Chapter 9

If, for any reason, an award is not satisfactory to an exhibitor, he may file written notice to that effect with the president of the jury within three days after the date of the official notification of the award; and this notice shall be followed, within seven days after said date, by a written statement setting forth at length his views as to wherein the award is inconsistent or unjust.

In the adjustment of differences and in considering the recommendations of the department juries, the superior jury may provide for hearings of members of the department jury and of exhibitors, but in no case shall it be required to consider matters which have not been regularly presented as heretofore provided.

16. The work of the superior jury shall be completed on October 15, 1904, and, as soon as practicable thereafter, formal public announcement of the awards shall be made. A final complete list of awards shall be published by the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company, in accordance with the provisions of section 6 of the act of Congress, and section 6, Article XXII, of the rules and regulations.

17. A committee, consisting of the president and the four vice-presidents of the superior jury, shall continue the work of the superior jury as long as may be found necessary after that jury has disbanded.

This committee shall have charge of the preparation, collection, and publication of the official list of awards and shall make the necessary provisions for the proper distribution of the awards.

18. The deliberations of all juries shall be strictly secret.

The president of the Exposition Company, the director of exhibits, and the chiefs of departments shall have the privilege of attending any sessions of the several juries.

A majority of any jury shall, in all cases, render and confirm a decision.

19. The exhibits of persons serving as jurors or alternates over groups embracing their exhibits shall be classed as noncompetitive and shall not be examined by the juries. This rule applies to managers, agents, or others representing a company or corporation which is entered as an exhibitor. It does not, however, apply to the officers or representatives of governments which are entered as exhibitors.

20. Each regular exhibitor may receive an award, although his exhibit be joined with that of others in a single installation.

Only one award shall be given to a collective exhibit, but the names of all the contributors to such collective exhibit may be entered on the diplomas awarded, and each participant shall receive a copy.

If so desired by a group of exhibitors, a single award may be made to an individual representing such group.

21. An exhibit shall receive only one award in any group.

The same object, shown in several groups and adjudged by more than one jury, shall be entitled only to the highest award accorded to it.

An exhibitor who has different objects entered as exhibits in different groups may be given an award in each group.

22. Exhibitors who desire to have their exhibits excluded from competition shall notify the chief of department as to their wishes when making application for space, giving their reasons at length for their request and objections to a competitive exhibit; and these papers shall be transmitted through the directory of exhibits to the president of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company with such recommendations as may be deemed necessary. Exhibits thus exempted from competition shall not be examined by the juries, and shall not be entitled to official recognition in connection with the system of awards.

23. In addition to the awards prescribed for exhibitors, an award may also be made to the inventor, designer, or artisan, who, as collaborator, has, in the judgment of the jury, shown more than ordinary skill in connection with an exhibit. A collaborator is a person who has distinguished himself as the designer or producer of remarkable objects shown at the exposition. He is not a person who has merely aided in the arrangement or installation of exhibits.

In order that this may be equitably accomplished, each exhibitor who has received an award may furnish the chief of his respective department, for transmission to the proper jury, a list of the names of his collaborators, arranged in order of merit, based on skill, ability, magnitude and value of work, and length of service. It will then remain for the jury of awards to determine whether the assistance rendered by the persons named in the manner described has been sufficient to entitle them, or any of them, to the rank of collaborator, and to name the award which may be conferred therefor.

24. Whenever it is applicable, a decimal scale system shall be used in judging the merits of exhibits, 100 representing perfection; and as a suggestion to juries, for instance, in commercial exhibits, the following is offered:

(a) Value of the product, process, machine or device, as measured by its usefulness, its beneficent influence on mankind in its physical, mental, moral, and educational aspects. Counting not to exceed 25.

(b) Skill and ingenuity displayed in the invention, construction, and application. Counting not to exceed 25.

(c) Merits of the installation as to the ingenuity and taste displayed, the cost and value as an exposition attraction. Counting not to exceed 10.

(d) Magnitude of the business represented, as measured by the gross sales during the calendar year preceding the opening of the exposition. Counting not to exceed 10.

(e) Quality or cheapness, with reference to the possession by the exhibit of the highest possible quality, or the fact that the article is sold at so low a price with reference to its quality as to make it a valuable acquisition to the purchaser. Counting not to exceed 10.

