The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-08-03
THE WORLDS FAIR.

New YORK Jul, 29-The men who
are actively pushing tile Worlds Fair
project were deeply interested to day in
statement from ex Speaker Randall,
that, while in favor of holding the Fair
in this city, he believes that before Con
gress should contribute anything towards
the expenses of the Exposition as much
money as possible should be raised from
private sources, as in the case of the
Philadelphia Exposition. when the only
Congressional AID was in the shape of a
loan of ST. $50 900, all of which was re
paid. AS it is likely that Mr.. Raudall's
opinion will be that Of a very large sec
ton of Congress, without regard TO party
lines, his statement may influence the ac
ton of the merchants here. A mistake
in their financial policy now might be
fatal TO New York's chances of getting
the Exposition at all. The Chamber of
Commerce has already given formal ex
pressions of its opinion that the Federal
the Safe, and the city authorities should
appropriate all the money required for
the Fair, but it is not unlikely that the
committee to be appointed by the Mayor
may adopt different policy In order
to head off the competition of Chicago,
Washington and st. Louis, and to drown
| all hostile criticisms, it may be deemed
best to raise guarantee fund, for use IN
case the Government does not wish TO
| advance the money. 1t should be re
membered that Chicago is already sheer
that New York wants the E position but
| is not willing to pay for it, and SAYS that
the money could be easily raised there.
The argument in favor OF the Fair being
| entirely a Government underta is
that the Exposition should be a national
enterprise and exhibit the glory, not of
New York alone, but of the whole coun
| try, all parts of which should share
| equally in the expenses. Moreover, it is
argued that this is the plan pursued hy
| foreign countries, with what success is
| demonstrated by the Paris Exposition.
! On the other hand, it is admitted that
the expostions on this side of the water
have been for the most part private en-
terprises, with full Government recogni-
ton, it is true, but with only limited
Government aid. So far as the State
Legislature is concerned, a liberal appro-
priation may be expected. Senator
Robertson, whose influence in the Legis-
lature is extensive, is heartily in favor of
the project, and tells me that the State
will come handsomely to it's support. The
same is tue of the city Government,
which will be liberal in aiding the IN
dertaking Even if the Federal Govern
ment should decide to become Financially
responsible for the exposition, New York
should, at least bear the expense of such
buildings and art features of the fair as
would likely become permanent adorn
ments Of the city. 1t ought not to be
| difficult for the citizens of New York to
raise, II necessary, a guarantee fund of
| eight to ten million of dollars. There
are half dozen railroads centering here
that could give outright over a hundred
thousand dollars each to the enterprise.
and take their profits in the enormous
traffic which the fair would attract. The
foreign steamship companies, in like
manner, could advance a large sum
Wholesale and retail merchants ought to
feel no hesitancy in subscribing large
amounts to an enterprise that will surely
increase their sales tenfold. The Com
mittee OF Sixty of the Chamber of Com
merce alone could contribute a million
dollars and never feel the loss of the
money, in case the receipts of the Fair
did not warrant any return to the sub
scribers. 1t is not because New York is
not able or not willing to pay that it is
proposed that the Government shall bear
the expense, but because it is held that
it would be more 1irect. more dignified
and more equitable for the entire nation
to own and control the Exposition.