text: On the tower 's inauguration , the lifts were not yet in operation and Prime Minister Tirard , aged 62 , stopped at the first platform , 57 m ( 187 ft ) up , letting his younger Minister of Commerce continue to the top to present Gustave Eiffel with the Legion of Honor medal .
  
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  The Minister of Commerce was to the top in order to meet Gustave Eiffel .