(f) For completion of installation within required time and for excellence of maintenance. Counting not to exceed 10.

(g) Length of time exhibitor has been in business as showing whether exhibit is a development of original invention or is an improvement on the work of some prior inventor. Counting not to exceed 5.

(h) Number and character of awards received from former expositions. Counting not to exceed 5.

25. A special award, consisting of a gold medal in each department, may be recommended by the department jury for the best, most complete, and most attractive installation.

26. The following scale of markings shall be used in determining the final merits of an exhibit and fixing the award that should be made, 100 being used as indicating perfection:

Exhibits receiving markings ranging from 60 to 74 inclusive, bronze medal.

Exhibits receiving markings ranging from 75 to 84 inclusive, silver medal.

Exhibits receiving markings ranging from 85 to 94 inclusive, gold medal.

Exhibits receiving markings ranging from 95 to 100 inclusive, grand prize.

27. The diplomas or certificates of award for exhibitors shall be signed by the president of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company, the president of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission, the secretary of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company, the director of exhibits, and the chief of the department to which the exhibit pertains.

28. Special commemorative medals and diplomas may be issued to the officers of the exposition, to the United States, State, and foreign commissioners, to the members of the international jury of awards, and to such other persons as may be deemed worthy of special recognition.

29. The compensation of foreign jurors shall be fixed and paid by the countries which they respectively represent.

30. United States jurors, except such as are officers and employees of the exposition, shall receive actual cost of necessary transportation, and compensation at the rate of $7 per day for such time as they are actually engaged in the work assigned them at the exposition.

DAVID R. FRANCIS, _President._

FREDERICK J.V. SKIFF. _Director of Exhibits._

APPROVED. THOMAS H. CARTER, _President Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission._

ATTEST: WALTER B. STEVENS. _Secretary Louisiana Purchase Exposition._

The Commission early experienced great inconvenience in preparing and submitting its monthly reports, as required by law, to the President of the United States, of the financial condition of the exposition, owing to delay in receiving monthly statements from the company and the incomplete nature of such statements when received.

From an examination of the reports furnished by the Exposition Company, it will be observed that they were at all times deficient in that they did not show the outstanding liabilities of the company. The Commission assiduously endeavored to secure such amendment to the books of account kept by the company as would secure the incorporation of a statement of such outstanding liabilities.

The following correspondence between the Commission and the Exposition Company shows the repeated efforts of the Commission to obtain the information essential to the preparation of the monthly reports referred to:

OCTOBER 3, 1902.

DEAR SIR: I am directed by the Commission to refresh your memory as to our conversation yesterday with regard to furnishing a statement of all outstanding liabilities of the Exposition Company.

Section 11 of the act of Congress, approved March 3, 1901, requires the Commission to furnish the President of the United States a summary of the financial condition of the Exposition Company, and this can not be done in a satisfactory manner without a statement of outstanding liabilities under contract, expressed or implied.

It is the desire of the Commission to furnish the President with detailed information of the character indicated, in connection with the report for the current month, to the end that he may have complete data available for consideration in connection with his message to Congress.

It will greatly oblige the Commission to have the statement referred to furnished in duplicate.

Yours, very truly, THOMAS H. CARTER, _President._

Hon. D.R. FRANCIS, _President Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company, City._

ST. Louis, U.S.A., _October 15, 1902._

DEAR SIR: In reply to your letter of October 3 with respect to a summary of the financial condition of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company, I desire to say that the attention of the proper officers of the company has been called to this request of your part, and I may assure you that the desired information will be prepared and furnished at an early date.

Yours, truly, D.R. FRANCIS, _President._

Hon. THOMAS H. CARTER, _President National Commission, St. Louis, Mo._

ST. Louis, U.S.A., _November 1, 1902._

DEAR SIR: I am directed by President Francis to transmit to you the following information of the total receipts and disbursements of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company to November 1, 1902:

As shown by the report of the treasurer, the collections on account of subscriptions to the capital stock to November 1, 1902, amount to $2,478,030.83.

The treasurer has received from the city of St. Louis the proceeds of the sale of $5,000,000 in bonds, said sale having been made in June, 1902, at a price slightly above par.

The total disbursements to November 1, 1902, as shown by the books of the treasurer, amount to $21,284,141.01.

The outstanding obligations and contracts, including disbursements to November 1, 1902, amount to $6,931,853.41.

