oard had
heard some buzz of criticism that 50 cents was too high a price
for benefit to poor people. Thus there seemed to be established
a rate of income which, for the requirements of the creche
conducted under great expense, would be entirely inadequate.
There were apparently no sponsors for the undertaking but the
board of lady managers, and a steady loss of 25 cents on each
child for a period of seven months would pile up the losses to
unknown and quite incalculable proportions.

It is true the board had received a sum of $100,000. This was to
cover all expenses of the board, whose members were the official
hostesses of the fair. Everything was to be conducted at this
great exposition in the most munificent manner possible.
Ceremonies and entertainments which had been given at the
dedicatory exercises in 1903 indicated a scale of elegance and
boundless hospitality; in fact, hospitality was to be a
distinguishing feature of this great exposition at St. Louis.
The board of lady managers formed a part of the hospitable
equipment, welcoming the world to the official home of the
exposition, and were to fulfill one of woman's missions and
entertain in a manner and on a scale harmonious with the
greatest and most beautiful exposition the world had ever looked
upon. For these purposes the money must be made to last
throughout the seven months of the coming fair. No more fatal
thing could occur for the fair name of the board than to spend
early and inconsiderately, and to be met later with pecuniary
embarrassments and complications.

The estimate for the opening expenses of the creche exceeded by
some $16,000 the sum appropriated by the Exposition Company. The
members of the board might have felt justified in furnishing
this sum, but there loomed before them the vast bulk of losses
which must follow as the result of cutting the price from 50
cents to 25 cents on each of the many children to be
accommodated at the creche. It was an enormous responsibility.

Consultation with President Francis and some of the directors
seemed to indicate that the saving to them of the promised
$35,000 would be very desirable. The building was about to be
commenced, and only a few hours were granted the board for their
decision. It was obviously impossible to enter upon a work
involving