through. A 
 deposit of one dollar was re- 
 quired as a guarantee for the 
 return of the ticket when the 
 holder ceased working for his 
 employer. Single-day work- 
 men's tickets were issued also. 
 During the time between 
 the appointment of the Su- 
 
 f^:^t^2-:i=^- 
 
 §i:r^2:i^^?^i '^ 
 
 
 
 PRESIDENT. 
 
 LIMITED ADMISSION TICKET. 
 
 perintendent of Admissions, December 27, 1892, and the opening of the 
 Exposition, contracts for the engraved souvenir tickets, the passbooks, and 
 the twenty-five millions of ordinary tickets were closed and filled. A corps 
 of ticket sellers, ticket takers, and inspectors was organized. An office 
 force was recruited and charged with the issuance of the thousands of passes 
 and the keeping of an orderly record thereof, and also with the work of 
 issuing and accounting for the tickets sold and taken in from day to day. 
 Necessarily the work of issuing photographic passes, securing the photo- 
 graph and affixing it upon the passbook, and preparing such records as 
 would render information regarding the passes readily accessible for the pur- 
 pose of detecting abuses, was a matter of great labor and difficulty. At 
 the same time, entrances, ticket booths, turnstiles, and the sale of tickets 
 in the city and at points distant from Jackson Park, for the purpose of 
 preventing congestion at the gates, had to be looked after. The contract 
 for turnstiles was not closed until so late that it was almost impossible to 
 expect them to be ready for service on May i, and as a matter of fact they 
 were not wholly ready for service until the middle of June. 
 
 For Chicago Day (October 9) a special souvenir ticket was printed, bear- 
 ing upon its back a picture of Fort Dearborn and the site of Chicago. This 
 ticket had a coupon which was detached and deposited in the ticket can, the 
 body of the ticket being retained by the visitor. Great enthusiasm was 
 aroused over this celebration, tickets were placed on sale in large quantities 
 several days in advance, rumors of an enormous attendance were rife, and 
 every possible arrangement was made for the reception of the crowd. Ticket 
 sellers and ticket takers went to their posts at half past six o'clock in the morn- 
 ing, but found the crowds around their booths already waiting for them. 
 Over 700,000 Chicago-day tickets were rapidly disposed of. No congestion 
 
332 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 ^^rt L^BPtiapj^ 
 
 inagQ 
 
 occurred at any gate, with the possible exception of Cottage Grove Avenue 
 entrance, where a temporary congestion occurred until relief was obtained 
 from the City Police Department. Early in the day ticket sellers began to 
 send in for more tickets, and messengers were kept busy taking out tickets 
 to supply the demand. The entire edition of Chicago-day tickets was finally 
 disposed of, and then it was necessary to place regular-day tickets on sale. 
 It had been planned that some of the ticket sellers at each gate should close 
 their windows before the middle of the afternoon, long enough to count their 
 money and turn it in to the Treasurer's office ; but the crowd grew heavier, 
 and the plan was abandoned. Patrol wagons in charge of Columbian Guards, 
 
 together with repre- 
 "■"'i sentatives of the 
 Treasurer's office, 
 called at the main 
 ticket booths and 
 brought in all the 
 money collected up 
 to that time. Even 
 the roller chairs were 
 impressed into the 
 service to assist in 
 bringing the large 
 bags of silver to the 
 Treasurer's office. 
 It was two o'clock Tuesday morning before the last ticket seller settled and 
 the final report of 716,881 paid admissions was given to the press. 
 
 The admission rate for children (twenty-five cents) continued until October 
 10, when an order was made for the admission of persons between the ages 
 of six and eighteen years inclusive, during the days from October 10 to 21, 
 for ten cents. This was done for the purpose of giving the school children 
 of the city the educational advantage of the Exposition to the fullest extent. 
 The schools were closed during this week, and every effort was made to bring 
 as many pupils as possible to the grounds. Especial mention should be 
 made of the efforts of Director Alexander H. Revell, a member of the Board 
 of Education, and Superintendent-of-Schools A. G. Lane, who, with others, 
 exerted themselves to the end that the benefits of this low fare might be 
 widely distributed. The number of school children who attended during that 
 week was 310,444. 
 
 The total number of free admissions of all kinds, from May i to October 
 30 inclusive, was 6,059,380, which includes admission upon complimentary 
 cards, photographic passes, press passes, trip passes, workmen's tickets, and 
 return checks. The latter should not figure in the total of free admissions, 
 as those who used them had already entered the grounds once on their 
 passes and had only left temporarily. The following is a more correct state- 
 
 BACK OF SPECIAL TICKET 
 issued for Chicago Day. 
 
BUREAU OF ADMISSIONS AND COLLECTIONS. 
 
 O O «j 
 
 ment : Total number of free admissions of all kinds, 6,059,380; less return 
 checks, 1,703,448 ; actual number of free admissions, 4,355,932. The total 
 number of paid admissions for the entire period of the Exposition was 
 21,480,141. 
 
 The final settlement of the department with the Auditor and the Treasurer 
 showed that a complete accounting for all tickets sold and the number of 
 tickets remaining on hand agreed with the original invoices. The Department 
 of Admissions handled during the Exposition period $10,336,065.75, and with 
 the large number of men employed for temporary service in various ways- 
 such as ticket accountants, ticket counters, ticket sellers, and ticket takers— 
 the record of the department is most excellent. No claim for any shortage 
 of money or tickets was ever reported from the Auditor or the Treasurer, and 
 no such shortage occurred.' The discipline, intelligence, and devotion to 
 duty of the employees of the department was beyond all praise. 
 
 The work of organizing the Department of Collections was inconceivably 
 more difficult. While the revenues anticipated from this source were not 
 expected to exceed one third or one half the gate admissions, the work of 
 collecting was far more difficult. It would have been better had the Super- 
 intendent of Collections been identified with the Committee on Ways and 
 Means from the beginning of its work. Yet the Exposition was more than 
 usually fortunate in the choice of a superintendent for this department, and 
 the work of collecting from concessionnaires was far better performed than 
 the management had any reason to hope for. The fact is, that while the 
 members of the Committee on Ways and Means knew that theoretically 
 it was possible to perfect systems for the auditing of concessions so that 
 good results might be obtained, they had never been able to find a man 
 available for their purpose to whom the work could be intrusted. The 
 Bureau of Admissions and Collections promptly received applications for the 
 place of Superintendent of Collections ; but, as is frequently the case in the 
 administration of a difficult office, it was necessary to find some one who had 
 not applied for the place and did not want it. While the Bureau was con- 
 sidering this matter, and was filled with anxiety for the future of the Depart- 
 ment of Collections, Paul Blackmar, of Minneapolis, was mentioned as 
 possessing qualifications that admirably adapted him for the work, and he 
 was invited to come to Chicago. At the close of an interview with Presi- 
 dent Higinbotham he agreed to arrange his affairs so that he could render 
 the service desired of him, provided the Bureau of Admissions and Collec- 
 tions requested him to do so. The matter was considered for a few days 
 with great thoroughness, the appointment made by telegraph, and Mr. 
 Blackmar entered upon his duties on February i, 1893. 
 
 The compensation for both superintendents was fixed by the Bureau at 
 $400 a month each, a sum which was regarded as very' small, considering 
 the character of the work expected of these men. The Bureau was influ- 
 enced by the serious condition of the company's finances at the time. 
 
234 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Neither of the superintendents gave much consideration to the amount of 
 salary to be received by them, and in both instances the amount was fixed 
 after they had entered upon their duties. Both officers knew that the period 
 of service would be less than a year, and felt that the salary they might 
 receive would be less of an object than the reputation to be achieved by 
 successful management of those important offices. Within a few days after 
 Mr. Blackmar's appointment he had become thoroughly familiar with the 
 concession contracts previously entered into by the Committee on Ways 
 and Means. These had been filed with the Auditor as fast as executed, and 
 that officer had taken the precaution to have these contracts printed and 
 bound in convenient book form, suitable for ready reference. Mr. Blackmar 
 next secured the services of two expert accountants, possessing a high order 
 of ability and capacity for attacking problems outside of the usual routine of 
 auditing and accounting. With the aid of these and others employed from 
 time to time, as the work progressed, Mr. Blackmar grouped the concessions 
 according to their characteristic features, and perfected 
 systems applicable to each group, with the idea of 
 effecting a daily settlement with each concessionnaire 
 for the amount of his business, and collecting from 
 him the proportionate amount of the proceeds ac- 
 cruing to the Exposition under the contract. This 
 being accomplished, he turned over to the ex- 
 perts the preparation of the necessary blanks 
 and books of every description for the work 
 entered into, and contracted for tickets repre- 
 senting various amounts of money to be used 
 by the cashiers of the various concessions. The 
 first order was for thirty-six million tickets, and 
 in all over sixty millions of them were used. He 
 then began by personal interviews with concession- 
 wiLLiAM K. ACKERMAN, naires to make known to them the means that he 
 Auditor. cxpcctcd to take for auditing their concessions and 
 
 the rules with which he would expect them to com- 
 ply. By these interviews he became personally acquainted with the various 
 concessionnaires, secured their confidence wherever possible, won over those 
 disposed to resist the methods employed, and dealt with those who remained 
 refractory as seemed best under the circumstances. All contracts con- 
 tained the provision that the agents of the Exposition should prescribe 
 the methods for auditing concessions, and therefore the Superintendent 
 had it in his power to enforce obedience where it could not be secured by 
 other means. 
 
 By rapid and incessant work, the greatest possible economy of time, and 
 the application of common sense, persistence, and a high order of business 
 tact and skill as an accountant, the Superintendent of Concessions overcame 
 
BUREAU OF ADMISSIONS AND COLLECTIONS. ,,c 
 
 his difficult problem. In the main his preparations proved adequate when 
 tried in the early days of the Exposition season, but in some instances radi- 
 cal departures and complete changes were required. The necessity for these 
 was quickly recognized and promptly acted on by the Superintendent. 
 
 In spite of the great care exercised and the desire of its members for 
 perfect co-operation with the Council, clashing of the jurisdiction of the two 
 bodies frequently occurred. This, while vexatious, was not serious, and 
 perhaps would have occurred in one way or another, no matter what 
 organization had been adopted. The management of the Exposition was 
 at all times subject to criticism from one source or another, and changes 
 frequently occurred for "concentrating administration," "simplifying the 
 administration," etc., and these changes often followed one another with 
 embarrassing rapidity. After a time it began to be felt that the Depart- 
 ments of Admissions and Collections could be administered better under 
 the direct control of the Council of Administration, and, during one of 
 the periods when the administration was being overhauled, the Bureau of 
 Admissions and Collections was abolished and the two departments of 
 Admissions and Collections were placed under the Council of Administra- 
 tion, which body promptly turned them over to its chairman, Mr. Higin- 
 botham, directing the superintendents of the two departments to report 
 to and to receive instructions from him. This was only an apparent change, 
 and was substantially a confirmation of the existing order of things. 
 
 A debt of gratitude is due to every member of the Bureau of Admissions 
 for their labors in this field. Each member was charged with important 
 duties engrossing all his time during business hours, and the evening was the 
 only available time for the meetings of the Bureau, which often extended 
 late into the night. The Chairman, Mr. Butler, and the Auditor, Mr. 
 Ackerman, were frequently called upon for important and exacting duties as 
 special committees of the Bureau ; and great credit is due them in this, as 
 in many other instances, for the work performed and the results achieved. 
 
 The total expense of conducting the Department of Collections, as shown 
 by the report of the Auditor of the Exposition, April 4, 1894, was $98,- 
 130.63. The amount collected in cash from concessionnaires on account of 
 percentage was $3,374,482.28; from sales in foreign sections, $12,816.81; 
 for traveling cranes,* $10,219.90 ; from foreign craft landing at piers (wharf- 
 age charges), $477.35 ; for garbage removed, $1,083.82 ; for use of safety- 
 deposit vaults, $657.17; dairy receipts (products of the dairy sold), $6,- 
 450.92 ; fees paid to the guides by visitors, $588 ; music halls, $62,718.60 ; 
 total, $3,469,494.85. The percentage of cost, based upon the actual cash 
 collections figured as above, was 2.82. 
 
 The total amount of the revenue of the Exposition accruing from per- 
 centages of concessions was $4,237,563.95 ; collected from sales in foreign 
 
 * Visitors were permitted to ride on the traveling cranes in Machinery Hall ; fare, ten cents. 
 
 24 
 
336 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 sections, $12,816.81-; from other sources (as above), $82,195.76; total, 
 $4,332,576.52. The cost of making the audit of this amount was 2.26 per 
 cent. 
 
 The gross receipts of the concessions were $16,583,051.53. 
 
 The Superintendent of Collections in his official report sets forth the 
 general conclusions from his experience in a way that not only vindicates 
 certain features which have been criticised, but presents valuable lessons for 
 the management of future expositions. He says : " It is impossible that a 
 committee, no one of whom gives his entire time and attention to multifari- 
 ous matters under consideration, could act as consecutively and with as thor- 
 ough understanding of all details as a single man who devotes his attention 
 to nothing else. The Committee on Ways and Means found it necessary to 
 have present at these meetings not only the chairman and the paid secretary, 
 who gave his entire time to the business, but also an attorney who became 
 a permanent attache of the committee. 
 
 " The Superintendent is unalterably opposed to allowing any sales in ex- 
 hibition buildings proper, except of a very few articles really necessary to the 
 comfort and convenience of visitors. But, if such sales shall be permitted, 
 and concession contracts covering such sales are granted, very different 
 arrangements from those obtaining at the Exposition should be made for 
 providing, apportioning, and assigning the space necessary for the purpose. 
 This last observation applies to space for concessions throughout the grounds, 
 as well as in the buildings. There was endless trouble and dissatisfaction 
 among concessionnaires because of the thoroughly unsatisfactory manner in 
 which this matter of space was handled. The difficulty was due entirely to 
 the fact that the subject was not considered and made a part of the great 
 general plan of the Exposition at the very beginning. The Superintendent 
 believes that the following plan would satisfactorily cover all points : In the 
 original plan of the grounds and buildings, certain designated and fixed spaces 
 should be set off for concessions, just as they were set off for certain classes 
 of exhibits. The control of the assignment of this entire space should then 
 be transferred to the Ways and Means Committee, or other authority grant- 
 ing concessions, subject to certain general rules, regulations, and hmitations 
 clearly set forth in writing. For instance, an assignment of space for the 
 sale of cheap silver jewelry should not be permitted near a handsome exhibit 
 of legitimate and beautiful articles of the same kind. Various other limita- 
 tions would readily suggest themselves ; but, subject to such limitations, the 
 concessions should be fitted to the space and the assignment made to each 
 concession by the authority granting it, as soon after such granting as pos- 
 sible. Such assignment should be clearly noted on the map and plan of the 
 grounds and buildings, and the spaces assigned to each concession should be 
 at once divided into stations, numbered, .and recorded. This plan would 
 avoid all disagreement between departments. The method, or lack of 
 method, actually pursued invariably resulted in damage to the concessionnaire, 
 
BUREAU OF ADMISSIONS AND COLLECTIONS. -i-ij 
 
 and did not result in any benefit to the Exposition. In granting the con- 
 cessions on the Plaisance, and many others outside of the Exposition build- 
 ings, the space was carefully and fully designated in the concession contract ; 
 and there is no reason why a somewhat similar process could not be adopted 
 within the buildings, if it Were contemplated and decided upon in the original 
 plan. 
 
 " It has been claimed that concessions are no part of a great exposition. 
 While this sounds well theoretically, practically it is a misstatement, as con- 
 cessions have always existed at expositions and always will, and, any general 
 plan that does not provide for their proper placing is defective. No sales of 
 any kind whatever should be permitted in the Exposition buildings proper, 
 except restaurants, soft drinks, catalogues, guides, and possibly some few 
 articles which from their nature are a necessity to visitors. It would add to 
 the dignity of a great exposition, and to the attractiveness of the buildings, 
 if miscellaneous sales were not allowed. It is next to impossible to prevent 
 the sellers, and particularly the foreigners, from addressing people as they 
 pass and soliciting them to purchase or look at the goods, which makes it 
 disagreeable to visitors who wish to give their attention solely to the exhibits. 
 A far better method of providing for the sale of such articles as are on exhi- 
 bition would be to provide several large and handsome buildings for that 
 express purpose, where duplicates of exhibits should be on sale. These 
 buildings should be placed each under the care of a thoroughly efficient 
 business man who understands the business of the so-called ' department 
 stores ' as they are conducted in all the larger cities. The money received 
 from all sales should go to a central cash office under the supervision and 
 control of the Exposition, and daily there should be returned to the proprie- 
 tor of each station the amount of sales of his station, less the percentage due 
 to the Exposition. 
 
 " The experience of the department demonstrated to the satisfaction of 
 the Superintendent that no exclusive concession should be granted, except 
 of the following characters : i. To erect arid maintain a village, street, or 
 building characteristic of some nation ; but this should not include the ex- 
 clusive right of sale of any class of merchandise or goods whatever, as it is 
 absolutely impossible to discriminate as to the classes of goods to be sold, or 
 to prohibit and prevent entirely sales of merchandise that will conflict with 
 such exclusive rights. 2. Catalogues, guides, and other pubhcations that 
 pertain exclusively to the Exposition. The right to publish and sell such 
 publications, and all similar business, should be confined to one concession. 
 It is impossible to draw a well-defined line and say "here the guide ends " 
 and "here the catalogue begins," and this would be true of any other piabli- 
 cations which were characteristic of and pertaining to the Exposition, except 
 illustrated works. For instance, a guide to the grounds must contain a map ; 
 possibly a map is no essential part of a catalogue, but possibly it is, and the 
 question of determining this is a delicate one, and certain to give dissatisfac- 
 
g THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 tion if the concessions are held separately. An exclusive concession was 
 granted for the sale of souvenir spoons, and the question arose whether cer- 
 tain spoons that were sold upon the grounds by other persons than the 
 concessionnaire were souvenir spoons in the sense intended by the contract. 
 
 In some cases it was hard to determine ; in a 
 few, impossible. The next question was, how 
 to prevent the unauthorized sale of souve- 
 nir spoons. The department had quite a 
 number of employees engaged in this 
 effort a good part of the season. The 
 sale of spoons would be stopped in 
 the Algerian Village at ten o'clock, 
 and when the inspector passed out of 
 the village at half past ten, every Al- 
 gerian would produce spoons from his 
 pockets, from his locked boxes, from 
 his hat, from his wife's clothing, and 
 from all conceivable places where 
 spoons could be hidden. It was easy 
 to prove that the spoons were being 
 sold, for any one could buy them should 
 he ask for them, even if they were not in 
 sight. More attention was given to the 
 protection of this one exclusive concession 
 than to any other, because the goods were of 
 a class that were easily hidden, and could there- 
 fore be readily sold in any part of the grounds. 
 Another case was the exclusive concession for the sale of Oriental goods. 
 What are Oriental goods ? This question arose, was investigated, and it 
 was discovered that a very large proportion of goods sold as Oriental were 
 French goods manufactured for the Oriental trade. What are French and 
 German novelties ? They were found to consist of almost all classes of 
 goods under the sun, which might pertain to southern Europe, northern 
 Africa, or the Orient, made in France and Germany, and sold as goods 
 pertaining to the country of which their patterns and style might be char- 
 acteristic. These are but a very small number of the questions that arose 
 concerning exxlusive concessions. It can not be too strongly insisted upon 
 that exclusive concessions, except of a very few kinds, and under the limi- 
 tations set forth above, are extremely undesirable. 
 
 " Early in the season there was general complaint that the Exposition 
 had demanded far higher percentages than the concessiomiaires could pay and 
 leave a profit. With the small amount of business done in May and early 
 June, this complaint might have been reasonable ; but that as a general rule 
 the percentages were not too high is shown by the fact that nearly all the 
 
 JOSEPH MEDILL, 
 Member of the Directory, 
 
BUREAU OF ADMISSIONS AND COLLECTIONS. -j-ig 
 
 concessionnaires made a reasonable profit, and some of them a very large one. 
 Some percentages were undoubtedly too high, based upon the merits of the 
 business itself, without regard to management or cost of plant. Among 
 these may be mentioned soft drinks, fifty -five per cent ; peanuts and pop- 
 corn, sixty-five per cent ; and souvenir spoons, forty per cent — all of which, 
 and some others, were afterward reduced by the Exposition. The assertion 
 that the Exposition was unreasonably rigid and unjust in its dealings with 
 concessionnaires is best shown to be without foundation by the fact that it 
 reduced many percentages which it was believed were too high to enable the 
 concessionnaire to conduct his business successfully. Other concessions that 
 could not profitably pay the percentage were those where the investment in 
 plant was too large, through error in the judgment of the concessionnaire, and 
 where the business was conducted in an, unbusinesslike manner. In some 
 cases it was such as to drive away customers ; in others, the employees of the 
 concessionnaire could appropriate to their own use a large proportion of the 
 receipts ; and in a few instances the enterprise as a whole was ill-judged and 
 did not attract the public. The most notable example of this latter class was 
 the Chinese Village. The Casino Restaurant may be selected as an example 
 of failure because of poor and unbusinesslike management. The Natatorium 
 was a good example of too much money invested in a plant. Without an 
 admission fee and a very attractive performance, it was found to be difficult 
 to get back the large investment out of the profits of the restaurant alone in 
 the short term of six months. That twenty-five per cent was not too much 
 for the restaurants to pay is evident, because nearly all of them made a satis- 
 factory profit. 
 
 " Much objection was raised" to the original plan of the Plaisance, on the 
 ground that it was undignified and no proper part of a great international 
 exposition. Viewed in the light of events, it is unquestionable that the Plai- 
 sance, dignified or undignified, was a great success. Had the many conces- 
 sions upon the Plaisance been scattered indiscriminately through the grounds, 
 the stateliness of the Exposition, as a whole, would have been injured beyond 
 forgiveness ; but, located where those who were not disposed to visit the 
 sights there did not have them forced upon them, the Plaisance was a 
 feature from the absence of which the Exposition would have suffered 
 greatly. People wish and expect to be amused, as well as instructed, by an 
 exposition, and if the amusement is not such as to degrade, there is no 
 reason why it should not properly be a part thereof, especially if nearly all 
 the amusements are instructive. In the exclusively Plaisance concessions 
 visitors spent $7,189,940.78, which returned the Exposition a revenue of 
 $1,644,768.85 ; and the Plaisance attractions undoubtedly added milUons of 
 dollars to the receipts of the Exposition at the gates." 
 
ST"" 
 
 -"i^-" 
 
 The Lake Front with the Buildings near Completion. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 OPENING OF THE EXPOSITION. 
 
 Invitation to the Queen Regent of Spain— Her reply — Arrival of the Duke of Veragua 
 — His reception in Chicago— Stormy weather — The procession— The opening exer- 
 cises — Mr. Croffut's poem — Director-General Davis's address — The President starts 
 the machinery — Reception of the delegations — The naval review in New York 
 harbor. 
 
 T 
 
 HE day appointed for the opening 
 of the Exposition was May i, 1893. 
 The Congress of the United States, 
 by joint resolution, approved August 
 5, 1892, requested the President to invite 
 His Majesty Alfonso, King of Spain, 
 and Her Majesty the Queen Regent of 
 Spain, and the descendants of Columbus, 
 by name, to attend the opening ceremo- 
 nies of the World's Columbian Exposi- 
 tion, as guests of the Government and 
 people of the United States, and directed 
 that the Secretary of State make arrange- 
 ments for their reception and entertain- 
 ment. The invitations extended by the 
 President, pursuant to the resolution of 
 Congress, were conveyed to Spain by a 
 special envoy, William E. Curtis, of the 
 Department of State. 
 
 Mr. Curtis reached Madrid in the 
 latter part of September, 1892, and was 
 cordially received by the United States Minister, Colonel A. Louden 
 
 THE DUKE OF VERAGUA, 
 Descendant of Columbus. 
 
 340 
 
OPENING OF THE EXPOSITION. ,^I 
 
 Snowden, and the officials of the Spanish Government. The afternoon of 
 October 6th was selected for the presentation of the invitations, and shortly 
 before the hour fixed upon, the official Introducer of Ambassadors arrived at 
 the hotel with two of the state carriages and an escort of cavalry to conduct 
 to the palace ,the party, consisting of Colonel Snowden, Francis MacNutt, 
 Secretary of Legation, and Lieutenant W. McCarty Little, naval attache. 
 They were received at the palace with military honors, and escorted to the 
 audience chamber of the Queen by the Minister of Foreign Relations and 
 the official Introducer of Ambassadors. Colonel Snowden delivered a very 
 appropriate and eloquent address and then introduced Mr. Curtis, who pre- 
 sented the following invitation from the President of the United States : 
 
 " To Her Majesty Doiia Maria Christina, 
 
 " Queen Regent of Spain. 
 " Great and Good Friend : 
 
 " The Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in 
 Congress assembled, on the 5th of August last, expressed by public resolu- 
 tion the earnest and universal wish of the Government and the people that 
 Your Majesty and His Majesty the King, Don Alfonso XIII, should honor 
 them by attending, as the guests . of this nation, the opening ceremonies of 
 the World's Columbian Exposition, by which they intend to commemorate 
 the four hundredth anniversary of the discovery of America, at the city of 
 Chicago, in the State of Illinois, on the ist day of May, 1893. This desire 
 of the Government and people of the United States that the successor of the 
 Queen whose gracious patronage made the remarkable voyage of Christopher 
 Columbus possible should participate in the intended celebration in honor of 
 the man and the event is especially appropriate ; and it would afford me deep 
 gratification should it be the pleasure of Your Majesty and His Majesty the 
 King to accept the cordial invitation thus tendered. 
 
 " Availing myself of this gratifying occasion to renew the best wishes of 
 this Government for the peace and prosperity of Spain, I pray that God 
 may ever have Your Majesty in His wise keeping. 
 
 " Written at Washington this the 5th day of September, in the year 
 
 1892. 
 
 " Benjamin Harrison. 
 
 " By the President : 
 
 " John W. Foster, 
 
 " Secretary of State." 
 
 The formal reply of Her Majesty, handed the Secretary of State by the 
 Spanish Minister at Washington, on the ist of December, was as follows : 
 
 "Don Alfonso XIII, by the grace of God Constitutional King of 
 Spain, and in his name and during his minority, Doiia Maria Cristina, 
 Queen Regent of the Kingdom, to the President of the United States of 
 America : 
 
, -2 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 " Great and Good Friend : 
 
 " Great satisfaction was given us by the letter which you addressed to us 
 at the request of the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic 
 in Congress assembled, inviting my well-beloved son and me, as the successors 
 of Queen Isabella the Catholic, of glorious memory, to attend the opening 
 ceremonies of the Columbian Exposition, which is to be held in the city of 
 Chicago in the month of May next, in commemoration of the happy event 
 of the discovery of the America. Both my son and I feel most grateful 
 for this token of esteem and regard, and I beg you to convey to the Con- 
 gress of the United States the assurance of our feelings of gratitude, and to 
 inform that body, at the same time, how deeply we regret that the provisions 
 of our Constitution will prevent us from being present at those impressive 
 ceremonies, as we should have been glad to do. Offering fervent prayers for 
 the prosperity and happiness of your Republic, we pray God to have you in 
 his holy keeping. 
 
 " Done at the palace of Madrid this 8th day of October, 1892. 
 " Great and Good Friend, your great and good friend, 
 
 " Maria Cristina. 
 
 " Carlos O'Donell." 
 
 It was informally suggested to Colonel Snowden, Envoy of the United 
 States to the Court of Spain, that Her Majesty would designate the Prin- 
 cess Eulalia, Infanta of Spain, and sister of the late King Alfonso XII, to 
 attend the Exposition as a substitute, if such an arrangement would be agree- 
 able to the United States. Colonel Snowden was promptly authorized to 
 inform the Queen that the Princess would receive a royal welcome, and at 
 the request of the Spanish Minister a programme for her entertainment was 
 forwarded from Washington to Madrid. Upon the receipt of this programme 
 the invitation was accepted, and the Infanta reached New York on the 19th 
 of May. 
 
 On the afternoon of October 6, also, an invitation to the opening cere- 
 monies of the Exposition was tendered to the Duke of Veragua and the 
 members of his immediate family. In acceptance of this invitation the 
 Duke arrived at New York on the 15th of April, accompanied by the 
 Duchess ; his son, Cristobal Colon y Aguilar ; his daughter, Maria del Pilar 
 Colon y Aguilar ; his brother, the Marquis of Barboles ; and his nephews, 
 Pedro Colon y Bertodano and Carlos Aguilar. They were met in the lower 
 bay by Commander F. W. Dickens, United States Navy, who had been ap- 
 pointed as their escort, and welcomed to the country in behalf of- the Presi- 
 dent and the people of the United States. Commander Dickens was ac- 
 companied by a committee of citizens, of which General Horace Porter was 
 chairman, and the members of a committee of reception, headed by Cor- 
 nelius N. Bliss. The Duke was escorted to the Hotel Waldorf, where the 
 apartments of state had been reserved for him. 
 
OPENING OF THE EXPOSITION. 
 
 343 
 
 CARTER H. HARRISON, 
 
 Mayor of Chicago, and 
 Member of the Directory, 1893. 
 
 After a series of receptions in New York, on Saturday, the 23d, the 
 party went to Washington, where they arrived in the evening and were re- 
 ceived by the Spanish Minister and other friends. On the 26th the party 
 returned to New York, and in the evening they attended a reception at the 
 Union League Club given in honor of the foreign naval offi- 
 cers attending the naval review. On the 2 7th the Duke of 
 Veragua and his party witnessed the naval review, and in ■^•^^'^''^■■ 
 
 the evening attended a dinner given in honor of Gen- 
 eral Grant's birthday at the Hotel Waldorf. 
 
 On April 28th the party set out for Chicago, and 
 upon their arrival they were met by the Hon. 
 Thomas W. Palmer, President of the National 
 Commission, the Mayor of the city, and a com- 
 mittee of reception, who conducted them to the 
 Auditorium Hotel. Evidences of high esteem 
 for the Duke of Veragua and the Marquis of 
 Barboles were showered upon them by the officials 
 of the Exposition and the citizens of Chicago. 
 Each received a pass to the Exposition engrossed 
 upon a silver plate, and bearing the names of the 
 President of the Commission, the President of 
 the Exposition, and the Director General. They 
 also received the " freedom of the city," inscribed on heavy parchment and 
 illuminated in gold and colors ; to the volume was attached a golden key 
 fastened with the entwined colors of Spain and the United States. After 
 a series of complimentary functions the ducal party visited other important 
 cities, where similar honors were accorded, and sailed for home in June. 
 
 The President and his retinue were escorted from Washington by Messrs. 
 Widener, Lawrence, and Kerfoot, of the Committees on Ceremonies, and 
 President Higinbotham, and were met at the boundary of the State of 
 Illinois in the morning of the 29th by Governor Altgeld of Illinois, Mayor 
 Harrison of Chicago, and Director-General Davis of the Exposition, and at 
 the terminal station in the city a delegation of distinguished citizens was as- 
 sembled to give the welcome due to the Chief Magistrate of the Nation. In 
 the afternoon the distinguished visitors were invited to the Exposition grounds 
 to inspect the great enterprise and the preparations for its inauguration. 
 
 The Exposition was opened in the midst of a severe storm. A heavy 
 rain fell on the morning of Monday, May i, and pools of water stood in 
 places where the roads had not yet been completed or where they had been 
 cut by heavy traffic. Fortunately, the heavy rainfall ceased at about seven 
 o'clock in the morning, and, although the sky remained overcast and very 
 threatening all day, more than two hundred thousand people entered the 
 Park. The buildings had recently received a fresh coat of paint, of a cream 
 or old-ivory tint, which had removed the stains caused by the winter weather, 
 
-.. THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 and they presented a fine appearance. Great pains had been taken to remove 
 the traces of the heavy installation work, which had been interrupted only 
 for the purpose of permitting the formal opening of the Exposition. The 
 railroad tracks had been removed from the northern and central portions of 
 the grounds, and from the Court of Honor only one Une of track could be 
 seen ; but other tracks for installation purposes still remained south of 
 Machinery Hall and Agricultural Building. The Illinois Central Railroad 
 Company put its World's Fair Express trains into operation for the first 
 time. These trains were run for several hours in the early morning between 
 Van Buren Street and Sixtieth Street (Midway Plaisance) to accustom the 
 crews to their duties. The cars were very plain, but were admirably adapted 
 to the purpose. They were built upon new flat-car trucks, provided with 
 air brakes, and the wooden seats extended across the car at right angles to 
 its length. Openings on either side of the car for each seat enabled the oc- 
 cupants to step on or off the train quickly, and each opening was provided 
 with a canvas curtain, which could be fastened down to protect those within 
 from sun or rain. Each seat held five people, and when the seats were 
 filled no more were admitted. As the train was about to move from the 
 station, a lever at one end of each car was turned by the Guard on the 
 station platform, by means of which an iron bar dropped across each opening 
 in the car, thus preventing those within from falling or being pushed out 
 while the car was in motion. All fares were collected at turnstiles in the 
 railroad stations before the passengers took their seats in the train. So well 
 prepared was the railroad that the facilities in use on this day could easily 
 have accommodated more than twice the number that sought this means of 
 transportation. 
 
 At nine o'clock the formation of the procession of officials and dis- 
 tinguished guests began at the Hotel Lexington. After the Committee on 
 Ceremonies, the first carriage contained Director-General Davis and Director- 
 of-Works Burnham. President Cleveland was accompanied by the President 
 of the Commission, General Palmer, and the President of the Exposition, Mr. 
 Higinbotham ; the Duke of Veragua by Vice-Presidents Ferdinand W. Peck 
 and Thomas M. Waller ; the Duchess of Veragua by Mrs. Palmer, President 
 of the Board of Lady Managers. Other guests of the Exposition — Cabinet 
 officers, senators, ambassadors, foreign commissioners, officers of the army 
 and navy, the Governor of the State, and the Mayor of the city — were 
 properly placed and escorted. The military escort consisted of detach- 
 ments of the Seventh United States Cavalry, the First Illinois Cavalry, and 
 the Chicago Hussars. The route of the procession was thronged with spec- 
 tators, and all the lines of public conveyance were severely taxed by crowds 
 of people anxious to witness the inaugural ceremonies. 
 
 The opportunity of using a great building as an audience room was no 
 longer afforded, as they were all occupied by exhibits, and the ceremonies 
 were held in the Court of Honor in front of the Administration Building. 
 
OPENING OF THE EXPOSITION. 
 
 345 
 
 A platform seating about three thousand people was erected at the east front 
 of the Administration Building, overlooking the grand plaza, and the rest 
 of the space was given up to the public. Flags and streamers were at the 
 heads of the hundreds of flagstaffs on the buildings and in the Court of 
 Honor, each flag or streamer being furled in such a way that a single motion 
 from a man's hand would free it. 
 
 By ten o'clock the wide plaza east of the Administration Building was 
 densely packed with a hundred thousand people, and at 11.15 a. m. the 
 President appeared upon the platform, escorted by the Director General, 
 amid the deafening plaudits of the throng. Surrounding him were Vice- 
 President Stevenson ; Secretaries Gresham, Carlisle, Herbert, Smith, and 
 Morton ; the Duke of Veragua and his son, Cristobal Colon y Aguilar ; the 
 Marquis of Barboles and his son, Pedro Bertodano ; Thomas F. Bayard and 
 Lambert Tree ; Major-General Miles and Admiral Gherardi ; Governor Alt- 
 geld of Illinois ; Mayor Harrison of Chicago ; President Palmer, President 
 Higinbotham, and Mrs. Potter Palmer; Ex- Presidents Gage and Baker; 
 Director-of-Works Burnham ; and Vice-Presidents Thomas M. Waller, Fer- 
 dinand Peck, and Robert A. Waller. Be- 
 hind the President were seated members of //f 
 the diplomatic corps and the foreign com- 
 missioners and consuls ; on his right were 
 justices of the Supreme Court, governors 
 of States, United States senators and rep- 
 resentatives, and members of the Commis- 
 sion and of the Board of Lady Managers ; 
 on the left were members of the Direc- 
 tory, the Chiefs of Departments, and mem- 
 bers of State commissions and auxiliary con- 
 gresses. The grand chorus occupied the 
 highest portions in the rear. 
 
 The ceremonies, which were simple, 
 earnest, and impressive, were opened with 
 the Columbian March, rendered by the or- 
 chestra. Prayer was offered by the Rev. 
 William H. Milburn, of Washington, D. C, 
 Chaplain of the United States House of 
 
 Representatives, after which the following poem, entitled The Prophecy, 
 written for the occasion by William A. Croffut, of Washmgton, D. C., was 
 read by Miss Jesse Couthoui : 
 
 WILLIAM A. CROFFUT, 
 Author of "The Prophecy." 
 
 Sadly Columbus watched the nascent moon 
 Drown in the Gloomy Ocean's western deeps. 
 
 Strange birds that day had fluttered in the sails, 
 And strange flowers floated round the wandering 
 keel, 
 
 And yet no land. And now, when through the dark 
 
 The Santa Maria leaped before the gale, 
 
 And angry billows tossed the caravels, 
 
 As to destruction, Gomez Rascon came 
 
 With Captain Pinzon through the frenzied seas, 
 
 And to the Admiral brought a parchment scroll, 
 
346 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Saying, " Good Master : Read this writing here ; 
 
 An earnest prayer it is from all the fleet. 
 
 The crew would fain turn back in utter fear. 
 
 No longer to the Pole the compass points. 
 
 The sailor's star reels dancing down the sky. 
 
 You saw but yestereve an albatross 
 
 Drop dead on deck beneath the flying scud. 
 
 The Devil's wind blows madly from the east 
 
 Into the land of Nowhere, and the sea 
 
 Keeps sucking us adown the maelstrom's maw. 
 
 Francisco says the edge of earth is near, 
 
 And off to Erebus we slide unhelmed. 
 
 Last Sunday night Diego saw a witch 
 
 Dragging the Nina by her forechains west 
 
 And wildly dancing on a dolphin's back ; 
 
 And, as she danced, the brightest star in heaven 
 
 Slipped from its leash and sprang into the sea. 
 
 Like Lucifer, and left a trail of blood. 
 
 O, Master, hear me ! — turn again to Spain, 
 
 Obedient to the omens, or, perchance. 
 
 The terror-stricken crew, to escape their doom. 
 
 May mutiny and — " 
 
 " Gomez Rascon, peace ! " 
 Exclaimed the Admiral, " thou hast said enough ! 
 Now, prithee, leave me. I would be alone." 
 
 Then eagerly Columbus sought a sign, 
 In sea and sky and in his lonely heart. 
 But found, instead of presages of hope. 
 The black and ominous portents of despair. 
 The wild wind roared around him, and he heard 
 Shrill voices shriek " Return ! — return ! — return ! " 
 He thought of Genoa and dreams of youth. 
 His father's warning and his mother's prayers. 
 Confiding Beatriz, her prattling babe. 
 The life and mirth and warmth of old Castile, 
 And tempting comfort of the peaceful land. 
 And sad winds moaned " Return ! — return ! — re- 
 turn ! " 
 
 As thus he mused, he paced the after deck 
 And gazed upon the luminous waves astern. 
 Strange life was in the phosphorescent foam. 
 And through the goblin glow there came and went. 
 Like elfin shadows on an opal sea. 
 Prophetic pictures of the land he sought. 
 
 He saw the end of his victorious quest. 
 He saw, ablaze on Isabella's breast. 
 The gorgeous Antillean jewels rest — 
 The Islands of the West ! 
 
 He saw invading Plenty dispossess 
 Old Poverty, the land with bounty bless. 
 And through the wailing caverns of Distress 
 Walk star-eyed Happiness ! 
 
 He saw the Bourbon and Braganza prone. 
 For ancient error tardy to atone. 
 
 Giving the plundered people back their own 
 And flying from the throne. 
 
 He saw an empire radiant as the day. 
 Harnessed to law but under Freedom's sway, 
 Proudly arise, resplendent in array. 
 To show the world the way. 
 
 He saw celestial Peace in mortal guise. 
 And, filled with hope and thrilled with high emprise, 
 Lifting its tranquil forehead to the skies, 
 A vast republic rise. 
 
 He saw, beyond the hills of golden corn. 
 Beyond the curve of Autumn's opulent horn, 
 Ceres and Flora laughingly adorn 
 The bosom of the morn. 
 
 He saw a cloth of gold across the gloom. 
 An arabesque from Evolution's loom, 
 And from the barren prairie's driven spume 
 Imperial cities bloom. 
 
 He saw an iron dragon dashing forth 
 On pathways East, and West, and South and North, 
 Its bonds uniting in beneficent girth 
 Remotest ends of earth. 
 
 He saw the lightnings run an elfin race. 
 Where trade and love and pleasure interlace, 
 And severed friends in Ariel's embrace 
 Communing face to face. 
 
 He saw Relief through deadly dungeons grope ; 
 Foes turn to brothers, black despair to hope. 
 And cannon rust along the grass-grown slope. 
 And rot the gallows rope. 
 
 He saw the babes on Labor's cottage floor. 
 The bright walls hung with luxury more and more. 
 And Comfort, radiant with abounding store. 
 Wave welcome at the door. • 
 
 He saw the myriad spindles flutter round ; 
 The myriad mill wheels shake the solid ground ; 
 The myriad homes where jocund joy is found. 
 And love is throned and crowned. 
 
 He saw exalted Ignorance under ban. 
 Though panoplied in force since time began, 
 And Science, consecrated, lead the van. 
 The Providence of man. 
 
 The pictures came and paled and passed away. 
 And then the Admiral turned as from a trance, 
 His lion face aglow, his luminous eyes 
 Lit with mysterious fire from hidden suns : 
 " Now, Martin, to thy waiting helm again ! 
 Haste to the Pinta ! Fill her sagging sails. 
 For on my soul hath dawned a wondrous sight. 
 
s 
 
 '^■■^''^.A. 
 
 
OPENING OF THE EXPOSITION. 
 
 347 
 
 Lo ! — through this segment of the watery world 
 
 Uprose a hemisphere of glorious life ! — 
 
 A realm of golden grain and fragrant fruits, 
 
 And men and women wise and masterful, 
 
 Who dwelt at peace in rural cottages 
 
 And splendid cities bursting into bloom — 
 
 Great lotus blossoms on a flowery sea. 
 
 And happiness was there, and bright-winged 
 
 Hope — 
 High Aspiration, soaring to the stars ! 
 And then methought, O Martin ! through the storm 
 A million faces turned on me and smiled. 
 
 Now go we forward — forward— fear avaunt ! 
 I will abate no atom of my dream, 
 Though all the devils of the underworld 
 Hiss in the sails and grapple to the keel ! 
 Haste to the Pinta ! Westward keep her prow, 
 For I have had a vision full of light ! 
 Keep her prow westward in the sunset's wake 
 From this hour hence and let no man look back ! ' 
 
 Then from the PinJ;a's foretop fell a cry — 
 A trumpet- song — " Light-ho ! Light-ho ! 
 ho!" 
 
 Light- 
 
 The orchestra then rendered Wagner's Orchestral Overture to Rienzi, 
 which was followed by an address by Director-General Davis, who said : 
 
 " The dedication of these grounds and buildings for the purposes of an 
 international exhibition took place on the 21st of last October, at which time 
 they were accepted for the objects to which they were destined by the action 
 of the Congress of the United States. This is not the time or the place, 
 neither will it be expected of me, to give a comprehensive rdsumd of the 
 strenuous efforts which have been put forth to complete this work to which 
 we invite your inspection to-day. I may be permitted, however, to say a 
 word in praise of, and in gratitude to, my co-ofihcers and official staff, who 
 form the great organization which made this consummation possible. 
 
 " This Exposition is not the conception of any single mind ; it is not the 
 result of any single effort ; but it is the. grandest conception of all the minds 
 and the best obtainable result of all the efforts put forth by all the people 
 who have in any manner contributed to its creation. The great commanding 
 agencies through which the Government has authorized this work to proceed 
 are these : The National Commission, consisting of one hundred and eight 
 men and their alternates, selected from the several States and Territories and 
 presided over by the Hon. Thomas W. Palmer, of Michigan ; the corpora- 
 tion of the State of Illinois, known as the World's Columbian Exposition, 
 consisting of forty-five directors, presided over by Harlow N. Higinbotham, 
 of Chicago ; and the Board of Lady Managers, consisting of one hundred 
 and fifteen women and their alternates, selected from the several States and 
 presided over by Mrs. Potter Palmer, of Chicago. To these great agencies, 
 wisely selected by Congress, each performing its special function, the grati- 
 tude of the people of this country and the cordial recognition of all these 
 foreign representatives are due. 
 
 " To perfect from these agencies an efficient organization was our first 
 duty, and it was successfully accomplished — at the outset through commit- 
 tees, subsequently by great executive departments — and through these de- 
 partments the systematic, vigorous, and effective work has progressed. 
 Through the Department of Administration, the Department of Finance, 
 the Department of Works, and the great exhibit departments, the plan and 
 scope of a grand international exposition have been worked out. The 
 
348 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 OPENING DAY. 
 Officers and Guests on the Platform. 
 
 Department of Finance, composed of members of the Illinois Corporation, 
 has, with a disinterestedness remarkable, with courage undaunted, success- 
 fully financed the preparations for the Exposition, and has provided for the 
 great work upward of twenty million dollars. The Department of Works, 
 
 and its many bureaus 
 of artists, architects, 
 engineers, and build- 
 ers, have transformed 
 these grounds, which 
 twenty - one months 
 ago were an unsight- 
 ly, uninviting, and 
 unoccupied stretch of 
 landscape, into the 
 beauty and splendor 
 of to-day. They have 
 conspicuously per- 
 formed their func- 
 tions ; and these grand 
 avenues, these Vene- 
 tian water ways, the 
 finished landscape, the fountains and sculptures and colonnades, and these 
 grand palaces, stand out as a monument to their genius and their skill, 
 supplemented by the labor of that great army of skilled artisans and work- 
 men, all citizens of this republic. 
 
 "The chiefs of the great departments, who have exploited this mighty 
 enterprise and gathered here the exhibits forming the picture that is set in 
 this magnificent frame, have confirmed the wisdom of their selection. No 
 State or Territory of the Union has escaped their voice ; no land on the 
 globe that has a language but has been visited, and the invitation of the 
 President of the United States personally presented. Fortunately, at the 
 inception of this enterprise our Government was, and still is, at peace with 
 the whole world. Commissioners were sent to Europe, to Asia, to Africa, 
 to Australia, to British North America, and to the islands of the seas ; so 
 that to-day the world knows and is familiar with the significance of the great 
 peace festival we are about to inaugurate, and all the nations join in celebrat- 
 ing the event which it commemorates. 
 
 "This inclosure, containing nearly seven hundred acres covered by more 
 than four hundred structures — from the small State pavilion occupying an 
 ordinary building site to the colossal structure of the Manufactures and Lib- 
 eral Arts Building, covering over thirty acres — is filled and crowded with a 
 display of the achievements and products of the mind and hand of man such 
 as never before has been presented to mortal vision. The habits, customs, 
 and life of the people of our own and foreign lands are shown in the varie- 
 
OPENING OF THE EXPOSITION. ,^0 
 
 gated Plaisance. Those stately buildings on the north are filled with the his- 
 torical treasures and natural products of our several States. The artistic, 
 characteristic, and beautiful edifices, the headquarters of foreign commissions, 
 surrounding the Gallery of Fine Arts, which in itself will be an agreeable sur- 
 prise to the American beholder, constitute the grand central zone of social 
 and friendly amenities among the different peoples of the earth. 
 
 " Surrounding this grand plaza where we stand, and reaching from the 
 north pond to the extreme south, is the great mechanical, scientific, indus- 
 trial, and agricultural exhibition of the resources and products of the world. 
 These have been secured from the four quarters of the globe and placed in 
 systematic order under the supervision of these great departments ; and, 
 while all the material upon the grounds is not yet in place, I am gratified to 
 be able to present to the President of the United States at this time the 
 official catalogue containing a description and the location of the exhibits of 
 forty thousand participants in the Exposition. The number of exhibitors 
 will exceed sixty thousand when everything is in place. 
 
 " The citizens of our country are proud, and always will be proud, of the 
 action of the Congress of the United States of America in authorizing and 
 directing this celebration to take place ; for the appropriation of more than 
 five million dollars in its aid, and for the unswerving support and encour- 
 agement of the officers of the Government. To the States of the Union we 
 are largely indebted for active and substantial support. A sum in excess of 
 six million dollars has been raised and expended by the States and Terri- 
 tories for their official use in promoting their own interests conjointly with 
 the general success of the exhibition. 
 
 " To the foreign nations who have a representation upon these grounds 
 never before witnessed at any exposition, as shown by the grand exhibits 
 they have brought here and the hundreds of official representatives of foreign 
 governments who are present on this occasion, we bow in grateful thanks. 
 More than six million dollars have been officially appropriated for these 
 commissions, in furtherance of their participation in the Exposition. The 
 great nations of Europe and their dependencies are all represented upon 
 these grounds. The governments of Asia and of Africa, and the republics 
 of the Western hemisphere, with but few exceptions, are here represented. 
 
 "To the citizens and corporation of the city of Chicago, who have 
 furnished eleven million dollars as a contribution, and in addition have 
 loaned the management five million dollars more, are due the grateful 
 acknowledgments of our own people and of all the honored guests who share 
 with us the advantages of this great international festival. 
 
 " To the tens of thousands of exhibitors who have contributed in a larger 
 amount than all others combined, we are under the deepest obligations for 
 their interest and co-operation. 
 
 " To the women of Chicago and our great land, whose prompt, sponta- 
 neous, and enthusiastic co-operation in our great work turned the eyes of the 
 
 25 
 
350 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 world toward the Exposition as toward the new Star of the East — an in- 
 spiration for womanhood everywhere — we extend our cordial and unstinted 
 recognition. 
 
 " It is our hope that this great Exposition may inaugurate a new era of 
 moral and material progress, and our fervent aspiration that the association 
 of the nations here may secure not only warmer and 
 stronger friendships, but lasting peace throughout the 
 world. 
 
 " The grand concrete illustration of modern pro- 
 gress which is here presented for the encouragement 
 of art, of science, of industry, and of commerce, 
 has necessitated an expenditure, including the 
 outlay of our exhibitors, largely in excess of one 
 hundred million dollars. We have given it our 
 constant thought, our most devoted service, our 
 best energy ; and now, in this central city of 
 this great republic, on the continent discovered 
 by Columbus, whose distinguished descendants 
 are present as the honored guests of our nation, 
 it only remains for you, Mr. President, if in your 
 opinion the Exposition here presented is commen- 
 surate with what the world should expect of our 
 great country, to direct that it shall be opened to 
 the public, and when you touch this magic key the 
 ponderous machinery will start in its revolutions and the activities of this 
 Exposition will begin." 
 
 President Cleveland then delivered the following address : 
 " I am here to join my fellow-citizens in the congratulations which befit 
 this occasion. Surrounded by the stupendous results of American enterprise 
 and activity, and in view of magnificent evidences of American skill and 
 intelligence, we need not fear that these congratulations will be exaggerated. 
 We stand to-day in the presence of the oldest nations of the world and point 
 to the great achievements we here exhibit, asking no allowance on the score 
 of youth. The enthusiasm with which we contemplate our work intensifies 
 the warmth of the greeting we extend to those who have come from foreign 
 lands to illustrate with us the growth and progress of human endeavor in the 
 direction of a higher civilization. 
 
 " We, who believe that the popular education and the stimulation of the 
 best impulses of our citizens lead the way to a realization of the proud 
 national destiny which our faith promises, gladly welcome the opportunity 
 here afforded us to see the results accomplished by efforts which have been 
 exerted longer than ours in the field of man's improvement, while in appre- 
 ciative return we exhibit the unparalleled advancement and wonderful 
 accomplishments of a young nation, and present the triumphs of a vigorous, 
 
 W' 
 
 Copyright, 1892, by B. J. Falk, New York. 
 
 GROVER CLEVELAND, 
 
 President of the United States, 
 
 1893. 
 
OPENING OF THE EXPOSITION. 3c j 
 
 self-reliant, and independent people. We have built these splendid edifices ; 
 but we have also built the magnificent fabric of a popular government, whose 
 grand proportions are seen throughout the world. We have made and here 
 gathered together objects of use and beauty, the products of American skill 
 and invention ; we have also made men who rule themselves. 
 
 " It is an exalted mission in which we and our guests from other lands 
 are engaged^ and we co-operate in the inauguration of an enterprise devoted 
 to human enlightenment ; and in the undertaking we here enter upon we 
 exemplify in the noblest sense the brotherhood of the nations. Let us hold 
 fast to the meaning that underlies this ceremony, and let us not lose the 
 impressiveness of this moment. As by a touch the machinery that gives life 
 to this vast Exposition is now set in motion, so at the same instant let our 
 hopes and aspirations awaken forces which in all time to come shall influence 
 the welfare, the dignity, and the freedom of mankind." 
 
 The key with its electrical attachment connected with the two-thousand- 
 horse-power engine — the largest of the seventy-seven engines in the power 
 plant — ^was on the platform in front of the President, and at the close of 
 his address, during the performance of Handel's Hallelujah Chorus, he 
 pressed it, and the great engine was set in motion. A moment later the 
 great pumps threw up tall streams of water from each of the two electric 
 fountains, in full view of the throng. The Columbian fountain began to 
 play, and at the same instant every flag was unfurled. Immediately the 
 entire assemblage was kindled with enthusiasm, and amid their cheers, the 
 whistle of the steamers upon the lake, and the booming of cannon, the 
 World's Columbian Exposition was formally opened. 
 
 It was impossible to behold the scene unmoved. The exercises were 
 rendered doubly impressive by reason of the surroundings. The true im- 
 portance and grandeur of the Court of Honor were more fully understood, 
 not only by the vast concourse of onlookers, but by those gathered about 
 the President of the United States who had labored with the Exposition 
 from its inception. Those who were spectators, and for whose pleasure and 
 instruction the Exposition had been created, will certainly long remember 
 that which they saw and heard. To those identified with the administration 
 of the enterprise the occasion was like the climax of a great drama — a mo- 
 ment of victory snatched from amid countless perils. 
 
 At the close of the exercises in the Plaza, the crowd, which had covered 
 every inch of space between the platform and the edge of the Grand Basin, 
 overflowing in all directions among the neighboring buildings, dispersed 
 through the grounds, for the purpose of beholding the treasures that had 
 been gathered for their inspection, and the President and other distinguished 
 guests retired to partake of a collation in the Administration Building. It 
 was intended that the President, under the escort of the Director General 
 and other officials, should call upon all the foreign delegations represented at 
 the Exposition ; but it was found that such a visit at each of the foreign 
 
352 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 THE ELECTRIC KEY 
 
 by Means of which 
 
 President Cleveland started the Machinery. 
 
 buildings would occupy more time than the day afforded. Accordingly, as 
 most of the foreign nations had exhibits on the main avenue of the building 
 for Manufactures and Liberal Arts, known as Columbia Avenue, it was so 
 arranged that each delegation, headed by its commissioner general, appear 
 
 in front of its pavilion, and there 
 await the approach of the Presi- 
 dent ; and other commissions, 
 whose exhibits were not on that 
 avenue, were assigned places 
 there, where they could partici- 
 pate in the ceremony of recogni- 
 tion. 
 
 In passing along the great 
 avenue here and there the space 
 set apart for a nation was found 
 to be unoccupied or incomplete, 
 and large signs were posted ex- 
 plaining the reasons for the de- 
 lay. Ice in the Baltic had prevented the nations bordering thereon from 
 shipping their exhibits in time. Other foreign and American exhibitors 
 had cleverly concealed such portions of their exhibits as remained unfin- 
 ished, and the verdict was freely given that the Exposition had been 
 opened in a state more nearly complete than had been usual with such en- 
 terprises. 
 
 The President, the members of his Cabinet, and other distinguished 
 guests proceeded to the great building, where they were met by Mr. 
 Allison, Chief of the Department of Manufactures, and Dr. Peabody, 
 Chief of the Department of Liberal Arts. These officers conducted the 
 party through the grand avenue, where the President was received by the 
 various delegations. The personaHty of the distinguished visitors ; the 
 splendid array of those to whom the visit was paid, representing not only 
 the greatest nations of the earth, but those from the remotest lands ; bursts 
 of martial music from famous English and German bands, answered by the 
 weird tinkling of quaint Korean cymbals ; the throned mistress of repub- 
 lican France welcoming the throng ; the iron gates of Germany opening at 
 its approach ; the completeness of the display, far beyond the most sanguine 
 expectations — covered by the great dome — all lent magnificence and in- 
 spiration to the scene in which culminated the labors of a nation and the 
 progress of humanity in four intense centuries. 
 
 Passing out of this building at its northern portal, the party proceeded 
 by electric launches to the Agricultural Building. Here it debarked and by 
 carriages moved around the grounds, by the Peristyle, the Government 
 Building, and the avenue of State buildings, to the palace of Fine Arts. 
 Emerging from the Art Building, it again entered the electric launches. 
 
THE COURT OF H( 
 
lOi'OR, LOOKING EAST. 
 
OPENING OF THE EXPOSITION. ,c^ 
 
 and traversed the lagoons to the landing at the Electricity Building. 
 Threading the multitude, the President returned to the Administration 
 Building, and thence, after greetings and congratulations, to his private car, 
 which took him from the grounds en route to the national capital. 
 
 The day and the occasion were auspicious. The audience room was the 
 grand Court of Honor, surrounded by the magnificent colonnades and the 
 matchless architecture of the Exhibition buildings, crowned by the Adminis- 
 tration dome. The canopy of clouds shed no rain, and kindly screened the 
 vast audience from the sun's direct rays. The concourse of people, exceed- 
 ing that of the dedication day, was gathered without delay and handled 
 without accident. All promises had been fulfilled, and the Exposition was 
 launched. 
 
 The act of Congress passed on April 25, 1890, creating the World's Co- 
 lumbian Exposition, provided also for an international naval display to be 
 held in New York harbor, beginning April 26, 1893. All the maritime 
 nations of the world were invited to participate. The fleets were to rendez- 
 vous at Hampton Roads, and then proceed, under command of Rear-Admiral 
 Gherardi, the senior officer in the United States navy, to New York, where 
 they were to be reviewed by the President and other national and State 
 officials. The following nations responded to the invitation : England, 
 France, Germany, Russia, Italy, Spain, Holland, Brazil, and the Argentine 
 Republic. All the expected vessels, including the Spanish caravels, put into 
 Hampton Roads during April, 1893, except two of Russia's squadron that 
 were delayed by ice in the Neva. After a week of festivities at Fort Mon- 
 roe the fleet weighed anchor on April 24 and sailed for New York, anchor- 
 ing in the lower bay. 
 
 On the morning of April 25 the caravels were towed to their places in 
 Hudson River, opposite Ninety-second Street, where they formed the head 
 of the line. As they passed Forts Wadsworth and Hamilton, and then old 
 Castle William, they were saluted by the cannon of these forts and answered 
 with their tiny swivel guns. On the picturesque heights of the Navesink 
 Highlands, where the twin lighthouses stand, a flagstaff one hundred and 
 thirty-five feet high had been erected, and at noon the Paul Jones flag, 
 which once floated over the the Bon Homme Richard, was raised. 
 Addresses by John Winfield Scott and Albert Shaw followed. Soon the 
 fleet came in sight, led by the flagship Philadelphia, and as the vessels one 
 by one passed the venerable ensign loud-mouthed cannons from friend and 
 stranger greeted the Stars and Stripes. As the great vessels swung into 
 their anchorage just below the Narrows the forts saluted in turn. Then a 
 committee, consisting of George B. McClellan, President of the Board of 
 Aldermen ; J. W. Miller, Commandant of the State Naval Reserve ; and 
 Howard Carroll, representing the Columbian Entertainment Committee, 
 visited each vessel and welcomed them in the name of the municipality. 
 
 On Wednesday, April 26, the ceremonies began with the unveiling, at the 
 
,c. THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Battery, at lo a. m., of the statue of John Ericsson, and at the conclusion 
 of the addresses, a salute of twenty-one guns was fired by the monitor Mian- 
 tonomoh, stationed off Governor's Island. Meanwhile the combined fleets, 
 forming in double column oif Norton's Point, began their advance into the 
 harbor and up the Hudson. The port column, composed of the American 
 fleet, was led by Admiral Gherardi's flagship, the Philadelphia. It was in 
 two squadrons. The flagship Newark, Admiral Benham, headed the first, 
 and the flagship Chicago, Admiral Walker, headed the second. The star- 
 board column was headed by the British cruiser Blake, commanded by Sir 
 John Hopkins, a vice-admiral in the English navy. The movement up 
 the river continued until the Philadelphia and the Blake reached their 
 anchorage off Eighty-eighth Street. As the columns proceeded up the bay 
 a distance of six hundred yards was maintained until they passed the Battery, 
 when the distance was decreased to four hundred yards, while the vessels 
 kept three hundred yards of clear water between them until they reached 
 the buoys by which their respective anchorages were designated. 
 
 The ships were ranged in the following order : West column — Phila- 
 delphia, Newark, Atlanta, San Francisco, Bancroft, Bennington, Baltimore, 
 Chicago, Yorktown, Charleston, Vesuvius, Concord ; Nuevo de Julio 
 (Argentine) ; Van Speijk (Holland) ; Kaiserin Augusta, Seeadler (German) ; 
 Miantonomoh. East Column — Blake, Australia, Magicienne, Tartar (Brit- 
 ish) ; Dimitri Donskoi, General Admiral, Rynda (Russian) ; Ar^thuse, Hus- 
 sard, Jean Bart (French) ; Etna, Giovanni Bausan (Italian) ; Infanta Isabel, 
 Reina Regente, Nueva Espaiia (Spanish) ; Aquideban, Tiradentes, Republica 
 (Brazil). 
 
 Thursday, April 27, was observed as a legal holiday throughout the State. 
 It was the day of the celebration to which all previous events were but pre- 
 liminary. Orders had been issued that at 8 a. m. each vessel was to hoist 
 colors and dress ship. The review was announced to begin at 10.30 a. m., 
 but the weather was unfortunate, and a postponement until i p. m. was ob- 
 tained. The Dolphin, of the United States navy, was the reviewing vessel 
 of President Cleveland, while the Cushing and Stiletto were used as dispatch 
 boats. The coast steamer Monmouth was reserved for senators, represen- 
 tatives and their guests, and the patrol steamer Blake for the Diplomatic 
 Corps, while the General Meigs had on board the Duke of Veragua and his 
 attendants. The New York State officials. World's Fair Commissioners, and 
 Legislature were carried by the steamer General Slocum, and were given a 
 place at the head of the line. The morning of the 2 7th was rainy and cheer- 
 less, but neither threatening skies nor pouring rains could keep at home the 
 immense crowd that gathered at every vantage point along the whole shore 
 line of ten miles. Promptly at the appointed time the reviewing party en- 
 tered midway between the two lines of war ships. As they approached, the 
 band on each vessel played the national air of its country, the officers and 
 marine guard on the poop deck saluted, the sailors manned the yards, while 
 
OPENrNG OF THE EXPOSITION. ,ce 
 
 the men on the rail, both starboard and port, faced the reviewing ship. As 
 the Dolphin passed, a salute of twenty-one guns was fired by each vessel in 
 honor of the President. When the big Blake and the majestic Philadelphia 
 were passed, the Dolphin steamed up to a point within three hundred yards 
 of the Santa Maria and came to an anchor. A few minutes 
 later the barges of admirals and gigs of captains from 
 every ship in the fleet headed for the Dolphin, where the 
 President and his Cabinet held a reception to the com- 
 manding officers of the fleet. Mr. Cleveland than 
 returned to the city. While the reception was in 
 progress the Philadelphia steamed up the Hud- 
 son to a point abreast of General Grant's tomb 
 and fired a salute of twenty-one guns in honor 
 of the natal day of that hero. During the even- 
 ing an exhibition of search-light drilling and 
 night signaling was given by the war vessels. 
 The rain, had settled into a mist, and the river 
 was dark with fog, but suddenly a great beam of 
 
 white light flashed along the line and settled on stuyvesant fish, 
 
 the Miantonomoh. Then from every vessel in Member of the Directory, 
 
 , a 1 n 1 1- T 1 •! • ^^^ President of the Illinois 
 
 the fleet burst strong flashes of light, until it central Railroad Co. 
 
 seemed as if the sun had broken out from beneath 
 
 a cloud, for the darkness had vanished and it was light as day. Next came 
 the illumination with colored lights, and the outlines of the vessels appeared 
 in red, then green, and finally white light. 
 
 The admirals, the staff officers, and the captains of the naval vessels were 
 guests of the city at a ball given in Madison Square Garden, which had 
 become fairyland. Unique arrangements of flowers, novel effects with 
 miniature electric lamps, brilliant designs with flags and banners, delighted 
 the eye and pleased the fancy. From the crest of the arch hung an electric- 
 ally lighted cupid, and revolving electric stars, which changed color at each 
 revolution, were on the faces of the base. High above the platform of 
 the Madison Avenue entrance was the emblem, " Greeting of the New 
 World," in white flame. Beneath this stood the Mayor of the municipality 
 to receive his guests. These included the President of the United States, 
 the Governor of the State, the Duke of Veragua, and others. From ii to i 
 dancing and banqueting continued, and then the President departed, bring- 
 ing to a close the great entertainment. 
 
 On Friday, April 28, the shore parade of sailors and marines from all the 
 men-of-war in the harbor took place. The hardy tars were escorted by the 
 Naval Reserves of New York and Massachusetts and the National Guard of 
 New York ; the parade was most successful and attractive by its novelty. 
 Shortly before eleven o'clock a start was made at the corner of Fifth Avenue 
 and Forty-second Street. At the head of the procession was Roswell P. 
 
356 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Flower, Governor of New York and Commander in Chief of the State forces, 
 with his staff, escorted by New York's Troop A of dragoons. He was fol- 
 lowed by the commanding officers of the foreign and United States vessels 
 in carriages. Then came, in four battalions, a brigade of sailors and marines 
 from the United States war vessels, forming the first division. A second 
 division included the foreign marines and sailors from the visiting war ships, 
 and finally, under command of General Louis Fitzgerald, the National Guard 
 of the State. About twelve thousand men were in line. The procession 
 moved down Fifth Avenue to Waverly Place, thence to Broadway, and past 
 the stand in front of City Hall, where the Mayor reviewed the parade, thence 
 down Park Row to Broadway, ending at the Battery. 
 
 On Saturday, May 6, the officers of the various squadrons set out for 
 Chicago to visit the Exposition. On their arrival they were met by a com- 
 mittee of citizens and were driven through the city, after which a luncheon 
 was given in their honor at the residence of Mayor Harrison. Major- 
 General Miles and his staff accompanied the party during the day. After 
 luncheon they went to the Exposition in a body. 
 
 On the following morning President Higinbotham gave a breakfast at 
 eleven o'clock in Music Hall to the entire party, and invited the various 
 foreign commissioners and a number of eminent citizens to meet them. 
 Music Hall was appropriately decorated for the occasion by John Thorpe, 
 Chief of Floriculture, who used for the purpose large quantities of rare and 
 beautiful flowers from the greenhouses in his department. The music was 
 furnished by the Exposition Orchestra, under the leadership of Theodore 
 Thomas. The national hymns of the various countries whose representatives 
 were present were played during the reception that preceded the breakfast. 
 This was the first social event of the Exposition season, and in the beauty 
 of its surroundings and the distinction of the guests it was one of the most 
 notable. President Higinbotham was anxious to afford the naval officers 
 the fullest opportunity to view the Exposition ; therefore, at the close of the 
 breakfast, he addressed them briefly as follows : 
 
 "We have so much to show our distinguished guests that we cannot 
 spare time to indulge in speeches. The poetry that we would write, the 
 sermons that we would preach, are best expressed in our magnificent build- 
 ings, with their domes and arches, their beautiful turrets, towers, and 
 minarets standing against the sky and mirrored in lake and lagoon. We 
 have time, however, to thank our guests for the pleasure and honor conferred 
 upon us by their visit. We have time to express a hope that the God of the 
 sea may be good to them ; that the friendly relations existing between the 
 nations they represent may continue ; that the dogs of war, now so firmly 
 bound, may never be loosed again ; that they may at last be guided by the 
 God of the universe into a haven where the elements are at rest and wars are 
 unknown. As it is not probable that our guests will again be assembled 
 here within the reach of a single voice, let us with our welcome mingle our 
 
OPENING OF THE EXPOSITION. ,cy 
 
 hail and farewell. I ask you to stand and drink the health of the sovereigns 
 and presidents of the countries of our distinguished guests." 
 
 After this toast, several of the naval officers and foreign commissioners 
 made short speeches, expressing their admiration of the Exposition and the 
 cordial feelings that their stay in this country had engendered ; 
 then the party, eager to resume the inspection of the 
 grounds, took the steam launches for a trip along the ^^^ 
 
 lake and viewed the Exposition from that side. The 
 following day they returned to New York. 
 
 The naval officers were escorted, from the time 
 they left New York until they returned, by Lieu- 
 tenant-Commander Leavitt C. Logan, U. S. N. ; 
 Lieutenant William C. Babcock, U. S. N. ; 
 Lieutenant John C. Fremont, U. S. A. ; 
 Past-Assistant-Surgeon Rand P. Crandall, 
 U. S. N. ; and Captain J. M. Miller, New 
 York naval militia. The foreign visitors 
 were as follow : 
 
 English — Commander Charles H. Bayly, 
 Lieutenant H. H. Campbell, Lieutenant H. G. 
 C. Sandeman, Lieutenant William EUerton, Major 
 
 E. E. Payne, Fleet-Paymaster L. North, Sub-Lieu- rollin a. keyes, 
 
 tenant G. M. Payne, Engineer F. H. Leister, Cap- Member of the Directory. 
 
 tain S. C. Holland, Lieutenant Clifton Sclater, Cap- 
 tain F. White, Surgeon R. W. Anderson, Assistant-Engineer James Hird, 
 Rev. J. H. Dougherty, Captain J. P. Pipon, C. M. G. ; Lieutenant P. Gar- 
 rett, Stafif-Surgeon H. J. Todd. 
 
 Russian — Commander Young, Lieutenant Hyriakoff, Lieutenant Hilder- 
 brant. Lieutenant KuonofT, Lieutenant Petz, Lieutenant Tegleff, Lieutenant 
 Rimski Kersokoff, Ensign Mazaroff, Ensign Vesselage, Ensign Kouzin, 
 Navigating-Lieutenant Korobytzin, Chief-Engineer Lavrofif, Assistant- 
 Engineer Svozicheffski, Asfl|^nt-Ensign Schemanoff, Dr. Grouzcdiff. 
 
 German — Lieutenant-Commander Oriola, Staff-Surgeon Schubert, Lieu- 
 tenant Jansen, Surgeon Behmer, Lieutenant Kerchan Bahr. 
 
 Argentine — Rear- Admiral Enrique C. Howard, Lieutenant Luis De- 
 martini, Lieutenant Enrique Thorne, Midshipman Jorge Spurr, Captain 
 Manuel Poredes, Lieutenant Manuel de la Puente, Lieutenant Luis Riners, 
 Major ta Mayorde Qel Andardo Soutille. 
 
 French — M. J. B. Jacquet, Lieutenant H. Senes, Lieutenant A. de Rab- 
 in, Paymaster Deris A. Legards, Ensign J. B. Petit, Midshipman A. Due, 
 Midshipman A. Videl, Midshipman A. O'Neill, Ensign J. B. Legoux, Lieu- 
 tenant J. B. Grandiment, Ensign H. Franques, Paymaster H. Louvrenzie. 
 
 Italian — Rear-Admiral Magnaghi, Captain de Libere, Commander 
 Aubrey, Flag-Lieutenant Cassanuevo, Lieutenant Resie. 
 
358 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Spanish — Captain Manuel Paridee, Lieutenant Manuel de Puente, Lieu- 
 tenant Luis Rivera. 
 
 Among those present at the breakfast were the following : Lieutenant 
 William C. Babcock, William I. Buchanan, E. B. Butler, Lieutenant Berry, 
 Isaac N. Camp, J. T. Dickinson, J. W. Doane, Walker Fearn, Harlow N. 
 Higinbotham, George V. Massey, Ferdinand W. Peck, Edward P. Ripley, 
 Commander F. M. Symonds (U. S. N.), W. A. Smith, Norman Williams, 
 C. B. Farwell, Lieutenant Helm, Major Kimball, James Keats, J. C. Morse, 
 Selim H. Peabody, George M. Pullman, Marshall Field, Charles B. Atwood, 
 Surgeon D. N. Bertollette (U. S. N.), Daniel H. Burnham, William T. Baker, 
 Rev. J. H. Barrows, John M. Clark, Robert C. Clowry, George R Davis, 
 J. Donnersberger, Charles F. Foster, Colonel Heyl, Major-General Nelson 
 A. Miles, Thomas W. Palmer, Charles H. Schwab, Charles T. Yerkes, Lam- 
 bert Tree, Charles H. Wacker, N. K. Fairbank, W. H. Holcomb, William 
 P. Ketcham, Edward F. Lawrence, Captain Maus, Alexander H. Revell, 
 Captain Aytoun, Captain Baldwin, F. T. Bickford, Lieutenant A. C. Baker, 
 C. H. Baldwin, William E. Curtis, Captain J. W. Collins, Arthur Dixon, 
 Howard O. Edmonds, Major Groesbeck, Moses P. Handy, M. B. Madden, 
 Colonel Edmund Rice, James W. St. Clair, John Thorpe, Theodore Thomas, 
 Henry B. Stone, Lieutenant-Colonel Gillian, Huntington W. Jackson, Her- 
 man H. Kohlsaat, E. W. Murphy, Franklin MacVeagh, O. S. A. Sprague. 
 
 A single wheel-chair. 
 
Looking South from the Roof of the Manufactures Building. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 SUNDAY CLOSING. 
 
 Difficulties of the question — Mr. Walker elected Solicitor-General — Arguments pro and 
 con — Requirements of the act of Congress — Special regulations — The case in court — 
 Sunday attendance — Religious services on the grounds — Conflicting decisions. 
 
 N 
 
 O subject connected with the administration 
 of the Exposition aroused so much controver- 
 sy, or opinions so intense in their diversity, as 
 did the question of opening or closing the Exposi- 
 tion grounds on Sunday. On one side were 
 arrayed those who for principles of religious 
 faith, which they cherished as most sacred, 
 demanded that the gates should be closed 
 on that day. On the other side were those 
 who .'urged that the Exposition, a great 
 moral and educative power, should be per- 
 mitted to exert its benign influence on one 
 day as well as another ; to grant its blessings 
 to the toiling multitudes who might otherwise 
 be debarred from them. 
 
 In approaching this subject, which brought 
 the Exposition into the State and Federal courts, 
 some reference to the legal department is neces- 
 sary. On May 12, 1893, the Board of Directors 
 elected Director Edwin Walker Solicitor-General, this office having been 
 vacant since the resignation of Mr. Butterworth in April, 1892. This act 
 
 359 
 
 EDWIN WALKER, 
 
 Director, and Solicitor General 
 
 of the Exposition. 
 
26o "^^^ WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 was in recognition of the existing order of things, and also in recognition 
 of the valuable services of Mr. Walker and of the esteem in which he was 
 held by the Directors generally, both on account of his personal qualities 
 and his devotion to the cause of the Exposition. As chairman of the 
 Committee on Legislation, Mr. Walker's advice had been sought on every 
 important subject involving questions of law or the exercise of sound dis- 
 cretion. He had always taken a prominent part in the proceedings of the 
 Board of Directors and of its Executive Committee. The attorney, Mr. 
 Carlisle, carried on his work under Mr. Walker's direction, and on Mr. 
 CarHsle's resignation, in the spring of 1893, Mr. Walker undertook to reor- 
 ganize the Law Department. The two Assistant Attorneys — Charles H. 
 Baldwin and Joseph Cummins — he designated attorneys, and assigned to 
 each a portion of the detail work of the Law Department, with instructions 
 to proceed under his advice and dii^ection. Mr. Walker frequently advised 
 with and assisted the Council of Administration and the President, and after 
 the close of the Exposition he bore a large share of the labor in disposing of 
 the company's business. 
 
 The question of Sunday closing had been taken up by various religious 
 bodies soon after the adoption of the act authorizing the Exposition, and 
 large numbers of protests against opening and against closing on Sunday 
 were filed both with the Commission and with the Board of Directors. 
 Some religious organizations took action in favor of closing the gates, and 
 others took equally decided action in favor of opening them, while still others 
 remained neutral. 
 
 Discussion of this topic by the Board of Directors had been prevented or 
 postponed whenever possible. With very few exceptions, the Directors 
 were in favor of keeping the Exposition open on Sunday — on the theory 
 that many would be able to see it on that day who would be unable to spend 
 the necessary time on a week day, and also on the theory that the city would 
 be filled with strangers during the Exposition season, some of whom, if shut 
 out of the Exposition grounds and thrown upon their own resources, would 
 be likely to spend their time in an unprofitable manner, and perhaps swell 
 the lawless element. It was conceived by the management that from 
 among the humbler classes and the strangers in town an attendance might be 
 expected on Sundays greater than that of the week days, and that the result 
 of keeping the Exposition open on Sunday would be both beneficial to the 
 patrons and profitable to the enterprise. The Commission recognized that 
 its power was restricted to the adoption or rejection of such regulations as 
 should be offered by the Directory for its consideration, and resolved to defer 
 its consideration of this specific topic until it should be presented in the 
 regular order. 
 
 Originally the Board of Directors had authority, under the act of Con- 
 gress, to make a rule providing that the Exposition should be opened or 
 closed on Sundays, and such rule would have been subject to modification 
 
SUNDAY CLOSING. -gj 
 
 only by a majority vote of all the members of the World's Columbian Com- 
 mission. 
 
 When the souvenir-coin bill was pending in Congress, in the summer of 
 1892, the opposition to Sunday opening, which was very active and well 
 organized, obtained an expression from Congress in favor of closing the 
 Exposition. It is questionable whether the subject was well understood 
 when this vote was taken. It was represented that the management of the 
 Exposition was planning an assault on the "American Sabbath "and was 
 seeking to bring people within its gates on Sunday to furnish business for 
 the concert gardens and " side shows " of the Midway. Owing to this move- 
 ment, the souvenir-coin appropriation was made subject to the condition 
 that the Exposition be closed on Sunday. This provision was of necessity 
 accepted by the Board of Directors, the members of which felt that they 
 had done all that the situation required of them to secure the opening of 
 the Exposition on Sunday, unless Congress could be induced at its next 
 session, in the winter of 1892-93, to release them from the condition attach- 
 ing to the souvenir-coin appropriation. Congress failed to revoke this con- 
 dition, but in the spring of 1893 passed an act which the Board of Directors 
 held released them from the obligation that had been imposed. This act, 
 approved March 3, provided for the withdrawal of the sum of $570,880 from 
 the appropriation of $2,500,000 previously made, and required that the sum 
 so withdrawn should be set aside for the use of another body and for a dif- 
 ferent purpose. Many persons within the Directory and without held the 
 opinion that as the appropriation was coupled with a condition, and the ac- 
 ceptance thereof by the Directory included the condition, the two actions 
 constituted a mutual obligation having the moral force of a contract ; and 
 that the act of March 3, 1893, withdrawing a part of the money previously 
 appropriated, violated the contract and freed the other contracting party, the 
 Exposition Directory, from whatever obligations that contract had imposed. 
 
 On May 6 a stockholder in the Exposition Company made a formal de- 
 mand on the Directory that the Exposition should be opened on Sundays, 
 accompanied with the statement that if his demand was not complied with 
 he would at once begin proceedings in the nature of injunction. On May 
 7, the first Sunday of the Exposition, the gates being closed, this stockholder 
 laid the foundation for his subsequent proceedings by demanding admission, 
 which was denied. On May 13 the Secretary of the Directory communi- 
 cated to the President of the Commission an opinion of Solicitor-General 
 Walker, in which that gentleman argued that the " Exposition " should be 
 held to include only the great exhibit buildings ; that these only were sub- 
 ject to any regulating authority of the Commission, the grounds about them 
 being under the sole control of the Directory. On the 1 7th the Directory 
 voted almost unanimously to refund the sum of $1,929,120, which had been 
 received under the act of August 5, 1892, after the claims of creditors had 
 been satisfied. It voted also to open the Exposition on Sundays, and the 
 
,52 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 following regulations embodying the proposition were offered by the Direc- 
 tory to the Commission for approval : 
 
 " The Exposition shall be open for the admission of visitors until the 
 thirtieth day of October, a. d. 1893, on each day of the week, subject, how- 
 ever, to the following regulations for the management and conduct of the 
 Exposition on Sundays : 
 
 " On each and every Sunday the operation of the machinery in Machin- 
 ery Hall and elsewhere shall be suspended as far as practicable. Exhibitors 
 and employees shall be relieved from duty, except so far as their presence is 
 essential and necessary for the protection of property and the public peace ; 
 but all employees whose services are required on Sunday shall be given one 
 day of rest during each week. Religious services may be held each Sunday 
 in Choral and Music Halls at such hours as may be designated and named 
 by the Council of Administration, and said Council shall have authority to 
 arrange for such services. The fee of admission on all days of the week is 
 hereby fixed, after May 20, 1893, at fifty cents for adults and twenty-five 
 cents for children between the ages of six and twelve years." 
 
 This rule being referred by the Commission to its Judiciary Committee 
 for consideration and report, the committee found itself unable to agree, and 
 on May 22 presented two reports. One of a majority, signed by Messrs. 
 Massey, Hundley, and Garvin, offered a resolution of nonconcurrence in the 
 proposed regulations, and one of a minority, signed by Messrs. St. Clair and 
 Burton, recommended that they be approved with certain modifications. 
 The Commission refused to adopt either report or to act on the proposed 
 regulation. Finding that its proposed rule was neither accepted nor rejected, 
 the Directory proceeded to act on Mr. Walker's theory that it had full con- 
 trol of the grounds, and ordered the Exposition to be opened on Sunday, 
 the 28th of May. 
 
 Meanwhile the application for an injunction against closing the gates was 
 made in the Superior Court of the city of Chicago, Judge Philip Stein pre- 
 siding, and on May 29 a preliminary injunction was issued forbidding the 
 governing authorities from closing the Exposition on Sundays. 
 
 At this stage of the proceedings the authority of the Attorney-General 
 of the United States, the Hon. Richard Olney, was invoked, and he directed 
 Thomas E. Milchrist, the United States District Attorney at Chicago, first 
 to appear in Judge Stein's court, and there contest the proceedings for in- 
 junction ; and afterward to institute proceedings in the United States Circuit 
 Court, praying its injunction against opening on Sunday. The case was 
 fully argued in this court before Judges William A. Woods, James H. Jen- 
 kins, and Peter S. Grosscup. On June 7 this court decided that the Expo- 
 sition must be closed on Sundays, Judges Woods and Jenkins concurring, 
 and Judge Grosscup dissenting. 
 
 There was now an apparent clash of authorities, the decisions of the City 
 Court and of the United States Court being at variance. But from the 
 
SUNDAY CLOSING. 
 
 363 
 
 United States District Court an appeal was taken to the Appellate Court, 
 where the case was again argued before Chief-Justice Melville W. Fuller and 
 District-Judges William J. Allen and Romanzo Bunn. This court, by a 
 unanimous decision, on June 1 7, reversed the order of the lower court, dis- 
 solved the injunction, and remanded the case to the lower court, where it 
 was presently dismissed. The Exposition remained open on Sunday. 
 
 On June 30 an Eastern firm that had a branch business in Chicago prayed 
 for an injunction against opening the Exposition on Sundays in the United 
 States Circuit Court before Judge Jenkins, who, as we have seen, had given 
 his opinion in favor of Sunday closing. The plea of the orators was that 
 they, as stockholders in the Exposition Company, would be damaged, and 
 their prospective returns diminished, if the Directory should carry into effect 
 the vote taken on the 1 7th for repayment of the money received from the 
 Government under the act of August 5, 1892. They asked the court to en- 
 join the Directoiy from opening the gates and repaying the money, but the 
 court refused the injunction. 
 
 By the middle of July the Exposition had been open on seven Sundays. 
 On May 28, the first Sunday, the paid attendance was 77,212 — nearly twice 
 the average daily attendance for the previous six days ; but this did not rep- 
 resent the legitimate Sunday patronage, for thousands of people went to the 
 Exposition on that day simply to record their sympathy with the movement, 
 in the interest of those classes whose Sunday could be made bright, 
 profitable, and wholesome by drawing them into Jackson Park. For the 
 next three Sundays the attendance ranged between fifty-six thousand and 
 seventy-one thousand, and was made up mostly of people who seemed to 
 care little that exhibits were covered up or the machinery not in operation, 
 provided they could enjoy the charming view of water ways, landscape, and 
 architecture, and listen to the music. On the first open Sunday some of the 
 more enthusiastic patrons emphasized their position on the Sunday question 
 in a very happy manner. The band concert was opened with the hymn 
 Nearer my God to Thee, and those in the vicinity caught up the air and 
 sang the hymn. 
 
 Ministers were secured and services held in Festival Hall for several Sun- 
 days. These services, though well attended, were condemned by some of 
 those in favor of closing. Ministers of several denominations declined invi- 
 tations to speak on the Exposition grounds. 
 
 As time passed by the Sunday attendance grew smaller, settling down to 
 a steady average of about forty-eight thousand during July. As there were 
 comparatively few strangers in town during July, this attendance was drawn 
 mostly from the city, and the receipts therefrom were barely equal to the 
 average daily cost of operating the Exposition. The receipts from concession- 
 naires, including the Midway attractions, averaged less on Sunday, and this 
 is the best evidence that the evils of Sunday opening had been exaggerated, 
 and that the attendance was from among people of small means. Even the 
 
364 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 restaurants suffered, for the people either came after dinner or brought their 
 lunches with them. 
 
 On July 15 the Directory voted to close the gates on the second Sunday 
 thereafter and to rescind all provisions on the subject, including the repayment 
 of funds appropriated by Congress. The management was tired of the agita- 
 tion, and was anxious to close the grounds. Doubt as to the proper course 
 to pursue, and a feeling that the matter might be best brought to an issue 
 and laid at rest by attempting to close the gates, led the President to order the 
 Exposition closed on Sunday, July 23. He was assisted to this conclusion 
 by the intemperate denunciation of some of the Sunday-closing adversaries, 
 who asserted that the management, while pretending to be trying to close 
 the gates on Sundays, was really in collusion with the stockholders who had 
 secured the injunction against closing. The President had anticipated that 
 if any unpleasant consequences attached to his act in ordering the gates 
 closed, these would fall upon him alone, and not upon his associates ; hence 
 he was greatly disappointed when the court that issued the injunction at- 
 tached members of the Board of Directors and imposed fines upon them. 
 These Directors had not been cognizant of the President's action, and were 
 in no wise responsible for it. The Directors upon whom fines were imposed 
 appealed from the judgment of the court, and, upon hearing, the Appellate 
 Court reversed the judgment, on the ground that the court imposing the 
 fines had no jurisdiction whatever to interfere with the management of the 
 affairs of the company by its Board of Directors. 
 
 The case had been argued in court on six different occasions and before 
 thirteen different judges, one judge hearing the subject discussed twice. 
 Two decisions — one for, the other against, the open Sunday — were appealed ; 
 in each case the decision below was reversed. The decisions of seven judges 
 favored opening ; those of seven favored closing. 
 
 This ended the attempts to close the Exposition on Sunday. The man- 
 agement withdrew its attempts to make the day especially attractive, and 
 ceased to provide ministers for services in Festival Hall. So contradic- 
 tory had been the proceedings that the public was now in some doubt 
 whether the gates were opened or closed on Sunday, and during August the 
 Sunday attendance fell as low as eighteen thousand, from which point it 
 increased slowly to over forty thousand in September, and during the last 
 four Sundays in October it ranged from eighty-two thousand to over one 
 hundred and fifty thousand. Usually, however, the Sunday attendance was 
 much less than the average attendance for the other six days of the same 
 week. The exhibits were mostly covered up — there being nothing to attract 
 visitors except the great beauty of the grounds and the treasures of the Fine 
 Arts Building. The latter were so attractive to the visitors on all days that 
 the building was often too crowded to permit satisfactory examination of its 
 contents. Visitors took every means in their power to view this building 
 when it was not crowded. They came in the early morning and on Sunday 
 
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SUNDAY CLOSING. 
 
 365 
 
 in such numbers as to defeat their object. Often when other portions of 
 the grounds were deserted this building was thronged with interested sight- 
 seers. This eagerness to behold the contents of the Art Building was one 
 of the most agreeable features of the Sunday attendance. 
 
 Judged solely as a question of profit, the opening of the gates on Sunday 
 was not justified. But many .thousands of people spent the whole or part of 
 the day in the Park, not so much in viewing the contents of the buildings as 
 the buildings themselves and the grounds. There was a notable absence of 
 that noisy, rowdy element which critics said would pervade the grounds, and 
 especially the Midway. Indeed, the concessionnaires upon the Midway found 
 the Sunday business quite unprofitable. The gatherings were mostly in the 
 Court of Honor, where seats had been provided, from which the view could 
 be enjoyed with comfort, while the bands played music of a sacred or elevat- 
 ing character. Persons who observed these Sunday assemblages and studied 
 the individuals of which they were composed, found it difficult to appreciate 
 the objections that were urged by those opposed to the opening of the gates. 
 
 The entire agitation of this subject was a unique and disagreeable 
 experience. Men of the best intentions, and aiming only to do right, ac- 
 cording to their views, were accused of being enemies of society and religion, 
 and were thundered at from many pulpits, often intemperately. 
 
 None of those who were most pronounced in the advocacy of an open 
 Sunday proposed to use the Sunday as an especial gala day or holiday. The 
 machinery of the Exposition, except that for obviously necessary uses, was 
 to be stopped. All merchandising was to cease. Exhibitors who wished 
 might veil their exhibits, and many of them embraced the opportunity for 
 rest and recreation elsewhere. It was the opinion of many who were most 
 anxious for the proper observance of the Sabbath day, and for the pres- 
 ervation of an elevated and healthful moral tone among both the peo- 
 ple who were at home and the strangers who had gathered from all the 
 world, that the permission to enter the Exposition inclosure, to enjoy its 
 marvelous beauty of Nature and architecture, landscape and art, to breathe 
 its atmosphere, replete with the invigorating stimulus of human progress 
 and development, would prove a blessed privilege when contrasted with 
 the numberless meretricious attractions everywhere lying in wait outside 
 the gates. 
 
 The legal aspects of this Sunday-opening controversy were treated at 
 some length in an article on " The Litigation of the Exposition," prepared 
 by the Solicitor-General for " The Bench and Bar of Chicago." The So- 
 licitor-General went before the United States Circuit Court to defend the 
 action of the management in opening the Exposition on Sunday. A few 
 days later he defended the action of the management in closing on Sun- 
 day, before the Superior Court of Cook County. The apparent incon- 
 sistency of his attitude produced some merriment in the press and among 
 the members of the bar ; but his position was sustained in both cases, the 
 26 
 
366 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 decisions being given on the ground of lack of jurisdiction to interfere 
 with the management of the corporate affairs of the company by its Board 
 of Directors. 
 
 The Board of Directors was charged with bad faith because it opened the 
 gates on Sunday after accepting the souvenir-coin appropriation of $2,500,- 
 000 on the condition that it would keep the gates closed on that day. Those 
 who made the charge ignored or forgot the fact that the first breach of con- 
 tract was on the part of the Government, and that, too, under such embar- 
 rassing circumstances as seriously to damage the Exposition's finances. 
 Nothing but the loyalty and public spirit of Chicagoans saved the Exposi- 
 tion from irreparable disaster before its gates had been opened to the public. 
 Attached to the appropriation of $2,500,000 were several conditions of great 
 importance, all of which the company had fulfilled. The first act of Con- 
 gress providing for the Exposition required the company to raise $10,000,000 
 for use in preparing for holding the -Exposition. This had been done. The 
 souvenir-coin act required the company to provide whatever sum might be 
 necessary in addition to the $2,500,000 thereby appropriated to complete the 
 Exposition, the total cost of which at that time was expected to be about 
 $19,000,000, but it afterward proved to be much greater. The company was 
 even required to prove to the Secretary of the Treasury that it had actually 
 disbursed $2,500,000 in addition to the original $10,000,000 before it could 
 receive the $2,500,000 in souvenir coins from the Government. After this 
 condition had been complied with Congress diverted nearly $600,000 of the 
 souvenir-coin appropriation to other purposes which were not within the 
 scope of the duties of the company, and the task of providing this extra 
 $600,000 nearly ruined the company. Moreover, on the faith of the plain 
 terms of the souvenir-coin appropriation, together with the other resources 
 of the company, an issue of $5,000,000 of bonds had been authorized by the 
 company, and nearly $4,000,000 of them were sold and paid for. By the 
 unjust act of the Government the security of the bondholders was injured 
 to a much greater amount than the $600,000 withheld — in fact, the security 
 of the bondholders, resting in the solvency of the company, was in danger 
 of being totally destroyed. Another condition of the souvenir-coin appro- 
 priation was that the company should pay the expenses of the great Exhibit 
 Departments organized by the Director General of the World's Columbian 
 Commission, which expenses constituted a heavy drain upon the company's 
 resources, amounting in the aggregate to more than the entire souvenir-coin 
 appropriation. Thus it will be seen that so far from there being any obliga- 
 tion, moral or legal, for the return of any moneys received from the Govern- 
 ment, there was a debt due the company from the Government, morally if 
 not legally, for moneys expended in excess of total requirements imposed 
 by the original act of Congress, relating to the Exposition. Moreover, the 
 company always showed itself more jealous of the national honor in con- 
 nection with the Exposition than did the Government in all matters requir- 
 
SUNDAY CLOSING. 
 
 367 
 
 ing outlays of money, and this feeling increased among the Directors in pro- 
 portion as Congress proved neglectful and indifferent. 
 
 The Sunday record of the Columbian Exposition was admirable in com- 
 parison with that of the Centennial Exhibition of 1876, when the gates were 
 closed to the general public, but were opened free of charge to those who were 
 in favor with the management, the result being an attendance on Sunday of 
 thousands who had not the excuse — if any excuse is necessary — that they 
 were unable to attend the Exposition on the working days of the week. 
 
 Statue of The Republic. Daniel C. French, sculptor. 
 
The Service Building. 
 Size, 164 by 268 feet ; cost, $102,092. Architect, Charles B. Atwood. 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 PROTECTION. 
 
 Organization of the Guard — Colonel Rice appointed Commandant — United States troops 
 — Police — Military drill — Fire drill — Compensation — Difficulties — Secret service — A 
 special service corps — The Fire Department and its apparatus — 
 Medical bureau. 
 
 I 
 
 N the spring of 1891, when an army of workers 
 entered the Park to prepare the grounds, a 
 substantial board fence was erected, inclosing 
 all the grounds in Jackson Park proper. It was 
 suitable for the purpose for which it was in- 
 tended, and remained to the end of the Ex- 
 position. Buildings were erected for the em- 
 ployees of the Construction Department, and 
 a watch service was organized under the Gen- 
 eral Superintendent. Men were employed 
 as watchmen as they were needed, and so 
 soon as there was a number sufficient to 
 require the special charge of an officer one 
 was appointed. The men were selected from 
 those who applied, and ex-officers of the Chicago- 
 Police Department were appointed to command 
 them. This was found unsatisfactory, and dur- 
 ing the autumn of 1891 the Chief of Construc- 
 tion, with the approval of the Board of Direct- 
 ors, secured the detail of Colonel Edmund 
 Rice, an officer from the staff of Major-General Nelson A. Miles, U. S. A, 
 commanding the Department of the Missouri, to assist in organizing a 
 more efficient Guard service. A system for the employment of watchmen 
 
 368 
 
 COL. EDMUND RICE, 
 
 U. S. A., 
 Commandant of the Guard. 
 
PROTFXTION. ,5q 
 
 was perfected, and regulations were adopted to create an organization to 
 be known as the Columbian Guard, to conform, so far as practicable, to the 
 rules and regulations of the United States army. 
 
 Colonel Rice began the organization of the Guard during the winter of 
 1891-92, and in November, 1892, was appointed Commandant of the Guard. 
 In April, 1892, the Guard numbered one hundred and sixty-four men, in- 
 cluding gate keepers, firemen, and three officers. In June it was increased 
 to two hundred and fifty men and three officers. By the Act of Congress 
 of August 5, 1892, the Secretary of War was authorized to detail army 
 officers for duty in connection with the Exposition, and in the same month 
 Captains Frederick A. Smith and Curtis B. Hoppin, of the regular army, 
 were detailed, the former acting as Adjutant of the Guard and the latter as 
 Quartermaster. The Adjutant had charge of all papers and the issuing of 
 orders, and acted for the Commandant in the absence of the latter. He was 
 the Executive officer, and for a time all persons arrested were brought be- 
 fore him for a preliminary hearing. Subsequently, when his duties in- 
 creased, the work of examining persons arrested was done by the officer of 
 the day, and the Adjutant was further reHeved by the appointment of First- 
 Lieutenant Walter H. Gordon as Assistant Adjutant. The Quartermaster 
 had charge of the equipment of the Guard, uniforms, etc. ; he had charge 
 also of the wagons and horses owned by the company, the purchasing of the 
 horses for the service of the Exposition, and their maintenance. 
 
 On Dedication Day, October 21, 1892, the active force of the Guard, in- 
 cluding the Fire Department, numbered fourteen officers and four hundred 
 and twenty-two men, and in addition to this a force of six hundred and fifty 
 city police officers, under Inspector Nicholas Hunt, was disposed about the 
 exterior of the grounds for that day. The interior of the Manufactures and 
 Liberal Arts Building, where the dedicatory exercises took place, was guarded 
 by United States troops, under an arrangement with Major-General Miles. 
 On that day the command of General Miles present for duty consisted of 
 twenty-five hundred United States soldiers and two hundred United States 
 marines, quartered in the Mines and Mining Building, and about ten thousand 
 of the National Guard, occupying the Transportation, Agricultural, and 
 Electricity Buildings. 
 
 Pursuant to a resolution of the Council of Administration, orders were 
 issued prohibiting all smoking or the lighting of matches anywhere within 
 the grounds, and imposing on the Guards the duty of seeing that the order 
 was effectually carried out during the whole of dedication week. 
 
 Immediately after the dedication the exhibits began to arrive, and from 
 this time the Guard was recruited as rapidly as possible, with due regard to 
 the high standard of discipline which its Commandant exacted. By March, 
 1893, the Guard had been increased to seven hundred men, and on May i to 
 fifteen hundred and fifty men and twenty officers. Its discipline was essen- 
 tially military. It was divided into companies, each commanded by a cap- 
 
370 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 tain, who was usually an army officer. The military drill consisted of one 
 half hour three times a week in the School of the Soldier and Company 
 without Arms. In addition to this, they received fire drill one hour three 
 days a week. Fire drill consisted of the use of portable fire appliances, auto- 
 matic hose reels, hose, hose carts, and hydrants, the inten- 
 tion being to render them familiar with the duties of 
 firemen, that they might assist the Fire Department in 
 case of emergency. The highest number employed in 
 the Guard was in June, 1893, when the force consisted 
 of two thousand and sixty-four men. The necessity 
 for economy was so pressing at this time that the 
 Commandant was ordered to reduce his force to 
 fifteen hundred men, but, after careful consideration 
 of the question, the Council of Administration 
 modified this order and authorized him to main- 
 tain a force of seventeen hundred men in the 
 regular line of the Guard. 
 
 The compensation allowed the Columbian 
 Guard was as follows : Sergeant Major, $75 a 
 month ; Quartermaster's Sergeant, $75 a month ; 
 First Sergeant, $73 a month ; Sergeant, $70 a 
 month ; Guard, $60 a month, excepting guards 
 appointed after August 16, who were paid $50 a 
 month. Payment was made semimonthly, on the 
 5th and 20th of each month. The cost of the uni- 
 form was $39.55, and this expense was borne by the wearer. 
 
 Until the active work of installation began, only a portion of the Guards 
 remained on the grounds at night, and a dormitory accommodating five hun- 
 dred men was all that was required ; but when installation began, quarters 
 were provided in the several exhibit buildings and in the Administration 
 Building, in addition to those provided in the dormitory. This provided a 
 sufficient reserve force in each building to respond to call on any emergency. 
 The Guard secured day board on the grounds or in the vicinity, at a cost of 
 three and a half to four dollars a week. 
 
 During the six months preceding the opening of the Exposition the 
 Commandant endeavored to raise his corps to the highest possible degree of 
 efficiency, and uniforming, drilling, and guard duty were carried on industri- 
 ously, every effort being made to establish the habit of constant watch- 
 fulness for incipient fires, and every infraction of the strict rules of dis- 
 cipline was promptly met with suitable punishment. Throughout the 
 bitter winter the duty of the Guards was severe, and the Commandant 
 relates humorously that one method of punishment for infractions of dis- 
 cipline was by compelling the culprit to do service in the southern part of 
 the grounds, which was the most unsheltered and comfortless portion of 
 
 A MEMBER OF 
 THE COLUMBIAN GUARD. 
 
PROTECTION. 
 
 371 
 
 the Park. This district therefore became known among the Guards as " Si- 
 beria." 
 
 During the Exposition season one sergeant of each company acted as 
 inspector, and the inspectors were required to report daily any neglect of 
 duty or other matter coming under their notice requiring attention. They 
 were required to observe the condition of the grounds, fences, sewers, water 
 system, buildings, leaks in roofs, broken electric lights, careless use of tin- 
 
 THE COLUMBIAN GUARD STATION, 
 North of the Manufactures Building. Architect, Charles B. Atwood. 
 
 ners' fire pots, stoves, or salamanders, bad condition of bridges, condition of 
 fire appliances, etc. They were required also to inspect the appearance and 
 "discipline of the Guards, question them as to practical knowledge of the 
 grounds and the use of the fire-alarm boxes, report any discourtesy to visitors 
 or neglect of duty by firemen on watch or janitors working at night, and 
 also to report any accumulation of ddbris or inflammable material. During 
 the Exposition the Guard was divided into about twenty companies, each 
 
372 
 
 THE WORLDS COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 company having charge of a district of the Park. When the Guard was first 
 organized the men were sworn in as special policemen by the City Superin- 
 tendent of Police ; but later the Director of Works was appointed Superin- 
 tendent of Jackson Park and the Midway Plaisance by the Board of South Park 
 Commissioners. This enabled him to swear in the members of the Guard as 
 South Park patrolmen, which gave them police jurisdiction within the 
 grounds. Their police authority ceased at the boundaries of the Park, and 
 therefore two police officers were detailed for duty at the headquarters of the 
 Guard, one of whom always accompanied the patrol wagon 
 to escort all cases sent to the city police station at Wood- 
 lawn Avenue. Between fifteen and twenty regular 
 army officers were detailed for duty with the Guard 
 during the Exposition season. One officer was always 
 on duty at the headquarters of the Guard by day 
 and night. 
 
 There was a lack of co-operation between 
 the Guard and the Departments of Ad- 
 missions and Collections, so that these de- 
 partments could not always rely on the 
 Guard when necessary, and at the same time 
 were subject to their interference. In this 
 case there was, doubtless, a lack of discretion 
 on the part of certain officers in both bodies. 
 There was probably no trouble whatever with the 
 system, but only with individuals. In the case of 
 the Department of Collections, it was complained 
 that the Guard could not be utilized for the pur- 
 pose of overawing concessionnaires and keeping 
 them in wholesome respect of the departmental rules. This may have 
 been due to the semi-military character of the organization and the unwil- 
 lingness on the part of officers and men to undertake certain forms of police 
 duty, and also their reluctance to receive orders except from their immediate 
 superiors in their own department. Thus the agent of the Department of 
 Collections, in his endeavor to bring refractory concessionnaires to terms, 
 might find the Columbian Guard looking on with cool indifference when a 
 little assistance would have been of considerable value. The Exposition 
 had the power, under its contracts with concessionnaires, to enforce its rules 
 and regulations, and to prescribe the method for auditing the business of 
 concessionnaires. The arm of the service through which these rules could 
 have been enforced was of course the Columbian Guard, but the services 
 rendered in this respect by the Guard were very meager. There should have 
 been the closest possible co-operation between the Superintendents of Ad- 
 missions and Collections and the Commandant of the Guard ; but this the 
 management never was able to bring about. 
 
 JOHN BONFIELD, 
 Captain of the Secret Service, 
 
PROTECTION. 
 
 373 
 
 But, on the whole, the Columbian Guard was a most satisfactory arm of 
 the service. Its officers were gentlemen of culture and refinement, yet strict 
 disciplinarians and trained to command, and the men who enlisted in the 
 ranks — many of them having served as soldiers in the army, others coming 
 from colleges where military discipline is regularly enforced — were uniformly 
 intelligent, capable, courteous, and obedient. In appearance, in discipline, 
 and in their daily contact with the crowds whom it was often necessary to 
 guide and rarely to restrain they did credit to themselves, to their officers, 
 and to the ideal of the American citizen soldier. 
 
 After the Exposition closed, the Guard was reduced as rapidly as possible. 
 A considerable reduction was effected at once, for, though the necessity for 
 guarding exhibits was greater than ever, the crowds of visitors had disap- 
 peared and the work of preserving order was considerably di- 
 minished. As fast as exhibits were removed from build- 
 ings, guards were discharged, and the service was finally 
 discontinued in May, 1894. A remnant of the pictur- 
 esque Columbian Guard remains at the Field Co- 
 lumbian Museum, where the guards and ticket-takers 
 wear the well-known uniform. 
 
 In addition to the Guard there was a secret-serv- 
 ice force of two hundred and five men, superin- 
 tended by Captain John Bonfield, formerly Inspect- 
 or of City Police in Chicago. This secret serv- 
 ice was made up of men appointed by the chiefs 
 of police of various cities in this and other coun- 
 tries for service in Chicago during the Exposition, 
 the theory being that, with trained and experi- 
 enced detectives from all of the great cities, it 
 would be easy to detect the thieves and sharpers 
 of all descriptions that might be expected to gravi- 
 tate to Chicago during the progress of the Exposi- 
 tion. 
 
 There was also a Special Service Corps of sixty- 
 six men, made up of the remnant of a Corps of 
 Guides that had been formed in anticipation of a 
 desire on the part of visitors for guide service. But 
 little demand for guides appeared, and therefore the 
 young men who had been trained for this service 
 were used instead of guards wherever possible. Guards were hired by exhib- 
 itors in cases where they deemed special vigilance necessary to protect their 
 property. Guard service was provided, at the rate of $2.50 a day. The 
 highest number employed was in October, when forty were detailed for this 
 service. These were in addition to the regular line. 
 
 The utmost vigilance prevailed to guard the Exposition against fire, the 
 
 A POLICE TELEGRAPH 
 SIGNAL BOX. 
 
374 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 inflammable character of the buildings being such as to cause constant anxiety. 
 In addition to the Guard, there was a large force of janitors, who were sub- 
 ject, to a certain extent, to the officers of the Guard, and were drilled in fire 
 duties and other discipline. More than two thousand men were employed 
 at different times as janitors. Many of them left the service of the Exposi- 
 tion from time to time, took employment under exhibitors and concession- 
 naires, and remained upon the grounds ; and thus the knowledge of fire 
 duty which they had acquired was likely to prove advantageous. 
 
 The Fire Department of the Exposition was under the control of the City 
 Fire Department, and was carefully organized and trained, with a view to dis- 
 covering and quenching incipient fires and 
 preventing disastrous conflagrations. The 
 department had been organized in the latter 
 part of 1 8g I as a private fire department, and 
 had continued on this basis until December, 
 1892, when, at the earnest solicitation of the 
 Board of Fire Underwriters, it was reorgan- 
 ized under the Chicago Fire Department, of 
 which D. J. Swenie was Marshal, and he 
 placed Assistant-Marshal Edward W. Mur- 
 phy, an officer well known throughout the 
 city for courage and skill in fire service, in 
 charge of the fire companies on the Expo- 
 sition grounds. Mr. Murphy continued at 
 this post until October i, 1893, when he was 
 relieved on account of injuries received in 
 the service, and was succeeded by Assist- 
 ant-Marshal Patrick O'Malley. During the 
 Exposition season the Fire Department was 
 composed of ten companies — in all, one hun- 
 dred and ten men — seven of these being fire-engine companies, two hook- 
 and-ladder truck companies, equipped with chemical engines, and one com- 
 pany stationed on the Fire Queen, a boat built by the Exposition and 
 fitted with pumps for fire service, the pumps being furnished by the city of 
 Chicago. This boat lay at the north end of the Electricity Building, and 
 by the lagoons could come alongside or within effective distance of every 
 exhibit building within the Park. 
 
