m far beyond that ever given any other similar
project, they might not find a ready response to a request for
further gifts. They were so confident of ultimate success,
however, that they did not hesitate to ask Congress for a loan
of $4,500,000 in order to conduct the affairs of the exposition.

The legislative committee of the board of lady managers appealed
to the Exposition Company and asked that the company add to the
amount of the loan for which it desired to negotiate the further
sum of $100,000, to be set apart for the exclusive use of the
board of lady managers. Receiving the promise that this fund
should be included, the members of the legislative committee
went to Washington to aid in every way in their power the
passage of the bill providing for said loan.

Upon the arrival of the committee in Washington, on January 5,
the members found they had undertaken what eventually proved to
be a most arduous task against great odds. They found the most
deep-seated, persistent opposition to granting another dollar to
the fair, and were told President Francis had been advised to
defer his trip to Washington until the latter part of January,
as it would be hazardous to attempt the passage of the bill
until the strong feeling against it then existing had abated.
Many members of Congress strongly advised the legislative
committee to ask for a special appropriation, but it had been
agreed that one appropriation should cover the requirements of
both boards.

Mr. James S. Tawney, of Minnesota, a member of the House of
Representatives, and chairman of the committee for this and
similar appropriations, when in St. Louis had listened with
interest to the representation of the subject setting forth the
needs of the board of lady managers, and kindly had promised his
good offices in helping to advance their cause. He promptly
granted an interview when informed that the committee had
arrived in Washington, and, while most courteous, did not
disguise the fact that there were grave dangers ahead for the
loan to the Exposition Company, which had been made a part of
the urgent deficiency bill. He examined the budget which had
been prepared, giving careful scrutiny to each item, and, after
some suggestions and minor changes, a budget was submitted to
him which was afterwards used.