DEAR MADAM:  I have the honor to acknowledge your favor of March 21, which has been noted.  I beg to inform you, in accordance with the instructions of the executive committee, that the director of exhibits formulate a programme suggesting how the board of lady managers can assist the Exposition Company in obtaining congresses of women to meet in St. Louis.  I referred the matter to the chief of congresses, who has made a report, in which I concur, and I respectfully submit it for your information and assistance.

    I have the honor to be, very respectfully, yours,
    F.J.V.  SKIFF,
    Director of Exhibits.

    MRS. MARY PHELPS MONTGOMERY,
    3642 Delmar avenue, St. Louis, Mo.

    MARCH 24, 1903.

DEAR SIR:  Replying to your communication of March 23, in reference to the director of exhibits ’formulating a programme suggesting how the board of lady managers can assist in obtaining congresses of women to meet in St. Louis,’ I beg to state that in my opinion the only feasible way is for the secretary of the board of lady managers, acting in behalf of the board, to communicate with the secretaries of the various women’s organizations, such as the Federation of Women’s Clubs, Daughters of the American Revolution, Colonial Dames of America, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Young Women’s Christian Association, Ladies’ Catholic Benevolent Association, United States Daughters of 1812, and to second the invitation given by the exposition to meet in this city in 1904, assuring them their active cooperation in the matter of obtaining halls, accommodations, and other matters.

The Daughters of the American Revolution and the Federation of Women’s Clubs have already decided to meet in this city, the former in June, the latter in May.  I return the letter, as requested.  Very respectfully, yours, HOWARD J. ROGERS.

    Hon. F.J.V.  SKIFF,
    Director of Exhibits’ Building.

In the resolution adopted by the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission, in session assembled at the city of New York the 7th day of February, 1902, certain rules were made governing the board of lady managers.  The first one recites the power given by Congress to this board of lady managers to appoint “one member of all committees authorized to award prizes for such exhibits as may have been produced in whole or in part by female labor.”

    The committee on woman’s work would suggest: 

First.  That our board make due preparation for the intelligent selection of one member of all committees authorized to award prizes for such exhibits as may have been produced in whole or in part by female labor, and that we request from the local executive committee a list of all work presented for competition before the Louisiana Purchase Exposition produced in whole or in part by female labor.