 The system of water supply brought mains to and under each of the 
 buildings erected by the Exposition. Double-nozzle fire hydrants were dis- 
 tributed about the floors of the exhibit buildings at distances of about three 
 hundred feet. Vertical standpipes were set at frequent intervals, extending 
 through the roofs, and on the ground floor, the gallery floor, and the roof 
 self-acting reels were attached, each bearing fifty feet of hose, which would 
 come into action automatically when unrolled from the reel. One thousand 
 
 EDWARD W. MURPHY, 
 Fire Marshal. 
 
PROTECTION. 
 
 375 
 
 and sixteen hose reels were ready for use. The pressure at the pumps that 
 fed the lower hydrants was maintained at seventy-five pounds. A special 
 high service was provided also for the pipes that delivered at the high roofs 
 the constant pressure being one hundred and eighty pounds, which could be 
 advanced to two hundred pounds, giving a delivery pressure 
 of forty pounds on the highest roofs. Forty-one hose 
 carts, each carrying five hundred feet of hose, were so 
 placed as to be within easy reach of the fire hydrants. 
 The total amount of fire hose in use was seventy-five 
 thousand feet. Besides this, one thousand and 
 ninety-five Babcock fire extinguishers were dis- 
 tributed about the buildings. 
 
 Lines for fire and police were laid out, inter- 
 laced with telephone-service lines. Boxes and in- 
 struments were located in the buildings and 
 throughout the grounds, leaving no part of Jack- 
 son Park and the Midway Plaisance unprotected. 
 At the north end of the grounds, where the State 
 and foreign buildings were located, in the Midway 
 Plaisance, and at other points, the boxes were 
 placed on wooden posts of an ornamental design. 
 Eight private boxes for fire service were placed 
 under the Manufactures Building, fourteen under 
 Machinery Hall, fifteen under the Agricultural 
 Building, and six under the Electricity Building. 
 Six alarm lines ran to engine houses and headquar- 
 ters, operating forty-one alarm gongs. A line was 
 run from the central office to the Englewood Fire- 
 alarm Ofi&ce, giving direct communication with the 
 City Fire "Department. Seven hundred thousand feet of double copper 
 wire were used in establishing the telephone lines, partly for fire service. 
 These were all operated from an oifice in the northwestern corner of the 
 Court in the old Service Building. 
 
 Fire-alarm instruments consisting of nickel-plated relays were connected 
 with signal wires extending throughout the grounds and buildings, on which 
 boxes were placed for sending in alarms of fire. Relays connecting with the 
 city fire-alarm office and with the lines going to the various engine houses 
 were used in sending and receiving signals throughout the grounds. Gal- 
 vanometers for testing lines, lightning arresters, registers for receiving and 
 recording, relays or sounders, keys for testing alarm lines, enunciators to 
 indicate the line on which signals were received, switches, pole changers for 
 reversing a line, and the dial manual repeaters, completed the paraphernalia 
 of the fire service. All street boxes were protected by an iron box with a 
 glass door, and it was necessary, in sending an alarm, to break the glass. 
 
 A FIRE SIGNAL BOX. 
 
il^ 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 In connection with the fire service were the patrol wagons, which re- 
 sponded to 2,929 calls during the Exposition, and. the ambulances, which 
 responded to 2,307 calls through the Central office, and other expedients for 
 insuring prompt response to fire alarms. 
 
 During 1893 the number of alarms responded to on the grounds was 
 ninety-two, but the only serious fire was the burning of the Cold Storage 
 Building on July 10, in which seventeen men were killed and nineteen were 
 injured. This building was erected by a concessionnaire, and the fire was due 
 to defective construction. 
 
 The most constant vigilance was exercised ' by the officers and men con- 
 nected with all branches of the Exposition. Disaster was looked upon as 
 
 THE COURT OF THE SERVICE BUILDING. 
 
 imminent, on account of the temporary and inflammable nature of the build- 
 ings, the large attendance of visitors, the enormous number of hastily 
 strung electric wires, etc. The fact that no disastrous fire occurred in any 
 of the great Exposition buildings does not in the least disprove the ne- 
 cessity for the extraordinary precautions taken and the heavy expenditure 
 incurred. 
 
 The amount expended for fire protection by the company was $311,- 
 246.71. This included engine houses, wages, fire plant, rent of apparatus, 
 
PROTECTION. 
 
 m 
 
 extinguishers, chemicals, and general expenses. The loss by fire, exclusive 
 of the Cold Storage Warehouse disaster, was only $1,730. 
 
 By direction of the Committee on Grounds and Buildings, a Medical 
 Bureau was established at Jackson Park under the direction of John E. 
 Owens, M. D., of Chicago, and was maintained during the periods of con- 
 struction and exposition. A hospital was established at the Service Building, 
 occupying the southeast quarter. It contained four wards and thirty-three 
 beds— twenty for men and thirteen for women, with the necessary offices, 
 pharmacy, operating room, etc. It was officered by a competent corps of 
 physicians, surgeons, and trained nurses. Two sub-stations were established, 
 one at the east end of the Midway Plaisance and one between Machinery 
 Hall and the Terminal Station. There were four ambulances, two at the cen- 
 tral station and one near each sub-station. An electric launch on the lagoon 
 was also used as an ambulance. One hundred and fifty 
 stretchers were distributed about the buildings. The 
 hospitals and stations were intended essentially for 
 emergencies, and all patients who could be moved 
 were sent daily to hospitals in the city. The 
 number of patients kept overnight was thirty -two 
 The total number of medical and surgical cases 
 was 11,602. The total number of deaths 
 during the construction and exposition 
 periods was sixty-nine. Four exhibitors 
 died on the grounds. The expense of the 
 Bureau to June i, 1894, was $45,330.89. 
 
 Blanket policies for insurance of em- 
 ployees against accident were carried by the 
 Exposition Company. The amount paid as 
 premiums for insurance was $41,618 ; the 
 amount paid by the insurance companies for 
 indemnity was $4,489. The Exposition Com- 
 pany paid directly for injuries $14,265. 
 
 From time to time during the Exposition 
 detachments of the regular army and the National Guard and troops from 
 abroad were encamped on the Fair grounds. As early as the middle of 
 July, 1 89 1, Director-General Davis addressed a communication to the Secre- 
 tary of War, reciting the provisions of the act of Congress in relation to the 
 dedicatory and other ceremonies, and stating that in accordance with its 
 provisions a joint committee of the National Commission and the Directory 
 had adopted a plan of ceremonies for the dedication that would embrace 
 a four-days' encampment of such of the regular army as might be ordered 
 here at that time, and of the National Guard ; and requesting that, in view 
 of the magnitude of the proposed encampment and military review, and the 
 character of the event to be commemorated, a high officer of the United 
 
 JOHN E. OWENS, M. D., 
 Director of the Medical Bureau. 
 
_g THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 States army be assigned to the command of the troops. On the nth of 
 August following, a formal order was issued directing Major-General Nel- 
 son A. Miles to assume charge of such of the regular troops and of the 
 National Guard of the several States as might be assembled in Chicago to 
 take part in the dedication of the buildings on October 21. 
 
 On the opening day, May i, 1893, the President was escorted to the Park 
 by a detachment of mounted police, followed by the Chicago Hussars ; Fif- 
 teenth Regiment, United States Infantry ; Troop K, Seventh United States 
 Cavalry ; and Troop A, Illinois National Guard. These troops, after arriving 
 at the Park, were so stationed as to keep open a passageway between the Ad- 
 ministration and the Manu- 
 factures Buildings, and were 
 held in readiness for any 
 other necessary service that 
 might be beyond the capacity 
 of the Columbian Guard. 
 
 On Illinois Day, August 
 24, the National Guard was 
 a prominent feature. It has 
 been estimated that more 
 soldiers were at the Fair on 
 that day than on any other. 
 Almost the entire strength of 
 the National Guard of the 
 State was in the parade, 
 marched from the camp south 
 of Jackson Park through the 
 grounds, and was reviewed at 
 the Illinois Building by the Governor of the State. 
 
 On Ohio Day, September 14, about fifteen hundred of the National 
 Guard of that State were present, paraded through the grounds, and were re- 
 viewed by the Governor of Ohio and his staff. 
 
 Two companies of the Third United States Infantry were camped in the 
 space south of the Government Building, and were utilized in guarding the 
 exhibits in that building ; a detachment of the Fifteenth United States In- 
 fantry from Fort Sheridan was ordered as a special guard by General Miles to 
 protect the exhibits in the Convent of La Rabida, and occupied tents imme- 
 diately south of that building. A company of United States marines was 
 located near the Naval Exhibit, and was used to guard the battleship Illinois 
 and certain portions of the Government Building. Detachments of French 
 marines, Italian, Spanish, and Russian sailors, and a few Russian soldiers, 
 were present to guard the national exhibits of their respective countries in 
 the Exposition buildings. They, as well as the troops above mentioned, par- 
 ticipated on occasions of parades and ceremony, and added much to the effect. " 
 
 THE TELEPHONE STATION 
 in the Service Building. 
 
PROTECTION. 
 
 379 
 
 The Spanish and Italian detachments were quartered in one of the recesses 
 of the stock pavilion ; the Russians were quartered outside the grounds ; the 
 French marines were assigned the second story of a building in the south- 
 west part of the grounds, which they soon transformed into a comfortable 
 and model barracks. At the west end of the Midway Plaisance a plot of 
 ground was occupied by troops of the National Guard, and on one occasion 
 by the cadets of the Michigan Military Academy. 
 
 In August, 1893, the West Point Cadets visited the Fair and camped on 
 the north end of the Government Plaza, where their parades, morning and 
 evening, drew large crowds and attracted much attention. They were re- 
 viewed on August 24 by General Miles and staff at the Administration Build- 
 ing, and they departed on the 28th of August. 
 
 A fire engine. 
 
The Charging-Station for the Electric Launches, at the southeast end of the grounds. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 INTRAMURAL TRANSPORTATION. 
 
 The Intramural Railway — Details of construction and management — The electric-launch 
 service — Detailed description of the launches — Their success and safety — The 
 Venetian gondolas. 
 
 ■ HE contract for the Intramural Railway was' 
 
 closed in July, 1892 ; the construction was begun 
 
 August 3, and the road was finished late in April, 
 
 1893. As a belt line was deemed impracticable, 
 
 loop terminals were used, one of which was just 
 
 south of the North Inlet, within eight hundred 
 
 feet of the Manufactures Building, and the 
 
 other by the side of the South Pond near 
 
 the Krupp Building. 
 
 The structure was intended to be tempo- 
 rary, and was designed to realize the most 
 of salvage. The road carried two tracks, 
 standard gauge, twelve feet between centers, 
 except on curves, where the distance was 
 thirteen feet. The average distance between 
 frames was twenty-five feet. The rails were of 
 sixty-pounds, on pine ties six by eight inches, 
 eight feet long. Four longitudinal guard tim- 
 bers were belted to the ties of each track. The 
 stringers were I-beams of sixty pounds to the 
 foot, twenty-five feet long, placed one under each rail. The beams were 
 
 380 
 
 BERNARD E. SUNNY, 
 Member of the Directory. 
 
INTRAMURAL TRANSPORTATION. 
 
 381 
 
 braced together by steel angles fastened to the webs of the I-beams. The 
 ends of the beams rested upon bearing plates three quarters of an inch 
 thick. The frames supporting the track were of yellow pine, and con- 
 sisted of a sill, two posts, a cap, and a cross sill under each post, with 
 braces. The posts were twelve feet between centers, one post standing 
 under the center of each track. The foundations were of concrete, 
 seven feet square and twelve inches thick, the sills resting on the con- 
 crete. The length of the round trip was 6.22 miles, one fourth being 
 curved, the shortest radius being one hundred feet. The maximum gra- 
 dient was 1.5 per cent. 
 
 The equipment of the road was fifteen trains of four cars each, the for- 
 ward car being the motor. The cars were forty-seven feet long and seated 
 each eighty-four passengers ; each train seated three hundred and thirty-six 
 persons, but a much larger number was often carried. When loaded, the 
 motor car weighed thirty tons and the trailers twenty-two tons. The motor 
 equipment employed a motor on each axle, each weighing 3,465 pounds. 
 The air pump for brakes and the brake equipment weighed 3,200 pounds, 
 and the car bodies with trucks 27,600 pounds Each motor was rated at 133 
 horse power, giving a total of 532 horse power per car, at a speed of thirty- 
 five miles an hour. The average speed was reduced to ten miles an hour by 
 reason of curves and stops. In actual operation, a total of 42 horse-power 
 per train was used. 
 
 The power house was 140 by 147 feet. The boiler room, 140 by 60 feet, 
 contained ten Babcock-and-Wilcox boilers, each rated at 300 horse power. 
 The engine and dynamo room was 140 by 87 feet, its floor raised ten feet 
 above that of the boiler-room. It contained, first, a 22 by 44 by 48 Rey- 
 nolds tandem compound Corliss engine, coupled to a 500-kilowatt multi- 
 polar generator; second, a 22 by 44 by 36 Hammond- Williams vertical 
 engine, cross compound, coupled to a i, 500-kilowatt generator; third, a 
 cross compound Reynolds-Corliss engine coupled to a i, 500-kilowatt gen- 
 erator ; fourth, a 13 by 23 by 22 Mclntosh-Seymour tandem compound 
 engine coupled to a 500-kilowatt multipolar generator ; and fifth, a 20 by 
 38 by 48 tandem compound Greene engine belted to a 500-kilowatt gen- 
 erator. In this equipment there were three units, each of 1,500 kilowatts, 
 furnishing power enough to operate the road. 
 
 Twelve trains were usually in service, running at intervals of three and a 
 half minutes. The round trip was made in forty-two minutes, leaving two 
 minutes relay at each end of the road. Twenty-one stops were made in 
 each round trip. Power was transmitted by the so-called "third-rail trolley 
 system " from a third iron rail like those in the track, located beside the 
 track, twenty inches from it and thirteen inches above it. The rail was in- 
 sulated with wooden blocks dipped in tar. A cast-iron shoe twelve inches 
 long, on each side of each truck, rode upon the conducting rail and took the 
 current therefrom ; a flexible link connected the trolley and the motor. The 
 27 
 
382 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 controlling apparatus was in a compartment on the forward end of the motor 
 car. Twelve trains in service made one hundred and ninety-six rounds a 
 day for one hundred and seventy days, and during that time no serious acci- 
 dents or delays occurred. The total number of passengers carried during the 
 six months from May i to November i was 5,803,895, an average of 31,473 
 a day, or twenty-seven per cent, of the paid admissions. The fuel used was 
 
 
 
 iiHlluiiililigiilil 
 
 INSTALLED BY fiF.NfBiL ELF.r.TRl': CD -: 
 
 THE POWER HOUSE. 
 
 crude petroleum, supplied by the Exposition Company, at seventy-two cents 
 a barrel. The Intramural car houses and shops, storing the cars and furnish- 
 ing the power that drove the trains, were located near the southeast corner 
 of the grounds. 
 
 The launch service was most admirable, and contributed very much to 
 the general success of the Exposition by affording an easy and delightful 
 method of getting around the Park and by furnishing a very picturesque 
 element in the landscape. Many beautiful models of hulls, with propulsion 
 by steam (coal, naphtha, and oil fuel), were shown in competition on the 
 lagoon waters in the summer of 1892 ; but the electric launch alone elimi- 
 nated the objectionable features of noise, steam, smoke, gas, and smell ; and 
 the concession was awarded to the Electric Launch and Navigation Com- 
 pany of New Jersey, with the agreement that it should pay to the Exposi- 
 tion thirty-three and one third per cent, of its gross receipts. 
 
 The boats were built of seasoned white oak, planked with cedar, and 
 
INTRAMURAL TRANSPORTATION. 
 
 383 
 
 copper-fastened. The decks were of mahogany, calked, the finishings of 
 mahogany. They were fitted with brass cleats, stern bands, rails, and 
 stanchions for awnings. The hull and finishings were highly polished and 
 varnished. The details were as follows : Length over all, 35 feet 10 inches ; 
 length at water line, 31 feet 6 inches ; extreme beam, 6 feet 21'/^ inches ; 
 greatest draft, light, 2 7 inches ; greatest draft, loaded, 30 inches ; weight of 
 hull, 2,000 pounds ; displacement when fitted and without passengers, 5,000 
 pounds. 
 
 The motive power was supplied from storage-battery cells of the S — 1 7 
 type, manufactured by the Consolidated Electric Storage Battery Company 
 
 INTERIOR OF THE POWER HOUSE. 
 
 of New York and Philadelphia ; and, from accurately kept records, it ap- 
 pears that the necessary removals during the term of their service (which 
 was most severe) was but fourteen per cent. Amperes of each cell, 150; 
 
584 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 electro-motive force of each cell, 2 volts. The charging current used was 
 75 volts and 20 amperes per cell, and the boats required from five to six 
 hours to charge. The cost of charging did not exceed sixty cents a day for 
 each boat. A Thompson-Houston motor of 3% horse power was placed be- 
 neath the floor, and directly connected to the propeller shaft. The normal 
 revolution of the motor was 625 ; the maximum, 1,100. Propeller diameter 
 was eighteen inches ; pitch, twelve inches. The average speed used was 
 about five and a half miles an hour. 
 
 These boats were in constant service, making an average of twenty-five 
 to forty miles a day. The exhibit gave the greatest satisfaction to visitors, 
 and excited the liveliest admiration of experts, both electrical and me- 
 chanical. No accident or injury occurred to any passenger, nor any serious 
 damage to a boat. The weight of the boat and its battery was so placed as 
 to give great steadiness in the water, and any person could operate them when 
 the battery was charged. No coal was required ; no repairs ; no extras. 
 
 The launches were put into active service on April 23, 1893, and a con- 
 tinuous service was maintained from that date to the closing of the Exposi- 
 tion, during which time nearly one million passengers were carried. A 
 charging station was made on the South Pond, and a canal was cut under 
 the floor of the plaza between the Casino and the Agricultural Building, 
 allowing the launches that were not seaworthy for the lake to slip through 
 by that route to their stalls, where they were cared for at night and charged 
 for their daily service. The boats absorbed about 10 horse power each, re- 
 ceiving for fifty-two boats in one night as much as 2,000 amperes at 85 volts. 
 The company owned various yawls and rowboats, which were used for pohce 
 and night illuminating service, and the Director of Works had several steam 
 launches for patrol service, one for the Superintendent of the Marine Serv- 
 ice, one for the Hospital Service, and one for the Chief Engineer. 
 
 There were twenty gondolas and two large barges, made in Venice, 
 shipped to Chicago, and manned by gondoliers from Venice. These were 
 considered as picturesque and attractive features, though they were actually 
 for service, and carried a large number of visitors over the waters. 
 
 The steam launches were good, strong, seaworthy boats, suitable for any 
 weather, built so that there was but slight obstruction to view from the 
 decks. They ran out into the lake from the South Pond, the Court of 
 Honor, and the north entrance to the lagoons, for the purpose of giving 
 visitors an opportunity to view the Exposition from the lake. 
 
 The concession for wheel chairs upon the Exposition grounds was 
 granted to the Columbian Roller-Chair Company. This company provided 
 2,200 wheel chairs and recruited a force of attendants, chiefly from among 
 college students desirous of seeing the Exposition, amounting at one time 
 to 1,400. There were 22 stations for supplying wheel chairs upon the Expo- 
 sition grounds, all connected by telephone, rendering possible the concentra- 
 tion of a large number of chairs at the point where the greatest demand de- 
 
INTRAMURAL TRANSPORTATION. 
 
 385 
 
 veloped. The company was led to select its attendants from among college 
 students on the theory that they would prove to be intelligent and well-in- 
 formed guides, as well as chair operatives, and an excellent feature of this 
 plan was, that it gave about 2,000 young students an opportunity to visit 
 the Exposition. Among others, there were about 75 colored students from 
 Rusk University, Holly Springs, Miss., and Atlanta University. These 
 gave most excellent service and were energetic, faithful, and honest. The 
 attendants were furnished with living quarters, paid one dollar a day, and 
 given ten per cent, of their gross receipts. 
 
 In the latter part of August the Columbian Roller-Chair Company re- 
 duced the charges for chairs, and also reduced the compensation of attend- 
 ants to seventy-five cents a day. This caused dissatisfaction among the stu- 
 dents, many of whom left. An additional reason for their leaving was the 
 fact that the. vacation season was nearly over, and it was time for them to 
 return to their colleges. Their places in the roller-chair service were 
 quickly filled from other walks of life, but about 200 students remained with 
 the company until the close of the season. The attendants wore a light- 
 blue uniform and cap and presented a very neat appearance. The total 
 number of people who used chairs was 794,100, and the total receipts were 
 about $400,000. The following were the rates for chairs until August 24 : 
 Chair with attendant, 75 cents per hour, or 40 cents for a half hour ; chair 
 without attendant, 40 cents per hour ; double chair for two persons, with 
 attendant, $ i per hour, or 60 cents for a half hour ; day rates, with attend- 
 ant, $6, without attendant, $3.50. 
 
 The reduction in rates met with approval among the visitors, and the 
 patronage and revenue of the Roller-Chair Company was increased thereby. 
 
 The movable sidewalk, on the long pier east of the Peristyle, was con- 
 structed for the purpose of lessening the fatigue of visitors walking from 
 the steamboats, along the pier, into the grounds, and was operated by the 
 Multiple Speed & Traction Company. Owing to numerous delays in the 
 work of construction, the sidewalk was not put into operation until July, 
 from which time until the close of the Exposition it carried 997,785 people. 
 It was capable of carrying 6,000 people at a time, and moved at the rate of 
 
 six miles an hour. 
 
 The total intramural transportation business was as follows : Intramural 
 Electric Railway, 5,803,895 passengers; wheel chairs, 794,100; movable 
 sidewalk, 997,785; electric launches, 923,613; steam launches, 195,621; 
 Venetian gondolas, 124,952 ; total, 8,839,966. 
 
 The figures given above should not be regarded as a fair statement of the 
 amount of transportation business that can be depended upon in an exposi- 
 tion. Had it been possible to locate the Intramural Railroad so as to afford 
 a fair view of the Exposition, and also to render the road more convenient 
 for the use of patrons, a larger business could certainly have been secured. 
 
Office of the Northern Trust Company in the Administration Building. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 FIRST THREE MONTHS. 
 
 A period of depression — Average attendance — Failure of the Chemical Bank — Pledges to 
 pay depositors — A panic — Difficulties with concessionnaires — A month of experiments — 
 Arrival of the Infanta — Attendance increasing — Press reports — A daily paper issued 
 — Declaration of the State Commissions — Condition of the finances — Abolition of the 
 Bureau of Admissions and Collections — Burning of the Cold-storage Warehouse — The 
 grounds kept open in the evening — The caravels — The Viking ship. 
 
 A 
 
 PERIOD of great depression followed the open- 
 ing day. With the fall of night, long lines of 
 cars loaded with exhibits reappeared within the 
 
 ■Hp jjp life grounds, and the hauling of exhibits by teams was re- 
 sumed. The work of unloading, unpacking, and 
 installing exhibits, repairing and finishing build- 
 ings and structures of every kind, completing 
 the power plant, perfecting the electric light- 
 ing, and improving the roadways continued for 
 several weeks. Efforts were made to confine 
 the work within those hours when the Exposi- 
 tion was closed to the public, but this attempt 
 was only partially successful. 
 The Department of Admissions closed its first 
 day's business promptly and satisfactorily, and the 
 Department of Collections found at the end of the 
 day that its plans for auditing the concessions had 
 met with a sufficient measure of success to demon- 
 strate the practicability of its system. At the same time, the weakness of 
 
 386 
 
 ERSKINE M, PHELPS 
 Member of the Directory. 
 
FIRST THREE MONTHS. ,gy 
 
 certain parts and the changes necessary for the production of satisfactory re- 
 sults were made apparent. 
 
 The bad weather continued. The daily paid attendance during the week 
 of May I ran only from ten thousand to eighteen thousand. Meanwhile, the 
 financial panic was approaching, and was creating grave fears and much un- 
 easiness in the business world. The management dreaded this threatening 
 storm as being likely to endanger seriously the success of the enterprise ; but 
 in perfecting the organization within the Park, getting the great enterprise 
 into harmonious working order, and establishing proper relations between all 
 the parts, more labor was needed than could be accomplished by the officers, 
 although they worked day and night. Therefore care for things manifestly 
 beyond control ceased, and the obstacles that were immediate and pressing 
 and that could be dealt with or improved were considered. In order to ac- 
 complish any portion of the aims of the Exposition, it was necessary to avoid 
 borrowing trouble over conditions that were beyond hope of remedy. 
 
 Eight days after the Exposition opened the Chemical National Bank of 
 Chicago, with its Exposition branch in the Administration Building, failed. 
 It had been unable to offer resistance to the adverse times, and closed its 
 doors before the worst days of the panic appeared. The discredit cast upon 
 the Exposition management by this failure can easily be perceived. The 
 management should not have permitted so weak an institution to do a bank- 
 ing business within its gates. But the bank was comparatively new, had a 
 capital of a million' dollars, and was supposed to be under conservative man- 
 agement. It had offered a fair and advantageous contract to the Exposition 
 for the privilege of doing business in the Administration Building, and had 
 secured the passage of an act of Congress enabling it to open a branch bank 
 at Jackson Park. None of the other leading banks appeared willing to 
 consider the matter of opening a branch at the Exposition, and thus the 
 Chemical had been given the contract. 
 
 More than eighty thousand dollars, belonging to exhibitors, concession- 
 naires, and foreigners, was on deposit at the branch bank in the Administra- 
 tion Building. This amount represented the available cash of several hundred 
 persons, many of them strangers, thousands of miles from their homes, and 
 dependent upon their deposits to maintain themselves in Chicago. The dis- 
 credit to Chicago, and particularly to the Exposition management, by reason 
 of the failure of the bank, which the Directors had licensed, would have been 
 complete, and would have impaired seriously the dignity of the enterprise and 
 its patronage by our countrymen. But on the night of May 9, before the 
 failure had been generally announced in the press and before the amount of 
 deposits at the branch bank had been ascertained, the President and Secre- 
 tary of the Company obtained over the telephone pledges from thirty -five 
 gentlemen of a sufficient amount to pay at once those depositors who were 
 exhibitors or foreigners ; and these gentlemen undertook to furnish funds 
 for this purpose without any certain knowledge as to the amount they might 
 
388 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 ^ \,-r. BANK ''i.V> 
 _££ANc;HOF„, 
 
 BRANCH OFFICE 
 
 OF THE NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY, 
 
 in the Midway Plaisance. 
 
 be called upon to pay. This plan was suggested by Erskine M. Phelps, 
 one of the Directors of the Exposition. On the evening of May 9 he 
 spoke to the Secretary by telephone from the city, urging that immediate 
 steps be taken to pay these claims, and offering to be one of six to defray 
 the whole amount. Later, President Higinbotham, who had learned from 
 
 the officers of the broken 
 institution that the amount 
 of the claims of exhibitors 
 and foreigners would proba- 
 bly be between $80,000 and 
 $135,000, returned to the 
 Administration Building, and 
 within two hours the fund 
 was raised. A few words by 
 telephone to each gentleman 
 told the story, and set forth 
 the necessity for action to 
 maintain the honor of the 
 city, and the pledge was giv- 
 en. The names of those 
 who shared this burden were 
 as follows : William T. Baker, Edward B. Butler, William J. Chalmers, Ar- 
 thur Dixon, J. W. Doane, Lyman J. Gage, Harlow N. Higinbotham, Charles 
 L. Hutchinson, Elbridge G. Keith, William D. Kerfoot, Milton W. Kirk, 
 Herman H. Kohlsaat, Edward F. Lawrence, Thies J. Lefens, Andrew 
 McNally, John J. Mitchell, Adolph Nathan, Ferdinand W. Peck, Erskine 
 M. Phelps, Washington Porter, George M. Pullman, Norman B. Ream, 
 Martin A. Ryerson, George Schneider, Charles H. Schwab, Byron L. Smith, 
 Albert A. Sprague, Melville E. Stone, Charles H. Wacker, Edwin Walker, 
 Robert A. Waller, G. H. Wheeler, Frederick S. Winston, and Otto Young. 
 A few days later, each of the gentlemen named was called upon to send 
 in a check for his share of the total requirement, and the claims of the depos- 
 itors were paid. President Higinbotham took legal assignments of deposit 
 claims to himself as trustee. The receiver of the bank has since paid back 
 to the syndicate ninety per cent of the amount advanced. The remainder, 
 with interest, will in all probability be collected in due time, so that ulti- 
 mately there will be no loss to the members of the syndicate. 
 
 By direction of the Executive Committee, President Higinbotham, on 
 May 22, invited The Northern Trust Company to open a branch bank in 
 the Administration Building, and accordingly that company entered into the 
 quarters formerly occupied by the Chemical National Bank, on June 12, and 
 maintained a branch until November 18, when the books and accounts were 
 transferred to the main office. The various concessionnaires on the Midway 
 Plaisance were in need of banking facilities for the purpose of depositing 
 
FIRST THREE MONTHS. -gg 
 
 their daily receipts. At first daily calls were made by an express wagon 
 of the bank on all its customers on the Midway, but after a few weeks a 
 branch office was opened on the Midway Plaisance in a room offered by the 
 Egypt-Chicago Exposition Company in Cairo Street. The following is a 
 brief risumi of the business of The Northern Trust Company's Exposition 
 branch : Total amount of business handled, $38,181,818 ; total amount of de- 
 posits, $22,012,500.22 ; total amount deposited by the Exposition Company, 
 $11,384,741.92. Of the deposits, $1,873,930 was taken in at the Midway 
 branch. The largest amount deposited during any one day was on October 
 10, the day after Chicago Day, $456,116.73, and the largest amount paid out 
 was on October 31, $724,358.67. The greatest amount on deposit at any 
 one time was on October 26, $1,593,593.75. 
 
 The profits from the banking business were derived from interest allowed 
 by the main office of the bank upon the balance deposited by its Exposition 
 branch and from exchange on drafts and on foreign drafts. The net profit 
 was quite small. This showing would have been more satisfactory had the 
 business of the bank begun on May i ; but the failure of the Chemical 
 National Bank and the delay until June 12 before The Northern Trust 
 Company opened its branch caused many who would have been customers 
 of the bank to take their accounts to other institutions in the city. The 
 business had not been undertaken by the Trust Company with the expecta- 
 tion of a profit, but rather for the accommodation of the Exposition Com- 
 pany and upon the request of its Directors. 
 
 The panic grew apace, and the attendance at the Exposition increased 
 very slowly. Heavy obligations for construction work had now matured, 
 and there were no funds with which to meet them. The large liquidation 
 and severe contraction of credit throughout the country made the demand 
 for money very pressing, and it was not easy to withstand the just demands 
 of creditors greatly in need of money. Little or nothing could be done, 
 however, as the receipts were so small as to leave only a small margin above 
 the actual operating expenses. In a short time over a million dollars' worth 
 of unpaid vouchers were piled up in the Treasurer's office to await the accu- 
 mulation of funds sufficient to pay them. 
 
 The concessionnaires shared in the general distress. Most of them had 
 grievances against the Exposition — for incomplete roads, inadequate electric- 
 light service, and many other causes. They were doing but little business, 
 and saw ruin staring them in the face. Many of them refused to pay the 
 percentage due under their contracts. In taking this position, some conces- 
 sionnaires were justified by violation of contracts, which had occurred, owing 
 to unavoidable delay on the part of contractors, and others found pretexts in 
 contracts that had been imperfectly drawn. The Board of Directors decided 
 that every grievance should be heard and determined at once, and all matters 
 adjusted with concessionnaires, so that the Exposition might immediately 
 realize its proportions of their gross receipts. A Committee on Adjustment 
 
390 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 was created by the Board of Directors, consisting of Adolph Nathan, Chair- 
 man, Thies J. Lefens, and Andrew McNally, to which Edward F. Lawrence 
 was afterward added. This committee had power to deal with all concession- 
 naires, and to adjust all claims between them and the Exposition, the object 
 being to remove all pretexts urged against the payment of percentages, and 
 to get the concessionnaires in the habit of paying as quickly as possible. 
 Hon. Samuel S. Page was retained by the committee, and concessionnaires 
 were dealt with promptly and with persistent application. Persuasion and 
 reasonable concessions were used where possible, and more decisive measures 
 when necessary. This committee labored through the Exposition season, and 
 was in almost continuous session. It adjusted claims for damages preferred 
 by concessionnaires as fast as presented, and through its attorney took charge 
 of such delinquent payments as the Superintendent of Collections was unable 
 to obtain. It uncovered abuses and defects in the administration in many 
 instances, which were remedied wherever possible. The members of the 
 committee received the thanks of the Board of Directors for the work they 
 accomplished, and their chairman was especially com- 
 mended for his constant application to this task. 
 
 In June the attendance grew rapidly. The average 
 paid attendance during May was 37,510 a day. The 
 average during June was 89,170. The total receipts 
 from all sources during May were $583,031.25; 
 during June, $1,256,180. With these increased 
 receipts it became possible to make payments 
 on the floating debt, and some headway was 
 gained in clearing away the great amount of 
 unpaid obligations that were pressing for settle- 
 ment. 
 
 The installation of exhibits went forward 
 vigorously during the entire month of May, and 
 at the same time numberless details of ornamental 
 work in various parts of the grounds were com- 
 pleted. The two band stands in the Court of 
 Honor east of the Administration Building were 
 finished. These had remained incomplete, owing to a series of unfortunate 
 circumstances that produced exasperating delays. The statue of Columbus, 
 modeled by Miss Mary B. Lawrence, under the direction and with the assist- 
 ance of Augustus St. Gaudens, was erected in front of the Administration 
 Building. The damages caused to buildings and roads by the heavy work of 
 installation were repaired. Early in June the unsightly freight cars disap- 
 peared from the Park, tracks were removed, landscape work was completed, 
 and the Exposition was in truth ready. On June 1 1 a heavy rain fell, and 
 it was found that the roofs were at last perfectly tight. Thus one cause of 
 grave anxiety was removed. 
 
 AUGUSTUS ST. GAUDENS, 
 Sculptor. 
 
FIRST THREE MONTHS. 
 
 The completion of some of the features required further time, but they 
 were mostly unimportant, and could be overlooked easily in surveying the 
 whole. Portions of the power plant were still incomplete, and the electric- 
 light service was far from perfect, which fact caused many complaints and 
 some loss of revenue. The water supply for the two electric fountains was 
 not in proper condition, as serious mechanical difficulties appeared when the 
 first attempts were made to operate the fountains. The "water hammer," 
 due to the sudden manipulation of the electric fountains, was found to be 
 greater than had been expected, causing a severe shock upon the Worthino-- 
 ton pumps. This necessitated the putting in of large relief valves and an air 
 chamber ; but these changes, involving great labor, were made in a very short 
 time by working night and day. 
 
 Provision for water-closets and lavatories was made on a scale far greater 
 than at any previous Exposition. This provision was the result of a conces- 
 sion which the Exposition entered into with the Clow Sanitary Company, 
 under the terms of which that company installed water-closets and lavatories 
 in thirty-two locations, the total number of closets being 2,221, together with 
 the necessary wash basins, etc. About one third of these were free to the 
 public, and the rest, which were fitted up with expensive appliances and pro- 
 vided with soap, towels, clothes brushes, attendants, etc., were operated by 
 the Clow Sanitary Company for profit, a charge of five cents being made for 
 admission. The company was held strictly to its contract, and required to 
 keep the free portions of the stations in good order. In addition to the 
 closets of the Clow Sanitary Company, there were eight hundred and ninety- 
 five closets belonging to the various concessions or to the offices of the Ex- 
 position. 
 
 Notwithstanding the fact that under this arrangement much greater fa- 
 cilities were provided in the free portions of the Clow Sanitary Company's 
 stations than had been provided at Paris in 1889 or throughout the entire 
 grounds of the Centennial Exhibition of 1876, there was much complaint 
 against this arrangement, due partially to misunderstanding and misrepresen- 
 tation as to the nature of the contract, and partially to the failure to enforce 
 its terms strictly during the early portion of the Exposition season. Later, 
 the complaints disappeared almost entirely. The rules were strictly enforced, 
 and the public was given to understand that ample free facilities were availa- 
 ble. Moreover, a large portion of the public were glad to avail themselves 
 of the extra facilities at the moderate price charged, appreciating the fact that 
 the Exposition could not bear the heavy expense of providing such facilities 
 free of charge. 
 
 May was a month of experiments in every respect. The experiments and 
 changes were carried on in the midst of severe criticism and much complaint, 
 both within and without the Exposition management, through the press and 
 otherwise. So much misunderstanding occurred between various branches 
 of the organization that at times it appeared impossible to make them work 
 
392 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 efificiently and satisfactorily. It happened, however, that in many stages of 
 the enterprise the greatest danger it encountered was from the tendency to 
 experiment with and change the administrative organization. When this 
 was left to pursue its work without interruption, the most pressing and ob- 
 stinate difficulties were usually overcome and adjusted. Complaints of ir- 
 regularities and defects, when reported properly at the office of the Council 
 of Administration, soon found remedies, where remedy was possible. 
 
 Mention has already been made of the invitation to the Infanta Eulalia, 
 who is the sister of Alphonso XII, father of the reigning King of Spain, the 
 immediate representative of the royal family. The Infanta, with her husband. 
 Prince Antoine de Bourbon, arrived at New York on the Spanish steamer 
 Maria Christina on the 19th of May. With her retinue she was transferred 
 by the Spanish cruiser the Infanta Isabel to Jersey City, whence she pro- 
 ceeded directly to Washington. On her arrival there 
 she was received with military honors, and was es- 
 corted with ceremony to her hotel, and on the 
 following day she made her ofl&cial call upon the 
 President, which was duly returned by Mrs. 
 Cleveland. Commander Davis, of the United 
 States Navy, was detailed as the personal 
 ^ ^^ escort of the Infanta and her retinue. 
 
 ^ •^ '^ SJMfift After an appropriate round of ceremo- 
 
 * >' ^ffli^fci ny and festivity, the Infanta went to 
 
 New York. She visited the Military 
 Academy at West Point, and many 
 other places of interest in that vicini- 
 ty, and on Decoration Day she placed 
 a wreath on the tomb of General Grant. 
 On the 5th of June the Infanta resumed 
 her journey to Chicago, where she arrived 
 at midday on the 6th. At the terminus 
 she was met by a party of officials of her 
 own country, by the officials of the Exposi- 
 tion, by the Mayor of Chicago, the Presi- 
 dent of the Board of Lady Managers, and 
 a large gathering of representative citizens, and a military escort conducted 
 her to her hotel, amid the booming of cannon from the war ship lying off 
 the Lake Front. 
 
 The Infanta remained in Chicago until the 14th of June, and during this 
 time received every attention that the occasion could afford. Her first visit 
 to the Exposition was made the occasion of suitable ceremonies — a military 
 parade, breakfast in the Administration Building, a tour of the grounds, in- 
 spection of the various buildings and their exhibits, a trip through the lagoons 
 and on the lake in the electric and steam launches, and a pyrotechnic display 
 
 H. R. H. THE INFANTA EULALIA 
 OF SPAIN. 
 
FIRST THREE MONTHS. - , 
 
 in the evening. She visited the Exposition formally and informally. She 
 opened the Spanish exhibits in the various departments, taking care to bring 
 good fortune by putting her right foot first within the several inclosures. 
 She rode in the electric launches, and was pushed in the wheel chairs ; she 
 watched the brilliant pyrotechnics ; she wandered through the Midway, en- 
 joyed the unique display of the Cairo Street, and the music of Old Vienna. 
 She was dined by the Mayor, filed by the ofificers of the Exposition and the 
 Commission, and everywhere entertained with the highest distinction. 
 
 By this time Festival Hall was completed and its great organ installed. 
 On June lo President H'iginbotham and Mrs. Palmer, President of the Board 
 of Lady Managers, gave a concert at this hall in honor of the Infanta. The 
 concert was participated in by Edward Lloyd, the English tenor, the World's 
 Fair Children's Chorus of a thousand voices, the chorus of the Apollo Music 
 Club, and the Exposition Orchestra, the music being under the direction of 
 the Musical Director, Theodore Thomas, and the Choral Director, William 
 L. Tomlins. 
 
 The increase of attendance in June was due to two causes : First, this 
 was a convenient time for students and persons engaged in educational work 
 to visit the Exposition ; and second, the reports of those who had visited the 
 Exposition during the previous month bore fruit upon the return of the vis- 
 itors to their homes. These reports were probably, in the main, favorable to 
 the Exposition. Persons who came to the city expecting to find extortion 
 and discomfort found instead accommodations at much cheaper rates than 
 reasonably could have been expected, and the number of hotels and board- 
 ing houses was in excess of the demand, so great had been the preparation 
 for receiving visitors. They found facilities — lacking nearly every feature of 
 discomfort — for transporting visitors from the city to the Park in twelve min- 
 utes, and good order and strict watchfulness among the police without and 
 the Guards within the grounds. They found in the Midway Plaisance a most 
 interesting and amusing " show," where relief and rest could be had when the 
 sight-seer was wearied by his tour of the grounds ; and, above all, they found, 
 even in the incomplete Exposition, such noble conceptions, such beauty of 
 plan, and such harmony in every detail as to impress even the least suscepti- 
 ble, and to satisfy the longings and the ideals of the most critical. 
 
 Thus, as the weather settled into a clear, bright, pleasant, early summer, 
 with. soft and refreshing breezes blowing over the Park from the great lake, 
 the Exposition received a foretaste of the enthusiastic patronage which it 
 enjoyed so fully in the autumn. Gradually the attendance increased until it 
 reached one hundred thousand paid admissions a day, and frequently ex- 
 ceeded that number. On German Day, June 15, the attendance was one 
 hundred and sixty-five thousand. 
 
 As a rule, the press of the United States treated the Exposition with 
 fairness and liberality. Most newspaper managers recognized it as a national 
 enterprise, worthy of loyal and patriotic support. The great dailies kept cor- 
 
394 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 respondents constantly at the Exposition. The Associated Press made the 
 progress before the inauguration and the successes after the public was ad- 
 mitted subjects of daily telegraphic news. The great magazines and the 
 illustrated journals published elaborate articles profusely embellished as the 
 freshest material and that most attractive to their readers. 
 
 The arrangements for the convenience of the representatives of the press, 
 who gathered from all the great centers of civilization, were under the imme- 
 diate supervision of the Chief of the Department of Publicity and Promotion. 
 Headquarters were established in the Administration Building, occupying a 
 large part of the northwestern pavilion. Reporters and correspondents were 
 furnished with desk room and all needed facilities, including direct access to 
 telegraphic communication. 
 
 An eight-page paper, called the Daily Columbian, was issued as a vehicle 
 for the promulgation of regulations, orders, notices, programmes, and other in- 
 
 TJiE Baily ornlumbian. 
 
 OFFICIAL BULLETIN OP THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSmON. 
 
 NUMBER 56 
 
 
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 formation peculiar to the Exposition. Five of the great Chicago dailies — 
 the Tribune, Times, Inter-Ocean, Record, and Herald — contributed each the 
 first page of their regular morning issues. The remaining pages were edited, 
 composed, and stereotyped at the Exposition. The paper was printed on an 
 exhibition press in Machinery Hall, and a considerable amount of the paper 
 used was made in the same department by the Paper-Mill exhibit. 
 
 An incident that aided greatly in popularizing the Exposition and remov- 
 
FIRST THREE MONTHS. -gc 
 
 ing false impressions was the meeting of the National Editorial Association 
 in Chicago on May 20. The representatives of the press who were present 
 keenly appreciated the company's work and the results that had been 
 achieved. They informed themselves thoroughly as to the Exposition and 
 its management, and as to the conditions prevailing generally in Chicago ; 
 and before adjourning they adopted a resolution declaring 
 
 That they had observed with satisfaction the great Columbian Exposi- 
 tion, and found it much nearer completion than popular reports had led them 
 to expect ; that they were convinced that great and harmful misapprehension 
 prevailed throughout the country in regard to the matter ; that there was no 
 foundation for the rumors of extortion reported to have been practiced on 
 visitors in the city or on the Fair grounds ; and that it was their belief that 
 every effort was being made to render the great Fair all that it should be as 
 an exponent of the nation's highest civilization and enlightenment. 
 
 This resolution was dispatched to every newspaper represented in the as- 
 sociation ; and being regarded as an intelligent and unbiased statement of 
 the facts after personal contact with the conditions prevailing in Chicago, it 
 did the Exposition more good than anything in the way of advertising that 
 had occurred thus far. 
 
 The cause of the Exposition was much aided also by a statement drawn 
 up and signed by the Executive officers of the various State Commissions in 
 June, setting forth the condition of the Exposition and the facilities for en- 
 tertaining visitors in Chicago. This document was widely circulated and 
 proved very effective. The Commissioners said : 
 
 " On the opening of the World's Fair, May i, while many of the Exposi- 
 tion Buildings were in an entirely satisfactory condition, exhibits were in- 
 complete and the work of installation had for various reasons been very 
 much retarded. Since that date the Exposition authorities have accom- 
 plished an immense amount of work in Jackson Park, and the buildings of 
 the great departments are complete. Streets and walks are in perfect condi- 
 tion, exhibits from foreign countries and the several States and Territories 
 have been received in large numbers and are practically installed, the pavil- 
 ions, entrances, booths, etc., are elaborate and beautiful, and the visitor finds 
 himself in a bewildering maze of exhibits and surrounded on all sides. with a 
 display of surpassing magnificence and beauty. In brief, the world has never 
 seen before a collection approaching it in value, interest, and educational fea- 
 tures. Forty States and Territories have contributed $6,020,850 for the 
 erection of the buildings and in aid of exhibitors, and there has been raised 
 for the purpose of the Exposition, exclusive of gate receipts, interest, and the 
 above amount from the States, $26,904,264.55. 
 
 " The conveniences afforded for quick and easy communication from one 
 part of the grounds to another by the Intramural Railway, electric launches, 
 and gondolas are excellent, and invalids and others can be transported 
 through the grounds and buildings in rolling chairs in the most comfortable 
 
396 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 manner. The Midway Plaisance contains features novel and interesting, a 
 representation of the nations of the globe of surpassing interest. We un- 
 hesitatingly affirm that the exhibits and the buildings of the Exposition — 
 State, Territorial, and foreign — will make a visit to Chicago the event of your 
 life. 
 
 "The individual exhibits in the various departments from the several 
 States and Territories of the United States and foreign countries are of won- 
 derful interest and value, and illustrate in a remarkable manner the growth 
 of the arts, sciences, and manufactures. Individual exhibitors, at great ex- 
 pense and sacrifice, have placed in the Exposition buildings evidences of in- 
 dustry, skill, and ingenuity creditable in the highest degree to the artisans, 
 manufacturers, and agriculturists of the United States. 
 
 " The reports industriously circulated that extortion of every nature pre- 
 vails in Chicago and on the Fair grounds we emphatically deny, from per- 
 sonal experience. In numerous restaurants in Jackson Park the prices are 
 no higher than are charged for the same variety and quality of food in other 
 cities of the Union. 
 
 " Comfortable rooms convenient to the Park can be secured at reasonable 
 rates by the day or week, with or without board ; and board can be obtained 
 readily at rates not excessive. It is the opinion generally expressed by those 
 who have visited the Fair that they were agreeably surprised not only in the 
 completeness, variety,, and extent of the exhibits, but in the reasonable 
 charge for rooms and board. 
 
 " The educational features of the Fair and the evidences of wonderful 
 progress made in this country since its discovery are of sufficient importance 
 to incite all to see the Exposition. It is an opportunity never before given 
 to our people, and probably never will be again. A single admission fee of 
 fifty cents admits to the grounds and to all the Exposition buildings proper." 
 
 The management felt that it was time to enter into a vigorous campaign 
 for the purpose of drawing a large attendance. One great obstacle was the 
 effort being made by railroads to maintain rates of transportation. There 
 was but little reduction from the ordinary fare, the management of the rail- 
 roads apparently adopting the view that the attendance to the Exposition 
 would be sufficient to call into use all the facilities they possessed, and that any 
 reduction, while it might bring them greater business, would not result in a 
 greater net profit. By this policy many thousands doubtless were prevented 
 from seeing the Exposition, on account of the expense of transportation. 
 An effort was made by the management of the Exposition at this time to 
 secure some concessions from the roads, and at the same time preparations 
 were made for a grand celebration of the Fourth of July. Suitable cere- 
 monies, including concerts in Festival Hall and Music Hall, speeches and 
 exercises on the Administration Plaza, and fireworks, were arranged for, and 
 the attractions were advertised as far as possible throughout the country. 
 This resulted in an average daily attendance early in July of 100,000, and 
 
FIRST THREE MONTHS. 
 
 397 
 
 on July 4th 283,273 gate admissions were registered. The attendance on 
 July 4 was the largest yet experienced, and was felt to be perhaps the great- 
 est the Exposition would have. But this prediction, like that concerning 
 the attendance on May i, was destined to be falsified. Soon after July 4 
 the attendance began to fall off, owing to the heat and the fact that many 
 who had visited the Exposition en route for 
 places of summer resort had gone away, 
 while others were delaying their visits until 
 more favorable weather should set in. The 
 same falling off was noticeable in the attend- 
 ance at the Centennial Exposition of 1876. 
 Nevertheless, it served to discourage the 
 hopes of oificers and add to the burden of 
 their cares. 
 
 The numberless details of work that 
 crowded the offices of the President and the 
 Council of Administration at this time were 
 almost sufficient to overwhelm them. There 
 was no time to strengthen or enlarge the 
 organization for the purpose of meeting the 
 new business that arose and clearing away 
 the accumulation. The services of persons 
 unfamiliar with the complex organization 
 were useless. Directors who, full of sympa- 
 thy, were anxious to aid the overworked 
 officers, found themselves unable to assist, 
 unless they had kept pace with the work for months before or resolutely set 
 out to acquire the necessary information. The organization had many un- 
 fortunate defects of minor importance, affording excellent material for the 
 use of any one who chose to criticise ; but the opportunity to help or to 
 remedy evils was not often at hand, even where there was a willingness to 
 offer something more substantial than mere criticism. At this time Presi- 
 dent Higinbotham found in George V. Massey, of the Council of Adminis- 
 tration, a firm friend, an industrious fellow-workman, and a counselor wise, 
 firm, and temperate, whose advice proved invaluable in many emergencies, 
 and who never spared himself, but cheerfully bore more than his own share 
 of the burden. The Secretary of the company and the Secretary of the 
 Council of Administration were with President Higinbotham day and night, 
 Mr. Edmonds taking up his quarters in the Administration Building and 
 seldom leaving the Park. The work of the office began at once after an 
 early breakfast, and continued almost uninterruptedly until far into the 
 night. The days were taken up mostly with personal interviews with officers 
 and employees, and with concessionnaires who had grievances they desired to 
 
 appeal from the Superintendent of Collections or the Committee on Ad- 
 as 
 
 WILLIAM J. CHALMERS, 
 Member of the Directory. 
 
398 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 justment. The evening was given to correspondence and the clearing up 
 of matters that had accumulated during the day. It not infrequently hap- 
 pened that one o'clock in the morning found the President and the Secreta- 
 ry still at their desks. 
 
 On the floor above the Council of Administration, where the Director 
 General had his office, a similar scene was presented. Colonel Davis also 
 had taken up his abode in the Administration Building, and, together with 
 his clerks and assistants, labored steadily day and night for months before 
 and after the opening day to perfect the installation of foreign and domestic 
 exhibits, and put this branch of the Exposition in a satisfactory condition. 
 His office was thronged with callers during the day, whose business required 
 his close personal attention. Thus important matters were often pushed 
 aside, to be attended to in the evening. Night work became a rule with 
 him, and the hours of business were governed entirely by the necessities of 
 the situation. 
 
 The most threatening and oppressive embarrassment of the company was 
 its heavy debt, the true extent of which was thoroughly understood at this 
 time. Frfequent reference has been made to the inaccuracy of every budget 
 of estimates that was prepared. The last budget was prepared on January 
 I, 1893, and it showed a total estimated requirement for completing the 
 Exposition, including the payments on account of construction, the ex- 
 penses of the Director General's departments, and the general offices of 
 the company, of $20,012,268.08, a large portion of which amount was not 
 expected to be required until after May i. When this budget was pre- 
 pared it was thought possible, by the utilization of every resource at the 
 command of the Board of Directors, to carry the work successfully through 
 to May I, reaching this date with the treasury not entirely exhausted, but 
 with a considerable amount of obligations on contracts which would not 
 become due until some weeks later ; and that the total amount of such obli- 
 gations would not be great enough to form a serious obstruction to the pay- 
 ment of the Exposition debenture bonds. The Board of Directors had lim- 
 ited the amount of bonds of the Exposition to five million dollars, and, by 
 implication at least, had limited their power to create debts to this amount 
 also. 
 
