Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-12-21
THE DARK SIDE OF A FAIR
some OF PHILApELPHIAs SAD Les
SONS FROM THE CENTENNIAL,
Thousands Of Dollars Were lost In Schemes
for the Entertainment of vlsiters-Tbs
Olobs Hotel spcculaticm---A warning 10
Other Ambitious cities.
IspccIal Cor-cspondcnce.l

0thee Ambitious Cities.
Especial Cor-cspondcnce.l
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 19.-No doubt
many citizens of tho rival cities that arc
claimants for tho Worlds fair expect
that II they secure the exposition for
tunes will bc plentiful and the wealth Of
every citizen augmented by tho influx
OF visitors But they would do well to
profit by the experience Of Philadelphia
In the past and be cautious how they In.
vest their hard earned money In an en-
Scavor 10 enrich themselves. While no
doubt the Centennial exposition Of 1870
was profitable to this city and Its in
habitants generally, and especially in
tho stirring up which makes Philadel-
phia today less sleepy and moro enter
prising than It once was, yet thousands
OF dollars were lost in visionary schemes
for the rapid enrichment OF tho individ-
ual citizen. There were but few citizens
who did not have their minds filed with
magnificent dreams Of the riches which
millions of foreign strangers would
pour into their laps, and great prepara-
tions were made to provide food, cloth
ing, beds, amusement and every other
luxury and necessity OF life which they
were willing to exchange for foreign
coin. But the fuliillment Of these gold
en- dreams was the exception rather than
the rule.
Tho most famous Of the CULTS in which
Philadelphia capital was swallowed was
the Globe hotel. which Is well known TO
every ono who visited the centennial.
Many prominent Philadelphiansw were in
terested in the company formed, Of which
Gen. II. II. Bingham, the father OF con-
gressiona. postal legislation, was presi-
dent. Other mon OF moro than local
fame who were interested were Hamil-
ton Disston and David II. Lane, the local
political magnates; Peter A. b. Widener
and w. L. Elkins. the street car men;
Ex-Governor William NJ. Bum, Charles
II. Gross, the late attorney general,
Lewis O. Cassidy, Samuel Josephs and
Thomas j. Barger. The amounts sub
| scribed by the men ranged from $50 600
to &3O, 900, and the ideas held as TO the
result Of the speculation were enormous
| ~ extravagant. The lowest estimate Of
tho profits made by the enthusiastic
stockholders placed them ut not less than
| two millions.
Some idea OF the extravagant views
held on the subject may be gained from
the fact that when the ordinance, grant
ing the company permission TO build tho
hotel, was presented In councils, 1t Is au-
thoritatively stated that the ring which
ut that time controlled the city fathers
demanded $250, 200 as their share Of the
expected plumber. The passage Of this
ordinance was necessary because Of .
law which forbids the erection Of frame
buildings within the city limits, as a pre-
caution against fire, and the hotel was TO
bc constructed Of lath and plaster. This
Matchmaking scheme was thwarted, how.
ever, by the members OF the company
making personal appeals TO tho editors
of tho local newspapers to arouse public
sentiment against this high handed out.
rage. The newspapers, headed by Tho
Ledger, frightened the ring from enforc.
ing its demands, and saved tho capital.
lists that much OF their money.
Tho ordinance once passed, tho ercc.
tion Of building to accommodate COZ
guests began. This was thought but {
small estimate OF the number who would
be clamoring for admission TO the hos
telry, but then there were host o.
other hotels to be built, and the stock
holders did not wish to seem graspin,
and decided that they would be conten
with profit of three or four millions o
dollars. As an example Of the lavish
ness and regardless Of expense" way II
which they went about the construction
of the hotel, II may be said that the ut
torncy who drew up the contract for TIN
erection Of the hotel was paid ", 800 70
his services, and IL was not considere,
an extortionate price.
The hotel cost $3.50, 900. OF this, $12,
500 was paid tho Pennsylvania railroa,
for six months lease Of part Of th
ground upon which the hotel was h
stand, and the same amount Of money +
the centennial commissioners for q smal
plot that was within the limits Of tn
park, and SEQ, 900 for the rent OF q min
eral fountain, which happened TO be a
tho farthest end OF the latter strip. A
fitting director for so vast an enterprise
John A. Rice, Of the fremont house
Chicago, was secured at q salary @
81 900 month, after James Breslin, @
the Gilsey house. New York. had refuse
$4,000 to desert his interests In tina
city to take charge Of the Globe hots
for the limited time for which 1t existet
But il 1t cost q good round sum to bull
the hotel, the privileges were sold at col
responding rates. Sam Josephs and NJ
r;aht 20 ssl Iinnor The horyoom was
haii ,0o hv IA Goo,