This meeting was not called, as had been contemplated, however, and it
was not until September 30, 1902, that the members of the board were
again assembled, pursuant to a call of the Commission, the meeting place
being in the city of St. Louis.

After formal organization of the board of lady managers they were again
addressed by Hon. Thomas H. Carter, who said, in part, as follows:

The act of Congress left the number of lady managers optional
with the National Commissioners.

Before the exercise of the discretion allowed by Congress
numerous persons suggested a great variety of ways whereby the
ladies of the country, and the world, if you please, might with
force and propriety participate in this coming exposition. The
agency or organized clubs was for a time suggested as a proper
method by which the assistance of womankind might be interjected
into this great work, but many difficulties appeared in an
effort to crystallize that thought in the proper shape.

Owing to the confusion existing during the sessions of Congress,
the necessity as well as the desirability of allowing the
National Commission to appoint a board of lady managers became
from day to day more apparent, and, therefore, in pursuance of
that authority it was determined, with the consent and approval
of the local committee under whose auspices the exposition was
given, to appoint a board consisting of twenty-one persons; and
of the twenty-one nineteen members have now been appointed. * *
* It will rest with you ladies, and the two additional members
hereafter to be appointed, whether or not you wish to increase
the size of your board. * * *

After or about the time of the New York meeting the National
Commission, acting under the authority of the law, prescribed
certain general limitations or rules within which this board of
lady managers would continue to exercise their functions. These
rules were, I think, made very general, and were submitted to
the local company for approval, as the statute requires. The
company has suggested certain amendments, which are not of great
importance and do not at this time limit your deliberations to
any considerable extent. * * * The rule upon which your
authority will rest reads: "The board of lady managers,
appointed as authorized by section 6 of the act of Congress,
shall have auth