 As has been stated, the budget of estimates of January i, 1893, proved 
 unreliable soon after it was adopted, and payments on account of many of 
 its items exceeded the amount estimated therefor. Then it became impos- 
 sible to dispose of the last four hundred thousand dollars' worth of bonds. 
 In addition to this, an act of Congress was passed which withheld $570,- 
 880 of the appropriation of souvenir half dollars (made in the previous 
 August to aid in completing the Exposition) in order to compel the com- 
 pany to appropriate money for the expenses of judging and awarding ex- 
 hibits. Thus the company was crippled in its resources by over a milhon 
 dollars. The deferred payments, owing to the delay in construction work, 
 
FIRST THREE MONTHS. -,qQ 
 
 disagreements over final estimates on contracts, and other causes, proved 
 larger than had been anticipated. The total amount paid out up to April 
 30, 1893, was only $17,869,421.94, which, if the budget of January i had 
 been correct, would have left a little over $2,100,000 still to be paid on ac- 
 count of construction and preparation for opening the Exposition. But the 
 amount expended in construction and preparation for the opening of the 
 Exposition was largely in excess of the budget of January i. An estimate 
 of the floating indebtedness made on May i showed balances due on con- 
 struction contracts alone of about $2,000,000. In addition to this, material 
 for the Mechanical Department and stock of all sorts had been purchased, 
 under the pressure of grave emergencies and without proper authority, to an 
 enormous amount, which, in the confusion of May i, could not be even ap- 
 proximately summed up. Not infrequently bills were presented for pay- 
 ment regarding which neither President Higinbotham, nor the Council of 
 Administration, nor the Auditor had been able to get any information, 
 though often the obligation had been incurred by some subordinate officer 
 weeks or months before. In fact, the situation can be summed up in the 
 statement that, so far as estimates of necessary expenditures were concerned 
 or the authority for contracting a liability in behalf of the company, there 
 was no system worthy of the name, and the opportunity of subordinate offi- 
 cers to embarrass the company by contracting liabilities to large amounts 
 was ample. Nor was it possible to check this state of things ; for the Presi- 
 dent and the Council of Administration, in the main, had confidence in the 
 officers under them, and felt that it would be unsafe to hamper them as to 
 expenditures at a time when the paramount object was the completion of 
 the Exposition by the date fixed. It is only to be regretted that some 
 system could not have been created which would have enabled the manage- 
 ment to have a better knowledge of the habilities as they were incurred. 
 Owing to the lack of this knowledge, the President and the Council of 
 Administration were frequently criticised and censured, although they had 
 done as well as was possible under the try-ing circumstances. In the orderly 
 conduct of an established business it is the duty of the President or General 
 Manager to have full knowledge of the details of every fine of expenditure 
 or obligation incurred. In a heavy and costly work of construction it is 
 never possible to estimate so closely as in an old-established business. In a 
 military campaign, in time of war, questions of expense are disregarded, the 
 only object worthy of consideration being the achievement of victory. The 
 World's Columbian Exposition, from start to finish, resembled a military 
 campaign more than it did a private business or a work of construction. 
 Great and unusual powers had to be intrusted to subordinate hands for the 
 accomplishment of one result without accurate count of the cost. 
 
 Gradually it appeared, after May i, that the floating debt was of serious 
 and threatening proportions. Instead of a floating debt of two millions, 
 there were debts under contracts and debts for supplies of every description, 
 
.QQ THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 amounting to almost four and a half millions, of which more than three 
 millions was chargeable to construction accounts. The operating expenses 
 for May were $593, 75 7- 20, and the gate and concession receipts for the 
 same month were $657,727.40, a showing which, in view of a bonded and 
 floating debt of at least eight millions, with biit five months more in which 
 to secure funds for liquidating it, was sufficient to discourage the stoutest 
 heart. The precarious condition of the company was not generally known 
 until the end of June, during which month nearly a million dollars in excess 
 of the operating expenses was collected from gate receipts and concessions, 
 and applied upon the floating debt. The increase in receipts justified the 
 hope that the business would improve sufficiently to enable the management 
 to pay the company's debts in full. Yet, even with the increase of June, the 
 final outcome seemed problematical. With the falling off of the attendance 
 in July, and the more perfect knowledge of the company's financial condi- 
 tion, it is no wonder that depression existed in the minds of the officers. 
 
 The last attempt at a revision of the administrative machinery of the Ex- 
 position occurred in the latter part of June. The friction between various 
 departments, which must inevitably occur in new enterprises of such magni- 
 tude as the Exposition, was intensified by reason of a defective organization, 
 which rendered it difficult to preserve wholesome restraint and perfect subor- 
 dination. This state of things, together with the complaints constantly aris- 
 ing as to the number of passes issued and other defects in the admission 
 system, led to a movement in the Executive Committee for further revision. 
 The Bureau of Admissions and Collections was abolished, and the two de- 
 partments of Admissions and Collections were placed under the Council of 
 Administration. The Director General, Colonel George R. Davis, was for- 
 mally elected Director General of the World's Columbian Exposition, he 
 having previously held his office by virtue of an appointment from the 
 World's Columbian Commission ; and he was recognized as the superior 
 officer of the Director of Works, the latter being made the chief executive 
 officer of the Director General and instructed to receive his orders through 
 that officer. This plan compelled the Council of Administration to send its 
 orders through the Director General to reach the Director of Works, thus 
 interposing another obstacle between the Council and the chief arms of the 
 operating department, such as the Police, Fire Department, Transportation, 
 Landscape, Mechanical, Electrical, and Sewerage and Water Supply. This 
 condition of things would have been intolerable, and accordingly a protest 
 was made, whereupon a clause was added authorizing the Council of Admin- 
 istration to deal with the Director of Works and his chiefs direct when emer- 
 gency required ; and as the administration of an exposition consists chiefly 
 in meeting a succession of emergencies, this latter power was freely exercised. 
 The two departments of Admissions and Collections, which had been turned 
 over to the Council of Administration, were by that body committed to its 
 chairman ; and this resulted in continuing the existing order of things, with 
 
FIRST THREE MONTHS. 
 
 401 
 
 the improvement that it kept the superintendents of these two departments 
 in closer touch with the President, enabling him to co-operate more closely 
 with them in removing abuses and increasing the efficiency of their organiza- 
 tion. 
 
 As the Exposition approached completion two facts began to call forth 
 general commendation. One was the cleanliness of the grounds— the ab- 
 sence of any accumulation of paper, peanut shells, remains of luncheons, or 
 other refuse. The other was the superb management of the water ways and 
 the absence of any accident of even trifling importance thereon. 
 The condition of the grounds was due to the rules, the 
 vigilance of the Guards, and the work of the Depart 
 ment of Transportation. Only shelled peanuts were 
 allowed on the grounds, and the Guards were in- 
 structed to look carefully to the cleanliness of the 
 grounds and to report all matters needing at- 
 tention. The Department of Transportation 
 nightly covered the grounds with a garbage 
 service, consisting of fifteen carts with steel 
 dumping boxes, taking up the janitors' 
 sweepings, refuse from restaurants, etc. The 
 garbage was burned at a crematory provided 
 for that purpose in the southern part of the 
 grounds. The water ways and the lake front 
 adjoining the Exposition grounds were also under 
 the Department of Transportation. The Super- 
 intendent of Water Ways, Commander Frederick 
 M. Symonds, U. S. N., was an officer of that 
 department. 
 
 On July 10 a terrible fire occurred on the grounds, which destroyed the 
 Cold-storage Warehouse. This was a large oblong building of wood covered 
 with staff, with a tower and a smokestack in the center. The smokestack 
 had been left incomplete, and several fires originated there. On one occa- 
 sion, previous to July 10, the firemen had gone up in the tower, scaled the 
 smokestack, and put out the fire. When the alarm occurred on July 10 
 there appeared to be nothing more threatening in the situation than on the 
 former occasion. Accordingly, the first fire company that arrived proceeded 
 to scale the tower, headed by their Captain, James Fitzpatrick. About 
 twenty men were on the tower with a rope and hose, when the fire suddenly 
 broke out below them and cut off their retreat from the staircase within, 
 and at the same instant flames burst from the tower. The entire interior of 
 the building was on fire, and the retreat of the men was cut off. There was 
 no escape, except by jumping from the tower to the main roof. This they 
 did, one at a time, before the eyes of a horrified throng of thirty thousand 
 people. Several of the men were carried through the flimsy roof by the 
 
 COMMANDER FREDERICK 
 
 M. SYMONDS, U. S. N., 
 Superintendent of Water- Ways. 
 
-02 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 force of their falls into the flames below, and others were too much injured 
 by their fall to escape. One man slid down the burning hose. Captain 
 Fitzpatrick, dying from burns and injuries, was lowered from the roof to the 
 ground by some of the firemen. The latter had scarcely descended after this 
 heroic deed when the roof and portions of the wall where the ladder had 
 rested fell in. In a few minutes the entire building was consumed. Seven- 
 teen men were killed and nineteen were injured in this disaster. The Med- 
 ical Department and Ambulance Corps rendered prompt aid, and those who 
 could be rescued were taken to the hospital. The eyewitnesses of the hor- 
 rible catastrophe gave evidence of their deep sympathy by starting a contri- 
 bution on the spot to aid the sufferers. Before the building had been re- 
 duced to ashes, Byron L. Smith had headed the list with a check for $i,ooo, 
 and several thousand dollars were raised in a few minutes and paid in at the 
 President's office. On the 14th of July, the one hundred and fourth anni- 
 versary of the destruction of the Bastile, the French marines stationed upon 
 the grounds received an extra day's pay, according to custom, and this money 
 they generously paid into the relief fund. The gate receipts on the follow- 
 ing Sunday were given up to the same purpose, and throughout the city con- 
 tributions were made either to Mayor Harrison, to Charles D. Hamill, Presi- 
 dent of the Board of Trade, or to President Higinbotham. The fund reached 
 the total of $104,138.02. Every case of suffering from injuries received, or 
 through the death of a parent or relative at the fire, was investigated. The 
 fund was deposited with the Illinois Trust and Savings Bank. A portion 
 of it was paid out to relieve immediate distress ; the remainder was invested, 
 and the income used to support the widows and educate the orphans of 
 those who died. 
 
 No words can describe the gloom that this awful catastrophe spread over 
 all who witnessed it, and especially over the management of the Exposition. 
 Every effort was made to alleviate as far as possible the suffering it caused. 
 The fire was due to defective construction, and, as the building was erected 
 by a concessionnaire and not by the Construction Department, the defect 
 could not be charged to the officers of the latter. They had passed upon and 
 approved the plans, and had relied upon the concessionnaire to carry out the 
 plans as laid down. To have superintended closely the construction of all 
 buildings erected by concessionnaires and others would have caused an expendi- 
 ture for expert superintendence that the Exposition could not have met. 
 The management had been content to approve only proper plans in the 
 hands of reputable architects, and afterward to watch the construction as 
 closely as the circumstances would allow. Except in this case, no fire or 
 other catastrophe occurred upon the Exposition grounds owing to defective 
 construction. Every precaution which the management could reasonably 
 have been expected, to exercise was fulfilled. 
 
 Doubtless the thorough preparations made both in the Fire Department 
 and the Columbian Guard and in the Department of Water Supply saved 
 
FIRST THREE MONTHS. 
 
 403 
 
 the Exposition from other serious disasters. Incipient fires were frequent, 
 and often more than once in a day the scene would be enlivened by the 
 spirited dash of an engine across the Court of Honor and companies of 
 Columbian Guards coming on the double quick in fine order from all direc- 
 tions to the point of danger. 
 
 The attendance and cash receipts for July showed an improvement over 
 those of June, but the improvement was confined to the first part of the 
 month. The attendance fell off in the latter half of the 
 month. On some days the heat was very trying, though 
 modified by breezes from the lake. During the warm 
 weather the Exposition was most charming in the 
 evening. The sultriness disappeared, and the cool- 
 ing breezes from the lake made the Park a most 
 attractive resort. In the early part of May the 
 Exposition had been practically closed at 
 nightfall owing to the incomplete condition 
 of things and the unfavorable weather, 
 and there was but little inducement for visi- 
 tors to linger in the grounds after nightfall. 
 Later in the month the grounds were kept 
 open occasionally at night, and open-air con- 
 certs were advertised. Finally, as the attend- 
 ance increased, the grounds were kept open 
 every evening, and in June they were tolerably 
 well filled until nine o'clock. As the popularity 
 of the Midway increased, it was thronged with 
 visitors every evening until a late hour, and finally 
 
 it was necessary to put a curb upon the rollicking spirit of those who lin- 
 gered late at night. It was not uncommon for the wide street running 
 through the Midway Plaisance to be thronged with visitors until eleven 
 o'clock. In July the evening was the most attractive time. Usually two 
 bands were stationed in the band stands in the Court of Honor, playing 
 alternately, and the court was thronged with people resting on the benches 
 or strolling about enjoying the wonderful scene, listening to the music, 
 watching the boats glide over the water, the playing of the grand fountain, 
 and the displays of the electric fountains. Revolving search lights on the 
 Manufactures Building illuminated the buildings surrounding the court and 
 brought them into prominence before the eyes of the spectators. At other 
 times a band was stationed on the Wooded Island or in the northern part of 
 the grounds, and usually there was a concert also at the band stand east of 
 the center of the Manufactures Building, on the shore of the lake. 
 
 To the visitor the Exposition at this time presented perhaps the most 
 charming spectacle of any period during its existence. Everything was in 
 the freshness of recent completion. So vast were the, grounds and buildings 
 
 MILTON W. KIRK, 
 Member of the Directory. 
 
404 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 ARTHUR DIXON, 
 Member of the Directory, 
 
 that seldom during the entire season were they uncomfortably crowded or 
 the facilities taxed to their utmost. During the evenings of July the throng 
 was sufficient to lend spirit to the scene, but never large enough to cause 
 discomfort. To the management, however, there was but little of pleasure 
 to relieve the toil. The hours were freighted with the cares 
 and worries of a great burden and the doubt as to the final 
 outcome. 
 
 Among the events of special interest was the ar- 
 rival of the caravels on July 8th and the Viking ship 
 on July 1 2th. Early in 1891 a proposition had been 
 made for a reproduction of the caravels in which 
 Columbus's famous voyage of discovery was made. 
 After the lapse of four hundred years, the models 
 on which the vessels were constructed had not only 
 passed out of use, but had faded from the memory 
 of seamen and shipwrights. Lieutenant W. McCar- 
 thy Little was employed by Mr. Curtis, of the Lat- 
 in-American Bureau, to gather information as to the 
 models, and he was instructed to ask the Spanish Gov- 
 ernment to build facsimiles of the ancient craft and send 
 them to the Exposition. After prolonged negotiations, 
 the Spanish Government agreed to furnish the plans for all the. little fleet, 
 and to build the Santa Maria if the United States would provide the other 
 two. At a critical turn of the negotiations $5,000 was advanced toward 
 their cost through the efforts of Lyman J. Gage, and without further delay 
 the keels were laid at Barcelona. The ships were finished in time to take 
 part in a naval review held at the instance of the Spanish Government at 
 Huelva in celebration of the Columbian event ; but on that occasion they 
 were officered and manned from the United States steamship Bennington. 
 Although at that review thirty-one nations were represented by ships, the 
 caravels were a central object of interest, and were visited by the King and 
 Queen of Spain and by multitudes of others. From Huelva the caravels 
 were taken to Cadiz, and thence they were towed to Havana by the United 
 States war vessels Newark and Bennington, under the command of Rear- 
 Admiral Andrew E. K. Benham. At Havana the ships were transferred 
 to Spanish officers and crews, who took them to the rendezvous at Hamp- 
 ton Roads, and then to New York harbor, where they were put in the place 
 of honor on the occasion of the naval review, April 27, 1893. From New 
 York they were towed to the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, and thence 
 by that river and the great lakes to Chicago. From Havana to Chi- 
 cago the little fleet was commanded by Captain Victor Concas, of the 
 Spanish Navy. On the 7th of July, the Spanish ships being near the end 
 of their voyage, th,e United States vessels at Chicago, with a large com- 
 pany of other boats, steamed north to meet the rejuvenated discoverers. 
 
FIRST THREE MONTHS. 4OS 
 
 The fleets met, the triumphant procession was formed on Lake Michigan 
 at about 1 1 a. m., and it reached its anchorage off the Manufactures Build- 
 ing at three o'clock in the afternoon. Captain Concas and his officers 
 and men were received in the west plaza, where they were the center of an 
 immense throng of delighted visitors. Addresses were made by President 
 Palmer of the Commission, Senator John Sherman, and Secretary Herbert 
 of the Navy Department. The caravels proved a very attractive feature of 
 the Exposition. The Santa Maria was 95 feet long over all ; at the water 
 line, 71 feet 3 inches; breadth, 25 feet 8 inches; depth, 12 feet 5 inches. 
 The Nina was 56 feet long and the Pinta 65 feet. On the 12th of Septem- 
 ber the caravels were formally presented to the Government of the United 
 States by Sefior Dupuy de Lome, the Spanish commissioner, and Captain 
 Concas, acting for the Spanish Government ; they were received by Assistant- 
 Secretary-of-the-Navy William McAdoo. 
 
 The celebration of the Columbian discovery of the American continent 
 could not fail to develop many reminders of the earlier voyage made by Leif 
 Ericsson and his hardy Norwegian comrades more than five hundred years 
 before. In 1880 the people of Norway exhumed from an ancient burial 
 mound in Gokstad a vessel of the kind used by the Vikings in their explora- 
 tions and ocean voyages. The vessel was supposed to have been buried more 
 than a thousand years, and to have been a votive offering to some renowned 
 chieftain. The people of Norway provided by subscription that a replica of 
 this vessel should be built, equipped, manned, and sent to the Exposition. 
 The vessel thus constructed was named the Gokstad-find, but was generally 
 known as the Viking ship. Its dimensions were : length, 80 feet ; breadth, 
 1 7 feet ; depth, 1 2 feet. It was without a deck ; its crew were housed under 
 a canvas awning or tent, which could be set or removed at pleasure ; its prow 
 and stern were raised high and decorated with dragons' heads ; its one mast 
 was forty feet high, and carried a large, square sail ; it was provided with 
 large oars or sweeps ; the shields of its crew were hung over its sides. The 
 Viking ship left Bergen, Norway, on May i, 1893, with a crew of twenty 
 men under command of Captain Magnus Anderson. She arrived at New- 
 foundland, May 28th ; thence sailing by the St. Lawrence River and the 
 Great Lakes she reached Chicago on the afternoon of July 13. An escort con- 
 sisting of the Government vessels at the Exposition and a fleet of others met 
 the Viking ship at some distance up the lake and conveyed her to her anchor- 
 age under the guns of the Battle-Ship. Her captain and crew were received 
 with great enthusiasm in the rotunda of the Administration Building. Multi- 
 tudes visited the little craft while she lay at Jackson Park. At the close of 
 the Exposition both the caravels and the Viking ship were presented to the 
 Field Columbian Museum. 
 
Excursion Train, Railway Day, September i6, 1893. 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 SPECIAL DAYS. 
 
 Assignment of dates — Reasons for their choice — The celebrations described in their 
 order — Processions on land and water — Speeches, poems, decorations, iringing of the 
 Liberty Bell, fireworks, tableaus, national songs, and excursions — Steady increase in 
 attendance — Chicago's great day — The mournful close. 
 
 A I 
 
 'HE assignments for special days were in 
 the hands of the Committee on Ceremo- 
 nies. The task was difficult, as the de- 
 mand far exceeded the number of days on 
 which the Exposition was open, and it be- 
 came necessary to assign several celebrations 
 to the same date ; but no serious complica- 
 tions followed, as the space and the attend- 
 ance gave ample opportunity for this arrange- 
 ment. The States celebrated some day nota- 
 ble in their histories ; foreign nations the 
 birthday or coronation day of their sover- 
 eigns ; and other days of special memories 
 were recognized, as John Adams prophesied 
 for the Fourth of July, " with sound of can- 
 non and ringing of bells ; with speeches, bon- 
 fires, and illuminations." All these special 
 celebrations were occasions of great interest, 
 by no means confined to those who were particularly concerned, but united 
 in heartily by the multitudes assembled. Much credit is due to the Com- 
 mittee on Ceremonies and to Mr. Millet, of the Department of Functions, 
 who gave time and thought to the preparation of the entertainments, many 
 
 406 
 
 FRANK D. MILLET, 
 Artist, Director of Decorations. 
 
SPECIAL DAYS. .^y 
 
 of which were unique, and all of which were fitly prepared and successfully 
 carried into effect. 
 
 Norway Day, May //.—This was the first of the special national /^/^ 
 days, and proved a great success. The 1 7th of May was chosen because it is 
 observed in Norway as a national holiday in celebration of its Declaration of 
 Independence from Denmark, May 17, 18 14. This event, which put an 
 end to a subjection of more than four hundred years, compelled Sweden to 
 form a union on terms of equality. The Norsemen of Chicago therefore, 
 re-enforced by many visiting countrymen from the Northwest and the 
 adjoining States, in which the Norwegian element in population is a large 
 factor, entered with patriotic zest into the celebration of this day. The gen- 
 eral attendance was greater than at any time since the opening of the Fair, 
 over thirty thousand people being present. The dispersion of more than 
 ten thousand Norwegians through the grounds, all gayly decorated with 
 their national colors and wearing badges bearing the legend " May 1 7," gave 
 a distinctly Norwegian coloring to everything. The programme included a 
 parade by the Norwegian societies of Chicago, a visit to the Norwegian 
 building and exhibit, and an entertainment in Festival Hall. The parade, a 
 picturesque feature of which was a company of young girls in peasant cos- 
 tume, attracted much attention as it moved along the route, with its three 
 thousand men in line and with its flags all flying, among which were thirty 
 fine silk banners. Arrived at Festival Hall, which had been decorated for the 
 occasion with the colors of Norway, Sweden, and the United States, the 
 huge audience filled the great building to overflowing. The exercises, which 
 were entirely in the Norwegian tongue, consisted of patriotic addresses, sing- 
 ing of national Songs, and playing by the Exposition orchestra of music by 
 Norwegian composers, in which that of Grieg had an important part. Royal- 
 Commissioner Ravn presided, and near him were seated on the platform 
 Governor Knute Nelson, of Minnesota ; Prof. Julius E. Olsen, of the Uni- 
 versity of Wisconsin ; and the Hon. Rasmus B. Anderson, of Wisconsin, 
 ex-Minister to Denmark. Prof. Olsen delivered the opening address on 
 The 1 7th of May — Norway's Day of Independence, the Hon. Rasmus B. 
 Anderson spoke on Norway of To-day, and Governor Nelson paid an elo- 
 quent tribute to his countrymen in the United States. A telegram from 
 New York announced that the sixty thousand Norwegians of that city were 
 also celebrating the day. The Exposition grounds were brilliantly illu- 
 minated in the evening, and a banquet was given by Commissioner Ravn to 
 distinguished fellow-countrymen and other guests. 
 
 Maine Day, May 24. — The principal feature of this occasion was the 
 dedication of the State building, at which Governor Henry B. Cleaves and 
 staff were present. During the morning a reception was held by the Gov- 
 ernor in the parlors of the building, and afterward the Sons of Maine of 
 Chicago took the visitors through the Exposition grounds. At noon the 
 dedicatory exercises were begun by the Hon. Hall C. Burleigh, President of 
 
4o8 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 the Maine Board of World's Fair Managers, who made an address detailing 
 the work of the board and its efforts to have the building show in every part 
 and design the materials, methods of construction, and furnishings most 
 characteristic of the State. The building was then formally turned over to 
 Governor Cleaves, who, in a short response, declared it open to the public. 
 Miss Georgia Cayvan and Madame Lillian Nordica, natives of Maine, were 
 present. Miss Cayvan gave a recitation from Shakespeare, and Madame 
 Nordica made a short speech. The building and the grounds about' it were 
 crowded to overflowing. The addresses were made from the balcony, and 
 the tasteful decorations and throngs of gayly dressed people gave it the air 
 of a garden fite. 
 
 Denmark Day, June 5. — ^On June 5, 1849, Frederick VII, King of 
 Denmark, granted to his people a national constitution defining the royal 
 prerogative and providing for the election of a parliament, and the anniver- 
 sary of that day is kept in Denmark as a general holiday. Many of the 
 former subjects of that country living in and near Chicago came to take part 
 in the celebration of their national day. More than six thousand were pres- 
 ent, and the Danish societies were represented in a parade in which about 
 two thousand were in Hne. They formed in the city and marched in a body 
 to the grounds, with bands of music, flags, and banners, making a striking 
 impression as they passed through thfe Manufactures Building and stopped 
 at the Danish pavilion. After the inspection of this exhibit, among the dis- 
 tinctive features of which were the relics of Thorwaldsen and of Hans Chris- 
 tian Andersen, the pictures illustrating the adventurous and hardy character 
 of the vikings, and the primitive sketches believed to represent the voyages 
 of Leif Ericsson, the line of march was taken up to Festival Hall, where a 
 large audience listened to addresses and music. President C. Michelsen, of 
 the Danish Royal Commission, made a speech of welcome in his native 
 tongue. The address of welcome on the part of the. Exposition was made 
 by Hon. Thomas B. Bryan, and the King of Denmark and the President of 
 the United States were happily coupled in the remarks of Commissioner- 
 General Emil Meyer, after which the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner 
 followed that of the Danish national song, " King Christian stood by the 
 Lofty Mast." Other addresses, alternating with music by Danish composers 
 and artists, filled out the programme, the orchestra closing with The Vikings, 
 by Hartmann. 
 
 Nebraska Day, June 8. — The people of Nebraska had perhaps the most 
 picturesque special-day celebration of any State in the Union. To the at- 
 traction afforded by the presence of the Governor and his staff was added 
 that of Colonel William F. Cody (" Buffalo Bill "), who came with his Wild 
 West Show to assist in dedicating Nebraska's building. He took his com- 
 pany to meet Governor Lorenzo Crounse and party at the railway station, 
 and escorted them to the Nebraska Building, where a short, formal ceremony 
 of presentation was observed. Commissioner-General Joseph Garneau, in a 
 
•±5 
 
 L. 
 
SPECIAL DAYS. .^^ 
 
 409 
 
 few words of welcome, tendered the keys of the building to the Governor, 
 who made a stirring response. While Governor Crounse was speaking the 
 fine cavalry band from the German village in the Midway Plaisance came over 
 and alternated with the cowboy band in furnishing music between the short 
 speeches that followed. At the close of these exercises the whole aggrega- 
 tion of Indians, cowboys, soldiers and civilians, Cossacks, Mexican vaguer os, 
 French chasseurs d'A/rtgue, German Uhlans, and United States cavalry was 
 formed in line, and the march to the Agricultural Building was taken up, the 
 famous cowboy band leading the way. This picturesque parade attracted 
 crowds of spectators as it wound around the lagoons and down the avenue 
 leading to the Administration Building, where a halt was made and the entire 
 column was reviewed by the Princess Eulalia and suite. It was estimated 
 that three thousand citizens of Nebraska were present on this day. 
 
 Princess Etdalia Day, June 8. — At half past ten o'clock on the morn- 
 ing of this day the royal party, consisting of the princess and her husband. 
 Prince Antoine, the Duke of Tamames, the Marchioness of Arco-Hermosa, 
 Don Pedro Jovar y Favor, Commander Davis, of the United States Navy, 
 Mrs. Davis, and Miss Davis, escorted by Mayor Carter H. Harrison and the 
 Chicago Hussars, left the city for Jackson Park, taking the boulevard route 
 through Washington Park to the western entrance of the Midway Plaisance. 
 The passage of the princess through the city and Exposition grounds was 
 attended by enthusiastic crowds, and the Spanish flag floated everywhere. 
 Arriving at the Plaisance just before noon, the princess was met and saluted 
 by the Joint Committee on Ceremonies of the Exposition, whose carriages 
 then fell into line ; the escort was augmented further by the addition of the 
 Michigan Military Cadets and of Colonel Rice and staif, who took their 
 places at the head of the procession. Two Chicago hussars acted as out- 
 riders for the royal coach and four, and two Egyptians in native costume 
 ran in front of the first pair of horses. A royal salute was fired, and the 
 flags of all countries, with the Spanish emblem uppermost, flew to the breeze 
 at the instant the Infanta passed the entrance. The procession made its 
 way along the Plaisance, circled around the Woman's Building, and turned 
 south to the Administration Building, where the princess and suite were met 
 by President Thomas W. Palmer, President Higinbotham, Director-General 
 Davis, and other officials of the Exposition. Leaning upon President 
 Palmer's arm, the princess entered the building to the music of the Spanish 
 national hymn, played by a band from Saragossa ; and, walking over a carpet 
 strewn with pansies, she was led to the parlors in PaviHon A, where invited 
 guests were presented to her. This ceremony over, the company proceeded 
 to Pavilion C, in which an elaborate breakfast, given by President Palmer, 
 had been prepared for sixty persons. After the breakfast the ceremonies of 
 the day were resumed by a drive to the Woman's Building for inspection of 
 the Spanish women's exhibit, and a reception by the Board of Lady Mana- 
 gers. The princess and her attendants, under the escort of President Thomas 
 
.jQ THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 W. Palmer, were met at the east entrance of the building by Mrs. Potter 
 Palmer and her Committee on Ceremonies. Passing through the building, 
 gay with the colors and emblems of Isabella, her flower-strewn path outlined 
 with red and yellow ribbons, the Infanta proceeded directly to the Spanish 
 pavilion, where stood Senor and Senora Dupuy de Lome, with other mem- 
 bers of the Royal Spanish Commission. After a brief examination of this 
 exhibit, the princess and her train mounted the stairs to the Assembly Room, 
 where a formal reception of the Board of Lady Managers took place. The 
 programme laid out for the royal party on leaving the Woman's Building was 
 disregarded at this point by the princess, and, with a small party of attend- 
 ants, she set out, under the care of President Thomas W. Palmer, on an 
 independent tour. She visited the Children's Building and the Horticultural 
 Building, afterward making the circuit of the grand water way in an electric 
 launch, and ending at the Administration Building, where supper was served 
 for the royal party and a few other guests. After supper the Infanta was 
 again escorted to President Palmer's parlors overlooking the Court of Honor. 
 The usual illumination of the buildings and electric fountains was in prog- 
 ress, and almost the entire fleet of steam and electric launches and gondolas 
 was afloat in the Grand Basin. The special display of fireworks in honor of 
 the princess began at half past eight. Showers of rockets and bombs filled 
 the air with colored stars, and golden fountains of light shot up from the 
 black waters, where fiery scorpions hissed and spluttered. On the columns 
 of the peristyle gorgeous wheels and brilliant geometric figures whirled and 
 spun, making the whole Grand Basin a riot of light and color. Suddenly 
 upon the central arch of the peristyle appeared, in changing colored fire, a 
 portrait of the Infanta herself, with the royal shield of Spain on one side and 
 that of the United States on the other. At this sight all the steam whistles 
 sounded, the people shouted, the night was filled with the din of the salute, 
 and the fHe ended in a burst of enthusiasm. The attendance at the Ex- 
 position, which had been gradually increasing, was greatly augmented on 
 this day, nearly a hundred and fifty thousand people being on the grounds. 
 
 Travelers Protective Association Day, June lo. — This large and impor- 
 tant organization was represented by a reunion in which more than one thou- 
 sand members took part. Five hundred delegates came to Chicago by 
 special train, and were met by several hundreds already in the city. They 
 gathered in the morning at the Missouri State Building, in which a room 
 had been set apart for the use of the association during the Fair. The order 
 of the day included the dedication of this room,, a general reception, and 
 exercises at Festival Hall in the afternoon ; but, owing to the rainy weather, 
 Sousa's band was brought over to the Missouri Building and the programme 
 was carried out there. The reception was in the hands of a committee of 
 the Woman's State Board, under the direction of Mrs. Patti Moore, Presi- 
 dent, and Mrs. Blennerhassett-Adams, Vice-President of the Board. The 
 afternoon exercises were conducted by George S. McGrew, President of the 
 
SPECIAL DAYS. .jj 
 
 Travelers' Protective Association. Mayor Harrison, of Chicago, welcomed 
 the visitors to the city, and Vice-President Stevenson, speaking for the State, 
 commended the commercial traveler as a most important factor in the civili- 
 zation of the times. The revolution in business methods and the marvelous 
 growth of American trade, under the system of which commercial travelers 
 form so large a part, were reviewed in an address of welcome to the Missouri 
 Building, by Henry T. Kent, of St. Louis, for the Governor, who was unable 
 to be present. Many humorous incidents enlivened the day, which passed 
 in the spirit of good-fellowship characteristic of this class of men. 
 
 Germany Day, June /j. — This was the anniversary of the coronation 
 of the Emperor, William II, and German citizens of Chicago co-operated 
 actively with the Imperial Commissioners in making it an event worthy of 
 the fatherland and of our great German- American population. It was an 
 all-day and nearly all-night celebration, participated in by tens of thousands 
 and running over with national enthusiasm. The German colors waved in 
 friendly contest with the red, white, and blue, German music filled the air, 
 and German was the language of the day. The morning parade numbered 
 more than sixteen thousand men in line, occupied an hour and a half in pass- 
 ing, and included bands of music, singing societies by the score, labor organi- 
 zations and soldiers' unions, turnvereins, benevolent societies, and social 
 orders, besides eight hundred vehicles of various kinds, and twenty historical 
 and allegorical floats, representing both German and American subjects. 
 After passing through the business section of the city it was disbanded, and 
 the thousands that crowded the streets made their way to Jackson Park to 
 attend the celebration at the German building in the afternoon. Two large 
 platforms were erected, one against the front of the building and the other 
 facing it across the lake-shore promenade. On the former were the seats for 
 specially invited guests and the rostrum for the speakers, while the latter 
 was reserved for the chorus of two thousand voices and the various bands of 
 music, one of which had been sent by the Emperor to visit the Exposition. 
 Both the building and the platforms were decorated lavishly with flags and 
 bunting. The chimes in the tower began to ring at half past one, but it was 
 three o'clock before the last of the societies and bands that had participated 
 in the parade reached the grounds, and the exercises were begun with im- 
 pressive singing of Die Wacht am Rhein. The speakers included the Hon. 
 Carl Schurz, Baron von HoUeben, Minister at Washington, Commissioner 
 Adolf Wermuth, Mayor Carter H. Harrison, and Mr. Harry Rubens, of 
 Chicago. All the speaking and singing was in German, except Mayor 
 Harrison's greeting in the name of the city. The singing of " Deutschland 
 uber AUes " was followed by the address of Harry Rubens, who, in the name 
 of the Germans of Chicago, greeted the fatherland and its representatives 
 on that festival day, and led in an enthusiastic " Hoch ! hoch ! hoch ! " for 
 old Germany. It was nearly five o'clock when these exercises were finished, 
 and the order was given for the march to Festival Hall, where the final 
 
.j2 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 official ceremonies were conducted. The hall was decorated effectively, the 
 flags of the two nations forming a fitting background. President Higin- 
 botham, in his address of welcome on the part of the Exposition, acknowl- 
 edged the debt of this country to the German character and genius, and 
 ' especially that of the Exposition management to the German Government 
 for its splendid exhibit and cordial assistance in making this work the crown- 
 ing event of the nineteenth century. President Palmer, of the Commission, 
 followed in a second address of welcome, also eulogizing the German nation 
 and its achievements. William H. Vocke, of Chicago, representing the 
 German-American element on the programme, then made the oration of the 
 day, rapidly reviewing the history of his native land, and sketching the intel- 
 lectual, industrial, and commercial intimacy between that country and the 
 United States, in all of which he found a guarantee of mutual esteem and 
 friendship that would outlive the ages. This address was followed by the 
 singing of The Star-Spangled Banner, and the exercises concluded with 
 Wagner's Festmarch by the Exposition Orchestra. The German Village in 
 the Midway Plaisance next came in for a share of attention, and feasting and 
 music were continued there until a late hour. A grand illumination, with a 
 special display of fireworks, took place in the Court of Honor, the final suc- 
 cess of which was reached in two colossal figures representing Germania and 
 Columbia side by side. The attendance on this day was nearly two hundred 
 thousand. 
 
 Illinois Press- Association Day, June i6. — The meeting of this association 
 was held at the Illinois State Building, where a programme of music and 
 speaking was carried out. The music was furnished by the Illinois Uni- 
 versity band from Champaign, and, after its introductory number, a formal 
 greeting was extended by Lafayette Funk, President of the Illinois World's 
 Fair Board. The response on the part of the association was made by its 
 president, Clinton Rosette. Mrs. Helen Ekin Starrett, President of the 
 Illinois Woman's Press Association, spoke briefly of the organization she 
 represented, and was followed by Mrs. Isabella Laning Candee, of the IlHnois 
 Woman's Exposition Board, on the subject of Woman at the Fair. The ad- 
 dress of the day was made by Adlai E. Stevenson, Vice-President of the 
 United States, who paid a tribute to the influence of the press, not only in 
 securing the success of the Exposition, but in its power for good in every 
 direction. About five hundred people participated in these exercises. 
 
 Massachusetts Day, June ly. — The story of Bunker Hill was the theme 
 of Massachusetts Day. The celebration took the form of a social reunion 
 and reception given by the State Board of World's Fair Commissioners to 
 Governor William E. Russell, his staff", and a large delegation of officers 
 and members of the State Senate and House of Representatives. At least 
 five thousand people were received by the Governor and his staff, among 
 whom were the Sons and Daughters of the Revolution, the Massachusetts 
 Society of Chicago, and other distinguished visitors, including ex-President 
 
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SPECIAL DAYS. 413 
 
 Harrison, Vice-President Stevenson, Presidents Palmer and Higinbotham, 
 and Director-General Davis, of the Exposition. A grand display of fire- 
 works was provided by the State board for the evening, the crowning glory 
 of which was the set piece representing Bunker Hill monument and the old 
 John Hancock mansion on Beacon Hill. Against the middle of the peri- 
 style appeared the towering shaft of the monument ; on the right blazed a 
 picture of the old house, and on the left appeared the words " Massachusetts' 
 Greeting." Bunker Hill Day was celebrated also by the Sons and Daughters 
 of the Revolution, the former meeting at Music Hall and the latter at the 
 Woman's Building. The conclave of the Sons was presided over by Judge 
 Henry M. Shepard, of Chicago, and among the speakers were General 
 Horace Porter, William Wirt Henry, and the Hon. Chauncey M. Depew. 
 Wallace's " Sword of Bunker Hill " was sung by the venerable John W. 
 Hutchinson, the only survivor of the once well-known family of singers of 
 that name, whose father fought at Bunker Hill. The Chicago chapter of 
 the Daughters of the Revolution gave a reception, with a short literary and 
 musical programme, to the visiting Sons and Daughters at the Woman's 
 Building in the afternoon, Mrs. Henry M. Shepard, chapter regent, pre- 
 siding. 
 
 New Hampshire Day, June 26. — The dedication of the pretty Swiss 
 chalet erected by New Hampshire as her State home at the Fair was the 
 principal feature of this day, the ceremony of opening consisting of music 
 and speaking, followed by a reception. At two o'clock in the afternoon 
 Governor John B. Smith and staff, with officers and delegates from the Legis- 
 lature, escorted by the Iowa State band and a company of the Amoskeag 
 Volunteers, arrived at the State building, wher6 they were received by the 
 New Hampshire Board of World's Fair Managers. In the absence of the 
 president, Charles H. Amsden, his address of welcome was read by the vice- 
 president, George F. Page, who, in turning over the building to the Govern- 
 or, handed him a golden key tied with white and yellow ribbons. This was 
 followed by a response from the Governor, after which Judge Robert M. 
 Wallace spoke for the judiciary of the State, Lieutenant-Governor John Mc- 
 Lane for the Senate, Speaker Robert N. Chamberlin for the House of Rep- 
 resentatives, and John W, Ela, of Chicago, for the sons and daughters of 
 New Hampshire in the West. The most significant musical event was the 
 singing of "The Old Granite State," by John W. Hutchinson, seventy-five 
 years of age, a native of New Hampshire. Several hundred citizens of the 
 State were present, most conspicuous among whom were the Amoskeag 
 Volunteers, eleven hundred strong, from Manchester, organized in 1854, 
 whose old-time uniforms gave a picturesque touch to the scene. 
 
 Brooklyn Day, June 57.— This day was marked by the official reception 
 
 of a party of more than six hundred excursionists from Brooklyn, N. Y. 
 
 Formal exercises were held in the morning at Music Hall. The Arion 
 
 Society of Brooklyn, numbering two hundred and fifty, assisted in the 
 
 29 
 
414 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 musical part of the programme. Mayor Carter H. Harrison welcomed the 
 visitors to the city, and Mayor David A. Boody, of Brooklyn, acknowl- 
 edged the cordiality of their reception. The Arion Society sang a Greeting 
 to Chicago, and the Hon. Thomas B. Bryan responded in behalf of the 
 Exposition. St. Clair McKelway, editor of the Brooklyn Eagle, delivered 
 
 CADETS OF MICHIGAN MILITARY ACADEMY, 
 on the Midway Plaisance. 
 
 the principal address, emphasizing the friendly feeling felt by his city for 
 Chicago, and her genuine satisfaction in the latter's great achievements, 
 and he was followed by Murat Halstead, editor of the Brooklyn Standard- 
 Union. At three o'clock in the afternoon a concert was given in Music 
 Hall by the Arion Society, and at four o'clock a souvenir edition of twenty- 
 five thousand copies of the Brooklyn Eagle was printed in Machinery Hall. 
 
 Millers Day, June 2g. — Two hundred representative millers, from all 
 parts of the United States, met on this day in the Assembly Room of the 
 World's Columbian Commission in Pavilion A, Administration Building. 
 The principal address was made by ex-Governor ' Edward O. Stannard, of 
 St. Louis, chairman of the meeting, in which the development of the mill- 
 
SPECIAL DAYS. 
 
 ing industry in this country since the importation of the first millstone, in 
 1628, was reviewed. General John W. Noble, ex-Secretary of the Interior, 
 then made a brief address. 
 
 Dominion Day, July /.—This was the anniversary of the day on which 
 the Canadian provinces were united, forming the present Dominion of 
 Canada, in 1867. The arrangements for the day included an informal 
 reception by the Canadian commissioners at Canada House during the 
 morning, and a parade in the afternoon to Festival Hall, where appropriate 
 exercises were held. The parade was made up largely of the visiting British 
 military contingent. The band of the Grenadier Guards marched at the 
 head, followed by a company of the Royal Horse Artillery and detachments 
 from the First Life Guards, Fifth Royal Irish Lancers, Eleventh Hussars 
 (Prince Albert's Own), the Forty-second Highlanders (the famous Black 
 Watch Regiment), the Connaught Rangers, the King's Royal Rifles, Cap- 
 tain Rawson's Infantry, and a company of pipers. The procession, making 
 its way through the crowded grounds, marched into Transportation Building 
 and stopped before the black-draped model of the ill-fated British battle ship 
 Victoria, while the band played the " Dead March in Saul." As the music 
 ended a British seaman lowered the English jack, the ensign, and Admiral 
 Tryon's flag, which draped the model. The line proceeded then to Festival 
 Hall, where a large audience was waiting. The hall was in gala dress, the 
 Red Cross of St. George, the Dominion coat of arms, and the colors of the 
 United States forming the background of a scene to which the showy mili- 
 tary uniforms added the final touch. The programme was begun with the 
 singing of " God save the Queen," after which the Hon. George R. R. Cock- 
 burn, M. P., of Toronto, made an address of welcome. Mayor Harrison's 
 response on the part of the city was followed by the address of Senator 
 Joseph Tass6, of Quebec, who spoke in French for the benefit of the French 
 Canadians. Executive-Commissioner J. S. Larke then sketched briefly the 
 condition of the provinces before they were united, and, outlining the causes 
 that led up to the union, dwelt at length upon the great progress made by 
 Canada since that time. The playing of national music and singing of Auld 
 Lang Syne brought the exercises to a close. 
 
 Patriotic Sunday, July 2. — The observance of the Sunday immediately 
 preceding the Fourth of July as a day devoted to fostering patriotism was 
 inaugurated by the Fort Dearborn Garrison of the Regular Army and Navy 
 Union. The ceremonies, while intensely patriotic, had the serious military 
 character of religious services in camp or on board a man-of-war. Chaplains 
 of the army conducted the devotions ; the only music was the blaring of 
 bugles, and soldiers made up the greater part of the congregation. All the 
 members of Fort Dearborn Garrison were there, clad in Federal blue, and 
 with them sat detachments from the United States troops encamped in 
 Jackson Park. On the platform were army chaplains, officers of the Army 
 and Navy Union, and a company of Indian boys and girls from the Lincoln 
 
4i6 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Institution at Philadelphia. A bugler called the congregation to order by- 
 sounding the Assembly, and, led by Choral-Director William L. Tomlins 
 and chorus, all sang "America." After prayer and reading of the Scriptures, 
 Captain J. M. Campbell, Commander of Fort Dearborn Garrison, told of 
 the origin and purposes of Patriotic Sunday, inaugurated only the year 
 before. "Nearer, my God, to Thee " was then sung, after which the Union 
 Jack, heavily draped in mourning as a token of respect to the British seamen 
 lost with the Victoria, was unfolded. At the bugle call of "taps" the flag 
 
 THE GUATEMALA BUILDING. 
 Length, m feet ; breadth, m feet ; cost, $40,cx)o. Architect, J. B. Mora. 
 
 was unfolded, showing in the center the inscription " In Memoriam. H. 
 M. S. Victoria," and, as the bugle ceased, a wreath of flowers was placed 
 upon it. Chaplain C. C. Bateman, of Fort Assiniboine, Montana, spoke on 
 "The Soldier as a Factor in Civilization." Following this address the Indians 
 sang Keller's American Hymn with fine effect, and also joined heartily in 
 singing The Star-Spangled Banner. 
 
SPECIAL DAYS. A^y 
 
 Guatemala Day, July j>. — No formal exercises were prepared for the 
 celebration of this/^/^ day, but the guests of Guatemala were received in 
 the home her people had erected at the Fair. The building was of Spanish 
 style, with corridors surrounding an open court in which was a fountain, with 
 tropical plants and birds. Senor Manuel Lemus, President of the Guate- 
 mala Commission, received the visitors in the name of the President of the 
 republic, Jos6 Maria Regna Barrios. He had been instrumental in securing 
 for the exhibit of that country an appropriation larger in proportion to the 
 population than was made by any other government. 
 
 Independence Day, July 4. — Advantage was taken of the favorable cir- 
 cumstances existing at the Exposition to make the celebration of this day 
 the most inspiring ever held. From the sunrise salute until midnight it was 
 filled with stirring incidents and overflowing patriotism, and so varied were 
 the proceedings that their details could be mastered only with difficulty. 
 The foreign nations also entered into the spirit of the day with decorations, 
 music, and special programmes. The principal exercises were held in the 
 morning in the plaza between the Administration Building and the Terminal 
 Station, where a large platform had been erected for speakers and invited 
 guests. Several bands of music and a chorus of two thousand voices, under 
 Choral-Director Silas G. Pratt, were distributed about the loggias of Ma- 
 chinery Hall, the Mines Building, and the Terminal Station. General 
 Jackson's sword figured in the programme, together with the original Stars 
 and Stripes — the flag of Paul Jones — with its thirteen stripes and twelve 
 stars on a field of blue. Flowers from Jefferson's tomb adorned the speaker's 
 desk, from which, at the hour of noon, an electric button was to give the 
 signal for the ringing of the Columbian Liberty Bell, which was still in the 
 hands of its founders at Troy, N. Y. The 'city was represented on this 
 occasion by Mayor Harrison, members of the City Council, and other city 
 officials. A monster audience greeted the appearance of the speakers upon 
 the stand. Director-General Davis called the throng to order, and, after 
 prayer by the Rev. Andrew J. Canfield, D. D., of Chicago, introduced Vice- 
 President Stevenson as the first speaker. His address was followed by sing- 
 ing, after which Mayor Harrison took up the patriotic theme. At the stroke 
 of noon he seized General Jackson's sword, and, holding it aloft as a signal 
 for the raising of the original Stars and Stripes, called upon the people for 
 three cheers for the old flag and the new. Up to its place went the little 
 old flag with its dozen stars, while all around it scores of big new flags with 
 forty-four stars on their fields of blue waved a welcome. Cheer after cheer 
 rent the air ; the bands struck up The Star-Spangled Banner, and thousands 
 joined in the song. The signal was given to Troy, and the ringing of bells, 
 blowing of whistles, and booming of cannon added to the patriotic uproar. 
 The Hon. Hampton L. Carson, Mayor of Philadelphia, continued the pro- 
 gramme with an address on The Old Liberty Bell, and James S. Norton, of 
 Chicago, read the Declaration of Independence, prefacing it with remarks on 
 
4i8 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 The Work of the Signers. At the close of this reading a dispatch was 
 received from Troy announcing that at the instant of the closing of the cir- 
 cuit at noon the Columbian Liberty Bell was rung there for the first time 
 for " peace and good will throughout the entire civilized world." While all 
 this was going on in Administration Plaza, a picturesque affair took place 
 among the races and tribes of the Midway Plaisance. About noon a long cav- 
 alcade of Bedouins — the Wild East Show — mounted on camels and spirited 
 horses, gayly caparisoned, followed by a procession of Turks having the Star 
 and Crescent mingled with the Stars and Stripes, made its way toward the 
 parade ground at the west end of the Plaisance. A vigorous pounding of 
 drums and tom-toms announced the approach of a delegation of donkey 
 boys, swordsmen, jugglers, wrestlers, and dancers, as well as bronzed Sou- 
 danese from the Cairo Street. Richly robed Chinamen followed them, and 
 then came the Dahomeyans with their wild music. A few North American 
 Indians increased the assortment. Commissioner J. R. Burton, of Kansas, 
 made a short speech of welcome, and the Iowa State band played national 
 airs. At twelve o'clock the Stars and Stripes were unfurled, with a salute 
 from the artillery, and the various nationalities cheered vigorously in a score 
 of tongues, while fifes, drums, tom-toms, and gongs greeted the flag. In 
 the afternoon appropriate and interesting exercises were held in the Woman's 
 Building and in several of the State buildings. Bands of music played 
 national airs in different parts of the grounds and buildings, gathering 
 around them crowds who, from time to time, took up some well-known 
 refrain, and launches and gondolas filled with singing parties floated around 
 upon the water, carrying with them the inspiration of patriotic song. At 
 the Delaware Building occurred the dedication of the Columbian Liberty 
 Bell, that State being chosen for the honor as having been the first to ratify 
 the Constitution. The existence of this bell is due to the efforts of William 
 O. McDowell, of Newark, N. J., to whom the idea was suggested by the 
 poem The New Liberty Bell, written by Mrs. Maud Morris Wagner, of 
 San Diego, Cal. Every great event, every great leader in the struggle for 
 human freedom, is represented in the metal from which the bell is cast. 
 Relics of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Bolivar, William Tell, Garibaldi, 
 and many others ; pieces of chains from Siberian mines, the fetters of slaves, 
 articles of gold and silver, and two hundred and fifty thousand pennies con- 
 tributed by school children, are among the things that went into its composi- 
 tion. The dedication was conducted by Mr. McDowell, who told the story 
 of the bell and its mission, after Mrs. Wagner's daughter had read the poem 
 from which he received his inspiration. An interesting incident at the Penn- 
 sylvania Building was the bringing together of the old Liberty Bell and the 
 Paul Jones flag before a great crowd, who cheered enthusiastically as Mrs. 
 Harriet Stafford, of Martha's Vineyard, Mass., the present owner of the flag, 
 laid it upon the historic bell. The Government Building was crowded all 
 day with visitors, the Colonial Exhibit being the center of attraction. But 
 
SPECIAL DAYS. 
 
 419 
 
 the grand climax was reached in the evening during a display of fireworks of 
 unequaled grandeur on land and lake. All the resources of the pyrotechnic 
 art were lavished, and on the lake rode a hundred yachts and launches carry- 
 ing many-colored lights. In the midst of this appeared the portrait of 
 Washington, and beneath it blazed the words " First in War, first in Peace, 
 
 one 
 
 first in the Hearts of his Coun 
 
 the Spanish coat of arms in red 
 
 " 1492 " below it, on 
 
 the United States coat of 
 
 blue, with the Columbian 
 
 a globe of light floated 
 
 ping, as it went along, 
 
 fire, with every star 
 
 Nearly three hun- 
 
 five thousand peo- 
 
 this day. 
 
 July 5. — On this 
 
 ezuela decla:red her- 
 
 ish rule, and, after 
 
 warfare, through the 
 
 mon Bolivar, togeth- 
 
 Bolivia, Ecuador, 
 
 her freedom. The 
 
 served by the Vene- 
 
 the opening of 
 
 appropriate exer- 
 
 interesting relics 
 
 var's jeweled sword, 
 
 cloth, the medallion 
 
 ington sent by him- 
 
 STATUE OF GEN. SIMON BOLIVAR, 
 on the Venezuela Building. C. Turini, sculptor, 
 
 try men." Another device showed 
 and yellow, with the date 
 hand ; and on the other 
 arms in red, white, and 
 date " 1893." Finally 
 across the sky, drop- 
 the folds of a flag of 
 and stripe ablaze, 
 dred and twenty- 
 pie passed the gates 
 Venezuela Day, 
 day, in 1 8 1 1 , Ven- 
 self free from Span- 
 fourteen years of 
 efl'orts of General Si- 
 er with Colombia, 
 and Peru, secured 
 anniversary was ob- 
 zuelans at the Fair by 
 their building, with 
 cises. Among the 
 shown were Boli- 
 his golden saddle 
 picture of Wash- 
 self and delivered 
 
 by Lafayette, and also Pizarro's battle-worn and time-stained banner, under 
 which he invaded Peru in 1533. The ceremonies of dedication began with 
 an address by Dr. Hermogenes Rivero-Saldivia, Consul General at New 
 York. Dr. Manuel V. Toledo, President of the Venezuela Commission, 
 turned over the building to his Government, for which it was accepted by 
 Dr. Francisco E. Bustamente, Minister at Washington. At that moment 
 the bronze statues of Columbus and Bolivar were unveiled and the Iowa 
 State band played the national hymn, " Gloria al Bravo Pueblo " (Glory to 
 the Brave People). 
 
 South Dakota Day, July ij. — The . building of South Dakota was dedi- 
 cated in the presence of a large number of people from that State, Governor 
 Charles H. Sheldon and staff taking part in the ceremonies, and afterward 
 holding a reception. Governor Sheldon accepted the building in an address 
 in which he reviewed the great progress made by South Dakota since the 
 
420 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 appointment of the first Territorial governor by President Lincoln, in 1861, 
 when it had but fourteen thousand inhabitants. 
 
