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THE NEW YORK TIMES, MAY 27, 1934.
CHICAGO FAIR OPENS WITH GREAT CROWD
New Century of Progress Exposition Begins With a Day of Gala Festivities
ATTENDANCE PUT AT 148,664
Roosevelt, in Sound Picture Address, Says Nation's Troubles Are Over for the Most Part
CHICAGO, May 26.--A renovated and improved Century of Progress Exposition, representing an investment of $43,000,000, threw open its gates to the peoiple of the world at 9 o'clock this morning with high hopes that 30,000,000 visitors would pass through the turnstiles before Oct. 31, the closing date.
The grand opening of the exposition, which is expected to help Chicago prosper, was greeted by clear skies, a Summer sun and a riot of color both within and without the grounds.
When the gates opened and the time ball slid down the standard over the north entrance, some 2,000 visitors were clamoring for admittance and amiably arguing as to who should have the honor of being the first visitor. The honor went to Martin Svendsen, 19 years old. The youth earned his place by waiting for twenty-four and a half hours.
The first official visitor of the 1934 fair, whose appearance called for the first reception by fair officials was Colonel Roscoe Turner, noted speed flyer. Carrying the greetings and best wishes of the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, Colonel Turner today flew from the Pittsburgh airport to the Chicago airport.
In the first hour there were 2,977 paid admissions, and by 12:30 P. M., 20,556 paid visitors had entered the grounds. At 3 o'clock the paid attendance had reached 52,358. By 8 P. M., the recorded admissions had advanced to 114,967. At 10 o'clock the figure was 148,664, exceeding the opening-day record of 1933 by nearly 30,000.
A highlight of the opening ceremonies was a sound picture address tonight by President Roosevelt, who declared that "the most critical days of a narional emergency have for the most part passed."
"The unsound structures have been and are being torn down," the President said. "A rebuilding from the bottom up is in progress."
Mrs. Roosevelt also made an address through a sound picture, speaking to the women of the nation and complementing the exposition authorities.
A parade, a feature of the opening-day program, drew tens of thousands of spectators to Michigan Avenue this afternoon as it wound its way to the fair grounds, where Mayor Kelly, Governor Horner and Exposition officials reviewed it in front of the Illinois Host House.
Bands by the Score
It was a gala spectacle and it seemed that a large part of Chicago was out to cheer the marchers. Led by city, State and exposition officials, more than 10,000 members of civic and military organizations swung in rhythmic cadence over the flag-draped line of march.
Scores of bands playing patriotic tunes and the cheering from the thousands who lined the curbs combined in a giant chorus as the marchers passed along.
Following the review of the parading troops and civic organizations, the formal opening-day ceremonies began in the Lagoon Theatre. Bief speeches of welcome were made by members of the official party, Mayor Kelly, Governor Horner, Rufus Dawes, president of the Exhibition, and Commissioner Dunne and others, who spoke in terms of congratulation and optimism. In conformity with the importance of the occasion, the speeches were brief.
In less than an hour the ceremonies were over and the paraders were free to wander through some eithty miles of free exhibits, admire the mile after mile of landscaped gardens and lawns and gaze at the changes made in the decorationg effects and in the arrangements for lighting.
President Turns on Lights
In the evening special ceremonies, attended by the civic leaders and the tens of thousands of spectators, concluded the formal program. Of these the most important were the Roosevelt ceremonies.
At the conclusion of the President's sound-picture address he pressed a button which, by synchronization, turned on the giant lights of the exposition, revealing the new lighting effect for the first time.
Mrs. Roosevelt, in a similar ceremony, also pressed a button at the conclusion of her sound-picture address, turning on the waters of the new lagoon fountain, which shoot forty-five feet upward into the air with a murmur of a natural cascade. A total of 68,000 gallons a minute is poured out by the fountain, while colored lights play upon the spray.
The President's Address
President Foosevelt's address, as recorded in the sound picture, was as follows:
"You whom I am happy to address this evening in this unique manner have had the opportunity denied me of witnessing during this day the reopening and the rededication of a great international exposition, a Century of Progress.
"The millions of our people who visited the Exposition of 1933 must have seen in it, as I did, an inspiring demonstration of courage and confidence. Those who will come to the Exposition of 1934 will see how abundantly that courage and that confidence were justified. They will discover in this new exposition many evidences of the recovery that has been brought about and see many signs pointing the say along that upward path which we, as a nation, have set our feet.
"The most critical days of a national emergency have for the most part passed. The unsound structures have been and are being torn down. A rebuilding from the bottom up is in progress.
"A plan and a definite objective existed for this exposition. It has to show not merely the progress of the century represented by the life of Chicago as a municipality but the means by which this progress has been attained.
The "Big Objective"
"Likewise, a definite objective is also being followed by those to whom have been entrusted the administration of national afffairs. The individual parts in this planned program are by no means inflexible or infallible. As I often have said, we may in some respects change method while the objective remains the same. Time and experience will determine.
The big objective is constantly before us. It is the restoration of our national well-being and the providing of a greater opportunity for humanity from the bottom up to prosper and find happiness.
"I am firmly convinced that this exposition will contribute to that end. It will serve a desirable means of bringing our people into closer contact. It will aid in the strengthening of morals. It will create a demand for the latest products of science and industry, and, furthermore, it will add to our general enjoyment.
"Now, as I employ the forces of electricity by pressing this telegraph key on my desk and thereby illuminating the exposition, I wish for a Century of Progress the greatest measure of success and for its visitors many happy and well spent hours."
Mrs. Roosevelt's Address
Mrs. Roosefvelt's address was as follows:
"I truly wish that I could be with all of you this evening on the grounds of a Century of Progress in Chicago and share with you the beauties that are being revealed to your eyes on the grounds of this exposition.
"I recall so vividly the strikingly beautiful lighting and color effects of the exposition of last year, and I have heard much of the changes which have been made to add to the attractiveness of this year's fair.
"One of these additions of which I have heard much is the great fountain. I hope that it may be possible for me to see it during the coming Summer.
"I am very happy, indeed, to be able by a simple movement of my hand to initiate an impulse which will turn on this fountain. I am so glad to have been with you and to have had a part in the reopening of a Century of Progress. Goodnight and best wishes to you all."
A Message from Byrd
A radio message from Admiral Byrd in Antarctica provided a start for the fireworks display at the close of the formal exercises.
Admiral Byrd's message, "Antarctica's Greetings--Byrd," tapped out in radio telegraphic impulses, came through, radio engineers at the Lagoon Theater reported, but because of mechanical faults in the public address system on the grounds it was not audible to the throng.
The verbal greetings of Charles Murphy, announcer for the Columbia Broadcasting System at Little America, were also received. The distance over which the radio impulses traveled and the noise peculiar to Summer transmission interfered with its transference to the loud-speakers, the engineers said.
However, the Little America broadcast, though unintelligible to the crowds, served as a signal to start a wave length of energy which set off the fireworks here.
