tant secretary.

New York State's participation in the Louisiana Purchase Exposition was
calculated to exploit fully the wonderful resources of the State, as
well as to set forth what the Empire State is accomplishing in the
various lines of humanitarian work. The New York State commission
started out with the idea of making exhibits only in lines where New
York was preeminently the leader. On this account and for the reason
that the appropriation was relatively limited, exhibits were planned to
cover seven distinct departments. It was intended at the outset to make
these exhibits strong in every detail, and the commission believes that
the close of the exposition has demonstrated the excellent judgment
exercised.

The most conspicuous feature of New York's participation in the
exposition was her State Building. An excellent site was chosen for this
structure, and a handsome building was erected in a conspicuous place on
the plateau of the States on the exposition grounds. The building
occupied the most commanding site on the State plateau of any of the
State buildings. It also enjoyed the benefits of Forest Park, both in
front and rear, which made it one of the coolest buildings on the
grounds.

The building was simple, but dignified, in design; of Italian
architecture in the colonial treatment. Martini's Quadriga flanked the
dome, representing the progress or art and commerce, and Lenz's dancing
group was placed around the columns at the entrances. A very large hall
ran through to the dome, the lower part of which was treated in the
Doric order, and the whole was scholarly, dignified, and beautiful in
design. Another interesting feature in the hall was the organ case,
which was designed particularly for this place. This hall was flanked on
the northern side by a large assembly hall with a barrel ceiling running
up to the second story, and the treatment of this room in old gold,
Antwerp blues, and siennas was beautiful. The draperies were in green
velvet, and the chairs were of leather, treated to represent the old
Spanish illuminated leather. The floors were carefully made. There were
rooms for banquets or functions of any kind. On the westerly side were
the waiting rooms for men and women, writing rooms, and also retiring
rooms and toilets.

The mural decorations of the large hall were done by Florian Peixotto,
and represented De Soto discovering the Mississippi, one showing the
French and Indian occupation of t