 France Day, July 14. — The French struggle for liberty, begun by the 
 taking of the Bastile on July 14, 1789, was the next great national event to 
 be celebrated at the Fair. The comparatively limited number of French 
 citizens of Chicago precluded the possibility of a demonstration on a large 
 scale, and the ceremonies were therefore entirely social and informal. In 
 the afternoon a garden party and promenade concert were held at the French 
 
 THE COLOMBIA BUILDING. 
 Breadth, 56 feet ; height, 60 feet ; cost, $20,000. Architect, J. B. Mora. 
 
 pavilion, which was beautifully decorated with French and American colors 
 and flowers. The Lafayette room in the French pavilion, filled with relics 
 
SPECIAL DAYS. 
 
 421 
 
 of that great man, many of which related to his association with Washington 
 and connection with the American Revolution, attracted many visitors. • 
 
 Colombia Day, July 20. — The story of freedom was again the theme on 
 Colombia day. Eighty-three years before, she threw off the Spanish yoke, 
 and, although there were but few Colombians at the Fair, a large party of 
 invited guests helped them to celebrate the event. The reception was 
 informal, the only exercises being an address by Senor Don Carlos Martinez 
 Silva, President of the Commission, after which the guests were invited to 
 examine the remarkable archaeological collection in the building. 
 
 Sweden Day, July 
 20. — Midsummer Day, 
 a popular festival in 
 Sweden, was chosen 
 for the beginning of 
 the three-day celebra- 
 tion by Swedish Ameri- 
 cans. These three days 
 were originally set apart 
 for the biennial meet- 
 ing of the American 
 Union of Swedish 
 Singers, and, with this 
 society as a nucleus, 
 the Swedish citizens of 
 Chicago combined in 
 an effort to do them- 
 selves credit as the 
 third nationality in the 
 city in point of num- 
 bers. The parade on 
 the morning of the 
 first day, numbering 
 twelve thousand five 
 hundred men in line, 
 was an impressive spec- 
 tacle, with its long 
 ranks of drilled and 
 uniformed societies, its 
 bands of music, histori- 
 cal and allegorical floats, companies of young girls in national costume, and 
 the colors of the United States waving as proudly as the blue and yellow 
 of Sweden. The place of honor in the van was given to the singing 
 societies, from many cities and towns, under their national leader, Mr. 
 John R. Ortengren. Among the floats a thirty-foot model of Ericsson's 
 
 SWEDEN DAY, JULY 20. 
 
 In the center of the picture is the Sweden Building, 
 
 which was constructed in that country, 
 
 and shipped to Chicago in pieces. 
 
 Cost, $40,000. Architect, Gustaf Wickman, of Stockholm. 
 
^22 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Monitor recalled the dark days of the civil war ; another showed the first 
 settlement of Swedes in Delaware, September 6, 1638; and, of Scandina- 
 vian subjects, one float portrayed the Vikings, and another, drawn by six 
 horses mounted by Valkyries, represented a feast in Valhalla. A musical 
 programme was given in Festival Hall by the Swedish- American singers, 
 assisted by the Exposition orchestra and the soloists Madame Caroline 
 Oestberg, Conrad Behrens, and Mr. C. F. Lundquist, of the Royal Opera 
 in Stockholm. Mr. Artur Leflfler, Royal Commissioner, made an address 
 on America, and the Hon. Thomas B. Bryan, appearing for the Exposi- 
 tion, spoke of the Swedes in America. The proceedings of the second and 
 third days of this celebration consisted of informal receptions at the Swedish 
 building and of concerts by the choral societies and soloists. 
 
 College-Fraternity Day, July .20.— The delegates from the College-Fra- 
 ternity Congress, meeting at the Art Institute in Chicago, set apart this day 
 for a visit to the Fair, and the woman members of the congress entertained 
 the visiting Greeks at a reception in the afternoon at the New York Build- 
 ing. In the evening all gathered around the music pavilion on the Lake 
 Front, where college songs were sung, society calls were shouted, and col- 
 lege airs were played by the Cincinnati band. About one thousand 
 delegates were present, nearly every college in the United States being rep- 
 resented. 
 
 Stenographers Day, July 22. — The World's Congress of Stenographers 
 closed its session in Chicago with a day at the Fair. A programme, including 
 speeches by members of the profession, was arranged for an afternoon meet- 
 ing at Music Hall. Isaac S. Dement, of Chicago, vice-president of the 
 of the congress, presided. The principal address was made by Mr. H. K. 
 Souder, of Akron, Ohio, in which he gave a brief account of the invention 
 and development of stenography. This meeting was followed by a reception 
 at the Woman's Building, under the auspices of the National Association of 
 Woman Stenographers. The company was addressed by Mrs. May Wright 
 Sewall and others. About a thousand stenographers, from all parts of the 
 country, took part in the proceedings. 
 
 Com^nercial Travelers Day and Turner Bund Day, July 26. — The 
 organization of the Associated Commercial Travelers of the United States 
 was represented by members from every State and Territory in the Union 
 and from several foreign countries. The men came in a body from the city 
 in the morning, and, escorted by the Iowa State band and the Exhibitors' 
 Association, by whom they were especially entertained, marched to Festival 
 Hall, where a general assemblage was held at eleven o'clock. Major Joseph 
 G. Pangborn, President of the Exhibitors' Association, presided, and Mayor 
 Harrison made an address of welcome. President A. J. Dowd, of the 
 Travelers' Association, responded. In the afternoon a parade line was formed 
 and a tour of the buildings made. A special display of fireworks was given 
 in the evening, the particular feature of which was a reproduction in fire of 
 
SPECIAL DAYS. 
 
 the Falls of Niagara, 350 feet long and 80 feet high. More than five thou- 
 sand travelers were present. 
 
 With banners flying and music playing, twenty-five hundred Turners 
 in gray undress uniform, each man carrying a bright steel wand, and all 
 marching in perfect alignment, entered the Fair grounds at two o'clock 
 in the afternoon and proceeded to the Stock Pavilion, where a gymnastic 
 exhibition was given. One hundred and seventy-nine societies were repre- 
 sented, including a company of twenty young-woman Turners. An elab- 
 orate programme of athletic exercises was carried out. 
 
 Liberia Day, July 26. — The little republic of Liberia next took up the 
 strain of national rejoicing. It had few representatives and no building at 
 the Fair, but friends of the republic and sympathizers with the experiment 
 the black man is making in self-government, were invited to the Liberian 
 paviHon in Agricultural Building to see what advance had been made since 
 the establishment of the republic forty-six years before. Senator Alfred B. 
 King, President of the Liberian Commission, assisted by William E. 
 Rothery, consul at Philadelphia, received the visitors, explaining the ex- 
 hibits of curious and valuable products, the decorations of rare ivory, and 
 handsomely mottled skins. 
 
 Caledonian Day, July zy. — The Caledonian Society had its day, but, 
 owing to some mistake in the preliminary arrangements, was represented by 
 but few of its members. The only formal observance was a meeting in 
 Music Hall in the afternoon. 
 
 Mechanical Engineers Day, July ji. — Nearly four hundred members of 
 the Society of American Mechanical Engineers, attending the engineering 
 congresses in the city, came in a body at two o'clock in the afternoon to 
 Music Hall, where they were received by the chief engineers of the different 
 departments of the Exposition. H. F. J. Porter, chairman of the meeting, 
 addressed the visitors briefly, and introduced Daniel H. Burnham, Director 
 of Works. Mr. Burnham, in referring to the building of the Exposition, 
 paid a high tribute to his corps of assistants, and Eckley B. Coxe, President 
 of the Engineers' Association, responded for the profession. The delegates to 
 all the associated engineering congresses were entertained on the evening of 
 August 4 at the Mines Building by Chief Frederick J. V. Skiff and staff. 
 
 National Union Day, August 2. — With music, oratory, and fireworks 
 the secret order of the National Union observed its special day at the Fair. 
 Every council in Chicago was represented largely, and many members of 
 lodges throughout the country were in attendance at the ceremonies in Fes- 
 tival Hall at 3 p. M. The principal speaker was Mr. M. G. Jeffris, of Wis- 
 consin, who reviewed the growth of the National Union, speaking of the 
 patriotic features of the order and the good it was doing in the inculcation 
 of true American sentiments. 
 
 Russia Day, August 3. — This day was chosen as being the "name day" 
 of the Empress Marie. The imperial red, black, and yellow took their turn 
 
424 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 in combination with the " red, white, and blue," and the double-headed eagle 
 had precedence for a while over the American bird. The official celebration 
 was in the form of a festival concert of Russian music at Festival Hall in 
 the afternoon and an all-day reception at the Russian pavilion in Manufac- 
 tures Building. The Exposition orchestra played at the concert, supporting 
 a Chicago society of Russian singers directed by Mr. V. J. Hlavac. In the 
 evening a banquet was given by the Russian Commissioner. 
 
 Scotland Day, August /f. — On this day Scottish costumes and character- 
 istics were prominent in the gathering of the clans at Jackson 
 Park, and the martial spir- _^ it of auld Scotia was stirred by 
 
 the piping of " The Camp- 
 " Scots wha hae wi' Wal- 
 held from te;n to twelve 
 New York State Build- 
 clansmen, led by the pip- 
 Hall, where, at two 
 of speeches, inter- 
 music and dance, 
 iel R. Goudie, of 
 eloquent address, and 
 the commissioners 
 Australia, and Cey- 
 California Pio- 
 5. — In the West- 
 California Pioneers 
 hundred survivors 
 and many of these 
 gether at this time 
 of the golden fleece 
 the memory of James 
 coverer of gold in 
 whom occupied a 
 the California Build- 
 representing the Cali- 
 sion, welcomed the 
 
 STATUE OF 
 
 JAMES WILSON MARSHALL, 
 
 (Born 1812, died 1885). 
 
 The discoverer of gold in California, 184 
 
 in the California Building. 
 
 Sculptor, Hall. 
 
 bells are Coming " and 
 lace bled." A reunion was 
 in the morning at the 
 ing, after which the 
 ers, marched to Festival 
 o'clock, a programme 
 spersed with Scottish 
 was presented. Dan- 
 Chicago, made an 
 other speakers were 
 from Canada, India, 
 Ion. 
 
 neer Day, August 
 ern Association of 
 there are about five 
 of the days of '49, 
 Argonauts came to- 
 to tell their stories 
 and to do honor to 
 W. Marshall, the dis- 
 California, a statue of 
 prominent place in 
 ing. Dr. N. J. Bird, 
 fornia State Commis- 
 visitors, and Addison 
 
 Ballard, of Chicago, President of the Pioneers' Association, responded for 
 the society. The story of Western pioneer Hfe was told in the collection 
 of relics shown by the Wells Fargo Express Company, consisting of weap- 
 ons, documents, and implements. Chief among the reUcs was a ponder- 
 ous old stagecoach that once traveled the overland route, and was run out 
 on this day from the city office of the express company to the Fair grounds, 
 carrying a party of the pioneers. 
 
 Virginia Day, Knights of Pythias Day, and Izaak Walton s Day, 
 August g. — The Virginian celebration brought to mind the convening, in 
 
SPECIAL DAYS. 4215 
 
 1619, of the first representative legislative assembly on free American soil. 
 Twelve years after the first settlement of Jamestown the Virginia House of 
 Burgesses met, and Virginia Day was chosen to commemorate that event. 
 The sons and daughters of the Old Dominion met at Music Hall at 2 p. m. 
 Colonel A. S. Buford, President of the State Board, presided, and General 
 Fitz-Hugh Lee made an address of welcome. Senator John W. Daniel re- 
 viewed the history of Virginia from the first settlement, in 1607, until the 
 present time, and the Iowa State band alternated with other numbers on the 
 .programme in the playing of Dixie and other Southern airs. At the conclusion 
 of these exercises the Virginians repaired to their Mount Vernon mansion, 
 where a reception was held. 
 
 A column of several hundred plumed and uniformed Knights of Pythias, 
 led by a band of music, marched through the Plaisance to Festival Hall, 
 where exercises were begun at 2 p. m. Charles A. Barnes, Grand Chancellor 
 of the State, made the address of welcome, and Colonel Philip T. Colgrove, 
 of Michigan, delivered the principal oration, giving an account of the origin 
 and growth of the order. 
 
 This being the three hundredth anniversary of the birth of Izaak Walton, 
 it was at first intended to celebrate it by a grand gathering of fishermen, but 
 as Fishermen's Day was postponed, nothing of importance was done at this 
 time. The little Izaak Walton cottage on Wooded Island — a reproduction 
 of the fishing house built by Walton and Cotton on the bank of the river 
 Dove, in England, and bearing the inscription, " ib'] /^, Piscatoribus Sacrum" — 
 was open to visitors, and the Chicago Fly-casting Club, by whom it was 
 erected, held a fly-casting contest in the afternoon. 
 
 Louisiana Day and Wheelmen's Night, August 10. — With music, military 
 display, dedicatory ceremonies, and a social gathering, the people of Louisi- 
 ana filled their day. Governor Murphy J. Foster and staff were present, 
 and the attendance of several companies of Louisiana militia added to the 
 brilliance of the occasion. The order of the day began with a Creole con- 
 cert at noon, given by artists from New Orleans, at the Woman's Building. 
 At 3 p. M. Governor Foster arrived at the Louisiana Building, and the dedi- 
 catory ceremony took place. The exercises opened with the welcoming 
 address by Captain Thomas J. Woodward, of New Orleans. John C. Wick- 
 Uffe presented the building and its contents to the Governor, who, being 
 temporarily indisposed, called on Colonel F. C. Zacharie for a response. 
 Colonel Zacharie reviewed the resources and history of the State, from the 
 date of the "Louisiana purchase" (1803) down to the present time, showing 
 the great improvement that has been made since the civil war. Other 
 addresses, interspersed with music, filled out the programme, after which a 
 reception was held. 
 
 This was the annual meet of the League of American Wheelmen, and 
 was the beginning of the evening files that added so much to the brilliance 
 and success of the latter half of the Exposition period. About one thousand 
 
426 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 riders, including one hundred women, were in line on bicycles, tricycles, 
 tandems, high wheels, low wheels, plain wheels, and wheels rigged out in 
 the most gorgeous fashion. All carried Chinese lanterns on their handles, 
 and many riders had devices for carrying lanterns built up around and above 
 them. Some of the riders were in fancy costume, personating cowboys, 
 Turks, Indians, and other people of the Plaisance. The grounds along the 
 route were especially lighted and decorated, and bands of music were sta- 
 tioned at prominent points. 
 
 Independent Order of Foresters Day and Bohemia Day, August 12. — 
 The Independent Order of Foresters, several thousand strong, with bands 
 of music and in elaborate paraphernalia, paraded through the city in the 
 afternoon, and concluded the day in Jackson Park with exercises, at 5 p. m., 
 at Festival Hall. These consisted of addresses and music. The day chosen 
 by these fellow-spirits of Robin Hood, Alan-a-Dale, and Friar Tuck was the 
 fifteenth anniversary of the incorporation of the order. John F. Finerty, 
 the orator of the day, representing an organization numbering twenty thou- 
 sand, spoke of its origin and growth, of its benevolent and charitable pur- 
 poses, and of its thoroughly American character and sentiment. 
 
 The Bohemians of Chicago, assisted by nearly one hundred countrymen 
 from Prague and thousands from Omaha, Cleveland, and other points hav- 
 ing large colonies of Czechs, began the celebration of the glories of their 
 beloved country with a procession in which two hundred Bohemian societies 
 took part. This parade numbered ten thousand men in line, besides carriages 
 of all kinds and floats descriptive of great events in the history of Bohemia. 
 Among these were representations of the victory of the Bohemians over the 
 Tartars, the founding of the University of Prague, Prince Krok and his three 
 wise daughters, the introduction of Christianity into Moravia, and the victory 
 of the Hussites over the Crusaders. The trades were also liberally repre- 
 sented. At noon the proceedings were continued at Jackson Park in Festi- 
 val Hall. Addresses were made by the Hon. Charles Jonas, Lieutenant 
 Governor of Wisconsin, and other speakers, and a concert was given under 
 the direction of the celebrated Bohemian musician Anton Dvorak. The 
 Sokol societies, numbering five hundred athletes, gave a gymnastic exhibi- 
 tion in the Stock Pavilion. 
 
 Ancient Order of Foresters Day, August i§. — This was the fourth anni- 
 versary of the secession of this order from the High Court of England, and 
 it was observed with parade, music, and speechmaking. At noon two thou- 
 sand members of the order marched through the Midway Plaisance to Fes- 
 tival Hall. Mr. W. S. Elliott, Jr., Past Supreme Chief Ranger, was the 
 principal speaker. 
 
 Hayti Day and Dartmouth College Day, August 16. — This occasion was 
 purely a social affair. Commissioners Frederick Douglass and Charles A. 
 Preston arranging only for an informal reception. Among the interesting 
 articles shown in the building were the sword of Toussaint L'Ouverture and 
 
SPECIAL DAYS. 
 
 427 
 
 the anchor of Columbus's flagship, which was wrecked near Cape Haytien, 
 December 14, 1493. 
 
 The alumni of Dartmouth College observed this day by a reunion at the 
 New Hampshire Building. Several hundred former students registered 
 during the morning, the oldest date being that of 1846, and at 3 p. m. a 
 meeting was held and addresses were made by members of the Alumni As- 
 sociation. A reception followed, in which the honors were done by William 
 H. Gardiner, Secretary of the Chicago branch of the association. 
 
 Austria Day and North Carolina Day, August 18. — The occasion for the 
 Austrian celebration at the Fair was the sixty-third birthday of the Emperor 
 Francis Joseph. On the previous evening a brilliant banquet was given by 
 the Austrian Commission to World's Fair officials and other guests. A 
 grand parade was formed in the city at eleven o'clock. All the Austro-Hun- 
 garian societies, numbering more than four thousand men, were in line, and 
 the parade was rendered attractive by music, national costumes, and alle- 
 gorical floats, a company of girls in Tyrolese costumes and the Csikos, or wild 
 Hungarian horsemen, adding to the picturesque effect. A reception was 
 held at noon at the Austrian section in Manufactures Building, which was 
 followed by exercises at Music Hall at 2 p. m. The exercises were directed 
 by Herr Anton von Palitschek-Palmforst, Imperial and Royal Austrian 
 Commissioner to the Exposition, and addresses were made by Dr. S. D. 
 Sewards, of New York, and Dr. Henry Bak, of Chicago. Judge Bryan 
 made a felicitous address on the part of the Exposition, and Dr. Bak spoke 
 for the Austro- Hungarians in the United States. Conductor Ziehrer's 
 famous band from old Vienna began the programme with the Kaiser Over- 
 ture, and led in the singing of the Austrian National Hymn and Hail Co- 
 lumbia, concluding with Brahms's Hungarian Dances. 
 
 This day was early set apart for the commemoration of the birth, in 
 1587, of Virginia Dare, the first white child born in North America. Her 
 parepts were among the colonists that settled on Roanoke Island, N. C. 
 But no preparations were made by representatives of the State for exercises 
 of any kind. 
 
 British Empire Day, August /p.— The British Empire Demonstration 
 Committee, composed of British colonial commissioners, united with Her 
 Majesty's commissioners in the celebration of this day, and Canada, Aus- 
 tralia, Ceylon, Trinidad, Cape Colony, British Guiana, seventeen British 
 societies, and the British military representatives lent force and iclat to the 
 ceremonies. Among the many special features in the morning parade in the 
 city the Scottish clans and pipers were a great attraction, and the marching 
 and evolutions of the Sons of St. George and the MiHtary Tournament Com- 
 pany were highly applauded. At 2 p. m. the military ceremony of " trooping 
 the colors" took place in front of Victoria House, in which the British 
 troops were assisted by the Knights of St. George, the Royal Scots, and other 
 bodies. At 3 p. m. the march was taken up to Festival Hall, where an inter- 
 
428 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 esting programme of speechmaking and music was carried out, a chorus of a 
 tiiousand voices having been provided for the singing of British and Ameri- 
 can national songs. Colonel Hayes Sadler, British consul at Chicago, called 
 the gathering to order, and the building rang .with shouts as the audience 
 rose to the singing of " God save the Queen." After the address of welcome 
 by Mayor Harrison, the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner was received 
 with hearty cheers. In the succeeding programme of addresses by colonial 
 commissioners Canada was represented by the Hon. George R. R. Cock- 
 burn and Senator Joseph Tass6 ; New South Wales, by Dr. Arthur Ren- 
 wick ; Ceylon, by the Hon. J. J. Grinlinton ; Cape Colony, by Mr. M. 
 Berliner ; Trinidad, by Mr. M. H. Vincent ; British Guiana, by Mr. J. J. 
 Quelch ; and India, by Mr. Richard Blechynden. With the singing of Rule 
 Britannia the exercises were brought, to a close. In the evening a special 
 exhibition of the Military Tournament was given in the Stock Pavilion, at 
 which a gold medal was presented to Corporal Evans for bravery in the 
 cold-storage fire. A fine feature of the fireworks that evening was a repre- 
 sentation of the flags of Great Britain and the United States entwined with 
 the imperial arms of. England in a design a hundred by fifty feet in size, and 
 containing ten thousand separate burning pieces. The attendance on this 
 day was greater than at any time since the Fourth of July. 
 
 Merchant Tailors Day, August 2/.^The small classic building of the 
 merchant tailors was gay with music, flags, and flowers when the Chicago 
 Drapers' and Tailors' Exchange met to welcome the international delegates 
 from the society of merchant tailors of Great Britain and Ireland and other 
 invited guests. Formal proceedings were opened with a speech of welcome 
 by William J. Collins, president of the exchange, and several impromptu 
 speeches were made. Mr. W. B. Backus, Superintendent of the Nebraska 
 Industrial School, was present with a band of Indian musicians, nearly all of 
 whom were tailors. 
 
 Western New York Day and Delaware and West Virginia Day, August 
 2j. — More than three thousand people represented Buffalo and western New 
 York at this time. The New York Building, decorated for the occasion, 
 was the center of attraction. A platform was erected on the plaza facing 
 it, on which the Iowa band was stationed, and from which the speeches 
 were delivered. Mayor Charles F. Bishop, of Buffalo, responded to the 
 address of welcome by Mayor Harrison, and the Hon. Thomas B. Bryan 
 greeted the visitors in the name of the Exposition. An informal reception 
 was in progress all day, and in the evening a banquet was given by the 
 New York State Board to the gentlemen from Buffalo. 
 
 Delaware and West Virginia united in a celebration, dividing the honors 
 equally. Governor R. J. Reynolds, of Delaware, and Governor W. A. Mac- 
 Corkle, of West Virginia, were present with their staffs. Both presided at 
 the ceremonies at Festival Hall in the afternoon, alternately introducing the 
 speakers from their respective commonwealths. Among the latter were the 
 
SPECIAL DAYS. 
 
 429 
 
 Hon. Stephen B. Elkins, of West Virginia, and Senator Anthony Higgins, 
 of Delaware. Colonel J. W. St. Clair represented the National Commission 
 from the former State, and Judge George V. Massey from the latter. In 
 the evening briUiant receptions were given at both State houses. The peach 
 
 "'"'^l*'^"'^*-. 
 
 THE MERCHANT TAILORS' BUILDING. 
 Cost, $30,000. Architect, Solon S. Beman. 
 
 growers of Delaware sent seven hundred and fifty baskets of their finest fruit, 
 which was distributed to all comers. 
 
 Illinois Day, August 24. — The proceedings on this day were purely 
 spectacular and social, with no speechmaking. Illinois came to the Fair ; 
 every county and town in the State was represented, and nearly three hun- 
 dred thousand people were on the grounds. Her patriotic sons and daugh- 
 ters left their cornfields, prairies, and valleys, and poured into the grounds 
 until the great sight of the day was the crowd itself. On account of this 
 crowd, it was not possible to carry out all arrangements. The parade of the 
 Wild West Show was abandoned, and that of the people from the Midway 
 Plaisance was given up after a short attempt. The parade of the State troops 
 was accomplished only under difficulties, the solid column of five thousand 
 men making its way along roads walled in with human beings. It was re- 
 viewed at the Illinois Building by Governor John P. Altgeld and staff, after 
 which a general reception was held there. A great attraction in another part 
 
 of the grounds was the drill of the West Point cadets, then in camp at Jack- 
 30 
 
^^^O THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 son Park. They were reviewed by General Nelson A. Miles at 4 p. m., and 
 gave a dress parade at 6 p. m. The special pyrotechnic designs in honor 
 of the day included a representation of the fagade of the Illinois Building, 
 and of the Lincoln monument at Springfield. 
 
 \ 
 
 
 
 DRILL OF WEST POINT CADETS, AUGUST 24, 1893. 
 Government exhibit. 
 
 Colored Peoples Day, August 2^. — The dignified observance of this 
 day, and the high standard of music and oratory with which its celebration 
 was distinguished did honor to the Afro-American race. The only formal 
 exercises were conducted at Festival Hall at 2.30 p. m. The programme in- 
 cluded recitations, musical selections, and an address by Frederick Douglass 
 on The Race Problem in America. Miss Hallie Q. Brown gave a dramatic 
 recitation of The Black Regiment ; Paul Dunbar, the young colored poet, 
 recited a poem composed for the occasion ; and selections were given from 
 the opera of Uncle Tom's Cabin, written by Will M. Cook, of New York, 
 the colored composer. The Jubilee Singers rendered several plantation 
 songs and negro melodies. 
 
 Machinery-Hall Day, August 26. — This was the first of a series of 
 special days given in the various department buildings, under the auspices 
 of the American Exhibitors' Association. A unique programme was laid 
 out for every hour of the day ; each exhibitor made his section as attrac- 
 tive as possible, every wheel was set in motion, and the whole building 
 
SPECIAL DAYS. .,1 
 
 vibrated with the rumble of machinery. The decorations were on the most 
 lavish scale, and showed many original and striking ideas. Big wheels flew 
 around carrying flags with them, and the emblems of the various nations 
 floated above the steam and vapor arising from the operation of thousands 
 of engines. Music came from all parts of the building. Up in the tower 
 the mellow bells chimed out familiar melodies ; half a dozen bands played 
 their loudest and j oiliest music ; the Jubilee Singers, sang plantation tunes, 
 and the steam chime whistles were blown by the pressure of an electric 
 button in the Naval Observatory at Washington. The long-distance tele- 
 phone, the telegraph, and the phonograph were pressed into service. Con- 
 gratulatory messages were received from New York and other places by 
 these various means, then reproduced on the phonograph, set up by Hno- 
 type machines, printed on type cast before their eyes, and distributed as 
 souvenirs to the tens of thousands that thronged the building. In sixty- 
 three minutes by the clock an entire newspaper was turned out, the paper 
 itself being made from wood pulp within that time by a machine in the build- 
 ing. One of the pumping engines poured out a stream of lemonade, of 
 which every visitor was invited to take a glass. Many exhibitors gave away 
 souvenirs, and thousands of people carried off pretty brushes, tiny bricks, 
 miniature band saws, silk badges, etc. The visitors that day also saw raw 
 sugar turned into the finest candies ; they looked at great looms weaving 
 silk, cotton, and wool, from the finest and most delicate ribbons to rough 
 rugs ; and they saw boards turned into writing paper, pig iron into horse- 
 shoe nails, and clay into bricks. The sewing woman saw a machine that 
 made ten thousand buttonholes in sixty minutes, while the carpenter gazed 
 at another that bored twelve thousand square holes in the same time ; and 
 the maid of all work was surprised at the sight of a machine that washed and 
 wiped dishes without breaking the most dehcate china. Outside of the build- 
 ing, pine logs were turned into shingles in the twinkling of an eye and a big 
 testing machine crushed timber and iron into atoms. Many turned from this 
 impressive display of power to the aquatic attractions in the afternoon on the 
 lagoon in front of the building. First, there was an exhibit of the use of 
 the electric light and telephone in submarine work, by Captain D. Mertvago, 
 of the Imperial Russian Navy. Then followed the farcical part of the day's 
 programme, including a water battle between two crews of men stationed on 
 floats in the lagoon — a battle of the Royal Horse Marines— and similar 
 amusements. In the evening the building was brilliantly illuminated for a 
 promenade concert, reception, and ball. 
 
 Missouri Day and Butchers and Grocers Day, August 30. — In celebrat- 
 ing her day, Missouri followed the usual order of music, reception, speech- 
 making, parade of State troops, and special fireworks. The formal exercises 
 took place at 2 p. m., at the Missouri Building, Nathan Frank, Vice-Presi- 
 dent of the State Worid's Fair Board, giving the welcome on the part of 
 that body. Governor W. J. Stone represented the State, and was followed 
 
432 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 by ex-Governor D. R. Francis, Senator C. F. Cochrane, and others, in ad- 
 dresses of which Missouri was the principal theme. The Third Regiment 
 Band, of Kansas City, supplied the music. Attention was occupied at noon 
 by the Missouri exhibit at the Live Stock Pavilion, and at 5 p. m. by the 
 review and parade of the State militia. 
 
 The butchers and grocers made no concerted plan for their day other 
 than a meeting of the national convention of their association at Festival 
 Hall at 2 p. M. R. H. Liddell, President of the Chicago Association, pre- 
 sided. About two thousand members of the association came from all parts 
 of the country to attend this convention. 
 
 Poets Day, August jo. — The event of the Poets' Day was the perform- 
 ance of Shakespeare's comedy " As You Like It " in an inclosure that had 
 
 "AS YOU LIKE IT," PLAYED IN THE SYLVAN DELL. 
 Poet's Day, August 30, 1893. 
 
 been made among the willows in the rear of the foreign buildings on the 
 Lake Front, to which the name of Sylvan Dell was given. A stage was put 
 up, and all necessary preparations were made for the accommodation of 
 audience and players. The principal r61es of the play were taken by Rose 
 
o 
 
 "A 
 
 1—4 
 
 Q 
 
 M 
 H a 
 
 K I 
 
SPECIAL DAYS. .,, 
 
 Coghlan as Rosalind, Otis Skinner as Orlando, E. J. Henley as Jacques, and 
 Edmund Lyons as Touchstone. Sylvan Dell became, for the time being, 
 the enchanted Forest of Arden. Rosalind came with Celia and the Fool to 
 meet Orlando in the depths of a genuine forest ; Orlando carved his love 
 rhymes on real trees, and the melancholy Jacques stalked about under veri- 
 table greenwood boughs. Over players and audience alike the willows laced 
 their branches into a leafy canopy ; the trunks of two huge trees framed the 
 stage on either side, and bushes and shrubs formed the background. The 
 night was dark, but lanterns were swung on the high inclosure of the dell 
 and above in the branches, while strong electric lights thrown upon the stage 
 brought it out in strong contrast with the gloom beyond, and gave it the 
 appearance of an illuminated forest opening. 
 
 The Netherlands Day, August ji. — The standard of the House of 
 Orange floated high on this day in honor of the thirteenth anniversary of the 
 birthday of Queen Wilhemina, last descendant of the great William of 
 Orange. Formal exercises took place in Festival Hall at 1 1 a. m. In the 
 introductory address, by George Birkhoff, Jr., Royal Commissioner General 
 and Consul of the Netherlands, he referred to the remarkable opportunity 
 afforded by the Exposition for the expression of national feeling, this being 
 the first great union of the Dutch in the United States for the celebration 
 of a national holiday. Other addresses included one on The Obligations of 
 the United States to the Hollanders and one on The Influence of the Neth- 
 erlands on the United States. The programme was interspersed with music, 
 at the conclusion of which a general movement was made to the Java Village 
 in the Midway Plaisance, where coffee was served while the native orchestra 
 played their strange music. Nearly five thousand Netherlanders took part 
 in this celebration. 
 
 Ottoman Empire Day, August ji. — The Exposition was indebted to 
 Turkey for much that was rich, novel, and picturesque, all of which combined 
 to make the observance of Ottoman Day one of the characteristic events of 
 the season. This day was the seventeenth anniversary of the accession of His 
 Imperial Majesty Sultan Abdul Hamed II to the throne of Turkey. It 
 was opened with special prayer at the mosque in the Midway, and all day 
 long the faithful subjects of the Sultan in that street of nations celebrated 
 enthusiastically. Each one wore a badge with " Ottoman Day " inscribed in 
 gilt letters thereon, the red fez was carried jauntily with pride, and the Star 
 and Crescent streamed from every available point. At noon Ibrahim Hakki 
 Bey, Commissioner General for Turkey, accompanied by Ahmed Fahri Bey 
 and other members of the Commission, also by Charles Henrotin, Turkish 
 consul in Chicago, arrived at the Turkish Village, where a banquet was 
 served. In the afternoon a procession was formed to the Turkish pavilion, 
 the Commissioners riding in silk palanquins on the backs of camels led by 
 boys on donkeys, and followed by the wild Bedouin horsemen and the whole 
 of the picturesque Turkish contingent. Arrived at the pavilion, the guests 
 
434 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 
 
 
 were received into the inner chamber and seated on divans. Robert Levy, 
 as the head of the concessionnaires, made a graceful speech in English, to 
 which Hakki Bey, resplendent in official uniform, replied, also in excellent 
 English. In the evening a fite-champitre was given by the Imperial Com- 
 missioners in Sylvan Dell. Turkish drapings and rugs concealed the rough- 
 ness of the inclosure, and rich rugs were spread upon the ground. Hundreds 
 of Chinese lanterns hung in the trees cast a soft glow upon the lawn, 
 
 and over the entrance 
 ^ blazed in Turkish char- 
 
 acters the motto, 
 " Long hve the Sul- 
 tan." 
 
 Catholic Education 
 Day, September 2. — In 
 the celebration of 
 Catholic Day at the 
 Fair, dignitaries of the 
 Church of Rome, Cath- 
 olic educators, and 
 well known laymen 
 united to acquaint the 
 world with the work of 
 Catholic educational in- 
 stitutions in the United 
 States. A meeting was 
 held in Festival Hall, 
 at which Archbishop 
 Feehan, of Chicago, 
 presided, and pro- 
 nounced the words of 
 welcome. Bishop Spald- 
 ing, President of the 
 Catholic Educational Exhibit at the Exposition, was master of ceremonies. 
 Archbishop Hennessy, of Dubuque, spoke on The Catholic View of Educa- 
 tion ; Archbishop Ryan, of Pennsylvania, on The Vocation of the Christian 
 Educator ; the Hon. Morgan J. O'Brien, of New York, on What Catholics 
 have done for Education ; and Mr. Thomas J. Grogan, of Boston, on 
 Patriotism a Sequence of Catholic Education. The programme was inter- 
 spersed with the playing of patriotic American airs by the Cincinnati band, 
 with selections upon the great organ, and concluded with the singing of the 
 Te Deum. An inspection was made afterward of the Catholic Educational 
 Exhibit in Manufactures Buildings 
 
 New York Day, September 4. — ^The New York celebration was not con- 
 fined to this day alone, as it extended over to the several succeeding ones, 
 
 OFFICE OF THE TURKISH COMMISSIONERS. 
 
SPECIAL DAYS. 
 
 435 
 
 during which the State building maintained its reputation as the social center 
 of the Exposition. To the various functions there, the presence of Governor 
 Roswell P. Flower and staff, of the Hon. Chauncey M. Depew, of Mayor 
 Gilroy, and a large party of citizens of New York, gave the stamp of official 
 dignity and distinction. The exercises began on the afternoon of this day 
 with a programme of speeches and music, followed by a public reception. 
 The address of welcome was made by the Hon. Chauncey M. Depew, Gov- 
 ernor Flower responding. Director-General Davis represented the Exposi- 
 tion, and the crowds that thronged the building represented the great Ameri- 
 can people, especially the New York constituency. In the addresses special 
 mention was made of the fact that this day had been chosen because it was 
 the anniversary of the discovery by Henry Hudson of the river that bears his 
 name. A poem, written for the occasion, was read by its author, Joseph 
 O'Connor, at that time editor of the Rochester Post- Express. The follow- 
 ing is the full text of the poem : 
 
 It happens oftener than we deem 
 That we should do the good unsought, unknown. 
 Of which we did not dream ; 
 That from the good we aimed at we should swerve, 
 And, in our dear delusion, so subserve 
 God's purposes, as we defeat our own. 
 
 The Genoese who sailed 
 A westward course in the wild hope to find 
 The distant Indies, failed ; 
 But in the quest for the rich Orient 
 He touched the fringes, of a continent 
 And gaiped a nobler blessing for his kind. 
 
 Though dying unaware 
 Of the full fruitage of his enterprise 
 And all its glory rare, 
 And half believing Orinoco's tide, . 
 Far shining through the tropic forests wide, 
 The stream around the earthly Paradise. 
 
 The Englishman who sought 
 A landlocked passage unto far Cathay 
 In vain, not vainly wrought ; 
 Since the great city of the younger world 
 Has risen where his weary sails were furled. 
 And Hudson, sings his name in crooning spray. 
 
 JOSEPH O'CONNOR, 
 Author of the poem on New York Day. 
 
 The earnest multitudes 
 That hither came from many a distant strand 
 And braved the solitudes. 
 After the hope of brilliant conquest failed, 
 And the fierce fever of adventure paled. 
 Thought little of the future of the land. 
 
 These simply yearned for peace ; 
 These for the right to conscience and to creed 
 And hate's surcease ; 
 And all rejoiced to hold some share of soil. 
 Content to spend themselves in honest toil. 
 And wait the harvest from the planted seed. 
 
436 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 With Nature face to face, 
 From old condition and convention free, 
 They grew in power and grace ; 
 Alert, elate, resourceful, confident, 
 By wood and stream unawed they came and went 
 And drew the breath of ancient liberty. 
 
 They had for heritage 
 Old Europe's maxims and experience 
 Of soldier, slave, and sage ; 
 But Earth was round them in her virgin youth. 
 From her they caught at primal right and truth. 
 And touched the meanings of Omnipotence. 
 
 They never sought, in sooth, 
 The Eden visioned in Columbus' mind. 
 Nor Leon's fount of youth, 
 Nor cared if Raleigh's golden city gleam 
 Afar in maze of misty hill and stream. 
 Nor wished to voyage after Hudson's Ind. 
 
 They toiled, and blessed the spade ; 
 They fought, and did not scorn to praise the sword ; 
 They kept the laws they made ; 
 They hated privilege and laughed at birth 
 That brought no heritage of grace and worth ; 
 They suffered, and submitted to the Lord. 
 
 And when occasion rose. 
 Each frankly pledged his honor, fortune, life, 
 Against oppressive foes ; 
 And fusing into loving brotherhood 
 In flame of sacrifice and smoke of blood. 
 There came a nation from the happy strife — 
 
 In all things brave and new. 
 With realms of mountain, lake, and sky-bound plain. 
 And to this teaching true — 
 Man's dignity, equality of men, 
 A sovereignty in every citizen, 
 The people's good the guaranty to reign. 
 
 O sailors, bold and brave. 
 Of olden time, that took the wandering spray 
 And climbed the unknown wave. 
 Although we give to each due meed of fame 
 And wreathe with laurel every sea-sweet name. 
 Ye did not find nor make America ! 
 The hope, the love, the thought 
 Of millions joined to nourish as it grew ; 
 The toil of ages wrought 
 Through Nature's ample dower of mine and field, 
 And many a soldier fell across his shield 
 Ere we could pause to find your sea-dreams true ;— 
 
 Lo, many a costly bale 
 Beyond the scope of Asian caravan ; 
 A fountain in the vale 
 Whose mists resolve the time-worn race's ills ; 
 A golden city in the distant hills ; 
 Almost an Eden for regenerate man ! 
 
 No wonder we rejoice ! 
 Yet breaking through the jubilee of praise 
 There comes a warning voice. 
 The tale of those that won but could not hold. 
 Of those that rose with steel and fell with gold, 
 The great republics of the ancient days. 
 
 A touch of selfish greed, 
 The taint of luxury in social health. 
 The hates of class or creed, 
 The lure in politics to civic guilt, 
 Might sap the stately home the fathers built 
 And take the household spirit as by stealth ; 
 
 And in some coming time, 
 A generation might arouse in fear 
 And sense of loss and crime. 
 To find the New World faith and feeling dead, 
 The Old World's standards ruling in their stead, 
 And nothing but another Europe here ! 
 
 Due honor to the lands 
 From which we sprung ; all hail the ancient fame 
 Of kindred hearts and hands ! 
 But we began with all that they had won ; 
 A counsel of perfection calls us on ; 
 To do no more than they have done were shame. 
 
 'Twere better far, I hold, 
 To see the Iroquois supreme once more 
 Among the forests old. 
 From hill-girt Hudson's current broad and slow 
 To where 'twixt Erie and Ontario 
 Leaps green Niagara with a giant's roar ; 
 
 To see the paths pursued 
 By commerce with her flying charioteers 
 Tangled with solitude. 
 The Indian trail uncoil among the trees. 
 The council runner's torch against the breeze 
 Its signal fling — " the smoke that disappears " ; 
 
 To have the wigwams rise 
 By summer-haunted Horicon so fair ; 
 Fruit blooms and grain-gold dyes 
 Fade from the shadows in Cayuga's tide. 
 The vineyards fail on Keuka's sun-beat side, 
 The mill-crowned cliffs of Genesee made bare. 
 
 'Twere more to my desire 
 To see Manhattan's self laid desolate. 
 Drear as another Tyre, 
 Her palaces in ruins overset. 
 Her shores begirt with weed and drying net. 
 And not a lettered stone to tell her fate ! 
 
 Yea, and her rival here. 
 Arising like the dome of Kubla Khan 
 In poet's vision clear. 
 Dissolved as swift again along the strand 
 To grassy swamps and dunes of sifted sand. 
 Spurned by the scornful spray of Michigan ! 
 
SPECIAL DAYS. 
 
 437 
 
 granite 
 
 Such things must come again, 
 Wherever in their hope and virtue rise 
 A race of wise, free men ; 
 But what were grain field, railway, 
 
 street. 
 Or golden ornament, or gallant fleet, 
 If he who made, whose service glorifies. 
 
 Should suffer, shrink, and dwarf. 
 In plain, or mart, or by his factory wheels, 
 Or on the crowded wharf ? — 
 Since not the mountain, in his cloudy stole, 
 Nor the great sea, outranks the conscious soul 
 That knows their glory and their beauty feels ! 
 
 But out on dreams of dread ! 
 In him I put my waking faith and trust, 
 A king in heart and head. 
 
 Who masters forces, shapes material things. 
 Who loves his kind, whose common sense has 
 wings. 
 The true American, the kindly just. 
 Full prompt in word and deed. 
 And ready, to make good some human hope 
 In time of utter need. 
 To cross at Delaware the ice's gorge. 
 Or tread blood-boltered snow at Valley Forge, 
 Or keep at Gettysburg the gun-shook slope ! 
 
 And greater faith I ask 
 For that mysterious power that watches o'er 
 The workman at his task ; 
 That shapes his effort to the higher aim 
 And will not let his straying fingers frame 
 A graven thing — to worship and adore. 
 
 On the following evening a reception was given in the same place by the 
 Chicago Society of the Sons of New York, and on the evening of the fourth 
 day a similar affair occurred in honor of the Army and Navy officers on duty 
 at the Exposition. Throughout these festivities the building was decorated 
 beautifully and illuminated by night with fairy lamps and lanterns. 
 
 International Eisteddfod, September 5. — To the celebration of this ancient 
 custom the Welsh came in great numbers, bringing their own language 
 and national costumes, their love of poetry and song, and their ancient rites. 
 Tradition teaches that the annual Welsh Eisteddfod (sitting or session) is 
 a survival from days before the Christian era, when the Druids took the idea 
 of competitive congresses from the Olympian games of Greece. On the 
 annexation of Wales to England these bardic gatherings received the sanction 
 of Edward I, and this ancient practice, kept alive religiously, has created 
 among the Welsh a love of poetry and song. The picturesque custom was 
 reproduced faithfully at the International Eisteddfod at the Exposition, 
 where authority to conduct the performance was granted to the Cymrodorion 
 Society of Chicago, the Archdruid of Wales delegating his chief bard, or 
 Hwfa Mon, to the work. The Eisteddfod was conducted through four 
 days. The proceedings were opened at noon September 5 with a gorsedd 
 meeting in the plaza before the Government Building. From this gorsedd, 
 or throne, the beginning of the session is announced "in the face of the 
 sun, the eye of light," and upon it the formal ceremony of honoring the 
 winners in the competition is performed. This throne was a large unhewn 
 stone, and around it were placed twelve smaller ones, a bard standing by 
 each and guarding the mystic circle, into which no one was permitted to 
 enter. The rock on which stood the chief bard bore an ancient inscription 
 meaning "To the Light of God." All the bards wore long, white flowing 
 robes and head covering trimmed with oak leaves. The ritual, which was 
 all in Welsh, consisted of an invocation by the chief bard and a responsive 
 service between him and the other bards, in which the Welsh in the sur- 
 
438 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 rounding throng took part. At the close of these ceremonies a procession 
 was formed to Festival Hall, where the work of the Eisteddfod was entered 
 upon. A most comprehensive programme had been laid out, including con- 
 certs on each evening, and afternoon contests in poetry, solo and choral 
 singing, and harp playing, for which prizes to the amount of $30,000 were 
 given. Fifteen choral societies, four of which came from Great Britain, 
 took part in the competition, and several famous Welsh poets and musicians 
 assisted. Among the latter were Ben Davies, the Queen's tenor ; Mrs. 
 Mary Davies, a fine soprano ; D. Gordon Thomas, and John Thomas, harp- 
 ist to the Queen, from London. The principal interest of the first day cen- 
 tered in the male-chorus competition, in which nine organizations, number- 
 ing the best singers in Wales and the United States, contested for two prizes 
 of $T.ooo and $500 each, the first one being awarded to the Rhondda Valley 
 Glee Club of Wales. On the second day the Welsh opera of Prince 
 Llewellyn was given by a chorus of 1,000 voices, accompanied by twenty 
 harps from the Chicago Harp School and the Max Bendix Exposition Or- 
 chestra under the direction of the composer, John Thomas. On the third 
 day occurred the interesting ceremony of "chairing the bard" with Druidical 
 rites — an honor bestowed upon the first-prize winner in the highest grade of 
 poetry. The fourth day began with a repetition of the gorsedd meeting on 
 the Government plaza, when those who had successfully passed examination 
 for admittance to the bardic circle were initiated. The grand feature of the 
 competition was the contest on the last day between four choirs of 250 voices 
 each for a first prize of $5,000 and a second one of $1,000. The competing 
 societies were the Cymrodorion Choral Society, of Scranton, Pa., the Scran- 
 ton Choral Union, the Western Reserve Choral Union, of Cleveland, Ohio, 
 and the great Salt Lake City Tabernacle Choir. To the Scranton Choral 
 Union was awarded the first prize, and to the Mormon choir the second. 
 
 Wisconsin Day, September 6. — The celebration on this day consisted of 
 a reunion of citizens and friends of the State. Bach's Milwaukee Band 
 played at intervals on the veranda of the Wisconsin Building, and a stream 
 of people flowed in and out examining every detail of the delightful homelike 
 structure. Governor George W. Peck and his staff were present, for whom 
 an informal reception was given, followed in the evening by music and 
 dancing and a brilliant illumination of the building and grounds. An object 
 of patriotic veneration to all comers was the figure of " Old Abe," Wiscon- 
 sin's famous war eagle, perched on a pedestal above the standard of the 
 Eighth Wisconsin Regiment in the main hall of the building. He went 
 through the war with this regiment and was carried at its head at the final 
 review of troops in Washington. After the war he was provided for by the 
 State, and when he died his body was preserved to be placed in the Capitol 
 Building at Madison. " Old Abe" was represented in the fireworks of that 
 evening, together with the State motto, " Forward." It was estimated that 
 twenty-five thousand people from Wisconsin were present. 
 
SPECIAL DAYS. 
 
 439 
 
 Pennsylvania Day and Brazil Day, September y. — Besides tens of thou- 
 sands of enthusiastic, loyal, and appreciative citizens, Pennsylvania sent a 
 strong official and military delegation. Governor Robert E. Pattison was 
 there with a staff of nearly threescore generals, colonels, and adjutant gen- 
 erals, and a large force of militia, the latter including the famous City Troop 
 of Philadelphia and the Naval Battalion of Pennsylvania. The formal exer- 
 cises in the Pennsylvania Building opened with an address by Governor 
 Pattison, which was followed by others from Lieutenant-Governor Louis A. 
 Watres, Adjutant - General Daniel H. Hastings, 
 John W. Woodside, National Commissioner from 
 Pennsylvania, and Hon. George V. Massey, 
 of the Council of Administration of the 
 Exposition. The music was furnished 
 by the Iowa Band and a chorus of 
 I, GOO voices. In the afternoon 
 reception was given to the dis- 
 tinguished guests, and in the 
 evening the special features 
 of the fireworks included the 
 Pennsylvania coat of arms, 
 the Liberty Bell, WilHam 
 Penn, and the fagade of 
 Independence Hall, in 
 which there were 12,- 
 000 pieces in changing 
 colors. The tide of 
 attendance upon the 
 Exposition, which had 
 been constantly ris- 
 ing during the week, 
 reached on this day a 
 higher figure than at any other 
 time since the Fourth of July. 
 Nearly forty thousand people 
 from Pennsylvania were present. 
 The Brazilian Commissioners 
 celebrated the achievement of 
 their country's independence 
 
 from Portugal on September 7, 1822, by keeping open house all day. 
 Rear-Admiral Cordovil Maurity, the newly appointed President of the Bra- 
 zilian Commission, received the visitors. A concert was given in Music 
 Hall at 2 p. M. under the direction of Carlos Gomez, the Brazilian com- 
 poser, the programme consisting entirely of selections from operas of Go- 
 mez. 
 
 THE OLD LIBERTY BELL, 
 in the Pennsylvania State Building. 
 
..Q THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Transportation Day, California Day, Utah Day, Grand Army of the 
 Reptiblic Day, and Stationary Engineers Day, September g. — On this day- 
 two grand historical parades, one by land and the other by water, took place, 
 each illustrating the development of transportation from earliest times. The 
 success of these parades was most surprising. Out of the building from 
 which of all the great Exposition buildings such a thing was least expected 
 issued two unique and inimitable pageants full of instruction, not destitute 
 of romance, and well seasoned with humor. The first procession took place 
 on the lagoons in the morning. In the van of the pageant was the craft 
 carrying Lieutenant A. L. Baker, in charge of the Marine Division of the 
 Transportation Building. Next came a lifeboat of the Life-saving Station, 
 two captain's gigs, a cutter from the battle ship Illinois, and a steam gig from 
 the United States steamer Blake, all with full crews in uniform. Then the 
 scene changed and a Turkish sanval, a sort of gig made of mahogany and 
 built by the Turkish Government at Constantinople, rowed by a crew of 
 Turks in baggy trousers and flaming fez, appeared. This was followed 
 by two Turkish caiques, the boats used on the Bosporus and the Golden Horn. 
 Next were two boats of the Viking model from the Lofoden Islands, Norway. 
 These were succeeded by a small Norwegian pleasure skiff of red cedar. Fol- 
 lowing these, from the Queen Charlotte Islands, near Alaska, came a haida, a 
 canoe forty feet in length, made of a single log of cedar and decorated with 
 totems. In company with this was a Klinkel canoe, also from southwestern 
 Alaska. Then came nondescript bark canoes manned by men of different 
 tribes of savages. The next in line was a Venetian state barge rowed by 
 six gondoliers arrayed in brilliant mediaeval costumes, and in strong con- 
 trast with this luxurious craft was the ordinary Venetian market and fishing 
 boat. Eskimo kayaks and two dugouts from Dahomey plunged the 
 sightseer again into the depths of barbarism. The rest of the parade in- 
 cluded boats from Ceylon, Egypt, and Brazil ; a water bicycle ; folding can- 
 vas boats ; a boat propelled by a treadle ; an aluminium racing shell ; petro- 
 leum, naphtha, electric, and steam launches ; a Japanese phoenix boat ; a 
 collection of pleasure and fishing boats from St. Lawrence River ; and an 
 American cod-fishing dory, with which the pageant was ended. But not even 
 the wonderful scene of the morning could exceed the variety, instruction, and 
 amusement of the afternoon. The first division was devoted to human car- 
 riers. From Turkey, Bogota, Madagascar, Africa, and the Orient came 
 struggling, patient burden bearers, plodding along as if they had no soul 
 above the beasts that perish. The second division showed the substitution 
 of the lower animals for man as beasts of burden, for the illustration of 
 which donkeys and camels led by drivers as in the deserts served the purpose. 
 The transition to wheels was shown by the Chinese wheelbarrow, the Japan- 
 ese jinricksha, and the Indian surat cart. Then came reindeer sleds, Nor- 
 wegian carriols, Sicilian carts, Mexican ox carts, a Spanish volante, and a 
 " prairie schooner " of the West. Among carriages were included interest- 
 
SPECIAL DAYS. 
 
 441 
 
 ing relics, such as the old state carriages of Dom Pedro I of Brazil and the 
 carriages of President Polk, Daniel Webster, and President Lincoln. The 
 display of tallyho coaches, phaetons, landaus, etc., was varied and imposing. 
 The pageant closed with a bicycle parade. A most interesting part of the ex- 
 hibit was afforded by the Pennsylvania Railroad. The famous " John Bull " 
 engine was fired up and passengers were carried in the old coaches some dis- 
 tance down the terminal tracks and back again, and the engineer, " Uncle 
 
 THE TRANSPORTATION PARADE. 
 
 Billy Wilson," who ran the train fifty years ago, was the recipient of many 
 congratulations. 
 
 California marked her day by pouring from her " horn of plenty " the 
 abundant products of her orchards, vineyards, and orange groves without 
 stint upon all comers. This day was the forty-third anniversary of the ad- 
 mission of California into the Union, and all her natural treasures were 
 brought out to make attractive the old Spanish mission house built to rep- 
 resent her at the Fair. Eight car loads of fruit were provided for free distri- 
 bution, and most extensive and striking decorations were arranged. The 
 three banners representing the three epochs in her government — the Spanish, 
 the Mexican, and the " Bear " flag — ^were blended everywhere with the Stars 
 and Stripes, and a profusion of flowers, fruits, and tropical plants gave the 
 visitor a general impression of richness and plenty, in all of which was the 
 31 
 
AA2 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 glow of yellow — the yellow of her gold, of her lemon and orange groves, of 
 her poppy, and of her flag, and the yellow of the ribbon badges worn with 
 pride by her citizens. Short formal exercises were held in the afternoon, at 
 which the address of welcome was made by James D. Phalen, Vice-Presi- 
 dent of the California Commission, and the principal oration by Senator 
 Stephen M. White. A poem, entitled The Voice of California, was read, and 
 other addresses, music, and reading of poems rounded out the programme. 
 
