, 1875-04-11
HOTELS.
ruT R1TETT

Tho great hotels, too, the Grand Pacific, tho
Palmer House, and the Sherman, fremont, and
others, begin to Indicate the presence Of q vast
transient population. And perhaps there Is no
class OF business men whose position and expert
ence gives them greater advantages OF direct
and personal information for viewing the situation
at large, and. estimating the probabilities Of
commerce, than those whose place during long
period Of years has been at the head Of the ho-
tel interests Of the city. To ascertain the views
Of q prominent landlord in regard to the indica-
tons, representative Of TIE TRIBUNE, . day or
two ago. waited On Mr.. John B. Drake, OF the
Grand Pacific Hotel,-whose acquaintance with
: tho great outside community OF merchants
travellers, and visitors, developed in long
course Of ye1rs as proprietor OF the old T1e-
mont House, the leading hotel Of
the city. from 1855 till the conAagration
OF 181, ,-is NATURALLY supposed to extend to the
four quarters Of the Continent
Reporter-Mr. Drake, what are your impress
sions in regard to the prospects of the hotel
business in Chicago for the present and coming
season?
Mr. Drake-Conversahons with guests from
Ill sections Of the country, and, I should say,
particularly from all points throughout the
Northwest, would seem to exhibit tho most fa-
vorable general conditions. Intelligent visitors
from the agricultural and commercial dis
tricts Of the several States and Terrific
ries north and wost OF us, gentlemen who arc
practically posted On the situation and acquAint-
ed with the relations OF agriculture to commerce,
arc almost unanimous 10 the expression OF the
most favorable conditions, the promise OF crops
and hAtvests, tha necessity Of large supplies,
and
THE uonA1 POWER OF IN ntnEEsE FEELING or
CONFIDENCE AND EScouRA0EhEsr,
all looking to wide and general revival OF all
departments OF trade. As a2znatter Of course,
when the local conditions are 30 universally fa-
vorable, the logical inference is that the COM
merce Of the city must soon feel the effects OF
the promised revival and tho general res
torahon Of trade to condition Of
great prosperity, will naturally lind
its first expression In the increase Of our tran
tradesmen. The business Of the hotels is some
times the true pulse that indicates the condition
Of trade.
R.-Do yon then anticipate m unusually large
transient population the present season.
Mr.. Drake-Everything ct present justfes
such An anticipation.
R.-Cbicago has become considerably larger
city now than when you entered upon your career
in connection with the old fremont Housein 1856
The city was then famous for its population Of
transient population kept up It's former proper
tion2
Mr, Drake think it has- The CITY had ut
that time but three four hotels, with firstcass
accommodations for about ], 600 guests. Now it
has frBt-class accommodations for mora than
10000 The hotel system is evsn moro feature
or characteristic Of life and commerce in Chi
but G5 000
R-After tho destruction Of the fremont in
the fire OF 1871, you purchased the Michigan Az
enue Hotel, did you not changing IL hama to
the fremont House?
Mr. Drake-Yes sir.
R.-What Eas the occasion Of your sale 1t tho
house md retirement from busineas in June,
1878?
Mr, Drake-Well, had had thirty yesrs' un-
interrupted work ia that line, and wanted 4 little
rest. That was ali.
The conversation terminated xfter q few
further interrogations OF less general cbarac-
ter, and the reporter vas permitted to take some
notes Of the
nrEoyExKNrs IN TIE REFRIGERATION, ruRn1-
TunE, AND Eou1pMExr
of thA hote1 which have been made since the
ao+ra1co ~ 1Yr Hr.1a nnon tha nrnnr7atoreh;r