dent Board of Lady Managers of the
Louisiana Purchase Exposition,
The Arlington, Washington, D.C._

MADAM: I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 14th
instant transmitting invitations which the board of lady
managers of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition have addressed to
the women of foreign countries, through the ministers for
foreign affairs, with a view to promoting women's interests at
the exposition.

In reply I have to inform you that these invitations, with
suitable instructions, have been sent to-day to the diplomatic
representatives of the United States in the countries mentioned
by you.

I am, madam,

Your obedient servant,
FRANCIS B. LOOMIS,
_Acting Secretary_.

Letters were received from most of these countries expressing
their gratification and cordial cooperation in the matter, a
fact which was evidenced by many letters from associations and
individuals with reference to exhibits, etc. For instance, a
committee of women at Berne, through its secretary, sent a very
remarkable consignment of pamphlets relating to the condition
and work--philanthropic and otherwise--of the women of that
nation. These were intrusted to the Department of Social
Economy. Also in Italy a national committee of women of great
consequence was formed.

Circumstances prevented any further initiative on the part of
this committee outside the limits of the exposition itself.
Within those limits it has, in common with the whole board, done
much for the exposition, and for the country by social
courtesies extended to the representatives of foreign lands and
received from them--a service which has been performed by the
board with success and dignity, and with great value to the
interests of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition.

ANNA L. DAWES.
EMILY S.G. HOLCOMBE.
MARY PHELPS MONTGOMERY.
ANNIE MCLEAN MOORES.
DECEMBER, 1904.

Reaffirming the motion already made on February 16, 1903, providing that
the furnishing of the building of the board of lady managers be under
the supervision of the president of the board, on March 4, 1904, it was
moved that Mrs. Daniel Manning be made active chairman of the
house-furnishing committee and select her own committee. This motion
being carried, it was also decided that the committee on house
furnishing be limited to the exp