 The Utah Building, open all day to visitors, was the scene of much 
 pleasant hospitality. The exercises were characterized by a certain earnest- 
 ness and pathos, owing to the fact that many of the people participating 
 in them were among the pioneers who faced death upon the great American 
 desert in 1847, at the time of the first Mormon emigration to Utah. A 
 Territorial government was established in that country on September 9, 1850. 
 President R. C. Chambers, of the Utah World's Fair Commission, opened 
 the proceedings with an address of welcome, and was followed by Governor 
 C. W. West. Among the other speakers were President Wilford Woodruff, 
 the head of the Mormon community, the Hon. George Q. Cannon, and 
 Mrs. F. S. Richards. The choir from the Salt Lake City Tabernacle was 
 also in attendance, and rendered several choruses with fine effect. 
 
 The old soldiers of the Grand Army, returning from an annual encamp- 
 ment at Indianapolis, took the World's Fair by storm. About thirty thou- 
 sand of the veterans were present. They first charged upon the Illinois State 
 Building, where headquarters were established, the day's proceedings being 
 under the direction of the Illinois department of the Grand Army, Major 
 E. A. Blodgett commanding ; they were also specially honored guests at the 
 California Building. In the afternoon a parade was formed to Festival Hall, 
 where an old time camp fire was held. At the head of the line marched the 
 Columbia Post, No. 706, carrying the old headquarters flag of General 
 George H. Thomas, which has been carried at all the parades of the Grand 
 Army from Maine to California. The old soldiers listened to speeches by 
 Commander-in-Chief Adams, of Massachusetts ; Past Commander-in-Chief 
 Russell A. Alger, of Michigan ; John Palmer, of New York ; and John P. 
 Rae, of Minnesota. " Uncle Jerry " Rusk was there also, and General But- 
 terfield and Robert Henry Hendershott, the drummer boy of the Rappa- 
 hannock. At the close of these exercises they marched to the plaza west of 
 Administration Building to assist in the ceremonies of the first ringing of 
 the Columbia Liberty Bell. The chimes in Machinery Hall played patriotic 
 music at intervals all day. 
 
 About three hundred members of the Society of Stationary Engineers 
 gathered in Assembly Hall in the Agricultural Building for a business meet- 
 ing. Several addresses were made and papers were read by prominent men 
 of the profession, Alexander Gibbons giving the address of welcome. 
 
 French Engineers Day, Silver Day, and Veterans Day, September 11. — 
 Forty-five members of the Society of Civil Engineers of France visited the 
 
SPECIAL DAYS. 
 
 443 
 
 Fair as the guests of the Society of Western Engineers. Early in the day a 
 reception was given them in the city, and; upon arriving at the Exposition, 
 they were received at the Administration Building by Director-General 
 Davis and officials and engineers connected with, the Fair. Louis Rey re- 
 sponded in French to the Director General's cordial welcome. 
 
 The programme that was arranged for the observance of Silver Day failed 
 to attract visitors. Two platform meetings for the discussion of the silver 
 question were announced to take place at Music Hall, but enthusiasm was 
 dampened by the small attendance. Speeches were made by ex-Governor L. 
 Bradford Prince, of New Mexico, Governor David H. Waite, of Colorado, 
 and other advocates of free silver. 
 
 The reunion of veterans, begun at this time, was continued for three days 
 following. On the second day several hundred members of the Army of 
 the Tennessee gathered in the afternoon at Festival Hall, where they were 
 
 THE SHOE AND LEATHER BUILDING. 
 Length, 578 feet ; breadth, 150 feet. Architect, Alexander Sandier. 
 
 addressed by Colonel D. B. Henderson, of Iowa ; General William Sooy 
 Smith, of Chicago ; General Manning F. Force, of Ohio, and others. 
 
 Maryland Day, Shoe and Leather Day, and Colorado Day, September 12. 
 —A number of Maryland's well-known citizens came to represent her at 
 this time, including Governor T. Russell Brown and staff. Senators Gorman 
 and Gibson, and Cardinal Gibbons. The official programme, at Music Hall, 
 
444 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. . 
 
 was opened with an invocation by Cardinal Gibbons. Governor Brown 
 made a few introductory remarks, and then introduced John B. Findlay, the 
 orator of the day, whose theme was given him by the event celebrated — the 
 bombardment of Fort McHenry in 1814 by the British fleet, and the conse- 
 quent writing of The Star-Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key as he lay 
 a prisoner on board one of the attacking vessels. A recitation of this poem 
 formed an incident of the exercises. The fireworks in the evening presented 
 the bombardment of Fort McHenry, the inside pier of the Lake Front taking 
 the place of the fort, and lines of boats on both right and left representing 
 the British fleet. When the smoke cleared away, the Star-Spangled Banner 
 appeared in lines of fire above the victorious fort. 
 
 The Shoe and Leather Building was made especially attractive on this 
 day by elaborate decorations and the provision of music. No formal exer- 
 cises were held, but a reception was given to invited guests. The distribu- 
 tion of souvenirs in the form of tiny boots and shoes was a feature of the 
 day. The shoe factory in the gallery turned out thousands of shoes from 
 raw material in sight of the visitors. A most unique and instructive part 
 of the display was the evolution of foot wear prepared by Frank W. Nor- 
 cross, editor of the Shoe and Leather Reporter. It included two hundred 
 and thirty -five illustrations of different forms of shoes. 
 
 The Colorado exercises occurred at 2 p. m. at the State building. Den- 
 ver carried off the honors, supplying most of the music and all the speak- 
 ers. Governor David H. Waite made the leading address, and was followed 
 by Chief Frederick J. V. Skiff, of the Mines and Mining Department, Judge 
 W. B. Felker, and others. The music was by Cooke's Drum Corps from 
 Denver and the American Exhibitors' Band. 
 
 Michigan Day and Amateur Athletic Day, September ij. — The people 
 of Michigan came in great numbers for a two-days' celebration. Excursion 
 trains were run from all parts of the State, bringing more than ten thousand 
 citizens. Governor John T. Rich and staff. General Russell A. Alger, Ex- 
 Governor Austin Blair, the Hon. Don M. Dickinson, President James B. 
 Angell, of the University of Michigan, and other well-known men were pres- 
 ent. The St. Joseph Band and the Detroit Newsboys' Band enlivened the 
 proceedings with music, and the President of the World's Columbian Com- 
 mission, the Hon. Thomas W. Palmer, was at home in the Michigan Build- 
 ing. The programme of the first day included a band concert at 9 a. m. and 
 formal exercises at 10 a. m. General Russell A. Alger acted as presiding 
 officer, and short addresses were made by President Thomas W. Palmer and 
 other visitors. At 4 p. m. a reception was given to the Governor. On the 
 second day an official inspection of exhibits was made. On both evenings 
 the Michigan Building was brightly illuminated. 
 
 The fourth annual meeting of the Amateur Athletic Union of the United 
 States was marked by a swimming contest at the Exposition. The races 
 were close and exciting, the contestants including representatives of nearly 
 
SPECIAL DAYS. , „ 
 
 445 
 
 all the races brought together at the World's Fair, among them the Eski- 
 mos, Dahomans, North American Indians, and Turks. 
 
 Ohio Day, September 14. — The day opened with a grand parade of Ohio 
 troops, led by Governor William McKinley and staff, through the Exposi- 
 tion grounds to the 
 Ohio Building, where 
 an interesting pro- 
 gramme of exercises 
 was carried out. The 
 response to the address 
 of welcome by W. W. 
 Peabody, President of 
 the Ohio World's Fair 
 Managers, was made by 
 Governor McKinley. 
 Other speakers were 
 Judge Samuel F. Hunt, 
 of Cincinnati, and 
 Judge L. D. Thoman, 
 President of the Ohio 
 Society of Chicago. 
 The principal incident 
 of these exercises was 
 the dedication of the 
 fine monument, " Ohio 
 blessing her Sons," on 
 the lawn before the State building. The address of the occasion was made 
 by General W. Brinkerhoff, originator of the plan for erecting this monu- 
 ment. Ohio was represented by a majestic female figure on a high pedes- 
 tal, with her hands outspread over the life-size statues of Grant, Sheridan, 
 Sherman, Stanton, Chase, and Garfield around the column at her feet. Cut 
 in the stone above the heads of these statues were the words of the Roman 
 mother — "These are my Jewels." 
 
 Kansas Day, Vermont Day, Costa Rica Day, and Keeley Day, September 
 i£. — The celebration of Kansas extended over an entire week, Friday the 1 5th 
 being the day on which the principal exercises took place in Festival Hall. 
 The special event of Monday was the arrival of Governor L. D. Lewellingi 
 and staff. On Tuesday a programme of addresses and music at the State 
 building was followed by a dress parade of the Kansas National Guard. On 
 Wednesday a gathering of the clan McKinley was held, the first meeting of 
 the clan since its breaking up in Scotland after the battle of Culloden. The 
 arrangements were in charge of Dr. L. D. McKinley, of Topeka, and an 
 address was made by Governor William McKinley, of Ohio. A reception 
 to the Governor, his staff, and other State officials took place on Thursday, 
 
 GROUP AT THE NEW LIBERTY BELL, 
 Ohio Day. Gov. McKinley ringing the bell. 
 
446 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 with a parade of the State militia. On Friday a concert was given in 
 Festival Hall at 3 p. m. by the Kansas Columbian Chorus of a thousand 
 voices, assisted by the Modoc Club, of Topeka, and the band of the Kansas 
 Second Regiment. 
 
 A pleasant informal reception was held at the Vermont Building, State- 
 Commissioner H. H. Mclntyre doing the honors. Short speeches were 
 made by General W. W. Henry, Judge Allen, of Burlington, National- 
 Commissioner Bradley B. Smalley, and others. 
 
 The seventy-second anniversary of the independence of Costa Rica was 
 celebrated by a reception given in the Costa Rica Building to several hun- 
 dred invited guests, in receiving whom Senor Don Manuel de Peralta, Presi- 
 dent, was assisted by other members of the Costa Rica Commission. 
 
 About five hundred members of the Keeley League met at Terminal 
 Station at 10 a. m., and formed a procession under Major Harry E. Insley, 
 of Colorado, to the east front of Administration Building, where they were 
 welcomed by Commissioner Orson V. Tousley, of Minnesota. After the 
 response by Judge Charles E. Hamilton, of New Hampshire, the line moved 
 on to the Illinois Building, where it was received by President Benjamin 
 Funk, of the Illinois State Board. Hon. Lionel Adams, of New Orleans, 
 replied to President Funk, and introduced Dr. Leslie E. Keeley as the next 
 speaker. The Woman's Branch of the Keeley League held a meeting at the 
 Woman's Building in the afternoon, during which addresses were made by 
 Mrs. Helen M. Barker, Chicago, Mrs. Elizabeth Lyle Saxon, New Orleans, 
 and others, on the subject of woman's rescue and temperance work in con- 
 nection with the Keeley League and other temperance forces. 
 
 Railway Day, Texas Day, and New Mexico Day, September 16. — This 
 occasion called out a full delegation of every class of men employed in the 
 railway service. It was made as much of a holiday as possible by all the lines 
 running into Chicago, and all the men who could be spared were given a 
 chance to see the Fair. The gathering at Festival Hall, with which the 
 order of the day began, included men of all stations, from brakemen to 
 presidents, and on the platform, which was decorated with flags and railroad 
 symbols, were many well-known railway men. Chief Willard A. Smith, of 
 the Transportation Department, presided and opened the exercises with an 
 address, reviewing that part of his work relating to railroads. Other addresses 
 pertaining to the history, progress, and condition of the railway interest were 
 made by M. E. Ingalls, President of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and 
 St. Louis Railway ; H. S. Haines, Vice-President of the Plant System ; R. 
 Brocklebank, Director of the London and Northwestern Railway ; and 
 others. This date was chosen for Railway Day as commemorating the open- 
 ing of the first railway, in 1830, between Manchester and Liverpool. All 
 the railway exhibits in the building were polished and decorated to look their 
 brightest and best. At one o'clock the Intramural Railway gave an excur- 
 sion to the visitors, running a special train of eight cars. The Movable Side- 
 
SPECIAL DAYS. 
 
 447 
 
 walk was free to them all day, and the famous " Old John Bull " train made 
 frequent excursions on the terminal tracks. At 4.30 p. m. an amusing tug 
 of war took place between a thirty-ton locomotive of the Baltimore and Ohio 
 
 A SWIMMING CONTEST IN THE SOUTH BASIN. 
 
 Railroad and a six-hundred-horse-power electric engine, in which the switch 
 engine literally carried away the electric motor. 
 
 The people of Texas, and especially the women of that State, to whose 
 efforts were due its representation at the Exposition, celebrated their day 
 with the usual exercises at the Texas Building. The address of welcome by 
 Mrs. Benedette B. Tobin, President of the Women's State Board, was an- 
 swered by Ex-Governor Ireland. Ex-Governor Hubbard delivered the ora- 
 tion of the day, taking as his subject The Women of Texas. A presenta- 
 tion of medals and flowers to those to whom special credit was due in 
 connection with the work of the State board followed. The Katzenberger 
 World's Fair Chorus, assisted by soloists, furnished the music. 
 
 The celebration of New Mexico took place in the building that she 
 shared with Arizona and Oklahoma. Formal exercises were held in the 
 afternoon. Governor William T. Thornton making the opening address, in 
 which he traced the history of New Mexico from the time of the Aztecs to 
 
448 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 the present. The response to this address was made by Ex-Governor L. 
 Bradford Prince, who spoke with admiration of the hardihood of the old 
 Spaniards. Recitations by the "poet-scout," Captain Jack Crawford, on 
 
 THE COSTA RICA BUILDING. 
 Length, 103 feet ; width, 60 feet ; height, 50 feet ; cost, $20,000. Architect, James G. Hill. 
 
 subjects connected with his adventurous life in the West, added a touch 
 of romance to the occasion. Short talks were made by several eminent 
 New-Mexicans. 
 
 Fishermen s Day and United TypothetcB of America Day, September ig. 
 — The World's Fair Congress of Fishermen, convened by Captain J. W. 
 Collins, Chief of the Department of Fish and Fisheries, began a four days' 
 session at this time, including meetings at Music Hall, boat races and 
 parades, contests in bait and fly casting, light-rod competition, spear and har- 
 poon throwing, etc. At the first meeting in Music Hall a humorous address 
 was made by President Thomas W. Palmer, of the National Commission, 
 and papers were read by Chief Collins on the subject of The Relation of 
 Fisheries to National Prosperity, and by Lieutenant F. S. Bassett on The 
 Folklore of Fishing. Among the readers on Wednesday morning were E. 
 E. Ainsworth, of the Seattle Fish Commission, on Puget Sound Fisheries ; 
 
SPECIAL DAYS. ..g 
 
 L. C. Joneas, of Quebec, on Canadian Fisheries ; and William C. Harrison, 
 of New York, on The Ethics of Angling. The event of the afternoon of 
 September 19 was the parade of fifty-seven fishing boats of various nation- 
 alities. Music was furnished by a boat load of Mexicans and by the Neapol- 
 itan Band. On the second day of the congress there were races on the 
 lagoon between Dahomey canoes, Eskimo kayaks, and canvas folding boats. 
 The rest of the time was taken up with contests of all kinds, for which prizes 
 were offered and in which great interest was taken by fishermen. The head- 
 quarters of the congress were at the Izaak Walton Cottage, on Wooded 
 Island. 
 
 About five hundred representatives of the United Typothetse of America 
 met in the afternoon in the assembly hall of Agricultural Building for their 
 seventh annual convention. They came to the grounds in a procession of 
 Columbian coaches and drove through Jackson Park headed by a squad of 
 Columbian Guards. Charles F. Blakely, chairman of the Committee on 
 Entertainment, called the meeting to order and introduced Amos Pettibone, 
 who made the welcoming address. Several short speeches followed, after 
 which the regular business of the convention was undertaken. The sessions 
 lasted four days, and the entertainment of the visiting members by the local 
 society concluded with a banquet at the New York Building. Charles E. 
 Leonard, President of the Chicago Typothetae, presided, David Blakely was 
 toastmaster, and Eugene Field poet. 
 
 Patriotic Order of Sons of America Day, September 20. — About fifteen 
 hundred members of this order, after parading through the city, formed in 
 hne at the entrance to Jackson Park and marched to Festival Hall, where 
 they were met by the related order of the Patriotic Daughters of America. 
 The exercises were opened with singing. George P. Smith, National Com- 
 mander, conducted the meeting and made the opening address, after which 
 Mrs. Horace W. Bolton prayed for the perpetuity of the idea for which they 
 were working. The singing of The Star-Spangled Banner was then followed 
 by the reading of an address by Mrs. George P. Smith, National President 
 of the Patriotic Daughters, in which she related the growth of the woman's 
 organization and the work it was doing, and the Rev. Horace W. Bolton 
 read a paper entitled Our Republic. 
 
 Iowa Day, September ^7. —The celebration of Iowa extended over two 
 days, beginning September 20, on which day Governor Horace Boies and 
 staff arrived and were escorted to the Iowa Building by the Iowa State 
 Band and the cadets from the Iowa Agricultural College under command of 
 Colonel Rush Lincoln. A reception followed and a fine exhibition drill was 
 afterward , given by the cadets, also a spear drill by a brigade of young 
 women from the same college under Miss Evelyn E. Starr. At six o'clock 
 the center of attraction was transferred to the Stock Pavilion, where these 
 drills were repeated before a large audience, the famous Colonel C. L. Root 
 Drill Corps from Lyons, Iowa, assisting in the performance. September 21, 
 
450 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 the forty-seventh anniversary of the admission of the State to the Union, 
 began with a military parade and the escort of the Governor and staff to 
 Festival Hall at 2 p. m. James O. Crosby, President of the Iowa State 
 Board, made a brief opening address, and was followed by Governor Boies, 
 who spoke at length of Iowa, her people, history, and resources. William I. 
 Buchanan, Chief of the Department of Agriculture, responded on the part 
 of the Exposition. At the close of these exercises a general movement was 
 made to the plaza west of Administration Building for the ringing of the 
 Columbian Liberty Bell by Governor Boies in honor of the admission of 
 Iowa into the Union. The distribution of thousands of sprigs of golden 
 rod to visitors at the State Building was a pleasing feature of the celebra- 
 tion, at which it was estimated that sixty thousand people from the State 
 were present. 
 
 State Commissioners Day, September 22. — The State Commissioners, by 
 common consent, kept open house on this day to all comers, some of them 
 providing special attractions for the entertainment of their guests, among 
 whom were Director-General Davis, the chiefs of departments, and other 
 World's Fair officials. In the evening the north end of the grounds was il- 
 luminated with Chinese lanterns, and an entertainment was given in Sylvan 
 Dell, consisting of camp-meeting and plantation songs by colored singers. 
 
 Knights of Honor Day, September 2j. — On this day the Knights of 
 Honor from nearly every State in the Union gathered at 4 p. m. at Festival 
 Hall to listen to music and hear speeches. A. B. Garrett, Grand Dictator 
 for Illinois, presided. Marsden Bellamy, Supreme Dictator from North 
 Carolina, next spoke, giving a history of the organization and growth of the 
 order, in which he said that in twenty years it had gained a membership of 
 a hundred and thirty thousand, extending from Maine to California, and 
 during its existence had paid benefits aggregating $45,000,000. 
 
 Odd Fellows Day, September 26. — The gathering of the Independent 
 Order of Odd Fellows in Chicago at this time was the most memorable one 
 in the history of the organization. The first day was spent in a grand parade 
 in the city, the second and third being ^et apart for proceedings at the Ex- 
 position which included a grand conclave at Festival Hall on the morning of 
 the second day, at which John C. Underwood, Marshal General of the day, 
 presided. Charles S. Thornton, of Chicago, extended fi'aternal greetings, 
 and spoke of the great work done by the order during the Chicago fire. He 
 also reviewed the history of the American organization from its foundation, 
 April 26, 1 8 19, by four men in Baltimore, to the present day, in which it 
 has a membership of over nine hundred thousand, and is the largest benevo- 
 lent society in the world. The Patriarchs Militant, a military branch of the 
 order, gave competitive drills in the Stock Pavilion during the two days. 
 The highest prize as the best drilled division of the order was won by the 
 canton of Elwood, Indiana. The related order of the Daughters of Rebekah 
 carried on a celebration at the same time at Music Hall, where they held a 
 
SPECIAL DAYS. .cj 
 
 reception in the morning and in the afternoon had a programme made up 
 of music and speeches. 
 
 Indiana Day, September 2j. — The order of the day for Indiana's cele- 
 bration included a parade in the morning, followed by music and speaking 
 at the State Building, the ringing of the Columbian Liberty Bell at noon 
 in honor of her admission into the Union, an afternoon reception to the 
 Governor, and at night a display of fireworks. The citizens of the State 
 contributed to the success of the celebration by a very large attendance, 
 and transportation facilities were taxed to their utmost capacity. An im- 
 mense audience greeted Governor Claude Matthews and the other speakers 
 at the exercises at the State building. Governor Matthews welcomed his 
 fellow-citizens in a short address, and Ex-President Harrison was received 
 with hearty applause as the next speaker. Referring to the great number 
 of Indiana people before him, he said that he had talked on different occa- 
 sions to nearly all the people of Indiana, but he had done so in sections. 
 Never before had he undertaken the gigantic task of addressing them all at 
 once. He then took up the subject in hand, and made a speech regarding 
 Indiana's relative position in the Union, her representation at the Exposition, 
 etc. President Thomas W. Palmer, of the World's Columbian Commission, 
 then made an address, and James Whitcomb Riley recited his poem "When 
 the Frost is on the Punkin and the Corn is in the Shock." Music was fur- 
 nished by the Fort Wayne Band, assisted by the Hoosier Nightingales. 
 
 Irish Day, September jo. — Great preparations were made by the Irish- 
 Americans for a representative gathering on Irish Day. A fine parade was 
 planned, but the weather proved unfavorable, and the few thousands who 
 marched in spite of the storm reached Festival Hall in a blinding shower 
 of rain. The meeting there, however, was remarkable for earnestness and 
 enthusiasm. Many noted men were present, among them Lord-Mayor 
 James Shanks, of Dublin, the Hon. Edward Blake, of Canada, and prelates 
 of the Church of Rome. Archbishop Feehan, of Chicago, chairman of the 
 meeting, delivered the opening address, and Bishop Hennessey, of Dubuque, 
 made an oration on The Irish Race and the Development of Civihzation. 
 John E. Fitzgerald, of Boston, spoke on The Genius of the Irish Race ; the 
 poet, Eugene Davis, of Boston, on Irish Literature ; and John F. Finerty, 
 of Chicago, on The Irishman in Lands Other than his Own. 
 
 Carriage - Makers Day, October j. — The Carriage Builders' National 
 Association began a three days' convention at this time in Agricultural 
 Assembly Hall. Charles F. Kimball, of Chicago, president of the associa- 
 • tion, delivered an address of welcome, after which Ludwig Loehner, a car- 
 riage builder of Austria, spoke of carriage building in Europe as compared 
 with American methods. 
 
 Mexico Day, October 4. — The representatives of Mexico at the Fair 
 were limited in number, and hundreds of invited guests shared with them a 
 most delightful festival and concert. The celebrated Mexican Eighth Cav- 
 
452 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 airy Band, which was sent to the Exposition as a compHment by the Mexican 
 Government, was heard for the first time on this day. The festival was given 
 at Music Hall, beginning at 3 p. m. with a reception in the spacious foyer, 
 where the guests were received by Senor Don Miguel Serrano, Delegate 
 
 bags. 
 
 General, and several members of the Mexi 
 freshments were served and five thousand 
 were given away, besides small souvenir 
 the national colors and filled with cof- 
 
 Rhode Island Day, October 5. — 
 of this day began at noon, when 
 Russell Brown, accompanied by 
 large ofi&cial delegation, was met 
 trance of the Midway Plaisance 
 Band and the famous Newport 
 corted to the Rhode Island 
 which the line of march 
 Music Hall, where the 
 took place. The flag 
 color sergeant, bear- 
 corner a white shield 
 and cannon crossed, 
 through the war 
 commanded by 
 emblem of 
 flag, having 
 chor surround- 
 E. Benjamin An- 
 sided at Music 
 the Governor, 
 tor Nelson W. 
 Lapham, Execu- 
 Wyman, and Colo- 
 
 Polish Day, Oc- 
 of Chicago, num- 
 with great enthusi- 
 their nationality. An elaborate city parade was organized, and a long pro- 
 gramme of music and addresses arranged. Among the floats in the parade 
 were Washington, Kosciusko, and Pulaski, Sobieski under the Walls of 
 Vienna, Copernicus, the Polish Astronomer, Poles in Siberian Mines, Slaugh* 
 ter of Peasants by Russian Soldiers, Poles seeking Refuge under the Stars 
 and Stripes, Poland in Chains, and Poland in her Glory — the latter repre- 
 sented by a group of young girls in national costume. There was also a Pol- 
 ish Wedding Party, a representation of Labor, and the Resurrection of Poland. 
 Justice M. A. La Buy presided over the meeting at Festival Hall at 2 p. m.. 
 
 MEMBERS 
 OF THE MEXICAN BAND. 
 
 can Commission. Re- 
 cups of Mexican coffee 
 made of cloth in 
 fee in the berry. 
 The ceremonies 
 Governor D. 
 his staff and a 
 at the western en- 
 ly the Newport 
 Artillery and es- 
 Building, from 
 was taken up to 
 official ceremonies 
 borne by the 
 ing in one 
 with anchor 
 was carried 
 
 by the regiment 
 Burnside. Another 
 great interest was the State 
 on a green field a golden an- 
 ed by thirteen stars. President 
 drews, of the State board, pre- 
 Hall. The speakers included 
 Prof. Alonzo Williams, Sena- 
 Aldrich, Congressman Oscar 
 tive - Commissioner John C. 
 nel William A. James. 
 tober 7. — The Polish residents 
 bering many thousands, entered 
 asm into this demonstration of 
 
SPECIAL DAYS. 
 
 453 
 
 and delivered an address of welcome. Mayor Harrison spoke sympathetic- 
 ally of the tragic history of Poland, and congratulated her citizens in the 
 United States upon the enjoyment of freedom. Dr. C. Midowicz made the 
 principal oration. The musical selections were entirely from Polish com- 
 posers, and were rendered by Prof. Czapek's orchestra, assisted by the United 
 Polish Singers of America, a children's choir, and the choir of St. Slominski's 
 Church. At least twenty-five thousand Poles were in attendance. 
 
 Chicago Day, October p. — This was the grand climax of the Exposition. 
 Chicago exerted herself to surpass all records of great assemblages, and 
 exceeded even her own highest ambition. It was a double celebration: 
 first, of the anniversary of the great fire in 1871, and the marvelous pros- 
 perity of the city since that time ; and, second, of the fact that the Exposi- 
 tion had pa,id off its bonded indebtedness and could go on from that time 
 with a balance in its favor. A special committee of citizens, of which Alder- 
 man William R. Kerr was chairman, united with the Exposition authorities in 
 the preparation of an elaborate programme for morning, afternoon, and even- 
 ing. All business was suspended, schools and factories were closed, and every 
 person who was not compelled to be away placed himself within the enchanted 
 precincts of the Exposition. Every means of trans- 
 portation was crowded to the limit, facilities which had 
 heretofore defied all efforts to overcrowd them being 
 overwhelmed and almost paralyzed for a portion of 
 the day by the crowds that sought them. One of the 
 announcements of the Department of Functions dur- 
 ing the previous week was the following : " The 
 Council of Administration, in view of the half mil- 
 lion or more visitors who will crowd the Exposition 
 grounds on Chicago Day, October 9, has decided to 
 postpone the cart-horse exhibition as appointed for 
 that date." No doubt this announcement was re- 
 garded as something of a joke by those who framed 
 it. In fact, nearly every one looked upon the pros- 
 pect of a crowd of half a million visitors as absurd. 
 An order had been given for a million special " Chicago-day " tickets, the 
 body of which bore a picture of old Fort Dearborn upon its back. A 
 coupon was attached to this ticket, to be detached by the ticket taker, 
 the body being retained as a souvenir. This order the President thought 
 best to modify in the interest of economy, and only six hundred thousand 
 tickets were printed. The actual paid attendance on Chicago Day was 
 716,880, and 40,000 passes were used; so that the total in Jackson Park 
 on October 9, 1893, was more than three quarters of a million souls — twice 
 as many as ever had been gathered on one day in one inclosure at any pre- 
 vious exposition. The Guard on this day numbered 1,556 men. None 
 of them were permitted to leave the grounds during the day for any pur- 
 
 mmM^mMSi 
 
 {^ 
 
 October 9^W93. 
 
 NOT GOOD 
 
 o^ IF 'J?*^ 
 DETACHED. 
 
 K 
 
 D 51962 
 
 A 
 
 A SOUVENIR COUPON. 
 
 The body of the ticket, which 
 
 was kept as a souvenir, is 
 
 shown on page 332. 
 
ACA THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 pose, and all had received instructions to bring lunches with them. They 
 were on duty practically day and night, and were assisted during the day by 
 two hundred and fifty city police. The open space in the Court of Honor, in 
 front of the Administration Building, was the point of greatest concentration 
 of the crowd, and was carefully watched by the Guard for the purpose of pre- 
 venting congestion. The Guard had been instructed in advance on every 
 possible point, the greatest care being taken to provide for every emergency. 
 Especially they were cautioned to avoid making unnecessary arrests, and, 
 while exerting strict vigilance, not to interfere with the crowd in any way 
 unless a tendency to disorder was noticed. The total lack of this tendency 
 was one of the marked features of the occasion. At times the crowds in 
 some of the buildings were so great that those inside for a short time were 
 unable to move, and the situation was becoming dangerous through the pres- 
 sure for entrance from those outside who were unaware of the condition of 
 things v/ithin. In these cases the Guards refused admission to those without, 
 and used the doors for exit only. By this means in a short time congestion 
 was relieved. The morning exercises, under the heading of " Chicago wel- 
 coming the World with Music and Song," began at lo a. m. with a cannon 
 Salute to all Nations, which was followed by a Fanfare of Universal Peace 
 played by groups of trumpeters sent by General Nelson A. Miles from Fort 
 Sheridan, dressed in heralds' uniforms and stationed at the four points of the 
 compass about the Court of Honor. Each group played separately at first, 
 and then all in unison, the motto of the fanfare being " Peace on Earth, 
 Good Will to Men." Immediately following this came several musical selec- 
 tions by bands and chorus, and at 1 1 o'clock, in Terminal Plaza, a programme 
 of patriotic and international songs and music was rendered by the Apollo 
 Club, under Choral-Director William L. Tomlins, assisted by the combined 
 bands playing at the Exposition. These morning exercises attracted an im- 
 mense audience, and every foot of room in Terminal Plaza was filled with an 
 enthusiastic holiday throng. The crowd began to sing when the Apollo Club 
 started "The Star-Spangled Banner," and it sang through all the numbers 
 until America was reached, when it fairly shouted, and the voices of the club 
 were lost in the ocean of sound. Then it listened at noon to the deep tones 
 of the Columbian Liberty Bell, and moved away to find a point of vantage 
 from which to view the afternoon procession. The weather was perfect, and 
 the Exposition never looked more beautiful in contrast with the blue of lake 
 and sky, while an aspect of gayety was added by the profusion of flags and 
 banners. The afternoon parade was called a " Reunion of the States," these 
 being represented by girls and boys from the city schools. The thirteen 
 original States were especially distinguished by the escort of a company of 
 young lads in Continental uniform. Then followed the other States of the 
 Union, nearly in the order in which they were admitted. The counties and 
 principal cities in each were also represented, the line being led by a juvenile 
 guard of honor chosen from the several wards of the city. Appropriate 
 
< 
 
 N 
 
 w 
 
 iz; 
 o 
 
 Q 
 O 
 
 o 
 < 
 
 £ 
 
SPECIAL DAYS. .tr 
 
 banners, pennants, shields, and emblems of all kinds heightened the general 
 efifect. The crowd in the afternoon was even greater than in the morning, 
 and from the Administration Building, as far as the eye could reach around 
 the building, to the Peristyle, and on each side of the Grand Basin, the vast 
 area was literally packed with humanity. The first part of the evening's 
 entertainment consisted of a superb procession of illuminated floats, to which 
 was given the general name of Chicago in her Growth welcoming the 
 World. She was represented in the first boat by the heroic figure of I 
 Will, surrounded by all the States of the Union, guided by Love and Lib- 
 erty, and welcoming all nations of the globe. Next in order was Chicago 
 in 1812, showing episodes of the Indian massacre in her early history (see 
 pages 39, 40), the characters being taken by native American Indians of his- 
 toric prominence, including the Pottawattamie chief Simon Pokagon, whose 
 father formerly owned the land on which Chicago now stands. Chicago in 
 War, presented by the Sheridan Club of the city, showed her in the act of 
 offering her sons for their country's defense. A spirited figure of Sheridan's 
 Ride occupied the first place on this float, while behind it were grouped those 
 of Grant, Logan, Douglas, Richard Yates (the war Governor), and Lincoln, 
 with several of the Ellsworth Zouaves, their famous captain at their head. 
 Chicago in Peace was personated by the Angel of Peace accompanied by 
 other figures typical of the industries — Building, Textile Fabrics, Iron Manu- 
 facture, and Agriculture. Chicago Prostrate — the Fire Fiend, was a lurid 
 scene in which a colossal figure, with devastating torch in hand, lighted up 
 the mass of ruined columns, arches, and fragments by which she was sur- 
 rounded. This float was appropriately manned by the Chicago Fire Depart- 
 ment. The Ship of Commerce, contributed by the Chicago Board of Trade, 
 was a superbly mounted design of a flower-trimmed argosy with a single sail, 
 carrying the figures of Commerce, Fortune, and other allegorical characters. 
 The well-known scene of Columbus at the Court of Isabella was the first to 
 break the chain of subjects relating especially to the day. Then followed a 
 series illustrating historic' personages and events, presented by the foreign- 
 born residents of the city. Great Britain — The Early Discoverers and First 
 Settlers, with figures of the Cabots, Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir Francis Drake, 
 Miles Standish and Priscilla, John Smith and Pocahontas. Sweden — The 
 Vikings and Valkyries in Walhalla. Germany — two floats, the first repre- 
 senting Germany in Art, Science, and Industry, with figures of Gutenberg, 
 Kepler, Humboldt, Goethe, Schiller, and others ; and the second showing 
 German-Americans in the History of the United States, with figures of Ger- 
 man soldiers and officers of the Revolution and of the civil war. Ireland- 
 two floats, the first a model of the Ship of St. Brendan (believed by many 
 to have been the first discoverer of America), in which the ancient monk 
 and his followers were shown tossed upon the waves of the ocean, and the 
 second a conception of the Genius of Erin surrounded by well-known Irish 
 characters. Bohemia — John Huss and his Reformation, accompanied by a 
 32 
 
456 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 costumed historical pageant of the religion, art, science, and literature of 
 Bohemia. French Canada — two floats, the first a model of La Grande Her- 
 mine, the boat that bore the explorer Jacques Cartier, with an Indian com- 
 panion and boatman, to the shores of Canada in 1534, and the second the 
 scene of the landing of Marquette in Chicago in 1673. Denmark — Dania in 
 Art, War, and Science. Norway — two floats, the first carrying Leif Erics- 
 son, and the second personifying Columbia and Nora, with the colors of the 
 United States and Norway combined. Poland — representing great men and 
 events in the history of Poland. The closing subject of the parade was a 
 design representing the Genius of Electricity by an enormous green-and-red 
 dragon, for the lighting of which two thousand incandescent lamps were 
 used. In the evening an illumination of the Wooded Island, the Midway 
 Plaisance, and the State buildings was arranged, and Chicago Day went out 
 in a blaze of glory that reached its culmination in a pyrotechnic programme 
 including pictures of old Fort Dearborn, the old City Hall, the portrait of 
 William B. Ogden, first Mayor of Chicago, Chicago welcoming the World, 
 and Chicago Triumphant. The largest piece, entitled The Burning of Chi- 
 cago, covered an area of fourteen thousand square feet, and was produced in 
 four scenes. - The first illustrated Mrs. O'Leary's cow ; the second, the kick- 
 ing over of the lamp ; the third, the starting of the fire and a realistic view 
 of the burning of the city ; and the fourth, Chicago "in ruins. In addition to 
 all this the Stars and Stripes were again carried by a balloon into the sky, 
 and flights of bombs, cascades of rockets, and other brilliant effects held the 
 attention and won the applause of the great multitude until a late hour. 
 
 North Dakota Day and Veteran Firemen s Day, October 10. — The story 
 of the Land of the Dakotas was quietly told on this day by Governor E. C. 
 D. Shortridge at the formal exercises held in the North Dakota Building. 
 It was an interesting story of wonderful resources artd rapid development, of 
 great possibilities and future importance. North Dakota, admitted to the 
 Union in 1889, was one of the youngest of the States, and yet made a show- 
 ing at the Exposition unequaled by many of the older ones. Ex-Governors 
 A. H. Burke and John Miller made short addresses, and the North Dakota 
 First Infantry Band furnished the music, which, with recitations, filled out 
 the programme. 
 
 The Veteran Firemen's Association of California, escorted by as many 
 Chicago firemen as could be spared from duty, marched into the grounds to 
 lively music on the morning of this day. Many of the Chicago men were 
 among those who fought the flames that swept the city twenty-two years 
 before, and they carried in triumph a hat worn during the whole of that 
 dreadful ordeal by Assistant-Chief Augustus W. Hern The Californians 
 also had with them an interesting relic — a hand engine built in New York 
 in 1820, for Martin Van Buren, then President of the United States. It 
 was taken to California in 1849, ^"^ was the first fire engine in that State. 
 The veteran fire fighters first proceeded to the Administration Building, 
 
SPECIAL DAYS. .ry 
 
 where the line was reviewed and the welcome spoken by the Exposition 
 officials. The rest of the day was spent in the CaHfornia Building, where 
 the men were entertained with refreshments, music, and speeches. The 
 attendance at the Exposition on this day was next in size to Chicago Day, 
 numbering nearly three hundred and fifty thousand paid admissions. 
 
 Connecticut Day, October ii. — Connecticut's colonial house at the Expo- 
 sition, filled with old furniture and relics, was the scene of a typical New 
 England gathering on this day. Governor Luzon B. Norris was present 
 with his staff and a large official delegation, and many hundreds of citizens 
 of Connecticut were welcomed to the building. The programme consisted 
 of music, an address by the Governor, and speeches by other representatives 
 of the State. Governor Luzon paid a tribute to the Woman's State Board, 
 and introduced Mrs. George H. Knight, President, who gave a detailed 
 account of its work. 
 
 Italian Day, October 12. — This anniversary of the discovery of America 
 was the last of the national fite days. At the request of King Humbert, 
 the Italians of Chicago made it a holiday, and the affair was directly under 
 the auspices of the Italian Government, Baron La Fava, ItaHan Minister to 
 the United States, and the Marquis Ungaro, Royal Commissioner General 
 to the Exposition, acting as representatives of the reigning powers in Italy. 
 The exercises began with a parade through the central portion of the city. 
 All the Italian societies, numbering about three thousand men, were out in 
 full force. The red, white, and green emblem of Italy, with its red shield 
 and white cross, floated side by side with the Stars and Stripes at the head 
 of each division. A score of bands made inspiring music, and the military 
 costumes of many of the organizations combined to produce a striking effect. 
 The parade was disbanded in the city and formed again at Terminal Station 
 in Jackson Park. It then marched into Administration Plaza, and took a 
 stand in front of the Columbus statue before Administration Building, where 
 short addresses were made by the Hon. Thomas B. Bryan and President 
 Thomas W. Palmer. Responses were made by Marquis Ungaro, Dr. Caesare 
 VoHni, and others. At the conclusion of the speechmaking, John T. Gari- 
 baldi, in the name of the Italian societies, laid a wreath at the feet of the 
 statue, and the Countess di Brazz£l, President of the Italian Woman's Com- 
 mittee for the Exposition, also laid there a wreath in the name of the women 
 of Italy, and especially of the Queen. The playing of Italian and American 
 national airs added to the enthusiasm of this ceremony, after which the 
 Columbian Liberty Bell was rung and a short address was made by President 
 Higinbotham. In the afternoon a grand concert was given at Festival Hall 
 under the direction of Signor Carlos Gomez, the Brazilian composer, and 
 Signor Vittorio Carpi, the selections being from the works of Italian com- 
 posers. A gondola race was conducted on the lagoons, by the Venetian 
 Gondola Company, in exactly the same manner of procedure as in Venice, 
 prizes being offered by the Exposition Company, and the day closed with a 
 
458 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 reception at the Woman's Building in the evening in honor of Baron and 
 Baroness La Fava. 
 
 Minnesota Day and Trainmens Day, October ij. — It was intended to 
 hold this celebration in the Minnesota Building, but, as the weather pre- 
 cluded open-air exercises, they were carried out in Festival Hall, where 
 Governor Knute Nelson, National-Commissioner Orson V. Tousley, and 
 other speakers entertained a large audience, and the bands played national 
 
 airs. D. A. Monfort, President of the 
 State Board, made a speech of welcome, 
 which was followed by an address by Gov- 
 ernor Nelson, in which he briefly rehearsed 
 the history of the State, and concluded 
 with a tribute to Chicago and the grand 
 success of the Exposition. The subjects 
 treated by the remaining speakers were : 
 Minnesota — Her Agricultural Resources, by 
 S. M. Owen ; Minnesota — Her Educational 
 Advantages, by President Cyrus Northrop, 
 of the State University ; Minnesota — Her 
 Municipalities, by the Hon. H. F. Stevens ; 
 Minnesota — Her Mines and Forests, by C. 
 A. Towne. An interesting incident of the 
 day was the presentation to the Governor 
 by the Woman's Auxiliary Board of a fine 
 State flag. 
 
 Several thousand trainmen gathered at 
 the Fair on this day for an inspection of 
 transportation exhibits, all of which were put in the best trim for the 
 visitors. The old original locomotive Samson was under steam, and 
 made short excursions in the building, with Mr. Davidson, of Stellarton, 
 Nova Scotia, as engineer, and Mr. Finlayson, of Mt. Carroll, 111., as con- 
 ductor. These men were chosen for this honor as having run the first rail- 
 way train in this country, and they attracted as much interest on this day as 
 did any of the exhibits. At the same time the old John Bull train made 
 trips every few minutes down the tracks to the railroad yards. 
 
 Manhattan Day, October 21. — Many thousands of people from New 
 York were guests at the Exposition at this time. Mayor Gilroy of that city 
 had appointed a committee of one hundred citizens to provide for their re- 
 ception, and an executive committee, with General Horace Porter as chair- 
 man, had charge of the details of the preparations. This committee provided 
 for the military display, the music, badges, finance, and transportation, and did 
 its work so well that a large representation was secured of men of all profes- 
 sions, trades, callings, creeds, and opinions ; and they brought with them the 
 famous Old Guard of New York and Innes's celebrated Thirteenth Regi- 
 
 GEORGE DAVIDSON, 
 
 Engineer of the first railway train, 
 
 run in British North America. 
 
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SPECIAL DAYS. 
 
 459 
 
 ment Band. Chicago and the Exposition Directors had also made great 
 preparations for this event, and a special souvenir ticket for Manhattan Day 
 was prepared. The attendance nearly reached 340,000. The New Yorkers 
 began their celebration by a general gathering at the State building, from 
 which they proceeded at 1.30 p. m. to Festival Hall. On the platform were 
 distinguished men of both cities. Addresses were made by Mayors Harri- 
 son and Gilroy, by General Horace Porter, the Hon. Chauncey M. Depew, 
 and President Seth Low, of Columbia College, and the programme was inter- 
 spersed with the singing by the Columbian Chorus, assisted by the New York 
 Band, of " The Star-Spangled Banner," " The Battle Hymn of the Republic," 
 "America," and other songs. A poem entitled "New York to Chicago," 
 by Joseph I. C. Clarke, of New York, was recited, and the benediction was 
 pronounced by Archbishop Corrigan. At three o'clock the 
 special parade of the day took place. The Old Guard, 
 resplendent in gold lace, red trimmings, and bear-skin 
 shakos, marched at the head of the line, which in- 
 cluded also the Chicago Hussars, the First Regiment 
 of Illinois National Guards, and the Chicago 
 Society of the Sons of New York. A con- 
 cert was given in front of the New York 
 Building by Innes's Band; at 5.30 there 
 was a procession of floats, at 7.30 a grand 
 display of fireworks, and at 9.30 a con- 
 cert by the Linefif Russian troupe at the 
 State building. The illumination and deco- 
 ration of this building were superb. A car 
 load of flowers from the Florists' Club of New 
 York was disposed about it in fine large vases 
 lent by the Japanese and East Indian Com- 
 missioners. In the evening the words Man- 
 hattan Day appeared in electric lights over 
 the door, and the interior was bright with 
 
 myriads of incandescent lights. The procession of floats was in great part 
 a repetition of that on Chicago Day, but it was led by one specially designed 
 for this occasion, which represented the Bartholdi statue in New York har- 
 bor of Liberty enlightening the World, surrounded by figures of all races 
 and nationalities, while over their heads hung the national flags of their re- 
 spective countries. When the march was begun, Columbian Guards sur- 
 rounding each float lighted colored fires which were carried through the 
 entire line of march. The set works of the evening represented the Falls of 
 Niagara, Old Father Knickerbocker and Chicago, the Brooklyn Bridge, the 
 Ferris Wheel, a portrait of Mayor Gilroy, etc. A ton of colored fire was 
 used, together with 1,000 shells of different caliber and design, and 6,000 
 rockets. The display began with the ascension of a balloon, which when it 
 
 WILLIAM FINLAYSON, 
 
 the oldest living railroad conductor 
 
 in the United States. 
 
460 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 had reached the height of 2,000 feet set off a piece that spelled out the 
 words New York in letters of fire ten feet square. Another dropped in 
 fiery colors the folds of the Star-Spangled Banner. 
 
 Mary Washington Day, October 24. — A colonial tea, with music and 
 dancing, was given at the New York Building by the Mary Washington 
 
 ENTRANCE TO THE NEW YORK STATE BUILDING 
 on Manhattan Day. 
 
 Memorial Association to raise funds with which to erect a monument to the 
 mother of Washington near Fredericksburg, Va. The ladies appeared in the 
 colonial dress and that of the contemporaneous French Empire, and the 
 dancing of the stately minuet in costume was one of the principal incidents of 
 the evening. Tea was served by the grand dames and dainty damsels, also 
 by Singalese, Japanese, and East Indian attendants in native dress and in 
 the manner peculiar to their respective countries. This most successful af- 
 fair was under the direction of the Illinois branch of the National Mary 
 Washington Memorial Association, Mrs. Lyman Trumbull, President, Mrs. 
 Ida P. Gibson, Secretary. 
 
SPECIAL DAYS. 
 
 461 
 
 Marine Transportation Day, October ^5.— The observance of this day 
 was in a great measure a repetition of Transportation and Fisheries Days, to 
 which were added several novel and spectacular features. It began with a 
 parade of boats in four divisions— naval, fishing, transportation, and miscel- 
 laneous— in which the boats of all nations manned by their particular coun- 
 trymen appeared. In the afternoon floats were anchored in the Grand Basin 
 and a class of forty little girls dressed as sailor lads went through a pro- 
 
 THE MICHIGAN LOGGING CAMP. 
 
 gramme of dances to the music of a Mexican orchestra. At 7.30 p. m. a 
 gorgeous pageant pf illuminated and decorated boats was prepared, and the 
 prizes offered for the greatest taste and ingenuity in decoration were given 
 for the following designs : A float bearing a chariot of incandescent lights 
 drawn by two horses ; a model of the Vigilant ; a model of a Chinese junk ; 
 and a reproduction of the Ferris Wheel with lanterns. After this parade, 
 came a display of fireworks and a mimic battle in the Grand Basin. The 
 display of set pieces included a fire picture of the old battle ship Constitution 
 in contrast with the modern model of the Illinois, also an old merchant ship 
 shown beside a modern ocean steamer. A naval combat between two war 
 ships of the present day was portrayed in fire, with torpedo boats in action, 
 the deadly work of the ram, an explosion, and the sinking of one ship. 
 
 Coal, Grain, and Lumber Dealers Day, October 2'j. — On this day the 
 dealers representing these three great, interests met in Music Hall at 3.30 
 
462 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 P. M. to listen to addresses. Walter S. Bogle, chairman of the meeting, 
 talked of coal and told the story of the development of Chicago as shown in 
 the increase in the coal business. George F. Stone, Secretary of the Board 
 of Trade, spoke for that body of men, and proved that the grain trade was 
 the corner stone of the prosperity of Chicago. C. A. Palzer reviewed the 
 growth of the city as a lumber-trade center since the time, in 1851, when 
 lumber was brought by team from the Ohio River. 
 
 Ancient Order of United Workmen s Day and United Cities Day, Octo- 
 ber 28. — On this quarter-century anniversary of the founding of the Ancient 
 Order of United Workmen, Grand-Master W. C. Galloway, of Illinois, wel- 
 comed five thousand members to the exercises of the day at Festival Hall. 
 They marched into the grounds headed by a band of music, and at 2 p. m. 
 the exercises began with the singing of "America," followed by the Grand 
 Master Workman's address of welcome. Supreme-Master Shields was the 
 orator of the day, and several other eminent members of the order made 
 brief addresses. 
 
 Great efforts were made by the Mayor and City Council of Chicago to 
 make this day memorable. Personal invitations were issued to the mayors 
 and officials of all cities as the especial guests of the Chicago City Council. 
 More than a thousand officials, representing fifty-four cities and towns, pre- 
 sented themselves in the morning at the rendezvous at the City Clerk's 
 office, where badges and tickets were distributed, and proceeded in a body to 
 Jackson Park. Mayor Harrison headed the column, accompanied by Mayor 
 Edwin S. Stuart, of Philadelphia, and Mayor Fitzpatrick, of New Orleans. 
 At Music Hall at 10 a. m.. Alderman Martin B. Madden, of Chicago, intro- 
 duced Mayor Harrison as the first speaker. A mournful interest attaches to 
 his words on this occasion, as this address proved to be the last one of his 
 life, his assassination occurring on the evening of the same day. Mayor 
 Stuart, of Philadelphia, replied in behalf of the visitors, and other speakers 
 were heard. Owing to the chilly weather, the outdoor exercises were aban- 
 doned, and the mayors adjourned to the Liberal Arts Building, where they 
 were entertained with music. At the afternoon concert, in Music Hall, a pro- 
 gramme of works by Chicago composers was excellently rendered by a large 
 chorus and orchestra, assisted by soloists. There was a touch of sadness in 
 all the day, and the chill of autumn affected one with a sense that the sum- 
 mer had passed and the beauties of the Exposition would soon be no more. 
 The crowds still came in spite of the cold, but they were not disposed to sit 
 and listen to music or oratory. 
 
 Columbus Day, October jo. — A long and unusually attractive programme 
 had been prepared for the closing day of the Fair ; but the situation was 
 changed by the death of Mayor Harrison, and all ceremonies were aban- 
 doned by the Exposition directors, except a meeting to pay a tribute to the 
 deceased and to close the great Fair with mournful minute guns. The flags, 
 which all day had fluttered at half mast, fell at sunset at the national salute 
 
SPECIAL DAYS. 
 
 463 
 
 of twenty-one guns, not amid applause, but as an announcement that the 
 Exposition was formally closed. The meeting in Festival Hall, planned for 
 speeches of congratulation, was called instead to hear resolutions of regret 
 and condolence. The ceremonies were simple and impressive, ending with 
 the adoption of the resolutions, the audience departing to solemn organ 
 music. President Thomas W. Palmer presided, and prayer was offered by 
 the Rev. John Henry Barrows, of Chicago. Several brief speeches were 
 made by those who had been most closely associated with the dead Mayor. 
 President Harlow N. Higinbotham submitted the series of resolutions ex- 
 tolling the deceased and expressing sympathy for the bereaved family. He 
 then moved the adoption of the resolutions by a rising vote, and heads were 
 uncovered as the assemblage rose in response to a call from President Palmer. 
 After this, President Palmer again came forward and officially declared the 
 Exposition closed. 
 
 A double wheel-chair. 
 
The Peristyle, showing the Music Hall on the left, and the Casino on the right. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 MUSIC. 
 
 Theodore Thomas made Musical Director — William L. Tomlins, Choral Director — Plan- 
 ning the concerts — Description of Music Hall — Paderewski — A difficulty about the 
 piano — Discontinuance of the orchestra and resignation of Mr. Thomas — The band 
 stands — The Grand Chorus — Musical societies — Minor concerts — Expenses. 
 
 T; 
 
 HE Bureau of Music, an organization in 
 immediate charge of the musical entertain- 
 ments of the Exposition, was included in the 
 Department of Liberal Arts. Subsequently the 
 Bureau became practically independent of 
 the Department of Liberal Arts, and it re- 
 mained so during the Exposition season. 
 On November i8, 1891, the Director Gen- 
 eral nominated Theodore Thomas to be 
 Musical Director, William L. Tomlins to be 
 Choral Director, and George H. Wilson to be 
 Secretary. These gentlemen were to form 
 the Bureau of Music, and their appointments 
 were confirmed on February 12, 1892. 
 On July 13, 1 89 1, an honorary commission 
 had been given to Mr. Tomlins, who was about 
 to visit England to explore that field as to musi- 
 cal matters, and report ; and on March 17, 1892, 
 
 Mr. Wilson received instructions to visit various musical centers in Europe 
 
 464 
 
 THEODORE THOMAS, 
 Musical Director. 
 
MUSIC. ^6^ 
 
 with regard to securing for the Exposition musical talent from abroad, and 
 some special musical exhibits. 
 
 The plans of the Bureau of Music considered three methods of musical 
 presentation : 
 
 First, a series of symphonic recitals by a fully equipped orchestra, under 
 the direction of Mr. Thomas. Second, a series of grand choral presentations, 
 under the direction of Mr. Tomlins. Third, an abundant supply of popular 
 band and orchestral music to be distributed widely throughout the Exposi- 
 tion grounds, under the general control and supervision of the Bureau of 
 Music. 
 
