which was held on the eighteenth of that month, took place in the New
York State building on the World's Fair grounds. After inspecting the
building and carefully noting the progress which was being made, the
Commission adjourned to meet at the Planters Hotel at seven o'clock in
the evening. Through the courtesy of Honorable George J. Kobusch,
president of the St. Louis Car Company, the private car "Electra"
conveyed the members of the Commission to the grounds and return.


EMBELLISHMENT AND FURNISHING

An offer from the Aeolian Company, of New York city, to install, at its
own expense, a pipe organ in the building was accepted, and an
appropriation of $3,500 was made for an ornamental case to contain the
organ which would be a distinctive addition to the decoration of the
entrance hallway. In the meantime the matter of furnishing the State
building had been in the hands of a Furniture Committee, who had made an
exhaustive investigation upon the subject. In March a contract was made
with Herter Brothers, of New York city, for furnishing the State
building, in accordance with specifications prepared by the Commission,
for $18,000.


THE COMPLETION OF THE BUILDING

By dint of prodigous effort the building was completed, entirely
furnished and ready for the reception of guests on the opening day of
the Exposition, at which time the offices of the Commission were opened
in the State building, the New York offices remaining open throughout
the summer in charge of Harry A. Sylvester.