There is in the hands of the treasurer, November 1, 1902, the sum of $5,193,889.82.

Respectfully, W.B. STEVENS, _Secretary._

Mr. JOSEPH FLORY, _Secretary Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission._

ST. Louis, U.S.A., _November 26, 1902._

DEAR SIR: By direction of the Commission I respectfully call your attention to the following entry in the minutes of the proceedings at a meeting of the Commission held on October 2, 1902, as follows:

"President Francis was requested by the Commission to furnish a detailed statement of all outstanding contract obligations and other liabilities of the exposition for transmission to the President of the United States with the monthly report for the current month. He said the statement would be furnished the Commission as requested."

The statement referred to was not furnished to the Commission for transmission to the President of the United States with the monthly statement for the month of October. Presumably this default occurred because of your inability to have the statement prepared in season for transmission with that report. It is deemed by the Commission absolutely essential that the statement should be transmitted with the report for the month of November, to the end that it may be on file and available for examination by the President or by Congress.

You are, therefore, respectfully requested to furnish such detailed statement to the Commission at the earliest practicable date, to the end that it may be examined during the present meeting of the Commission.

The Commission desires that the statement should show the contract obligations for the several buildings, the names of the contractors, the dates fixed for payment, the amounts heretofore paid, and the date for final completion of each structure. Also all contracts existing requiring the payment of money for the acquisition of grounds and improvements to be made thereon, and for services rendered, or to be rendered, together with the amounts heretofore paid on the respective contracts, and the names of the contractors to whom payments have been or are to be made. In short, it is the desire of the Commission that the statement should give the substance of each and every contract for the payment of money made by the Exposition Company prior to November 1.

The Commission also desires that the statement should embrace an approximate estimate of the cost of all contemplated construction, improvements, and necessary expenditures connected with the exposition as contemplated by the plan and scope thereof heretofore approved.

The Commission deems the statement referred to necessary under the requirements of section 11 of the act of Congress approved March 3, 1901, which requires the Commission to give a general summary of the financial condition of the exposition.

The Commission will appreciate the courtesy of the statement in duplicate.

Very respectfully, THOS. H. CARTER, _President_.

Hon. D.R. FRANCIS, President Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company, _St. Louis, Mo_.

ST. LOUIS, _November 26, 1902_.

DEAR SIR: I beg to acknowledge receipt of a communication dated November 26, signed by President Carter, requesting a detailed statement of the financial obligations and expenditures of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company up to and including October 31, 1902.

Respectfully, W.B. STEVENS, _Secretary_.

Hon. JOSEPH FLORY, _Secretary National Commission, City_.

ST. LOUIS, U.S.A., _November 26, 1902_.

DEAR SIR: I send herewith a statement of the disbursements and liabilities of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company, which, I think, meets the request made by the National Commission.

Respectfully, D.R. FRANCIS, _President_.

Hon. THOMAS H. CARTER, _President National Commission, St. Louis_.

ST. LOUIS, _November 29, 1902_.

DEAR SIR: I send herewith the financial statement and duplicate duly certified in accordance with the request of the National Commission.

Respectfully, W.B. STEVENS, _Secretary_.

FEBRUARY 5, 1903.

DEAR SIR: Referring to conversation had with you this morning, relative to the detailed statement of disbursements and liabilities transmitted this Commission each month, I wish to say that the statement does not furnish all the information requested.

By reference to letter addressed President Francis by President Carter under date of November 26, 1902, on the second page of which you will note this Commission desires a statement showing the contract obligations for the several buildings, the name of the contractors, the dates fixed for payment, the amounts heretofore paid, and the date for final completion of each structure. Also all contracts existing requiring the payment of money for the acquisition of grounds and improvements to be made thereon, and for services rendered or to be rendered, together with the amounts heretofore paid on the respective contracts, and the names of the contractors to whom payments have been or are to be made, giving the substance of each and every contract for the payment of money made by the Exposition Company prior to November 1. If you could have the statement include the months of November, December, and January it would be appreciated.

You will also note that it is desired that the statement should embrace an approximate estimate of the cost of all contemplated construction, improvements, and necessary expenditures connected with the exposition, as contemplated by the plan and scope thereof heretofore approved.

This Commission will meet on March 10, and I will appreciate it if you will have the statement furnished at your earliest convenience.