 In all these departments it was the laudable intention of the musical ex- 
 perts who were developing the scheme, first, that the music should be in the 
 widest sense representative of the foremost development of musical art as 
 found both in America and in those European nations where its culture is 
 most fostered ; and, second, that it should have the most beneficial effect in 
 elevating and refining public musical taste, while satisfying the critical de- 
 mands of the most fastidious. 
 
 That these forms of musical entertainment might be adequately repre- 
 sented, two buildings were erected upon designs specially prepared by the 
 Exposition architects. The first, known as the Music Hall, formed the north- 
 ern section of the architectural plan which included also the Peristyle and 
 the Casino. The building was one hundred and forty feet wide by two hun- 
 dred and forty-six feet long, and about sixty-five feet high. The main audi- 
 ence room was one hundred and twenty-six feet long ; in width and height 
 it occupied the full dimensions of the building. The space for musicians was 
 at the east end, in the form of a great hemicycle or recess, which opened into 
 the main hall by an arch sixty-six feet wide and fifty-four feet high. The 
 geometrical form of this recess was a half cylinder, surmounted by a fourth 
 of a sphere. 
 
 In front of the orchestra was the parquet, gradually rising to the rear, 
 and seating about nine hundred persons. The parquet was surrounded, ex- 
 cept on the side of the orchestra, by a wide loggia or passage, and over this 
 passage was a broad balcony seating twelve hundred persons. The balcony 
 was semicircular at the end opposite the stage. The arched roof was sup- 
 ported by Corinthian columns at the front of the balcony, and the inner 
 space was covered with a skylight, which, with the large windows at the sides, 
 gave ample light by day ; at night the hall was illuminated by incandescent 
 lamps. Over the balcony a second floor was constructed which could be 
 used for standing room on extra occasions. The interior of the hall was 
 richly decorated, and was adorned with emblematic paintings in the panels 
 and above the main arch. The architecture within and without was Roman- 
 Corinthian, and, in the opinion of many, the interior, when adapted and 
 decorated for the final banquet, was the most beautiful apartment of the 
 Exposition, 
 
466 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 The acoustic properties of this concert hall were not satisfactory. The 
 surface given to the apsis in which the musicians were placed, while it 
 simulated in a degree that of the paraboloid indicated by refined acoustic 
 science, for architectural reasons just failed of its purpose. When the hall 
 was ready for use it became apparent that by no possible arrangement of an 
 
 THE MUSIC HALL. 
 Seating capacity, 2,000, with places for an orchestra of 75 pieces, and a chorus of 300 people. 
 
 Architect, Charles B. Atwood. 
 
 orchestra or a chorus, within or before the resonant apsis, could an unpleas- 
 ant interference of tones be avoided. An attempt was made to remedy the 
 defect by hanging draperies, which mitigated but did not cure the evil. At 
 the banquet referred to, although the speakers responded from various points 
 on the floor, at no place could they be heard in all parts of the hall. 
 
 Music Hall was ready at the opening of the Exposition, and was dedi- 
 cated on May 2 by an inaugural concert at which the distinguished Russian 
 virtuoso Paderewski volunteered to appear at the pianoforte. The circum- 
 stances of this appearance aroused much bitterness among the exhibitors of 
 musical instruments. Because of dissatisfaction with the scheme of awards 
 as promulgated by the committee having that subject under control, a num- 
 ber of manufacturers of pianofortes, who had received allotments as exhib- 
 itors, withdrew from the Exposition. The exhibitors who remained urged 
 that those who had thus summarily withdrawn should not enjoy the distinction 
 
MUSIC. 467 
 
 which their instruments would acquire from use on the most impressive occa- 
 sions under Exposition management. The objection of the exhibitors was 
 answered by the claim of the artist that he must not be trammeled in his 
 selection of the instrument on which he should play, and that no other than 
 the one chosen would serve his purpose ; and this claim was allowed to pre- 
 vail, although its insufificiency was shown by the fact that the finest instru- 
 ments of the kind he was accustomed to use in his own country were among 
 the exhibits, and were at his service. The contention proved to be barren, 
 as the inclemency of the weather reduced to a minimum the attendance at 
 the inaugural concerts. Mr. Thomas was drawn into this dispute, and efforts 
 were made by a committee of the National Commission to secure his resig- 
 nation. 
 
 These efforts were felt by the Board of Directors to be unfair, and Mr. 
 Thomas was therefore firmly supported throughout the controversy. This 
 trouble occupied much time and created considerable public discussion. 
 After it had abated somewhat, the Executive Committee of the Board of 
 Directors thought it wise to discontinue the services of the orchestra, in view 
 of the necessity for reducing expenses in every possible way. The necessity 
 • for this action was communicated to Mr. Thomas in August, and he promptly 
 tendered his resignation and assisted the members of the committee in effect- 
 ing a settlement with the members of his orchestra. 
 
 The main or western entrance to Music Hall led into a great vestibule, 
 sixty by eighty feet in dimensions, and this into the loggia, about the par- 
 quet. Above this vestibule, and reached by suitable stairways, was an apart- 
 ment, also sixty by eighty feet and twenty-eight feet high, which was called 
 the Recital Hall. The room was designed, in concurrence with the wishes 
 of the Chief of the Department of Liberal Arts and of the Musical Director, 
 as a place where, in accordance with a programme to be provided, exhibitors 
 of musical instruments, and especially of pianofortes, might display the quali- 
 ties of their exhibits. The Recital Hall communicated with the main music 
 hall by a wide archway, which could be closed only by a portiere, making 
 it impossible to use the two halls at the same time, and as the main hall was 
 almost constantly occupied either for concerts or rehearsals, but little op- 
 portunity was left for exhibitors. 
 
 Festival (or Choral) Hall stood between the Transportation and Hor- 
 ticultural Buildings, fronting the North Lagoon. It was circular, two hun- 
 dred and fifty feet in diameter, with a Doric portico in front, and entrances 
 on the other three sides. Within, a parquet, occupying the central floor 
 space, was surrounded by tiers of seats, extending to the outer wall. There 
 were no galleries. About one third of the rising seats were assigned to the 
 chorus ; in front of it was the platform for the orchestra, the director stand- 
 ing nearly at the center of the building. Seats were provided for two thou- 
 sand singers and for an audience of forty-five hundred. At the rear of the 
 chorus stood a grand organ of sixty stops, built by Farrand & Votey, of 
 
468 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Detroit, Mich. The organ, which was built as an exhibit, aided by a sub- 
 sidy of ten thousand dollars paid by the Exposition, was opened on July 31, 
 Clarence Eddy presiding. This building was severely simple, within and 
 without. It had a conical roof, and was lighted chiefly from above. Its 
 acoustic properties were satisfactory, and, both on account of its position and 
 its superior fitness, was much more in demand than was Music Hall. 
 
 For out-of-door music, three ornate band stands were erected — two in 
 the grand plaza, east of the Administration Building, and one on the 
 
 Lake Shore, east of the central pavilion of the 
 Manufactures Building. Platforms were erected 
 also on the Wooded Island and in the 
 ^ _ space north of the Art Gallery. 
 
 Other accommodations were 
 provided from time to time 
 within the Exposition buildings, 
 and temporarily on other parts of 
 the grounds. A point of serious 
 and just criticism in regard to the 
 band music is that little pro- 
 vision was made for the 
 comfort of listeners. Few 
 seats were provided at first ; 
 but this was soon remedied, and 
 thousands of seats were scattered 
 over the grounds, most of them 
 around the band-stands. 
 At the time of his appointment, Mr. Thomas was conducting a series of 
 orchestral concerts at the Auditorium, in Chicago, and under his baton a 
 large nucleus of professional musicians had been trained to his methods. 
 Upon this as a basis, a grand Exposition orchestra was gathered, which 
 during the first months of the Exposition consisted of one hundred and 
 fourteen players. On May i, 1893, the opening day of the Exposition, and 
 on several other occasions, the number was one hundred and fifty ; and at 
 the dedicatory services, October 22, 1892, one hundred and ninety were on 
 the platform. Without doubt, the Columbian Exposition Orchestra, as or- 
 ganized and conducted by Mr. Thomas, has never been surpassed in its 
 peculiar field by any orchestra in this country. 
 
 The work laid out for this orchestra provided, first, for a series of sym- 
 phony concerts, to be held twice a week, or more frequently, in Music Hall. 
 The music was to be of the highest character, and to be presented in the 
 most perfect form. The price of admission, including always a reserved seat, 
 was one dollar. Second, a series of popular orchestral concerts was to be 
 given, one each day at noon. These concerts were to consist of music in a 
 lighter and more popular vein, but still of a high character, and were free of 
 
 ONE OF THE BAND STANDS, 
 Designed by Charles B. Atwood. 
 
MUSIC. 
 
 469 
 
 charge. For a time they were held at Music Hall ; after the second week 
 they were transferred to Festival Hall. The experiment was made of taking 
 the orchestra to the Woman's Building on Saturdays, but after the third trial 
 this was discontinued. An attempt to present these concerts at the pavilion 
 on the Lake Front, east of the Manufactures Building, was also abandoned 
 after two trials. 
 
 The third use of the orchestra was as an accompaniment to the great 
 choruses presented at Festival Hall. From the inaugural concert held in 
 Music Hall on May 2 to August 12, when Mr. Thomas closed his connec- 
 tion with the Exposition, there were eighty-eight working days, during 
 which the orchestra of one hundred and fourteen assisted in one hundred 
 and six performances. The enlarged orchestra of one hundred and fifty 
 appeared in eight performances. On August 1 5 the orchestra was divided 
 into two parts, placed respectively under the direction of Max Bendix and 
 W. Dietrich, and for one week the sections played alternately at the clock 
 tower in the Manufactures Building. The orchestra was then reunited, re- 
 duced to one hundred, and assigned to the leadership of Mr. Bendix, who 
 conducted it until the close of the Exposition. Under his baton fourteen 
 popular concerts were given in Music Hall and fifteen in Festival Hall. 
 Other distinguished orchestras appeared at the Exposition, and among them 
 may be named the Boston Symphony Orchestra under the leadership of 
 Franz Kneisel, and the New York Symphony Orchestra, led by Walter 
 Damrosch. 
 
 The scheme for the presentation of choral music was broad and compre- 
 hensive. First, it was expected that the great city of Chicago, with its large 
 colonies of Europeans, would furnish many strong societies of well-trained 
 singers. Second, delegations from the choral societies in all the larger cities. 
 East and West, were to be grouped in a series of grand concerts, to be in some 
 degree comparative if not competitive. The work of gathering, harmoniz- 
 ing, training, and welding these diverse and scattered masses, required the 
 patience of talent and the artistic sense of a thorough musician. For this 
 work the selection of Mr. Tomlins was wisely made. 
 
 The effort to gather musical societies by groups was only partially suc- 
 cessful. The Eastern States did not respond. The first group of Western 
 societies gave three concerts in the latter part of May ; the second group 
 gave a series about the middle of July. The music presented was the same 
 for both these groups, and included the Utrecht Jubilate, St. Paul, Lohengrin, 
 A Stronghold Sure, Judas Maccabeus, and the Requiem Mass by Berlioz. 
 
 Mr. TomHns organized and conducted the following choruses: The 
 Grand Chorus that appeared in the Manufactures Building on Dedication 
 Day, October 21, numbering 5,570 voices; the Grand Chorus for Opening 
 Day, May i, of 1,500 voices; the Chicago Columbian Chorus, numbering 
 1,250 voices ; the Children's Exposition Chorus, consisting of 1,200 voices; 
 and the Kansas Concert, consisting of 700 voices. 
 
 33 
 
470 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 The preparation of these groups began in 1891, and was continued with- 
 out interruption until the various presentations were finished on Chicago 
 Day, October 9, 1893. The Children's Chorus deserves special notice. This 
 was a body of little ones, from eight to twelve years, of both sexes. The 
 music given was neither childish nor trivial ; the quality of tone was pure and 
 sweet ; the great throng was under perfect control, and showed its ability to 
 sing not only the music on which it had been carefully rehearsed, but music 
 at sight, respondent to the baton of the master. 
 
 As might be expected, the most successful concerts conducted by Mr. 
 Tomlins were given by the Chicago Apollo Musical Club, a body of five 
 
 hundred singers of both sexes, which had been 
 trained by him for nearly twenty years. 
 
 The following is a list of the musical societies 
 
 that appeared at the Exposition : The Cincinnati 
 
 Festival Association, led by Theodore Thomas ; 
 
 the Milwaukee Arion Club, led by Arthur 
 
 Weld ; the Minneapolis Choral Association, 
 
 led by Samuel A. Baldwin ; the St. Louis 
 
 Choral Society, led by Joseph Otten ; the St. 
 
 Paul Choral Association, led by Samuel A. 
 
 Baldwin. These organizations formed the first 
 
 ■ section of Western societies ; they sang June 21, 
 
 22, and 23. 
 
 The second section of Western societies in- 
 cluded the Cleveland Vocal Society, led by Alfred 
 Arthur ; the Columbus Arion Club, led by W. H. 
 Lott ; the Dayton Philharmonic, led by W. L. 
 Blumenschein ; the Louisville Musical Club, led by 
 C. H. Shackleton ; the Omaha Apollo Club, led by 
 L. A. Torrens ; the Pittsburg Mozart Club, led by 
 J. P. McCollum ; and they sang July 12, 13, and 14. Other societies were 
 the Brooklyn M. G. A. Arion, led by Arthur Classen ; the German Ameri- 
 can Woman's Chorus, led by Gabriel Katzenberger ; the German Lieder- 
 krans, New York, led by Heinrich ZoUner ; the Junger Maennerchor, Phila- 
 delphia, led by Carl Samans ; the American Union of Swedish Singers, led 
 by O. Ringwall and John R. Ortengren ; the United Scandinavian Singers, 
 led by J. W. Colberg ; and the Old Stoughton Musical Society, led by Ed- 
 win A. Jones. 
 
 Among the other musical events which, while they were not under the 
 immediate direction of the officers of the Bureau of Music, were neverthe- 
 less provided for in the arrangement of its schedules, was the Welsh Ei- 
 steddfod, under the management of the Welsh Musical Societies of Chicago. 
 It was held in Festival Hall, September 5, 6, 7, and 8. Large audiences 
 were present, and prizes, provided by the managers, were awarded to singers, 
 
 WILLIAM L. TOMLINS: 
 Choral Director. 
 
MUSIC. 
 
 471 
 
 quartets Choruses, etc. Festivals were held in the same building by the 
 United Polish Singers on October 6, and by the Bohemian Singers on Octo- 
 ber 12, with Dr. Antonin Dvorak as their honored guest. The Lineff Rus 
 sian Choir, under the leadership of Madame Eugdnie Lineff, gave a series of 
 concerts daily throughout October in Festival Hall. These concerts pre 
 sented many of the folk songs, and illustrated the peculiar customs that 
 attach to the marriages of the Russian peasantry. The musicians from the 
 Midway Plaisance gave a series of eight concerts in which their peculiar 
 music was illustrated, and on October 9 the choir from the Mormon Taber- 
 nacle of Salt Lake, Utah, gave a concert in Festival Hall. 
 
 Lyon & Healy, manufacturers of harps and other stringed instruments. 
 
 FESTIVAL HALL. 
 Seating capacity, 4,000. Architect, Francis M. Whitehouse. 
 
 provided a small concert hall in the second story of their booth in the Lib- 
 eral Arts Building. Here they gave daily a series of concerts, at which their 
 instruments were played. The room was filled to its capacity, and the visi- 
 tors, after listening for half an hour, gave place to others. These concerts 
 became very popular. 
 
 The De Moss family, vocalists, gave concerts each afternoon at the Hor- 
 ticultural Building from the middle of September to the end of the Exposi- 
 tion. A Brazilian concert was given in Music Hall under the leadership of 
 Senor Carl Gomez. 
 
 Music was provided constantly and in great variety in the State build- 
 
472 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 ings, but this was entirely beyond the scope of the Bureau of Music, as was 
 also the music in the Woman's Building. 
 
 The Vandusen & Tift Company, of Cincinnati, hung a chime of thirteen 
 bells in the southeast tower of Machinery Hall. They were played by C. E. 
 Bredberg, of St. James's Church, Chicago, in the earlier months three times 
 daily ; in the later months, six times daily. Their music was greatly ad- 
 mired. A chime of bells by the C. H. Meneely Bell Company, of Troy, 
 
 N. Y., was hung in the clock tow- 
 This chime was played by electric 
 from a keyboard in the exhibit 
 pany. A chime of steel bells 
 Russian space in the Manufac- 
 four very rich-toned bells was 
 man House. 
 
 tempt to enumerate all the 
 took part in the great 
 Throughout the Exposition 
 by the management, day and 
 and in various other places 
 position buildings. The 
 varied from two in May to 
 latter month as many as 
 given in a day. Among 
 be named Sousa's New 
 Chicago Band, Brand's 
 Thirteenth Regiment 
 
 Iowa State Band, and the 
 man. 
 
 ry concert was given at the 
 honor of Chief Allison by 
 Band, of Cincinnati, 
 ment sent its most distin- 
 
 Arts Building, 
 wires leading 
 
 THE CHIME TOWER 
 on Machinery Hall. 
 
 er of the Liberal 
 mechanism, the 
 of the Self-winding Clock Com- 
 occasionally sounded from the 
 tures Building, and a peal of 
 hung in one tower of the Ger- 
 It would be useless to at- 
 musical organizations that 
 functions and processions, 
 several bands were employed 
 evening, at the band stands 
 within and without the Ex- 
 number of bands in service 
 six in September. In the 
 fourteen band concerts were 
 the bands employed should 
 Marine Band, Liesegang's 
 Cincinnati Band, Innes's 
 Band, Gilmore's Band, the 
 bands from Elgin and Pull- 
 A notable complimenta- 
 Manufactures Building in 
 Bellstedt & Ballenberg's 
 The Mexican Govern- 
 guished military band to 
 
 take part in the dedicatory services on October 21, 1892, as a mark of na- 
 tional courtesy and consideration. This service was acknowledged by the 
 Director General by decorating each of the musicians with a medal com- 
 memorative of the occasion. 
 
 When the President of the United States and his suite, under the escort 
 of the officers of the Exposition, made the first circuit of the Exposition 
 on the opening day, his attention was attracted in Columbia Avenue by a 
 quaintly arranged band of musicians from Corea, the hermit land, discoursing 
 music as far foreign to the Western ear as were their persons and their 
 attire to the Western eye. Coming from a country so remote, and hereto- 
 fore so exclusive toward all the world beside, their music, like their exhibits, 
 was received with the liveliest interest. 
 
MUSIC. 
 
 473 
 
 Many of the larger concessions on the Midway Plaisance and elsewhere 
 in the Exhibition grounds added to their other attractions music which was 
 notable in some cases for its excellence, in others for its quaintness or 
 strangeness. Among the first may be named Ziehrer's Royal Austrian Band, 
 which daily and nightly discoursed delicious music in Old Vienna ; the 
 imperial German cavalry and infantry bands in the German Village ; the 
 Coldstream Guards Band at the Stock Pavilion ; and the Royal Hungarian 
 Band at the French Restaurant. A Mexican string orchestra and a quartet 
 at the Guatemala Building, which played upon the marimba, a series of 
 wooden bars struck with light wooden hammers, won much praise. 
 
 Ears trained to enjoy the music of the Occident were startled at the 
 weird sounds that greeted them in the Java and Chinese theaters and from 
 Dahomey, Soudanese, and Samoan performers. The semibarbaric minor 
 strains of Moorish and Arabic origin, whose mournful cadences were marked 
 by the resounding feet of dancing girls upon the stages of the Algerian, 
 Cairene, Moorish, Persian, and Turkish theaters, remain in many memories 
 as the typical music of the Midway. 
 
 The estimates made for the expenses of musical entertainments, includ- 
 ing the wages of musicians, music, and incidentals, called for the expenditure 
 of over half a miUion dollars, besides the cost of the buildings. The cost 
 of buildings, including band stands, was $230,979.21, and the cost for musi- 
 cians and music was $386,711.05, making a total expenditure for music and 
 buildings of $617,690.26. The receipts from concerts and recitals reduced 
 this amount to $562,325.81. 
 
 i 
 
 u. 
 
 ^i 
 
 l^-rt 
 
 .^^mu 1 
 
 % 
 
 
 
 Scottish pipers. 
 
Columbian Fountain illuminated by Searchlight on the roof of the Manufactures Building. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 CHARLES C. WHEELER, 
 Member of the Directory 
 
 A" 
 
 AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, AND OCTOBER. 
 
 Average daily attendance— Payment on the bonds— Discharge of the Committee on 
 Ceremonies — Mr. Millet appointed Director of Functions — Methods of advertising 
 —Illumination— Beauty of the scene at night— Electrical effects— The Midway 
 Plaisance. 
 
 UGUST opened with but little promise. 
 During the first few days the attend- 
 ance was not quite equal to that of 
 July, but a change was about to take 
 place. The Exposition was now thor- 
 oughly advertised through the press and 
 the reports of visitors who had returned 
 to their homes. The fame of its beauty 
 and of the wonders it contained had gone 
 abroad. Thousands who had hesitated 
 about coming began to realize that the 
 season was half over, that more comforta- 
 ble weather might be expected, that every- 
 thing was ready, and that a great oppor- 
 tunity was slipping away. 
 
 The first indication of improvement 
 came on Monday, August 6. On the 
 preceding Monday the attendance had 
 been only 71,138. On August 6 it was 
 90,354. There was no, special attraction 
 to account for the additional 20,000 admissions. The increase was marked 
 mstantly by those in authority, who had been watching and hoping for it, 
 
 474 
 
AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, AND OCTOBER. .yc 
 
 and It was taken as an indication of the improvement so necessary to their 
 rehef. From this time the throng increased daily. It was observed, as a 
 rule, that the attendance on Monday could be taken as a guide for the rest 
 of the week. Monday was usually the poorest day of the week, the days 
 following it showing a steady increase until Thursday. On Friday, due to 
 the fact that fewer visitors arrived in the latter part of the week than in 
 the early pait, the attendance generally showed a falling off, but the Satur- 
 day attendance was increased by reason of the half holiday in the city. 
 Hence, when a decided increase occurred on Monday, the prediction was 
 justified that a heavier attendance might be expected for the next few days. 
 Monday, August 14, the attendance was 105,471, and on August 21 it was 
 130.393. figures that had not been attained in the early portion of the season 
 except on notable occasions. To illustrate the gradual increase, the average 
 per day is given herewith for the first week of each month of the Exposi- 
 tion. The average is based upon six days, Sundays being omitted : 
 
 In the week ending May 6, 1893, the total was 202,125, and the daily 
 average 33,687. 
 
 In the week ending June 3 the total was 343,097, and the daily average 
 57.183. 
 
 In the week ending July 8 the total was 749,929, and the daily average 
 124,988. 
 
 In the week ending August 5 the total was 514,747, and the daily aver- 
 age 85,791. 
 
 In the week ending September 9 the total was 1,096,225, and the daily 
 average 182,704. 
 
 In the week ending October 7 the total was 994,919, and the daily aver- 
 age 165,820. 
 
 And now it began to be apparent that, after laboring through many trials, 
 and in spite of the depressing influence of the panic, financial and popular 
 success had been achieved. Day by day as the throng increased, statistics 
 of attendance formerly rare became everyday occurrences. The vast 
 grounds absorbed the great gatherings with as much ease as the smaller 
 ones. It was not possible to judge the attendance by the appearance of the 
 grounds, for the throngs that passed through the gates dispersed through the 
 buildings, on the lagoons, on the Intramural Railway and Midway Plaisance, 
 so that an increase of fifty thousand or a hundred thousand might take place 
 before the casual observer would know that there was an unusual number of 
 people in the Park. The difference was perceptible only in the gate receipts, 
 the contentment of the concessionnaires, and the rollicking spirit of the 
 throngs of visitors and of the operators of the special attractions in that 
 noisy, picturesque strip of land which has passed into a byword and an amus- 
 ing recollection all over our country as the " Midway." 
 
 On August 3 the Executive Committee authorized the payment of an 
 installment of ten per cent on the Exposition bonds. The Exposition had 
 
476 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 received from admissions and concessions during the first three months 
 $4,171,953.38, and its operating expenses for the same period had been 
 $1,822,672.37, leaving $2,349,281.01 to be appHed upon the floating debt. The 
 most pressing obligations had been liquidated. Most of the obligations still 
 remaining were not yet due, being still subjects of negotiation and adjust- 
 ment virith contractors and others. It was felt, therefore, that in the profits 
 
 TREASURER'S OFFICE. 
 
 In Paymenl of Voucher 
 
 no..1lSl2.S-2z 
 
 ■••• V-* ?•• ••• "•• ••",• *•" *•• 
 
 The World's C'o'if6MBi)\W""'te<[MiTiON. 
 
 Chicago,CMjMLLQ^i89a_ No._y ML 
 
 Pa> ta the order n( Q m\l\>ii\^g\r\>\is([U\'iiC^(lt/<kffUlAy Cl l i\ \ \\/ Oa^V^W j [| g (o §\t,\ I |ol ::^ 
 
 < V^,V\T\•...^■i^/|^;,HtLu^ ^'AY,»A/^vv\\^^>^^i,\i^^^\^^ri:\'^?\i^^ Dollars. 
 
 To 
 
 ILLINOIS TRUST & SAVINGS BANK, Cyt/ J^C/S-l^^^^^yr 
 
 CHICAGO. /V ^^7"'='- 
 
 >^ TtM! 
 
 FAC-SIMILE OF THE CHECK 
 with which the final indebtedness on the bonds was paid off. 
 
 of the Exposition the bondholders should participate at least equally with 
 other creditors, even though the receipts might not prove equal in the end 
 to discharging all claims in full. For this reason the action of the Executive 
 Committee in ordering the payment of the first installment of ten per cent 
 on the Exposition bonds was taken in advance of the increased attendance 
 of August, although the probabilities of increased receipts were taken into 
 consideration. A few days after this action was taken the improvement 
 had set in and the wisdom of the step was apparent. A much better feeling 
 was created both at home and abroad when it was learned that the manage- 
 ment had begun the payment of its bonded indebtedness. The total bonded 
 debt was $4,444,500, and the payment of the ten-per-cent installment, there- 
 fore, required a disbursement of $444,450. The increase in receipts was 
 great enough to enable the Board of Directors to make large payments on 
 construction accounts, while setting apart the money necessary for this in- 
 stallment. The receipts for August were $2,337,856.25, and the operating 
 expenses $569,798.12, leaving net $1,768,058.13. Before the month was 
 half over it was deemed possible to make a second payment on the bonds, 
 and accordingly the Executive Committee authorized the payment of a 
 second installment of ten per cent on August 30. With the opening of 
 September it became evident to all that the Exposition would receive such 
 patronage as would enable it to discharge all its obligations and still have a 
 surplus greater than would be necessary to close up its affairs. The third, 
 fourth, and fifth installments of ten per cent each on the bonds were paid 
 
AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, AND OCTOBER. 
 
 477 
 
 on September 7, 15, and 22 respectively. On September 29 a twenty-per- 
 cent installment was paid, and on October 9 (Chicago Day) the remaining 
 thirty per cent with the accrued interest, amounting in all to $1,565,310.76, 
 was paid. 
 
 The internal organization of the Exposition had now attained to a fair 
 degree of efficiency. Not that discordant elements or cumbersome methods 
 had been dispensed with, but simplicity and directness of operation had 
 forced themselves into the situation. Each officer was familiar with his 
 duties and prepared for every emergency, recognizing the objects to be at- 
 tained in his field and choosing instinctively the most direct method of 
 reaching them. 
 
 A just criticism frequently uttered during the first half of the season was, 
 that there was lack of effort to amuse the visitors and to instill life into the 
 
 grounds and buildings. There 
 the music halls, but the spirit 
 tion was chiefly confined to 
 ments by the Exposition Or- 
 an admission fee of one dollar 
 attended as a rule, and the 
 as being too severely classical 
 ings and tastes of a people 
 among whom the average of 
 high. The Exposition's mag- 
 disbanded in the early part 
 members subsequently gave 
 under the leadership of one 
 composed of a body of 
 
 vast and beautiful expanse of 
 were bands and band concerts in 
 and animation of the Exposi 
 the Midway. The entertain- 
 chestra and Chorus, for which 
 was charged, were not well 
 programmes were criticised 
 to suit the holiday surround- 
 exhausted by sight-seeing, 
 musical culture was not 
 nificent orchestra was finally 
 of August, although its 
 concerts upon the grounds 
 of their number. It was 
 excellent musicians, and 
 the finest orchestra in 
 It had been thoroughly 
 Thomas, and its popular 
 
 A CATALOGUE-SELLER. at the time was doubtless 
 
 existence in this country, 
 trained by its distinguished leader, Theodore 
 free concerts in Music Hall had been well at- 
 tended and highly appreciated. 
 
 At first two bands were engaged, and subsequently as many as five were 
 employed by the Exposition at a time. These bands played in the open air 
 under the direction of the Bureau of Music, rendering excellent programmes 
 and contributing largely to popular enjoyment. In the evening the band 
 stands in the Court of Honor were surrounded by crowds, swaying back- 
 ward and forward from one stand to another as the two bands stationed 
 there alternated in the concert. 
 
 Aside from the musical features, there were no forms of popular enter- 
 tainment in -the grounds of the Exposition proper. There was no means of 
 disseminating information as to the special features of any day except the 
 newspaper published in the grounds — The Daily Columbian. Days had 
 been assigned by the Committee on Ceremonies to various organizations, to 
 
478 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 different States, and to foreign nations, and some of these days had been 
 observed with fitting ceremonies, contributing not a Httle to the success of 
 the Exposition ; particularly Eulalia Day, June 8, the occasion of the formal 
 visit of the Infanta Eulalia to the Exposition grounds, and German Day, 
 June 1 6. Aside from these two occasions, few of the special days during 
 the first half of the Exposition had awakened general interest. What was 
 needed was an active and efficient man charged with the duty of promoting 
 a series of interesting and amusing functions, for which the picturesque 
 grounds gave most excellent opportunity. The fertility of resource and 
 executive ability necessary to the successful discharge of this office were 
 found in Frank D. Millet, Director of Decoration in the Department of 
 Works, who, in July, also became known as the Director of Functions. At 
 the same time the Committee on Ceremonies was discharged, and its organi- 
 zation turned over to the Director of Functions. The committee had ren- 
 dered valuable services in the arrangements for the dedication on October 
 2 1, the opening ceremonies on May i, the entertainment of the Infanta 
 Eulalia and her party and the Duke of Veragua and his family, and in the 
 celebration of German Day. Several members sacrificed a large portion of 
 their time in this work, notably Chairman Lawrence and Messrs. Wacker, 
 Henrotin, and Revell. 
 
 On June 17 Mr. Millet had given proof of his talent for organizing 
 entertaining and picturesque features by arranging a procession through the 
 grounds of all the special attractions of the Midway — the Bedouins on their 
 steeds, the donkeys and camels of Cairo Street with their riders, the 
 Javanese, the Chinese with their huge dragon, Indians from the Western 
 plains, inhabitants of the Dahomey Village, South Sea Islanders, and the 
 dancers, swordsmen, and other queer people from the Turkish Village. The 
 interest excited by this occurrence was very great. It benefited both the 
 concessionnatres and the Exposition, and its fame was spread abroad by the 
 visitors who witnessed it throughout the entire country. Owing to the dis- 
 agreements with Midway concessionnaires, a repetition of this procession 
 as a whole was never possible, but through Mr. Millet's persuasion several 
 of the concessionnaires lent their assistance from time to time to form inter- 
 esting processions. 
 
 No one on the grounds so thoroughly understood that spirit of relaxation 
 which it was necessary to awaken as did Mr. Millet, to whom this knowl- 
 edge was a gift. He understood better than any one else that stiffness and 
 conventionality would ruin even the beautiful Exposition in the eyes of a 
 holiday public, and that those who came once or'twice to be instructed would 
 come ten times to be amused. Small bands and orchestras were provided 
 and singers, in company or singly, were employed, as opportunity offered, to 
 add to the gayety of the day and evening. Swimming matches in the la- 
 goons between representatives of different nationalities, canoe and boat races, 
 comical aquatic sports, gondola regattas, a procession of boats of all nations, 
 
AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, AND OCTOBER. 
 
 479 
 
 decorated and illuminated boats, pageants and tableaux of historical scenes, 
 balloon ascensions, parachute drops, tight-rope walking, foot races, drome- 
 dary, horse, and donkey races on an improvised track at the west end of the 
 Midway, tugs of war between different nationalities, and yawl races on the 
 Lake Front, were among the means used by Mr. Millet to interest and amuse 
 the people. Free concerts were given in Festival Hall, the performers being 
 from Lady Aberdeen's Irish Village, the Turkish and Chinese Theaters, the 
 Hindoo Jugglers, the Indian Encampment, the Alaska Indians on the South 
 Pond, the Ceylon Pavilion, the Javanese Village, and the Cyclorama of the 
 
 GROUP OF ALASKANS. 
 
 Volcano of Kilauea. Once a week Indian war and ceremonial dances were 
 given on a float in South Pond. 
 
 To keep the public informed as to what was going on, posters and sign- 
 boards were used, a thing which earlier in the Exposition had been considered 
 undignified and not in harmony with the surroundings. The following is one 
 of the daily programmes announced by Mr. Millet's Department of Functions : 
 
 "The procession of boats, at 2.30 p. m., Tuesday, September 19, will as- 
 semble at the southeast landing of Wooded Island, then pass north on the 
 east side and south on the west side of Wooded Island, going twice around 
 the island, then disbanding at southeast landing. The order of the procession 
 will be as follows : 
 
48o 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 "One whaler,. full-rigged ship, Captain Hunt; three Spanish boats from 
 the caravels ; one life-saving boat ; one whaleboat ; cruiser Illinois ; one 
 Rhode Island striker boat ; one gig, the Blake's soundings boat ; one Turk- 
 ish sandal ; one Turkish caique ; one Hammerfest from Norway ; one Nor- 
 wegian fishing boat ; one Nordlandsbaden from Norway ; one Hvidingso- 
 baden from Norway ; one Loffoden Islands fishing boat ; one pleasure fishing 
 boat ; one dory, with lobster pots from Massachusetts ; one canoe from west 
 Alaska ; one klinket canoe from Alaska ; two modern skiffs from the United 
 States ; two outrigged canoes from Ceylon ; one balsa from Ceylon ; two 
 Eskimo kayaks from the Eskimo Village ; two Dahomey canoes from Mid- 
 way Plaisance ; one Egyptian boat ; one ordinary canoe ; one Bragozza fish- 
 ing boat from Venice ; 
 one Jungada fishing 
 boat from Brazil ; one 
 Canadian fishing boat ; 
 three St. Lawrence 
 skiffs ; anglers' boats ; 
 one water bicycle, land 
 and water motor ; one 
 aluminium shell ; three 
 canvas folding boats, 
 anglers' boats ; one 
 yawl ; one Japanese 
 Phoenix boat with net 
 casting ; one Japanese 
 boat with fish balloons ; 
 three birch canoes with 
 Western Indians ; two 
 birch canoes manned by 
 Penobscot Indians ; two 
 native boats from British Columbia ; one dugout manned by Iroquois In- 
 dians ; kayak from whaler Progress ; float with fishing camp ; sturgeon boat 
 and sturgeon." 
 
 The Department of Functions circulated single-sheet posters in Chicago 
 and towns within one hundred miles. Three-sheet posters of the weekly 
 programme were put up on bill-boards within the grounds, twenty-five 
 thousand illustrated general posters were sent out over the country, and two 
 hundred and fifty thousand " dodgers" were sent each week to the different 
 railroads, announcing features of the Exposition and advertising the railroad 
 at the end of the sheet. Under Mr. Millet was a corps of twenty-four 
 men, known as the Emergency Crew, who had their mess and lodgings 
 on the grounds, and were subject to call by day and night for the perform- 
 ance of any duty, no matter how hazardous, such as climbing inside of the 
 great buildings or on the roofs, acting as firemen, life-saving service upon 
 
 EMERGENCY BOAT AND CREW. 
 
AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, AND OCTOBER. -gj 
 
 the lagoons or the Lake Front, decorating buildings, painting, and carpen- 
 tering. 
 
 Illumination at night was a favorite device, and Mr. Millet and his men 
 often labored hard for several days to produce some new and beautiful effect 
 on a certain evening. The Wooded Island was used frequently for this 
 purpose. Most charming effects could be produced on it at trifling expense 
 with a few colored lights, red and green fire, and thousands of little candles, 
 illuminating semihistorical ballets performed on a stage slightly raised from 
 the ground among the trees. The total expense of Mr. Millet's functions 
 was very small, with the exception of fireworks. These were arranged for 
 at least twice a week during the Exposition and on the nights of all notable 
 days, the cost for the entire season amounting to $128,141.13. A platform 
 in the lake at a suitable distance from the shore and the piers at the Casino 
 and the Battle Ship furnished the best facilities for this spectacular amuse- 
 ment, which was witnessed by delighted throngs distributed for a mile along 
 the beach. 
 
 As the Department of Functions had no budget, Mr. Millet found it 
 necessary to apply to the Council of Administration from day to day and 
 week to week for funds with which to carry out his projects, and money was 
 supplied to him by the Council of Administration under authority of the 
 Executive Committee. 
 
 The peculiar beauty of the Exposition grounds and buildings at night 
 can hardly be reaUzed from description. The recent advances in the uses of 
 electricity as a means of illumination gave opportunity for effects that never 
 have been surpassed. The Electrical Building was filled with light by the 
 many exhibitors, who vied with each other in this respect, but the lighting of 
 the other buildings was not so satisfactory. While the aggregate of elec- 
 trical power generated was enormous, the volume of aerial spaces to be 
 lighted were in a yet greater proportion, and better results might have fol- 
 lowed the same expenditure of power if plans had been devised by which 
 the power produced could have been concentrated at will on one evening in 
 one building, and on another night on a different building. The exterior 
 spaces and roadways were abundantly lighted. Fourteen hundred and thirty- 
 four arc lights of two thousand nominal candle power each were distributed, 
 occupying every point where light could be useful. 
 
 The most charming electrical effects were produced in the evening as the 
 twilight deepened. All along the margins of the great basin lines of incan- 
 descent lights flashed out of the shadows, and were answered by other lines 
 along the cornices and pediments of the great white palaces. Long wreaths 
 of light climbed the ribs of the Administration dome and twined themselves 
 into a brilliant coronet at its summit. Arc lights flamed everywhere like 
 mimic suns and with incandescent bulbs more numerous than the stars were 
 reflected in rippling radiance on the dancing waters of the lagoons. Then 
 great solid beams from the search-light mirrors smote the air and, as they 
 
482 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 swung, rested for a moment on the quadriga or the MacMonnies fountain, 
 on the winged figures of Machinery Hall or on the groups on the Agriculture 
 Building, on the 'green sward before the Liberal Arts Building, or on the 
 throngs that swarmed in the plaza, tingeing everything they touched with the 
 prismatic hues of the rainbow arch or the lambent whiteness of an alpine 
 
 PROMENADE ON THE WOODED ISLAND. 
 
 snow. Then at a word the lights vanished, and out of the darkness, with the 
 suddenness of a geyser, the great electric fountains lifted their gushing and 
 gleaming waters. Now a single column, surrounded at its foot by a score of 
 golden sheaves, rose to a height of a hundred feet ; now nearly two thousand 
 jets built up a great cone of limpid light, golden, blue, green, red, or of con- 
 trasted or mingled hues. There were two of these fountains, one on either 
 side of the MacMonnies fountain, and through all their many changes each 
 was the counterpart of the other, alike in color and in form. When the 
 fountains ceased playing, again the golden lines of electric lights flashed 
 from dome and pediment, cornice and water line, and the giants fenced with 
 search-light broadswords in the upper air. 
 
 The view entertained by many that the Midway Plaisance was merely the 
 playhouse of the Exposition fails to recognize the more substantial and valu- 
 able elements of this portion of the enterprise. The spaces there were 
 assigned to concessionnaires, many of whom had been at large expense to 
 secure attractions of great intrinsic merit from remote parts of the earth. 
 

 H 
 <J 
 
 Pi 
 O 
 
 o 
 K 
 
 b 
 
 o 
 
 H 
 
 t> 
 O 
 
 o 
 
 w 
 
 H 
 
AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, AND OCTOBER. 
 
 483 
 
 Others presented methods of manufaqture of artistic products like the beauti- 
 ful glassware of Venetian or American types. Others displayed panoramic 
 views of remarkable scenery, as of the Alps or the Volcano of Kilauea. A 
 large variety of ethnographic exhibits showed families and tribes that had 
 been transported with all their household goods, houses, clothing, furniture, 
 weapons, and manufactured articles from the remptest and most diverse 
 regions — from Samoa, Dahomey, Nubia, China, Lapland, Arabia, the Soudan, 
 and elsewhere. From India, from Egypt, from Constantinople, from Java, 
 came bazaars, mosques, and theaters, with scenes of the daily life of the shop, 
 the cafS, the street, the decorated and comfortable home of the wealthy 
 dweller in the city, and the hospitable tent of the wanderer in the desert. 
 The castle of the German Village contrasted with the lofty keep of Blarney 
 and the round tower of Done- 
 gal ; the portly watchman of 
 Old Vienna with the merry 
 dancer of Killarney. Here, 
 planted along the sides of one 
 broad avenue, were repre- 
 sented people from every 
 quarter of the globe, whom to 
 visit in their homes would re- 
 quire years of travel, while 
 many things were displayed 
 that would be observed with 
 difificulty even in their native 
 villages. All these attractions 
 were conducted as entertain- 
 ments, but were also admitted 
 to the Exposition as exhibits. 
 They formed an important 
 division of the Department of 
 Anthropology, and were in 
 charge of the chief of that de- 
 partment. The Midway was 
 
 a characteristic feature of the Exposition, was emmently popular, and 
 formed one of the great attractions. 
 
 The attendance on Chicago Day, Monday, October 9, was 716,881, the 
 largest of the Exposition, and for the rest of the month the attendance was 
 from 200000 to 300,000 a day. The utmost enthusiasm prevailed, and the 
 crowds cheerfully bore the fatigue and discomforts of viewmg the Exposi- 
 tion Even with these large assemblages it was quite possible to enjoy the 
 Exposition, for the great extent of the grounds rendered congestion m any 
 
 place very unusual. , , t^ . , , . t 
 
 To the management the last days of the Fair brought a sense of great 
 
 34 
 
 ONE OF THE SEARCHLIGHTS 
 on the roof of the Manufactures Building. 
 
484 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 relief, accompanied by a feeling of extreme weariness. The debts were paid 
 and there was a surplus sufficient to pay all the expenses of closing up, with 
 over a million dollars besides to turn back to the stockholders as a partial 
 repayment of their heavy outlay. The work was done. There was no 
 longer to be any rush or hurry, for the battle was over. Nevertheless there 
 was sadness in every heart as it began to realize that the great Expo'sition 
 was to be closed and that the waste place which had blossomed and grown 
 so beautiful would soon become almost as barren as it had been before. 
 Fortunate as the Exposition had been in the matter of beautiful weather, 
 October was the crowning glory of all. There was a slight chill in the air, 
 sufficient to render exertion pleasant, and with a fine blue sky and bluer 
 lake, with the buildings bathed in the purest sunlight, and hundreds of 
 banners and flags floating on the breeze, the Exposition passed on to its 
 closing day. 
 
 " The Four Seasons," group on the Agriculture Building. 
 Philip Martiny, sculptor. 
 
The Caravels moored in the South Inlet. 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 CLOSING THE EXPOSITION. 
 
 A financial success — The proposition to reopen — Plans for a brilliant close frustrated 
 by a great calamity — Assassination of Mayor Harrison — Addresses of Presidents 
 Palmer and Higinbotham — Banquet and presentation to Director-General Davis. 
 
 SESOR DUPUY DE LOME, 
 Commissioner of Spain. 
 
 THE financial success of the Ex- 
 position culminated in October. 
 The attendance on three succes- 
 sive days of that month was 1,325,452 
 persons, and for the month it reached 
 the unprecedented number of more than 
 nine millions. Each visitor as he de- 
 parted was filled with the inspiration of 
 the scene, which he communicated to 
 the circle of his acquaintance ; very 
 often he was himself swept back to 
 revisit the Exposition with the current 
 that his ow:n enthusiasm had created. 
 Every one was filled with sorrow be- 
 cause a vision so beautiful must fade. 
 Every mind was alert to inquire if in 
 some way it could not be continued or 
 preserved. The first thought, born in 
 the glorious days of October, was that 
 the time set for closing should be post- 
 poned for a month or at least for two 
 485 
 
486 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 weeks. A common proposition was that the Exposition should reopen in 
 the following year. Others dreamed that the buildings could be preserved ; 
 that the fagades about the Court of Honor might remain after the great 
 buildings behind them were removed ; that the Manufactures Building 
 should be kept in its place, or that it should be removed to the center of 
 the city, with other plans equally attractive. But none of these propositions 
 would bear the ordeal of cool and deliberate business investigation, and it 
 became apparent that the only feasible course was that marked out by the 
 law, which directed the closing of the Exposition on the thirtieth day of 
 October. 
 
 To put the subject in a clear light, the Director of Works was requested 
 to report on the details of the situation, which he did, setting forth tha,t 
 various contracts and loans would expire on November i, and among them 
 contracts for filter presses and electric lighting, and the loan of the large 
 pumps in the pumping station ; that the sewer connections would be frozen 
 with the first hard frost, and that it would be impossible to have them re- 
 paired in less than two weeks after the first freezing ; that the fire protection 
 throughout the buildings, which was dependent in the greatest degree on the 
 standpipes or hose reels and hose attached, would be greatly reduced in effi- 
 ciency with the first cold weather, when the pipes would have to be emptied 
 to prevent freezing ; and that in consequence the rush of removing exhibits 
 would be increased to the maximum, and the dangers from visitors passing 
 through the buildings while the process of tearing down and packing was 
 going on would be exceedingly great. 
 
 In view of these facts, both the Commission and the Directory deter- 
 mined that the Exposition should be closed in compliance with the condi- 
 tions of the law and the agreements expressed and implied with exhibitors. 
 In accordance with this action, the Exposition was formally closed at the 
 sound of the sunset gun on Monday, October 30, 1893. 
 
 Preparations had been made for a formal celebration of this event similar 
 in its significant appropriateness to those that had marked so successfully the 
 days of dedication and of inauguration. The exercises were to have been 
 held in Festival Hall, beginning at i p. m., and so timed as to conclude at sun- 
 set, when the national flags were to be lowered throughout the Exposition 
 grounds at the firing of a national salute. These exercises were to have 
 been participated in by the officials of the National Commission, the Board 
 of Lady Managers, the Board of Directors of the World's Columbian Ex- 
 position, and foreign and State commissioners. Suitable reservations were 
 to be made in the hall for these various bodies, and the unassigned space 
 was to be given, without the formality of presenting cards of admission, to 
 visitors who might desire to witness the ceremonies. 
 
 It was also arranged that such entertainment for visitors as would best 
 harmonize with the programme should be provided during the day; a national 
 salute to be fired at sunrise, at noon, and at sunset, at which time the Liberty 
 
% 
 
 *•«»« 
 
 10 
 
 •i *■ *|,|,^jM»jai_'^'' ..**—^ 
 
 THE COURT OF HONOR 
 

 •■ ■ -■*'-^**->t^tf fill . 
 
 ii r m f^ ^ ^ 
 
 HONOR, LOOKING WEST. 
 
CLOSING THE EXPOSITION. 487 
 
 Bell was to be rung; that at 10.30 a. m. a representation of the landing of Co- 
 lumbus should take place on the Lake Front ; that between 1 2 m. and i p. m. 
 a display of daylight fireworks be given at various points within the grounds ; 
 a great band concert between 2.30 and 4.30 p. m. on the Administration 
 Plaza; and during the evening a brilliant illumination of the Park and build- 
 ings, concluding with a grand display of fireworks on the Lake Front and 
 on the Court of Honor. 
 
 This programme of exercises befitting the closing of the great Exposition 
 was in a forward state of preparation and every means was provided for its 
 successful execution. The citizens of Chicago and the throngs of expectant 
 visitors were awaiting the happy event with joyous anticipation, when an un- 
 expected calamity caused the immediate abandonment of all plans for a de- 
 monstrative celebration of the closing day. On Saturday evening, October 
 28, Carter H. Harrison, Mayor of the city of Chicago, who was a member of 
 the Directory, was shot and killed by an assassin on the threshold of his 
 home. 
 
 The shock came so suddenly that the active hands were palsied for the 
 moment and all work was suspended. An informal meeting of the execu- 
 tives of the Directory and the Commission was held, and special committees 
 were appointed to prepare such resolutions as would best convey to the 
 stricken family and the community the respect for one whose labors in be- 
 half of the Exposition had been at all times zealous and untiring. The 
 great shock and grief brought suddenly on the community changed entirely 
 the closing-day exercises. At a joint meeting of the members of the Com- 
 mission and of the Directory it was decided to abandon the original pro- 
 gramme, and to hold memorial services instead ; and, in accordance with this 
 resolution, the committee was instructed and public announcement was made. 
 
 The final service was held in the hall originally designated for the closing 
 ceremonies ; representatives of all nations were present ; oratory and song 
 gave way to prayer and dirge. In the presence of sorrowing men with un- 
 covered heads, President Palmer of the National Commission, with the 
 President of the Exposition and the Director General at his side, and sur- 
 rounded by distinguished men and women, opened the ceremonies with the 
 following remarks : 
 
 " It was intended that the proceedings of to-day should be of a joyous 
 character ; that the closing ceremonies of the World's Columbian Exposi- 
 tion of 1892 and 1893 should be attended with festivities, the firing of 
 cannon, the music of bands, the making of addresses, and with song. But a 
 terrible tragedy has intervened and has made this day, which we proposed to 
 have a day of jubilee, a day of mourning. The Mayor of this city, who 
 has done so much to create this Exposition, has been shot down, assassinated 
 in the portals of his home. He was a man whose heart beat responsive to 
 every pulsation of this great international gathering, and in view of this 
 catastrophe it has been deemed fitting that the elaborate programme should 
 
488 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 be omitted and that the exercises should comprehend only prayer, the sub- 
 mission of some resolution of respect, regard, and condolence, then only two 
 or three announcements, and the closing of our ceremonies by the bene- 
 diction." 
 
 Prayer was then offered by Dr. Barrows, of Chicago, after which the 
 following preamble and resolutions presented by President Higinbotham 
 were adopted : 
 
 " A deep and heartfelt sorrow has fallen on the closing hours of the 
 World's Columbian Exposition. Death, come as it may, leaves as a heritage 
 to the living mental pain and suffering, immeasurably intensified when its 
 agency is a cowardly and infamous assassin. 
 
 " Nothing has ever occurred in our midst that has so disturbed and dis- 
 tressed our citizens as the very wicked and wanton termination of the life of 
 Hon. Carter H. Harrison. In the vigor of life, in the possession of a full 
 measure of health and strength, in the enjoyment of the confidence and 
 esteem of all, in the quiet evening of a day with its duties done, he sought 
 rest only to be aroused by the rude entrance of an assassin bent on his de- 
 struction for a grievance wholly imaginary. The tranquillity of the city has 
 been shaken as if by an earthquake. The officials of the World's Columbian 
 Exposition, the Commissioners of the several States, mourn the loss of an 
 honored official, and lay on the altar, preserved and kept sacred to his 
 memory in the hearts of all his friends, this humble tribute of respect and 
 admiration. 
 
 " Speaking for all here assembled, representatives of the various interests 
 that have made this Exposition so grandly successful both in its national and 
 international character, we claim Carter H. Harrison was something more 
 than chief magistrate of his metropolitan city. As a Director of the World's 
 Columbian Exposition he at all times sought to impress on the Exposition 
 its true national and international character, and to emphasize the fact that 
 it was promoted by and in the interest of the people of all the world. As 
 chief magistrate of the city, charged with the duty of providing accessories 
 commensurate with the full scope of the Exposition, and the care and enter- 
 tainment of all who came at the invitation of the National Government, he 
 has been at all times generous in personal and official hospitality. 
 
 " To all our friends, without distinction of race or nationality, his wel- 
 come has been cordial, generous, and unstinted. No official has done more 
 to impress on the Exposition its true character of generous rivalry among 
 nations and individuals in all things that tend to national prosperity and in- 
 ternational brotherhood, and none in his representative capacity could have 
 more thoroughly attested the generous hospitality of this city, whose chief 
 magistrate he was. 
 
 " While we admire and honor the varied mental attainments of the late 
 Mayor Harrison, and mourn the loss of an official and personal friend, we 
 bow with reverence to the will of our Heavenly Father, ' who doeth all 
 
CLOSING THE EXPOSITION. 489 
 
 things well,' grateful that the life of our friend and brother was spared until 
 the closing hours of the Exposition. 
 
 " To the children and family of our brother we tender our deepest sym- 
 pathy, and to the city and people whose friendship and hospitality we have 
 so long enjoyed we express our deep sorrow at the loss of their accomplished 
 and honored chief magistrate. 
 
 " Resolved, That the foregoing minutes be adopted by this assembly, con- 
 sisting of the officials of the World's Columbian Commission, the World's 
 Columbian Exposition, the representatives of foreign nations, and the com- 
 missioners of the several States and Territories, and that a duly engrossed 
 copy thereof, under the hands of the President of this assembly and the 
 chairman of the Joint Committee on Resolutions, be transmitted to the 
 family of our deceased brother. Carter H. Harrison, and that copies thereof 
 be also delivered to the World's Columbian Commission and the World's 
 Columbian Exposition. Be it further 
 
 " Resolved, That we commend and approve the order of the Director 
 General rescinding the order heretofore issued for closing ceremonies, but 
 we deem it proper and advisable that the several officers appointed to address 
 this assembly on the several subjects assigned to them respectively as a part 
 of the closing ceremonies of the Exposition be requested to deliver such 
 papers to the Secretary of the World's Columbian Commission, to be filed 
 and made a part of the records of the Exposition." 
 
 After this formality was completed. President Palmer again came for- 
 ward and said : 
 
 " As all present know, it had been the intention to follow out in every 
 detail the elaborate and impressive programme of exercises that had been pre- 
 pared. It would have been enhanced and enriched with music, with festivi- 
 ties, and by the firing of cannon. It had been intended to bring these 
 exercises to a close at sunset by the fall of the gavel simultaneously with the 
 salute of artillery ; but all this has been changed. Only the firing of the 
 gun and the lowering of the flag will signify the end of the World's Co- 
 lumbian Exposition this evening at sunset. And now for then, in obedience 
 to the provision of the act of Congress creating this Exposition, I declare 
 the World's Columbian Exposition officially closed." 
 
 All these proceedings were heard quietly and without demonstration of 
 any kind. It was an impressive and, at times, a very solemn scene. The 
 address prepared by President Higinbotham for the closing exercises, prior 
 to the death of the Mayor, was excepted from the order consigning all the 
 addresses of officers to the records without reading, because of the appro- 
 priateness of its language and the changed conditions produced by the ter- 
 rible occurrence. The thoughts awakened by the approaching death of the 
 Exposition seemed to have acquired a new meaning, and the address was 
 therefore read by Dr. Barrows. The closing portion is as follows : 
 
 " This is not the time for exultation over our victory, except in so far as 
 
. Q THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 to recognize that without the favor of the God that guided the frail craft of 
 the voyagers four hundred years ago to this land, it could not have been 
 achieved. Exultation would be undignified. Gratitude to the Almighty is 
 the only feelijig that I can harbor in my breast, except the sorrow which this 
 closing hour evokes. We are turning our backs on the fairest dream of civ- 
 ilization and are about to consign it to the dust. It is like the death of a 
 dear friend. It is like bidding farewell to one's youth. It is like all those 
 times in the life of a man when the thoughts of the present are choked with 
 the emotions of the past. At such times the call of duty alone can uplift 
 the heart and arouse it to meet the things that are yet to come. That call 
 is upon each one of us now. It echoes in the hearts of all that have been 
 touched by these wonders which God has brought to pass. It bids us learn 
 the lessons of the past season to the everlasting benefit of ourselves and our 
 children. It bids us appropriate to ourselves the imperishable parts of this 
 high feast of the arts, industries, and sciences, and so embalm them in mem- 
 ory's treasure house that they may be best preserved and produce the largest 
 fruits in the generations to come. 
 
 " Let us go forward and meet the duties of the future without fear, sus- 
 tained by the faith that what we have wrought will endure and forever stand 
 as a beacon light, guiding others to loftier heights and greater achieve- 
 ments." 
 
 Dr. Barrows then spoke the solemn words of the benediction, while all 
 rose to their feet and stood in reverential attitude. 
 
 As the audience filed out of the hall, Beethoven's Funeral March was 
 rendered with impressive effect. 
 
 Flags at half mast and the absence of anything like festivity told the 
 effect of Chicago's bereavement, and what would otherwise have been one 
 of the most notable days of the Exposition passed in comparative silence 
 and sadness. All the pageants, both land and water, and the grand spectac- 
 ular effects that were to have marked the close, were abandoned, and the day 
 ended with the firing of the national salute and lowering of flags at sunset. 
 
 The foreign commissioners closed their official work at the Exposition 
 with a banquet given to the Director General and his staff at the Auditorium 
 Hotel on the evening of November ii. The occasion was one of special 
 interest as crowning the intimate and pleasant relations that had uniformly 
 existed between the foreign representatives and the executive officers of the 
 Exposition. Their expressions of good will and their cordial recognition of 
 kind purposes, which had always governed the Director General and the 
 chiefs of the departments in the discussion and settlement of the many 
 intricate and delicate questions which of necessity had arisen in their inter- 
 course, were especially gratifying. The foreign commissioners formed a 
 body of intelligent, efficient, and courteous collaborators, with whom associa- 
 tion was equally an honor and a pleasure. The hosts of the evening were : 
 
CLOSING THE EXPOSITION. 
 
 491 
 
 Consul-General Dr. A. von Palitschek, Dr. Bodart, Mr. Pillwax, and Mr. 
 Fischer, of Austria ; Mr. Tree, Mr. Guerette, and Mr. LeGhalt, of Belgium ; 
 Admiral Maurity Aschoff, of Brazil ; Mr. Shopoff, of Bulgaria ; MM. Larke 
 and Awrey, of Canada ; Mr. Grinlinton, of Ceylon ; Mr. O. Higgins, of 
 Curagoa ; MM. Meyer, Dreier, and 
 
 Rohl-Smith, of Denmark; MM. Calvo -,. . 
 
 and Alvaro, of Costa Rica ; MM. Count 
 Balincourt, Giudicelli, and Mesnier, of 
 France ; MM. Richter, Spiess, Ewald, 
 Halleo, Radke, Croening, Lobach, Tilly, 
 Engel, Waetzold, Lichtenfeldt, Kallen, 
 Kopp, and Heinicke, of Germany ; MM. 
 Lomus and Rosenthal, of Guatemala; 
 Marquis Ungaro, of Italy ; Mr. Sangui- 
 netti, of Jamaica ; Mr. Matzudaira, of Ja- 
 pan ; Mr. Quelch, of British Guiana; 
 Mr. Bothery, of Liberia ; MM. Serrano 
 and Nuncio, of Mexico ; Mr. Mackie, 
 of Monaco ; Consul Birkhofif and Mr. 
 Preyer, of Netherlands ; MM. Ravn and 
 Berle, of Norway ; Dr. Hassler, of Para- 
 guay ; MM. A. K. Coroyantz, Bosha- 
 rian, and Kurktschiantz, of Persia ; Mr. 
 de Outeiro Ribeiro, of Portugal ; MM. 
 de Ragouza - Soustchevsky, v. Lingen, 
 Count Rostovstzov, and Mr. v. Kuehne, 
 
 of Russia ; MM. Dupuy de Lome, del Campillo, Cologan, Soler, and Par- 
 lade, of Spain ; Mr. Leffler, of Sweden ; Consul Holinger, of Switzerland ; 
 Ahmed Fahri Bey, of Turkey ; Dr. Murguiondo, of Uruguay. 
 
 At eight o'clock Dr. Anton von Palitschek and Sefior Dupuy de Lome, 
 escorting Director-General Davis, led the procession to the banquet hall, 
 which was decorated with the standards of threescore nations. Dr. Palit- 
 schek presided as toast master, with Director-General Davis on his right and 
 Gov. Altgeld on his left. Dr. Palitschek, after a warm response to his toast 
 proposing the health of the President of the United States, spoke apprecia- 
 tively of the pleasant relations existing between the foreign commissioners 
 and the officers of the Exposition, and expressed their sincere sorrow in 
 bidding farewell to the Exposition and to that one of its builders with whom 
 they had been most intimately associated — Colonel George R. Davis — adding 
 that "to express to him, before we part, once more our thanks and our es- 
 teemed sympathies is the cause of this gathering, and we will tell him that 
 we go away from him with a grieved heart, for he became our beloved friend, 
 and we never will forget him " ; and asking for a hearty answer to the toast 
 he was about to propose — " Long live our friend and guest of honor, Director- 
 
 DR. ANTON VON PALITSCHEK, 
 Commissioner of Austria. 
 
492 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 General George R. Davis." Colonel Davis expressed his gratitude for the 
 confidence and honor paid through him to the people of Chicago and the 
 National Commission by their foreign friends who had contributed so mag- 
 nificently to the upbuilding of the great Exposition on American soil, and in 
 the name of his chiefs and himself thanked them for the cordiality and 
 friendship with which their relations had been maintained. 
 
 At the conclusion of Colonel Davis's speech, Governor Altgeld was in- 
 troduced and responded in an eloquent address, bestowing great praise on 
 Director-General Davis, and in behalf of the people of Illinois thanking the 
 foreign nations for their participation in the Fair. Dr. Max Richter, im- 
 perial commissioner from Germany, then spoke in admiration of the men 
 who had so ably and willingly co-operated with the Director General in all 
 his undertakings, and proposed the health of Hon. Thomas W. Palmer and 
 the chiefs of departments. President Palmer's response was followed by 
 remarks upon the influence of the Exposition by Commissioner Soustchev- 
 sky, of Russia. Mayor George B. Swift, in responding for Chicago, alluded 
 to the tragic end of Carter H. Harrison, whose voice within so short a time 
 had welcomed the guests of the nation. 
 
 The Comte de Balincourt responded for France, and he was succeeded 
 by Lyman J. Gage, who gave a brief history of the early days of construc- 
 tion and building. Seiior Dupuy de Lome was then introduced, and in an 
 address filled with good feeling for the Director-General and the Exposition, 
 presented an exquisite loving cup inscribed as follows : "To the Honorable 
 George R. Davis, Director General of the World's Columbian Exposition. 
 Presented by the Foreign Commissioners as a Token of Gratitude and Friend- 
 ship. Chicago, November ii, 1893." 
 
 Colonel Davis, in accepting the cup, expressed his appreciation of the 
 token of regard from the commissioners, and added that the cup received 
 additional merit from the fact that it had been presented by the minister 
 from the country that sent Columbus on his voyage of discovery. 
 
 ^ - 
 
 nrriffwfSi^^^B^^^^ 
 
 jtesS'') 
 
 
 4 Jl"*-' -"' — rmr 
 
 " - *^^^^''*^'^tS!^ 
 
 JSHHHHHI^^^^T^ 
 
 ,.i^t iiil ' 
 
 An electric launch. 
 
The approach by water to the northern part of the grounds. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 THE FAIR AS A SPECTACLE. 
 
 How it seemed to a visitor — Strolling and dreaming by day and by night. 
 By Charles Mulford Robinson. 
 
 A 
 
 S a loving word rings in the heart when 
 the voice that breathed it is still, 
 as a beautiful face dwells in Memo- 
 ry's kingdom after years have flown, and a 
 noble deed still lives though its occasion 
 be passed, so the beauty of the Fair, written 
 anew in thousands of hearts each day of 
 its continuance, lives in thought and arises 
 in countless minds as a veritable " dream 
 city." How many eyes still see its snowy 
 domes and turrets against the sky of blue, 
 as real now as they ever seemed when the 
 flags were flying and the pennants waving ! 
 For the city that must have existed first as 
 only a dream of beauty was realized, and 
 then, before fire and wind destroyed it, was 
 translated into a million dreams, to be cher- 
 ished until the dreamers pass away. The 
 Fair will have closed when it is no longer a memory, but not till then ; for 
 no words can pass the picture along quite as it appeared to us who saw the 
 artists' fancy at first hand, quite as it truly was. 
 
 The common verdict during the summer of the Exposition was that the 
 best way to approach the grounds for the first time was by the water route. 
 It was held that the first impression, if not always the most lasting, was yet 
 of great importance as affecting the subsequent point of view. If one came 
 
 493 
 
 CHARLES MULFORD ROBINSON. 
 
. . THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 in by the Midway, the Fair itself would thenceforth seem but an adjunct, a 
 fanciful dessert following the pilce de r^sisiance, which, alas ! was too often 
 not resisted ; if your entrance was by pne of the " back doors," at Fifty- 
 seventh or Sixty-second Streets, you would hardly forget that the ornaments 
 of the buildings were staff, not marble ; if the arrival was through the Ter- 
 minal Station, it was said you would always think of the people more than 
 of the show ; but if you came by water — that was a different matter. 
 
 The sail up the lake from the city gave ample opportunity to gain the 
 proper frame of mind without serious interruption. The distant city pano- 
 rama glided slowly by on one side, and on the other the blue waves rose and 
 fell in idle undulation, putting to sleep the cares of busy minds. With a 
 strong breeze, the band playing, and the sharp bow swiftly cleaving the 
 waves, all felt an exhilaration of spirits that only needed an object. The 
 boats landed at the long pier, facing the Peristyle. At first one saw the 
 whole of this, its splendid proportions, harmony, and symmetry, and then, 
 as he came nearer, its details rose impressively before him. 
 
 Passing through the Peristyle, for impatience rarely permitted that slow 
 study from the pier which was so well deserved, the whole beauty of the 
 Exposition broke upon the newcomer. He found himself in the Court of 
 Honor, described and pictured to him so many times. Beauty surrounded 
 him and was fairly shouted at him whichever way he turned. " See, am I not 
 beautiful ? " cried the shore at his left, where rose the Agriculture Building with 
 its graceful Diana and the distant Machinery Hall. " Behold my grandeur ! " 
 thundered Liberal Arts on the right, replying, and "my lines of grace!" 
 whispered Administration over the rippling waters of the Basin, which mur- 
 mured "my loveliness!" on its own account. And so he turned from one 
 to the other, dazed, astonished, yet not overwhelmed, for distance held the 
 buildings far from him. Thus the unattainableness, which is so pathetically 
 constant an attribute of beauty that we can hardly conceive of visual perfection 
 without it, was present here. "Thou may'st look at all my beauty of form 
 and proportion," each building said, " but thou may'st not touch. When 
 thou touchest me my most delicate charm will pass away." One foresaw then 
 that the column approached would be only a column, no longer a member of 
 a perfect colonnade supporting a cornice with lightness and grace, and stood 
 still, awed, hushed, exhilarated, in the midst of beauty. The faculties were 
 all alert ; he forgot himself or he felt the limits of his own personality slip- 
 ping away, extending widely, boundlessly, until the whole scene was in his 
 own soul. That was the first, unanalyzed impression of the Fair ; not the 
 impression merely of the artist, the architect, or the poet, but of the everyday 
 person, sounding infinite depths whose existence he never had known before. 
 
 As one turned back to gaze again upon the Peristyle, not yet ready to 
 leave the beauty that was passed, and perused the noble inscriptions written 
 upon it, a direction was suddenly given to his abundant emotion, and the 
 heart went out indeed "To the Pioneers of Civil and Religious Liberty." 
 
1 
 
 4 i% 
 
 
 
 f}filt<fiJMlSf 
 
 THE ARCH OF THE PERISTYLE, LOCKING FROM THE LAKE. 
 
THE FAIR AS A SPECTACLE. 
 
 495 
 
 All one's Americanism surged over him then, and with a patriotism, half 
 love, half pride, he turned once more to the Court of Honor. 
 
 And noviT was seen a phase of it that had been unnoticed in the first 
 bewildering glance — a phase that you never afterward would miss. This was 
 the whole scene's purity, simplicity, and yet depth of color. It made little 
 difference whether clouds were gray or sky was blue. The gray toned with 
 the lighter buildings, while against the blue the structures were printed with 
 a distinctness that threw every carving into high reUef. Marble towers and 
 domes and statues broke the sky line ; waving pennants of crimson threw 
 warm dashes of color into the colder hues ; the golden figure of Liberty, which 
 stood colossal, majestic, serene, for the repubUc, rose out of the ruffled Basin, 
 where the white buildings and blue sky, the green plants, and marble bal- 
 conies were reflected again. Here and there white Venetian bridges spanned 
 the entrances of the lagoon and the canals, far away the fountains sang and 
 played, strange flags waved from many buildings, and golden cords and 
 tassels flapped against their crimson masts. And up and down surged the 
 resistless, restless tide of humanity, each individual so small, in this scene of 
 grandeur and of beauty, yet each one's spirit in harmony with the strange en- 
 vironment, each one's heart stamped with its deathless picture. Oh, wonderful 
 was that Grand Court, and little seemed the figuie therein of man ; but far- 
 reached and high soared his divinity, for out of his dreams was this city born ! 
 Behind were the columns of Greece, and amid them was Rome's triumphal 
 arch ; yonder rose the light Moorish towers of Machinery Hall ; there played 
 the fountain that Versailles might have envied ; and nearer passed the swiftly 
 gliding servants of the Bride of the Sea. More than picturesque was this 
 City of Beauty, this Court of Honor, indeed, for every tower and dome, 
 every waving flag and sculptured figure, proclaimed mankind's sincere aspira- 
 tion, persistent efforts, and transcendent faith. 
 
 With thoughts something like these, a visitor walking through the Court 
 of Honor might have turned and entered the first and most prominent of 
 the buildings — that of Manufactures and Liberal Arts. It would mean 
 nothing to write that this was the largest building in the world, to say that a 
 good-sized farm might have been encompassed by its walls, or that the nails 
 that fastened its floor were measured not in kegs, but in car loads. Yet these 
 oft-scorned similes did come to mind as you entered the building, and such 
 comparison seemed to furnish the only means with which one could describe 
 it. To some extent, the immensity of the building, its vast height, and the 
 almost unadorned bareness of that cobwebbed wilderness above, where one 
 knew every strand to be a girder of iron, was oppressive, made one sigh for 
 the airy lightness, the infinite reach, the sky line's unpractical poetry without. 
 And, turning the gaze earthward, all was earthy still. A center aisle, almost 
 as broad as a boulevard, extended the length of the building. It was crowded 
 with people, with shoppers, holiday-making sightseers, and various earnest 
 folk, each looking with open eyes and mouth, jostling one another good- 
 
496 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 humoredly, eating wherever there was a place to sit, talking — nay, complain- 
 ing and jesting — -with a freedom rarely shown in the Court of Honor. Or 
 was it one of the triumphs of that great external beauty that it stilled the 
 inclination for jests and plaints ? 
 
 The scene within the building was picturesque and full of life and inter- 
 est. The exhibits were much crowded, and the great throng that flowed 
 down the central street swept around each counter in eddies, the men like 
 bits of helpless driftwood carried by the flood of women ; while here and 
 there a baby, borne on the summit of the wave, marked the slow movement 
 of the stream as it circled round an exhibit and then flowed on. The dis- 
 plays themselves were of every kind — some beautiful, many interesting, all 
 clever. Over this department rose the graceful arches on which " Italy " was 
 inscribed, and within was a wealth of statuary ; there was the heavy wooden 
 portal of Russia, an exhibit in itself ; yonder were caryatides staggering be- 
 neath the arch of Austria ; and further along the aisle the beautiful iron gates 
 of Germany. Upon each pavilion were the flags of its nation and, in some 
 instances, the names of which the nation was proud, and within was the 
 country's handiwork. Certainly all was clever, but the great crowd was like 
 a mere swarm of ants — and ants are clever — and the nations in which it 
 showed itself to be divided were as rival hills. 
 
 In the center of the building, half way down the long street, one's atten- 
 tion was arrested by the clock tower. From an upper story a chime of bells 
 rang out above the din of trade. It was impressive to think how well the 
 clock was chosen, since time was something that all these people of divers 
 nations held in common, and the song of the bells almost the one song that 
 could bear a similar message to each ! Nothing but a clock erected there 
 could have been thus the cynosure of all eyes, and what other voice than that 
 could have been French to French ears, English to English, Greek to Greek ? 
 So regarded, this structure was the most picturesque in the building, and one 
 listened with fascination for its polyglot call. There were also amusing in- 
 cidents around it, for the clock was a commonly appointed meeting place ; 
 but it happened that two persons might be there together and wait long and 
 anxiously for each other, for it was one hundred and sixty feet around, had 
 ever so many corners, and was crowded always. Thus a perpetual game of 
 hide-and-go-seek was played around the clock, the more amusing because the 
 players so rarely smiled. It made you think of the greater game with time, 
 where Death and Life are players and the Fates look on and laugh. Still, 
 the whole scene was earthy. Even the picturesque was the most human side 
 of humanity ; and the Dream City of the Court, with its snowy palaces, its 
 silent statues, its fluttering flags and blue lagoon, seemed separated from this 
 Exposition by the broad gulf, that arm of Lethe, which flows as a mighty 
 barrier between the unreal and the real. You longed to recross the gulf ; to 
 see once more those palaces and domes and minarets ; to read that they were 
 real, as they cut into the sky, by their flickering reflection in the waves of 
 
THE FAIR AS A SPECTACLE. 
 
 497 
 
 deeper blue. If the lagoons had not thus happily put a shadow city side by 
 side with the structures of staff and iron, we might never have believed that 
 the Dream City really was. 
 
 At intervals in the broad central aisle of the Manufactures Building hung 
 from' the closely cobwebbed ceiling what seemed a single silken thread that 
 the human spider might have spun in getting down. And this to some ex- 
 tent it was, for a nearer view proved the thread to be of many strands, and 
 each a series of stout iron girders, between which elevators ran to the roof. 
 It was a dizzy ride, and the Fair looked more a fair than ever as paviHon 
 tops were passed and one saw the dusty upper side of the arches that were 
 gazed upon with such admiration by the little black ants below ; and then, as 
 the series of aisles that parallelled this central boulevard on either side, and 
 crossed it at right angles, cutting the exhibits into blocks, were noticed, it 
 was easier to realize the greatness of the city beneath that roof. But through 
 a door that opened upon it, after a short walk over a bridge giddily sus- 
 pended from the top of the elevator shaft, came a current of cool air. And 
 this was a marvelous wind. It seemed to blow the wonderful Exposition 
 quite out of your head, and all the thoughts of crowded cities, of ants, and 
 cobwebbed roofs disappeared ; for there before you lay the broad blue lake, 
 and up and down, to right and left, the fair White City. It was very still 
 up there. The noise of the multitude could not reach so far ; the waves lay 
 at rest in the grand Basin. Along the Peristyle the sun shone glintingly, 
 here throwing a high light on a snowy surface, there casting a long, dark 
 shadow behind the row of columns, and making the allegorical statues on 
 the summit stand out as if alive. And what a goodly company it was, the 
 quadriga in the center ! You felt that each statue lived ; that it was Colum- 
 bus himself standing in the chariot, the sun lighting his face as if with in- 
 spiration ; and that the maidens who held the horses were goddesses at 
 whose uplifted arm alone we all were still, the noise hushed, the waves calmed, 
 the horses motionless on their haunches ! And the charm continued until 
 you dared to turn away, sure of finding Columbus still with bared head lifted 
 to heaven, and the figures still facing the Court of Honor. There were 
 many things to learn from this bird's-eye view of the Exposition, practical 
 things about the topography of the great city, and the location of the build- 
 ings ; but the picture that will remain longest in the mind is that which first 
 appeared to you : of a white, enchanted country on the shore of a silent sap- 
 phire sea. 
 
 But in that brief view a lesson was also taught you which you took to 
 heart at once. It was that the charm of the Columbian Exposition, the 
 thing that individualized it from its predecessors, was the wondrous beauty 
 of its outward form. There have been numerous fairs, but never another so 
 fair as this ; and though the exhibits were the most complete that have been 
 collected, it is so easy, unless one is a specialist, to be satiated ; and beyond 
 that point who cares how far the exhibits go ? They made it a marvelous 
 
 35 
 
498 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 aggregation — indescribable because not to be realized, saddening in the very 
 hopelessness of numbers. But this last view gave convincing proof that 
 however one might note them here and there, the real spirit of the Fair lay 
 not upon the counters ; that the thing which differentiated this Exposition 
 from all others was external beauty, that which was to be seen from the 
 winding lagoons, the promenades, and courts and plazas. To them one in- 
 evitably returned on his first day's journey in search of the picturesque. 
 
 A subtile but irresistible charm of the Court of Honor was found to be 
 its changeableness. It was never the same on successive days or even hours, 
 and it differed even more widely from varying points of view. It had been 
 
 THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 
 from the Bridge to the Wooded Island. 
 
 astonishingly beautiful, but as yet the observer felt that its beauty was 
 passive — as serene and cold as that of its own gilded figure of the Republic. 
 But as he left the Manufactures Building, crossed one of the graceful Venetian 
 bridges, and entered Administration plaza, the Fair's apparent character 
 quickly changed. He recognized at once that he had reached the heart of 
 the Exposition. The scene became theatrical, intensely vivacious, brilliant, 
 almost nervous, against the calm background of white buildings and quiet 
 lagoon. Here he suddenly felt his blood leap where before his spirits 
 
THE FAIR AS A SPECTACLE. ^gg 
 
 soared. A thousand details of which he could not be conscious at the 
 moment contributed to the result — the great crowd of people, the music of 
 the band, the fluttering of many flags, the constant hurried passage of those 
 to whom the Fair was not a playground but an office, the lovely fountain, 
 and even the Administration Building itself. Seen from a distance, the 
 latter had had a calm and heavy dignity ; but near at hand the crowded 
 sculpture, the winged Victories holding out wreaths of triumph, the angels 
 sounding trumpets over the entrance, the heroic figures of allegory, and 
 finally the Columbus with flying banner and uplifted sword and an inspired 
 countenance and pose that threw into high reUef the activity around him — 
 all these affected the observer and made him conscious that at this point in- 
 deed was the life of the Fair. The coloring was rich. Here were red Vene- 
 tian masts with brilliant banners, here a glory of flags and pennants, here the 
 band stands gay with uniforms, and over all the gilded dome sent responding 
 gleams to gilded Liberty across the blue Basin spotted with swift-gHding 
 craft. The Columbian Guards moved hither and thither on the plaza with 
 martial tread and glory of uniform, but unfailingly patient and courteous 
 when approached. In and out of the crowd the " gospel chariots," as the 
 people named the wheeled chairs pushed by divinity students, threaded 
 their way. Here surely, above all places, were activity and brilliancy at once ! 
 And yet what a place in which to dream ! The east side of the Plaza, 
 facing the grand Basin, was separated from three fountains by a balustrade. 
 The north and south fountains were electric, and played only at night ; the 
 middle one was the Columbia. This beautiful, massive work — Time the 
 helmsman. Fame the herald, and the Arts and Avocations propelling the 
 craft with a show of such splendid speed and strength that it seemed as if 
 the boat must pass quickly through the triumphal arch of the Peristyle and 
 out upon the lake beyond — caused one's thoughts to fly on with it and one's 
 consciousness to be lulled almost to sleep by the murmur of the water and 
 the strains of music. The theatrical picturesqueness suddenly dimmed and 
 was forgotten ; the dreamer leaned alone on the balustrade and looked upon 
 a Court of Honor that was all his own. Time was too busy steering Co- 
 lumbia to guide his thought, winged Fame sang the glory of only her one 
 throned passenger, the Arts and Avocations need concern him no more, 
 and Fancy ruled supreme. Here were born those dreams that peopled the 
 Court of Honor with gods and goddesses, with princesses more lovely and 
 knights more pure and powerful than ever dwelt outside the fields of 
 legendry or of poetry, sung or thought. To the accompaniment of the 
 running water of that lovely fountain, symbolizing indeed the triumph of 
 Columbia, but typifying also the wondrous voyage of thought, the Court of 
 the Dream City was here transformed to a court in the country of dream- 
 land, where the dreamer is a magician with limitless power. And yet — 
 strongest testimony to the beauty around him — he could do no more than 
 accept the environment and people it at his will ! 
 
500 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 This made a strange contrast for those who noticed it : the busy, crowded 
 life of the Plaza and the edge of absorbed and idle dreamers. What a gulf 
 flowed between the two, though they might touch elbows in the throng ! It 
 was a wharf with all its bustling scenes, and a phantom ship with a dreaming 
 crew, her lines just cast off. It was theatrical again : a crowded stage and a 
 listless, darkened audience with the curtain down between. 
 
 As one left the Grand Court, many ways invited and each had something 
 to commend it. From the Administration Plaza the avenue between the 
 Electricity and Mines Buildings led to a bridge that crossed the lagoon to 
 the Wooded Island. From this bridge a beautiful view of the Transporta- 
 tion Building was obtained, and directly opposite was the Golden Door, that 
 portal upon which seemed to glow all the sunlight that the rest of the Fair 
 had missed. The palaces glittered in their whiteness, but theirs was a light 
 as pure and clear as the moon's. Deep reds and browns gave character to 
 this building, and in the midst was the brilliant door of silvered yellow. 
 Kiosks at either side, strange Egyptian panels on the wall, the recessed 
 arches of the doorway, the geometrical figures, and the lavish ornament of 
 the design, all seemed to emphasize the voluptuous Orientalism of the 
 building among the sterner vestal structures seen before. 
 
 To leave this bride of the Orient and walk on the Wooded Island was 
 to enter the country of the bride. Trees cast a grateful shade, paths took 
 the place of walks of asphalt, and the air was sweet with the fragrance of 
 hundreds of roses. Here and there enticing paths wound away to find Love's 
 dear seclusion, and yonder, over the bushes, rose the gabled roofs of Japan ! 
 Very picturesque and inviting proved the little bamboo structures, where, 
 beneath the swinging paper lanterns and in the shadow of the trees, the soft- 
 voiced children of the East, with the gentle manner and courtesy born of 
 centuries, served wafers and tea. The noises of the Fair were far away ; 
 hidden was the inspiring grandeur of its mighty buildings ; veiled its richest 
 colors ; and peace and simplicity prevailed. Here was just the blue of the 
 sky, the green of the grass and trees. Paper fans of the jumping-Jack style 
 were given as souvenirs, and the visitors were children again, with the 
 gentlest of grown-up little folk to wait upon them ; tired, with a cup of tea 
 to soothe them ; eye-weary, with Nature's familiar scenes for rest. Idly the 
 people came and went, strolling in and out — a constant change without a 
 crowd. 
 
 The throng was made up of all kinds of persons. It was not like the 
 surging stream of unanalyzed humanity that was seen in the Manufactures 
 Building, which wearied one because it seemed impersonal. Here you saw 
 just how tired and cross were some people, and how fresh and good-natured 
 were others. You wondered about the relationships in the parties that came 
 and went ; and it struck you, as you thought of the various nations these 
 wanderers represented, how much alike we have all become ; how one is 
 necessarily a citizen of the world now, not because he travels but because the 
 
THE FAIR AS A SPECTACLE. 
 
 501 
 
 world is traveling about him and he can not help it. Within the confines of 
 civilization we are brothers and sisters indeed, with almost a fraternal lack of 
 vivid curiosity regarding one another. 
 
 There was little that was startling in this Japanese pavilion in the heart 
 of the American continent. The paper lanterns swung from the bamboo 
 
 THE JAPANESE TEA-HOUSE 
 on the Wooded Island. 
 
 rods as if at home, the American breeze that tossed them treated their 
 foreign origin with no respect, and so also the various people passed indif- 
 ferently. A little French, Italian, Spanish, German, English, was overheard ; 
 but it was all said with a similar shrug or smile, and you guessed that it was 
 the same thought. Everything was incongruous, yet in a way everything 
 harmonized, because it was so accepted ; and it seemed only mildly interest- 
 ing, not strange, that an American college boy should greet the Jap who 
 served him tea as a " brother," should give to him the secret grip of his 
 fraternity, and talk in English of their college pranks. Yet truly this was 
 Japanese tea that you sipped, if you liked, in the true Japanese style. 
 
 The tea-houses were near the northern end of the island, not far from a 
 bridge leading again to the Dream City. Electric launches glided swiftly up 
 and down the winding lagoon, and, embarking at an ornamental landing, one 
 
502 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 was hurried away smoothly, luxuriously, deliciously, over the cool water, 
 past the bushes that fringed the Wooded Island, past the waterfowl that 
 paddled quickly into shelter, past the swans floating like living chips fallen 
 from the white structures on the shore, past buildings of the States and 
 nations that gave a new respect for geographical divisions in showing that 
 differences in size and color are not the most important ethnological 
 variations, past other launches and gay Venetian gondolas, and around at 
 last to the great art palace, whose widespread arms prevented farther pro- 
 gress. 
 
 The Art Building was poised at the edge of the pond, seemingly study- 
 ing the reflection of its own chaste beauty, and at the same time dominating 
 the scene by its massiveness and grandeur. It had thus a solitude that was 
 
 given to no other building — or rather it assumed 
 this, dwarfing all surroundings save the waters 
 that so fairly mirrored it. Pure Grecian, it 
 stood sublime and calm as a goddess. 
 The caryatides that supported the cor- 
 nice of the portico and the ornamental 
 porches at either side were like wor- 
 shipers ; the long row of Ionic col- 
 umns seemed like a line of suppliant 
 arms, the beautiful low-rounded dome 
 was as the simple ancient wreath that 
 crowned a divinity. Every sense of 
 the observer was satisfied, and the 
 garlanded word " Art " above the 
 portal was hardly necessary. Like 
 the rich, full tone of a bell it rang 
 out the one utterance of that beauti- 
 ful building, its note in the chord 
 of the Fair, its whisper to thrill the 
 observer. The building thus fixed 
 behind the statue of Minerva was as 
 the word following her look. Up and 
 down the broad stairway surged the 
 people. They were devotees of art ; 
 conscious and unconscious seekers of the beautiful ; nervous, restless, hu- 
 manity reaching out for that calm repose and majesty, toiling after it with 
 pitiful earnestness ; hushed when once within its sacred precincts, and stilled 
 by memory's visions as the temple was left. "Art " was its one expression ; 
 Ars longa, vita brevis the ancient message of the scene. 
 
 The Woman's Building, opposite the northwestern end of the Wooded 
 Island, was a light, graceful building, all the whiter for the growing plants 
 on roof and colonnade. The detached columns, open arches, and ornamental 
 
 JAVANESE WOMEN. 
 
H 
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 H 
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 M 
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 H 
 
 Pi- 
 
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 H 
 
THE FAIR AS A SPECTACLE. 503 
 
 sculpture made the structure like a bit of architectural lace coming after 
 Art's stern dignity ; a woman's winning smile after Beauty's firm resolve. 
 
 The entrance to the Plaisance was directly beyond this building. Serious- 
 purposed womanhood, as personified by the structure, stood before the 
 Plaisance, blocking the way like a guardian angel, with back turned haughtily 
 to all the Midway's folHes, and skirts well shaken of its dust. Nevertheless, 
 the great thoroughfare proved to be thronged with women as well as men ; 
 and if there were persons of either sex with soul so holy and spirit so stern 
 that they avoided it, they lost a rare opportunity, a chance for mental broad- 
 ening that they must have needed, and that can hardly return in a lifetime. 
 
 The prevailing expression among the visitors on the Midway Plaisance 
 was a smile. Everybody was entertained, and there was not a dull moment. 
 The concourse itself was such a spectacle that you felt as though you were 
 in the greenroom of a circus, and then on either side of you was a mile of 
 rings, with continuous performances in every one ! You were an actor your- 
 self, and among your many amusing sensations was a half-humorous glim- 
 mering recognition of that fact, which only caused you to throw yourself 
 into the part with the more abandon and play the clown on camel or donkey, 
 the fool in the palanquin, or the child on the Ferris Wheel, with a careless- 
 ness that in sober moments would have seemed impossible. If one walked 
 instead of dancing down the long way, it was only because his mind was 
 dancing at such a rate that it never occurred to him to notice how his feet 
 were sober still. The carnival spirit permeated everything ; and there was 
 never a lack of music, never a lack of gaudy costume and of strange sight, 
 and never a waning of enthusiasm. Laughter bubbled over, shouts in many 
 tongues were tossed over the crowd's heads, and these bandied words made 
 the gayest of confetti. The Midway spirit fell upon each visitor. In the 
 quiet of your room you could reason over its folly, but Reason deserted you 
 when you entered the Plaisance. She and Mrs. Grundy must have stopped 
 in the building of women, for they were evidently too commonplace to 
 walk in the Midway, too self-conscious for the sport of a carnival. The 
 Plaisance was a medley, a Vanity Fair ; it was an " Ethnological Exhibit," 
 according to the catalogue, run riot ; it was geography's nightmare ; but 
 over and above everything else one found it a playground, a frolic of 
 nationalities, an enormous whirligig of pleasure. There was anything in it 
 except conventionality, and such was the abundance of life that it is difficult 
 now to conceive of it as past. For the street was as a caldron into which a 
 giant hand had tossed ingredients of every conceivable kind, sprinkling it all 
 with " the salt of the earth " and a lot of peppery savages. And so it was a 
 bubbling, seething, foaming mass, stirring around faster and faster, boiling, 
 spilling over, sizzling, on, on, ever noisier, swifter, hotter, until it exploded 
 on the last night with a terrible bang of steam and floated away a vapory 
 memory that we try in vain to seize ! You recall only a confused mass of 
 sensations ; a passage of amusing and interesting events swifter than you 
 
504 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 could grasp ; a series of scenes that made you laugh because of the comical 
 hopelessness of the effort to comprehend them ; a confusion of noise — nay, 
 of hubbub and roar — and a kaleidoscope of color and motion that would 
 have driven one distracted had it not sent his blood leaping in harmony to 
 the uncanny time of its own weird pulse. 
 
 The street, a mile long and three hundred feet broad, was thronged with 
 people on a frolic. Mingling with these were foreigners, " barbarians " in 
 
 
 A GROUP OF SOUTH-SEA ISLANDERS. 
 
 more than the old Greek sense sometimes, the exhibitors, concessionnaires, 
 and human exhibits in every conceivable style of costume — or lack of it ! 
 You rubbed elbows with Laplanders and Arabs, with Dahomey ans and Jap- 
 anese, with New Englanders and Turks, until you felt that you yourself were 
 an unusual exhibit. Beyond the crowd, inclosing it at either side, was the 
 strange line of buildings, streets, gardens, and villages. This was a hetero- 
 geneous mass, with its sky line broken by peaks and domes and pinnacles to 
 the despair of architecture. Here was the tall, wide tower of Blarney Castle, 
 there Venetian arches ; beyond were Dutch peaks, then Turkish domes, and 
 next a Moorish minaret ; then a German village, an ostrich farm, Java near 
 to Lapland, and across the way the Street of Cairo and Chinese pagodas. 
 Over all, unescapable hub of the whirligig, center of the life and endless mo- 
 tion, loomed the wonderful monstrosity of the Ferris Wheel. It, too, was 
 going round ; and about it the tide of people ceaselessly ebbed and flowed, 
 and the queer flags of many nations flapped from many roofs ; and the 
 
THE FAIR AS A SPECTACLE. 
 
 505 
 
 shouts of " pullers in," the cries of venders, the roar of a multitude's talk and 
 laughter, the playing of bands, the music of bells and cymbals, the clang of 
 gongs, and the unintelligible jargon of Babel confused the ear as the colors 
 and ceaseless motion had already confused the eye. Then suddenly, over the 
 heads of the people, thoughtless now if ever of God, rang a muezzin's call 
 to prayer. The contrast was amazing. 
 
 From the balcony of a snow-white, graceful minaret an earnest-faced man 
 was calling upon the faithful in the North and the East and the South and 
 the West to remember the greatness of Allah ; and in acknowledgment they 
 bowed their heads or fell on their knees wherever they were ! Three times 
 in the journey of each day's sun this thoughtful hush fell over a 
 
 careless multitude. It was sig 
 glomeration's genuineness, of 
 theatrical scene, that the 
 necessity, not an exhibit 
 inevitably struck a 
 heart, thrilled him, 
 veiled again those 
 where lurked the mem 
 ings on the still ^^Sis. 
 hush fell it passed, and 
 flood tide. 
 
 Plaisance was a conces 
 missed. That was the 
 was completely satisfy- 
 pens, the very intensity 
 poetry and picturesque 
 strangeness and truth at 
 eled there in color and 
 not Egyptian in the 
 sense ; it gave the city 
 warmth of color, the life 
 that make it fascinating. 
 
 A KURDISH DANCER. 
 
 nificant of the Midway con- 
 the reality back of the 
 muezzin was a religious 
 The sweet, sti-ange cry 
 chord in each hearer's 
 and for an instant un- 
 silent depths of feeling 
 ory of the dreamy build- 
 But as quickly as the 
 Vanity Fair was again at 
 Half way down the 
 sion that hardly any one 
 Street in Cairo. This 
 ing, for, as so rarely hap- 
 of its realism gave it 
 ness. One imbibed 
 
 a single draught ; one rev- 
 contrast, for the scene was 
 cold, stern, sculptural 
 of the Nile in all the 
 
 and gayety and cofitrast 
 Architecturally, the street, long and winding, was 
 perfectly reproduced ; the shops were real shops, not mere exhibits, and it 
 required only American money and a kind of polyglot French to strike a 
 bargain. The attendants were Egyptians ; and real citizens of Cairo lived 
 in the upper stories of the houses, and loitered or hurried through the 
 street, touching, jostling the cosmopolitan sightseers, who alone seemed 
 foreign here. Donkeys and camels were steeds and vehicles ; " Far-away 
 Moses "was a living character; and the oft-repeated deep and sinister cry 
 of the baggy -trousered pilot — " Loog out for McGinty ! " — cleared the street 
 for a " ship of the desert " laden with children of the West. " Misse 
 Cleveland " and " Yankee Doodle " were spry donkeys whose unrestrained 
 gallop caused stampedes in the crowd. From an open door came the 
 
5o6 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 music of an Oriental theater, and from a balcony hung a girl of sunny 
 Egypt, whose black hair and gay costume gave a welcome dash of color 
 to the gray fagade, while her eyes flashed brightly to the cavalier below. 
 From quaint windows that once looked upon the Nile peered half-naked 
 children, with skin the swarthier for the short white tunics that were worn ; 
 and all this one knew to be bits of real life in Cairo. Brilliant awnings 
 that emphasized the tropical sunniness overhung the street ; barefoot babies 
 played around the doorsteps or joined the motley throng that watched an 
 Egyptian juggler on the corner ; with a clanking of gilded chains and 
 trappings a band of pilgrims, camel-mounted, returned from Mecca ; or, 
 preceded by a waving sword and escorted by many guests, a bride rode 
 camelback to the temple ; and up and down the thoroughfare and in and 
 
 out of mysterious dark passages moved, 
 most interesting of all, the normal life of 
 the Egyptian settlement — the true business 
 of the Street of Cairo^carried on seriously 
 and without self-consciousness, the prosy life 
 that to foreign eyes seems so romantic. 
 Every sense swore falsely that this was 
 Egypt, just as it had sworn falsely already 
 a score of times along the Plaisance ; and 
 in the dark, earnest faces that betokened 
 active interest one read the old truism that 
 where the heart is there surely is home. 
 Coehim, non animum, mutant, qui trans 
 mare currunt was the reflection. 
 
 On the other side of the Plaisance was 
 Old Vienna, more ancient than the German 
 Village, and almost as German, for all the 
 latter's moat-surrounded castle, beer, and 
 music, and houses put together in Frankfurt 
 that they might be perfect in detail. Old 
 Vienna showed the Altmarkt, with antique structures all about it. In the 
 center was the band stand with the tables of a beer garden close below 
 it, and at one side a big cafd, in which dinner might be taken while the 
 band played Vienna waltzes and strange flags flapped above. As the eye 
 became accustomed to the curious environment, to the juxtaposition of in- 
 congruous spectators and spectacle, to modern food in antique dishes, and a 
 general mingling very like the putting of new wine into old bottles, a 
 tranquillity stole over the wearied brain, wonder changed to expectancy, 
 and laughing praise to a cynicism that was not less merry. It was an ex- 
 cellent frame of mind in which to murmur Aufwiedersehen to the giddy 
 Plaisance, and in the long walk back to Jackson Park the roar of the cos- 
 mopolitan throng was muffled because it was partly understood, just as 
 
 FAR-AWAY MOSES. 
 
THE FAIR AS A SPECTACLE. 
 
 507 
 
 the gilt unknown glitters alone like gold, and childhood's only satisfactory 
 giants are those of legend. There was the same wealth of color and noise 
 as before, the same all-pervading motion and brilliant contrast, with the 
 consciousness that it was all real, wonderful, instructive, amusing ; but the 
 first amazement could not return, just because it had been so vivid. And 
 so one walked back in a very superior mood, impressed unduly, perhaps, 
 by the Midway's artificiaHty of contrast, and prepared to leave the vanitas 
 vanitatum without a sigh ; yet not quite ready once more to reverence in 
 humiHty the beauty of the Court of Honor. 
 
 In such a mental condition, the best thing one could do was to take the 
 Intramural Electric Railroad, itself a scientific exhibit, to the southern end of 
 the grounds, and there to visit La 
 Rabida. This was not part 
 
 of a dream city, but . .^.:..^.^-. 
 
 of the living world 
 — the theater once 
 of extraordinary 
 though quiet hu- 
 man action. Its 
 adobe walls rose 
 upon a sandy 
 promontory, with 
 a terrace of trop- 
 ical plants on one 
 side and on the 
 other a sea wall of 
 rugged rock. It 
 seemed as if Nature 
 foretold in this meet- 
 ing of land and sea 
 that coming together 
 
 of the two strangely typical characters — one all gentleness, love, and repose ; 
 one all firmness, eagerness, and resolve — that was to make this convent 
 famous through the ages. 
 
 The collection of historical relics in the reproduction of La Rabida was 
 the most valuable at the Fair. The ancient documents, the faded paintings, 
 the mementoes of the splendid court of Ferdinand and Isabella, of the aged 
 and demure little convent, and of Columbus, had been gathered from muse- 
 ums tjie world over. But there was a picturesqueness in the mediaeval struc- 
 ture itself, in the vistas through low arches, the cold stone corridors, and 
 the sunny cloister-circled court, which even the musty fragments that were 
 in glass cases could not claim. Through this reproduction of the religious 
 architecture of old Spain was surging a talking, staring, modern crowd ; yet 
 it somehow did not destroy the romance of the ancient structure, for over 
 
 A TURKISH CHAIR. 
 
5o8 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 the prattle of the sightseers classic chants seemed still to echo from the 
 vaulted ceilings, the stone floors still seemed made for pious knees, and the 
 gloom of the passages once more clothed slow-moving, distant figures in 
 holy, somber gowns. Outside the blue sea tossed, and the long rays of the 
 Western sun tipped the crests of its waves with gold while the bordering 
 rocks were in cheerless gloom ; so athwart the radiance of the Fair lay this 
 little shadow out of the night of Europe, romantic, mysterious, fascinating. 
 
 But now the haze that stole softly as a phantom figure across the lake 
 and the glow of the Western sky, whose union was to be twilight, sent one 
 hurrying back to the Court of Honor to witness, in fitting surroundings, the 
 death of day. By a passage between the Casino and the Agricultural Build- 
 ing the Court was gained, and the ever-new surprise of its daylight beauty 
 thrilled one as at first — only now the light was softening and the snowy 
 surfaces glowed, but did not gleam. Golden waves rippled in the 
 
 basin, and the gilded dome of ^fl^ Administration threw its shad- 
 ow at the feet of golden Lib- P^^ erty. No longer calm 
 and cold was she ; but stately, ^^# S* impassioned, fiery, she 
 raised her symbols aloft m^Ml!t % "^^ those and her bur- 
 nished crown seemed ^ flK^^\ * 'l!b answering beacons to 
 the radiant dome. j ^nII^HB^M ^^' ^"^ ^^^^ sweep- 
 ing nearer, gliding | ijjSHmi& ^t through the darken- 
 
 the lofty porticoes, rfg^ll^giyig^ \ >, ^^^ and creeping to the 
 
 water's edge, stole '\ MMm\ mK^^^^^^' if those shadow veils 
 
 that drape the scenes '^fcil^H^rf*^\ new widowed of impe- 
 
 rial day. Yet never I^^S^wF <d^ I- / swiftly do they fall. 
 
 Slowly faded the bril- l ^S^^ -' li^^^t whiteness of the 
 
 buildings ; by degrees w^^fitt|||^-:' alone a rosy hue suf- 
 
 fused the sky, and tinted / r^^ *" ^ " with a delicacy beyond 
 expression the gray-grow- a bedouin. ing fagades, the sculptured 
 
 figures, and the marvelous bulls that stood before the 
 
 palace of Agriculture. It was a transformation scene of a thousand 
 changes, imperceptibly made ; it was the diminuendo of music, except that 
 with the lessening volume came also a change in tone, a minor chord 
 immeasurably sweet. For as one sat in the Court of Honor and watched 
 this sunset change, saw the tinted palaces and the glowing sky and sea, it 
 appeared more than ever a dream city's center, and the beautiful, dying radi- 
 ance that " light that never was on sea or land." And with this thought 
 came the remembrance, impossible before in the confidence born of day- 
 light, that the city was indeed a short-lived creation, that it must pass 
 away, its walls must crumble, and its balustrades and pillars might be broken. 
 The very transformation that etherealized the Court had another, earthy, 
 meaning in the transitoriness it foretold. This was the exquisite melancholy 
 that refined the beauty of the Fair ; for with the power of pathos the Expo- 
 
THE FAIR AS A SPECTACLE. 
 
 509 
 
 sition was drawn, by this very thought, out of the realm of the merely beau- 
 tiful and at once brought close to your loving heart, with the divine ten- 
 derness that makes the fleeting dearest, the more fragile the more loved. 
 As the chimes from the tower of Machinery Hall now broke through the 
 twilight stillness in solemn requiem, they were like the bells of that lost city 
 seen by Breton fishermen beneath the foaming waves. 
 
 And yet, as with sadness one watched the fading of the distant details 
 of sculpture, saw repeated in a thousand statues the miracle of the death of 
 day as like white souls they vanished, mankind's old faith in immortality 
 arose to comfort him. Far away in a building outside the Park a series of 
 congresses was daily gathering, was learning by the harmony of apparently 
 incongruous elements brotherhood, love, and tolerance, and was teach- 
 ing those precious, almost newly discovered, qualities to the world. 
 The official motto for the congresses was "Men, not things " ; and with the 
 sigh for the too fleeting material beauty there was also a thrill of pride and 
 satisfaction in the thought of the no less lovely spiritual structure which, 
 though so intangible, must outlast this. The Exposition itself was felt to 
 be not a vain dream, but a promise ; marking not what had been, but 
 what should be. In the great city of an older civilization it might 
 have been a culmination indeed ; but here it could be only the be- 
 ginning, the ideal ; and as it passed would come the awakening of 
 efforts to regain it, the realization of grand and lasting possibil- 
 ities. One was in a city of mirage, and a bow of promise aided 
 the sunset in tinting domes and towers. 
 
 Suddenly, as if in answer to this hope, the beauty and 
 splendor of the night illumination burst on the gathered gloom. 
 
 36 
 
 A GALA DAY ON THE MIDWAY PLAISANCE. 
 
5IO 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 Under the cornices of the great buildings, and around the water's edge, ran 
 the spark that in an instant doubly circled the Court with beads of fire. 
 The gleaming lights outlined the porticoes and roofs in constellations, 
 studded the lofty domes with fiery, unfailing drops, pinned the darkened 
 sky to the fairy white city, and fastened the city's base to the black lagoon 
 with nails of gold. And now, like great white suns in this firmament of yel- 
 low stars, the search lights pierced the gloom 
 with polished lances, and made silvern paths 
 as bright and straight as Jacob's ladder, 
 sloping to the stars ; or, shooting their 
 beams in level lines across the darkness, 
 effulgent milky ways were- formed ; or, 
 again, turned upward to the zenith, 
 the white stream flowed toward 
 heaven until it seemed the holy light 
 from the rapt gaze of a saint, or 
 Faith's white, pointing finger ! In 
 front of the Administration Building, 
 upon whose second portico the flar- 
 ing flambeaux threw their incense to 
 the night, three fountains played. 
 These were Columbia's sculptured 
 white barge, and on either side of it 
 the bewilderingly beautiful jets of 
 electrically colored fire that tossed and 
 intertwined. The colors deepened, faded, 
 mingled, or wholly changed. The Greek 
 philosophies, which no more seemed an- 
 cient amid the Fair's wealth of carven 
 beauty, were here confounded in the combined ultimates, water and fire. 
 But it was a triumph for Heraclitus, for even Thales would have forgotten 
 the water in witnessing that hot, mad loveliness of rioting color. One 
 could think of it only in the single drops that, detached from the richer 
 stream, fell as diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, or amethysts. A circle 
 of black shadows that you knew were people watched the fountains and 
 gazed upon the wondrous scene ; and now, alas ! it is only in their hearts that 
 the fountains play again, and only in their memory, as in yours, that the 
 colors chase and catch and change with the brightness of that vanished night, 
 long passed. 
 
 And still the darkness on the lake crept nearer, and the twilight faded 
 until sharp outlines were softened ; and the buildings showed as pale gray 
 masses, indistinct save where the incandescent lights marked porticoes, domes, 
 and cornices, or as stray fragments of sculptured snow where an arc light 
 threw its beams. Then, as the real world slipped away, shadows folded also 
 
 HINDOOS. 
 
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THE FAIR AS A SPECTACLE. 
 
 511 
 
 round one's years and cares and toils and one had childhood's dream again, 
 free from the mist of time and tears, for surely one was face to face with 
 youth's lost paradise. 
 
 Out on the broad, smooth Basin, as in the harbor of an enchanted city, 
 strange craft moved silently, some propelled by flashing oars and some with 
 purposeless direction by the breath of night alone. From high bow and 
 stern, lanterns threw a quivering light on waters slowly cleaved and brilliant 
 barge. These boats were the wandering pages of the Queen of the Adriatic, 
 and were adorned as in those splendid days before gondolas were uniformly 
 
 LOOKING SOUTHWEST ACROSS THE GRAND BASIN. 
 
 black. Thus on the darkly gleaming waters it was not only the years to 
 childhood that were spanned, but centuries were bridged of toil and war 
 and learning, and one was back in the romantic time when civihzation was 
 young and innocently vain in her adorning. 
 
 The City of the Lagoons had faded, and when these lights should dis- 
 appear the fairyland also would vanish ; but now one lay on the cushions 
 watching the supple gondolier ply his oar with grace and strength, and in 
 the supreme happiness of the moment felt secure amid the exquisite beauty. 
 Here a search light thrown on a white building made a wondrous contrast of 
 
512 
 
 THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
 
 high light and shade where the shore was left in darkness. Then, lowered a 
 little, the rays unveiled a mystery of the shadow and revealed a bed of sud- 
 denly awakened pansies beside the great white pile. Overhead fireworks 
 blazed and sang like meteors, yet still the senses were lulled by the breeze 
 that wafted low, sweet music from singers drifting near. What wonder, 
 amid such scenes, that a prosy, unemotional people re-named the World's 
 Columbian Exposition with the simple, directly appealing metaphors that 
 were used ! And is it not natural that when you now ask those who visited 
 the Fair what most impressed them they forget the Plaisance and exhibits 
 and name the great white buildings and the grandeur of the Court of 
 Honor ? The Dream City that seemed so transitory is still to be seen by 
 many eyes — imperishable as the loving word, the beautiful face, the noble 
 deed, in the heart that cherishes what shall be no more. 
 
 END OF VOLUME L 
 
WASHINGTON 
 
 AVENUE 
 
ENGLE8 
 GARBAGE I 
 FURNACE ' 
 
 ^IL PUMP HO.