buildings to remain.  You, of course, understand that the exposition proper does not own any of the ground within the site.  We have 1,200 acres, which is much larger than any exposition ever held, about 688 acres being the property of the city.  About 112 acres of the site is the property of the Washington University, for which we pay it a specific rental; that makes a total of 780 acres.  In addition to that we have 410 acres which we have leased from private owners.  That property must be returned to them free of all incumbrances.  Therefore, if a permanent structure be contemplated it must be erected on city property.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mrs. James L. Blair, president; Mrs. Edward L. Buchwalter, first vice-president; Mrs. Finis P. Ernest, second vice-president; Mrs. Helen Boice-Hunsicker, third vice-president; Miss Anna L. Dawes, fourth vice-president; Mrs. Belle L. Everest, fifth vice-president; Mrs. M.H. de Young, sixth vice-president; Mrs. Fannie L. Porter, seventh vice-president; Mrs. Frederick Hanger, secretary; Mrs. William H. Coleman, treasurer.