er.

I have felt it to be my duty to bring these matters to the attention of
Congress for such action as may be thought advisable.

BENJ. HARRISON.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 24, 1892_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith, for the information of Congress, the annual report
of the World's Columbian Commission; a supplementary report of the
same commission, submitted February 16, 1892; the report of the board
appointed by me under section 16 of the act of April 25, 1890, to have
charge of the exhibit to be made by the Executive Departments, the
Smithsonian Institution, the Fish Commission, and the National Museum;
and the report of the board of lady managers, provided for by section
6 of the act referred to.

The information furnished by these reports as to the progress of the
work is not only satisfactory, but highly gratifying. The plan and scope
adopted and the site and buildings selected and now being erected are
fully commensurate with the national and international character of the
enterprise contemplated by the legislation of Congress. The Illinois
corporation has fully complied with the condition of the law that
$10,000,000 should be provided, and the Government commission reports
that "the grounds and buildings will be the most extensive, adequate,
and ornate ever devoted to such purposes." It seems, however, that from
five to eight millions of dollars more will, in the opinion of the
local board and the national commission, be necessary to prepare the
exposition for a complete and successful inauguration. It will be
noticed from the reports that it was first proposed by the local
commission to ask of Congress a loan of $5,000,000, to be repaid from
receipts, and that the national commission approved this suggestion.
Subsequently the Illinois exposition corporation reconsidered its action
and determined to ask a subscription of $5,000,000.

The supplementary report of the national commission seems to approve
this amended proposition. I have not myself that detailed information as
to the financial necessities of the enterprise which would enable me to
form an independent judgment of the additional amount necessary, and am
not, therefore, prepared to make any specific recommendation to Congress
upon the subject. The committees of Congress having this matter in
charge will undoubtedly obtain full and accurate information before
final action. The exposition, notwithstand