Final Report of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission Part 13

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 disburs.e.m.e.nts 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 disburs.e.m.e.nts to November 1, 1902, as shown by the books of the treasurer, amount to $21,284,141.01.

The outstanding obligations and contracts, including disburs.e.m.e.nts 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 disburs.e.m.e.nts 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 disburs.e.m.e.nts 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.