Thanking you in advance for your kindness, I beg to remain,

Yours, very truly, JOSEPH FLORY, _Secretary._

W.B. STEVENS, Esq., _Secretary Exposition Company, Building._

ST. LOUIS, U.S.A., _February 19, 1903._

DEAR SIR: The information asked for in your letter of the 5th instant, namely, "A statement showing contract obligations for the several buildings, names of contractors, dates fixed for payment, amount heretofore paid, and dates for final completion of each structure," is being prepared and will be forwarded to you.

Respectfully, W.B. STEVENS, _Secretary._

Mr. JOSEPH FLORY, _Secretary._

The statements furnished by the Exposition Company following this correspondence did not seem to the Commission to be sufficiently explanatory of the financial condition of the exposition, and with a view of obviating this difficulty, and of insuring better results in the future, the Commission on March 13, 1903, appointed a special auditing committee, consisting of Messrs. Scott, Thurston, and Miller, to audit the books and accounts of the Exposition Company up to April 1, 1903. Mr. Scott, as chairman, was authorized by the following resolution to make the audit:

Copy of Resolution.

_Resolved_, That the special auditing committee heretofore appointed be, and said committee is hereby, directed to inquire into and report to the Commission at its earliest convenience the true situation concerning the financial condition of the Exposition Company in the matter of cash receipts from different sources, including receipts for admissions and concessions and other sources; also all disbursements of any nature made by the Exposition Company. They will also examine all advertisements for bids; also all competitive bids submitted by contractors under each advertisement, and compare the accepted bids with the rejected bids, and determine if the accepted bids are reasonable in comparison with the material and service rendered. They will also prepare a comparative statement showing all bids submitted, and a copy of all contracts as finally awarded.

It is the wish of the Commission that you, as chairman of the special auditing committee, proceed with as much expedition as possible to make the examination and secure the information as set forth in above resolution.

Owing to the magnitude of the work of auditing the books of such an immense enterprise, Mr. Scott engaged the services of Jones, Caesar & Co., expert accountants, of St. Louis, to make the investigation under supervision of the committee.

On June 23, 1903, the special auditing committee made a report to the Commission, and at various times thereafter submitted other reports of the financial standing of the Exposition Company, based upon the findings of the above-named firm of expert accountants, all of which are in the files of the Commission.

The last report of the expert accountants employed by the Commission, containing a statement of receipts and disbursements of the Exposition Company from date of its incorporation to date of April 30, 1905, together with a condensed statement compiled by said expert accountants, showing their estimate of the financial result of the exposition, which they state has been prepared from the accounts of the company to May 3, 1905, and from an estimate of future receipts and expenditures, furnished by the president of the Exposition Company, is herewith submitted as a part of this report as "Appendix No. 1."

The Commission was compelled from time to time to call the attention of the Exposition Company to the apparently excessive number of free admissions in comparison with the total attendance at the exposition.

On May 10, 1904, the Commission wrote to the Exposition Company, pointing out that for the first seven days of the exposition, with the exception of the opening day, the number of free admissions compared with paid admissions was in the ratio of 7 to 6. On several subsequent occasions the Commission insisted that prompt action should be taken to check the indiscriminate use of passes.

On May 24, 1904, the Commission adopted the following resolution:

_Resolved_, That Mr. Thurston, as a member of the judiciary committee present, call upon Judge Ferris, general counsel for the Exposition Company, and indicate to him the condition of correspondence with reference to free admissions to the fair grounds, and to suggest to him that in the absence of any disposition on the part of the Exposition Company to take notice of the protests of the Commission, he has been authorized to prepare the case for submission to the Attorney-General of the United States, with request that action be taken in the courts to prevent further violation of the law and rules as agreed upon by the joint action of the company and the Commission.

On the same day Mr. Thurston, in a conference with Judge Ferris, general counsel of the Exposition Company, brought the said action of the Commission to his attention and insisted that the Exposition Company should at once take immediate steps to put an end to the excessive and improper issuance of free passes. Mr. Thurston was assured by Judge Ferris that he would immediately consult with the exposition officials and endeavor to secure such action on their part as would meet the views and wishes of the Commission.

As there was no apparent cessation in the distribution of passes, the president of the Commission, on May 31, addressed the following communication to the president of the Exposition Company:

MAY 31, 1904.