Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-11-21
GOTHAM is AWAKE.
A Chicago Mans Batch Of
Worlds Fair Notes.
EMPIRE CITY NOT MUCH ASLEEP.

Secretary Crsgin's Observations at the
New York Headquarters aud Washing
ton-St Louis Inclined to Jine Drives
with the Eastern metropoiis-The Plan
That the National Capita Builds Its
Hopes Upon - The Outlook Seen
Through Chicago Optics
CHICAGO, Nov Gle F. Cragin, secre-
tary Of the Chicago Worlds fair commit
tees. returned from a trip to Washington
and New York yesterday. His impressions
received on his visit are given in the follow
ing interview: Il went 20 Washington
and New York to look over the situation so
that could report intslligently to our Chi
cago people. found the situation some
what different from what I suppos ed it was
The fact is, they have beautiful headquar-
tiers in The Times building opposite the post
Office. They have rooms where the archi-
tects, draughtsmen and others are working
perfecting their plans. They were engaged
in sending out thirty or forty thousand
dunning letters aud circulars from the
finance committee asking for subscriptions
with one OF the ablest newspaper mon New
York at the head.
The Merchants Want the Fair.
while the finance committee has not done
much work, their work has been taken up by
others with great success. Mr.. Throne, q
hat and cap dealer Of Chicago, told me in
the Fifth Avenue hotel that all the jobbers
In his line in New York were making earn
est efforts to raise subscriptions, and, while
,aII
about the fair, he found out that they were
sorking hard for it / was told that Mr..
Clafiin had neglected his business for two
weeks, giving all his attention TO the fair {;
that he personally had raised more money
than the whole finance committee The
speed with which the subscriptions are COM
ing In you will notice by the Chicago papers
and they will doubtless raise S5,OOO,0OO 1t
is true that in some quarters in New York
no interest is taken in the fair, but the job
bers and retailers are very much in earnest.
New York has been very slow in getting
woke up, and is not yet thoroughly aroused
but they are certainly in better shape than
they were a few weeks ago. They still look
upon il as presumptuous that any other city
should think OF having the fair, aud that
when congress meets New York will be easily
and promptly selected as the site.
A Combine Against Chicago.
"They were startled snd disappointed by
the action OF New Orleans and Montgomery.
they thinking that they were especially strong
in the south. There is no doubt in my mind
Of an attempt to unite the forces of ST. Louis
and New York. Mr.. Jones and Governor
Francis bad interviews with Mayor Grant,
Chauncsy Dspew and Others ami the next
morning these interviews were given in full,
and every paper had editorials on the sub
ject, one or two papers coming out point
blank, and saying that New York's second
choice would be ST Louis. Ii was palpa-
BILE effort to encourage St Louis in her fight
against Chicago and will, / think, react
against both cities, as il demonstrates the
fact that a combination Of some sort is ALSO
lutely necessary TO weaken our position te-
fore congress
Not Likely tn Win, However.
"Ths spectacle of great New York and
little st. Louis combining for any such pur-
pose is not likely to meet with the indorse-
ment OF the American people through their
representatives. This, think, Is the way it
is regarded in Washington. Those whom
met in Washington all said II was evident
that ST. Louis was using every effort to de-
feat Chicago, and had no expectations Of So
Louis in this matter WAS not indorsed by
any representatives from the south and
southwest with whom l talked. and who sx-
pectsd to give St Louis the complimentary
vote. st Louis they told me. without
authorizing the uss OF their names. will
Lose the complimentary vote We have been
expecting to give her.
Wa .hiBgton's Little Scheme.
rha a. vI. = r.
ia charge Of various departments secretary
of state, secretary Of agriculture, etc, each
having charge OF a department ami asking
the cooperation OF the states They think
this plan, when il Is matured, will b. ma
tional, and SO comprehensive in every way,
and will captivate the congressman at once
and secure the location Of the fair at Wash
ington. On the whole, think the feeling in
Washington Is more friendly to Chicago
than New York Chicago's prospects, on
the whole, are better to-day than they have
ever been.
a New Workers. Opinion.
"A New York congressman with whom
spoke. but who did not want his name men
toned. said he had no doubt Chicago would
secure the fair. but that nothing could be
more disastrous than overconfidence. There
10 hard work ahead OF US While We have
decidedly the advantage OF the situation now
It will take hard work and skilltul manage
ment to secure satisfactory legislation
promptly. Altogether, after personal in
vsstigation Of the situation, feel decidedly
encouraged, and think there is every reason
10 believe that success will crown our efforts.
The people throughout the country are evil
IDENTIFY with us, but Chicago must do hard
work 10 win
Heavy Failure at ST. Louis.