We have 50 per cent more of buildings under roof than Chicago
had at this time. We have 1,240 acres of ground space covered by
buildings, while Chicago had 679 acres, which is nearly twice as
much. When we say that the Chicago Company spent $22,000,000 I
think you will say that under the circumstances $19,500,000 is a
small amount for us to spend. Of course we have profited by
their experience, which should be valuable to us.

A committee was appointed on December 16, 1903, to confer with President
Carter, and place before him the following resolution:

_Resolved_, That the board of lady managers respectfully request
the National Commission to suspend its rules limiting the
further appointments upon the board, for the purpose of
appointing a representative from the city of St. Louis upon the
board of lady managers.

On the same day the following communication was received in reply:

DEAR MISS DAWES: The Commission has under consideration the
question propounded by you, understood to be substantially as
follows: "Is it the intention of the Commission and the
Exposition Company to suspend the rule heretofore adopted,
whereby it is provided that no appointment will be made on the
board of lady managers, until the number shall be reduced below
twenty-one?"

In reply, I am authorized by the Commission to say that the
Exposition Company, speaking through its president, has
intimated that the executive committee of the company will
present a request to the Commission for the suspension of the
rule referred to, to the end that a lady residing in the city of
St. Louis may be appointed a member of the board of lady
managers, under such suspension of the rule.

This request, we are advised, will be presented by the company
to-day, and the Commission is disposed to suspend the rule by
unanimous consent in conformity to the request when presented,
and to appoint the lady recommended by the executive committee
of the company. You will be advised of the action of the
Commission on the subject under consideration the earliest
practicable moment.

Very respectfully,
THOMAS H. CARTER, _President_.

MISS ANNA L. DAWES,
_Chairman of Committee,
Board of Lady Managers._

On December 18 the following letter was received from the president of
the National Commission on the same subj