given to your rules to start with.  One feature of the rules heretofore commented upon to some extent, and perhaps both by the Commission and the company, has been subject to criticism.  That is the limitation upon the incurring expense.  It has been suggested that the board of lady managers at Chicago, which consisted of over one hundred persons, spent $150,000 or thereabout.  They were limited, I think, and spent the limit.  Your expenses are not limited, except by a rule adopted by prudence, and applicable to all bodies having money to expend from the United States Government.  The purpose of this rule, let me say to you, ladies, was to preserve ordinary system in the transaction of the business that must be dispatched very rapidly, and must be dispatched under a system.

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

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

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

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

President Francis, the general counsel, the treasurer, are all devoting practically their entire time and attention to this work, and the things already accomplished indicate that their efforts have been well directed and their work well performed.  It is for you to say, you to determine in a general way, and upon your good judgment and earnest efforts will largely depend the extent to which women in this country and of the world at large are to participate, directly or indirectly, in making this exposition the most beneficent for women that has or can be made in any age or ages.

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