New York, Apr. 30. IMIS morning at 11 o'clock, the New York World Fair of 1939 was first opened to the public, offering the people a glance into the world of tomorrow.
More than 600,000 men, women and children, crowded outside the many gates of the Fair, immediately steamed into the grounds in endless lines, (o admire the wonders of the world of the future and to await President Roosevelt's speech of official inauguration.
"Often I think that we Americans offer up a silent prayer that the continent of Europe, from which the American Hemisphere has been principally colonized, the years to come will break down many barriers to intercourse between the nations," declared Mr, Roosevelt.
"Our wagon is hitched to a star, it is the star of goodwill, the star of progress for mankind, the star of greater happiness and less hardship, the jar of inter national goodwill and, above all, the star of peace.
The President emphasized the fact that April 30, while the date of the Fair's Inauguration. today, was also the date on which the first President fof the United States was inaugurated in office.
He paid special tribute to. those who had drawn up the Constitution of the United States. pointing to the national solidarity that had resulted from it despite the mixed origins of the country's population, The President expressed "grateful thanks (0 the foreign countries for their" general and, I might say, spontaneous participation in the Fair." He then announced the exposition open to all mankind,"
After the President, the Governor of New York, Mz. Frank Lehman; Mayor La Guardia and sir Louis Beale, British Commissioner, also made' brief speeches, Sir Louis speak-on behalf of all the "foreign friendship that marks the opening of the exposition and which, they said, would be the theme of the world of tomorrow.
In the name of the City of New York, Mayor La Guardia welcomed the throngs of tourists from the world over, come to visit the Fair "The most notable fact in our country is that men of all races and religions can live here free and in perfect harmony, 'This system is not copyrighted by us, and we would Like to ce everyone' follow this example." he. declared.
In the course of the official ceremonies, the Westminster Choir from London, composed of 150 singers, sang to the accompaniment of an American orchestra, The President afferwords left the exposition to return to his residence at Hyde Park, Where he is at present staying.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.