known throughout this country, at least.  Your expenses have been very light—­I believe, up to this time, less than $20,000, in the neighborhood of $20,000—­which, considering the long distances traveled, and the number of meetings, is a trifling sum in comparison with what has been spent by similar boards of former expositions.

As you are aware, the act of Congress, under which both the Commission and your board find warrant for existence, granted to the local company an appropriation of $5,000,000 for the purposes of giving this exposition.  We have probably in moments of inconsiderate feeling been too prone to find fault—­I speak of the Commission, not of the ladies—­prone to find fault with the people here who have been doing the best they could.  There has been a disposition to assume the control, to the exclusion of outside agencies; and this is but natural because it is inseparable—­or is in evidence with reference to all official places in our Government—­in fact, it has been noticed that a man, who is ordinarily indolent, when placed in power will become very energetic in this respect.

The Exposition Company has assumed a full measure of the responsibilities—­and possibly some of our responsibilities as well—­for which we have not been duly grateful.  Nevertheless, we are not inclined to blame these people, because they have contributed very largely and generously of local means to aid this enterprise, which leads them to the desire to supervise each and every detail in connection with this work.  This desire to assume full responsibility is possibly responsible for the failure to assign to the ladies any particular work, and is also responsible for the curtailing of the jurisdiction of the National Commission.  As the work progresses, however, I think that the company realizes the necessity of drawing upon all the forces available to make the exposition a success.

This Commission had a long and pleasant interview with the president of the exposition, at which time he brought out a desire for cooperation and assistance that had not yet been manifested.  I believe now, as your body is organized, from the harmonious work accomplished at these meetings, and its cordial relations with the Exposition Company, and certainly with the Commission, the future promises more than has been accorded to similar organizations in the past. * * * We thank you, ladies, for the privilege of being before you, and cheerfully extend our salutations on the election of your president and upon the good will and spirit of harmony which prevails among you.

Mr. Lindsay then spoke as follows: