The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-09-25
W0RLD'SFAIR PROGRESS.
EVERYTHING NOW READY TO
BEGIN ACTIVE OPERATIONS.

culties Which Have Been Overcome.
CHICAGO, Sept 24-Since the close of
the second session of the national commits
sion of the Worlds Columbian Exposition,
the question in everybody's mind is, "What
has been accomplished" A summary of
the work accomplished by the national
commission and local directory combined is
therefore OF interest at this time. The act
OF congress defining the duties Of the
national commission and of the directorate
of the corporation known as the "World's
Columbian Exposition" assigned TO the
latter the duty of providing site and rails
ing fund Of slO,OOO,OOo. The supervisory
duty was entrusted to the national commits
sion to see that the site selected was ade-
Quate to the purpose of the exposition, and
that the fund raised was bona ride and
available.
AN UNKXCBPTIoNAL SITE.
The first of these other duties. namely.
that relating 30 the site has been absolutely
accomplished and the second is as far ad-
vanced as unavoidable delays of legislation
would permit. The site rendered by local
directors and accepted by the national COM
mission is such as no other exposition ever
possessed. The park system of Chicago
comprises nearly 5000 acres, distributed In
various sections Of the city, the north, west
and south. or these parks the local
directors have had the choice of
1000 on the south side. The
latter has been chosen, for reasons which
commend themselves to every one familiar
with the topography Of Chicago. 10 Is
easier of access from the city than either
the north or west park.
SOUTH PARK THE FAvoRITE.
South park was decidedly the favorite
from the moment when It became a ques-
tion Of choice. Landscape gardening has
been carried out TO greater degree OF per-
fection in that portion of the park system
than In any other. The great advantages
OF being ad1acent TO the lake was a further
consideration which impelled the directors
to this choice. But greater than all
was the fact that railroad service
connecting this park with the outside
world was capable Of unreasonable devel-
opment, and that the greatest of all Diff
culties in an undertaking of this kind, the
congestion Of crowds, could best be avoided
by selection Of South park system. Hence
the selection was made. The national COM
mission approved Of the choice, and the ex-
position of 1893 will be held in South park.
THE SITE AN UNDIVIDED ONE.
1t has been erroneously stated that the site
chosen is divided one and that half of the
exposition would be heid in ono part of the
city and the other part relegated to distant
sections. TO which access was difficult
This idea gained ground from the intro
duction into the site problom of the ques-
tions OF using that part of the South park
system known as the Lake Front park.
This lake front, although reserved as
park, is not park in the sense under
stood in Chicago. That is, 1t is not
under the jurisdiction of the park board
1t is a strip of land of about thirty-five
acres In extent running along the lake
shore from Monroe street to Twelfth street.
For years it has been the subject of liti-
cation between the state, the city and the
Illinois Central railroad, which litigation is
yet TO be settled by the supreme court of the
United States. The latest decision given IN
this matter rests the title in the city, and 1t
has generally come to be regarded as public
ground.
WANTED 1T ON TIE LAKE FRONT.
Owing to a wrong idea Of the magnitude
of the exposition, many people 10 this city
jumped to the conclusion that the lake
front was Just the place TO hold the exposi-
ton. At one end Of the Lake Front park
is big exposition building, where the an
nual interstate exposition Is held. Far-
ther north of this is a vacant piece of land,
and apparently a vast empty
space south of the exposition build
ing, naturally suggested the park as the
location Of the great international exhibit
OF 1898. An agitation for the compulsory
use of this ground was started and found
considerable support. 1t was claimed that
If the lake front was too small 1t would be
an easy matter to reclaim a few hundred
acres from the lake, either by filling in or
piling; and an ordinance providing for the
use OF at least 150 acres was passed by the
city council.
vExED QUESTION SETTLED.
This was the status of the site question
when the national ommission met In July,
and Jackson park, along with the lake
front, were offered and accepted. But
scarcely had the commission ad tourned than
it was found that the lake front was un-
available; that 10 TO say, anything beyond
that part already existing. This necesd-
tated an increased site at jackson park,
which was obtained by grant of the Mid
way plaisanoe and later by the offer Of
Washington park.
This leaves the site question finally settled
Jackson park, Midway paisance and
Washington park, all practically one park,
OWNED only in name, and covering
altogether 1000 acres, will hold a
great exposition. At the lake front a
grand gateway leading to the terminus of
the railroads, which will carry people to
the fair, will be erected. At this gateway
will be substantial building, where minor
exhibits will be located, but for all practi-
cal purposes the expedition will be located
in one block at South park.
WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE.
It now only remains for the city Of Chi
cago to 20 through the formality of voting
to the aid of ths expedition the 81, ,000, 900
bonds pledged This will be done at an
election already ordered TO be held IN
November The President Of the United
States will be then noA0ed by the commits
sion that every requirement. Of the law has
been fully carried out, and by Christmas of
1891 proclamation OF invitations to the
world to take part in the exposition will
have been promulgated.
1t is a matter OF oongTatulation that In a
session extending over fifteen days the en-
tire administrative machinery, has been
set in motion without as much as murmur
Of complaint from any quarter. For this re-
suit undoubtedly President Palmer is largely
responsible, aidod by Secretary Dickenson,
not word Of censure having greeted the
scores of appointments which he has been
called upon TO make. In his task President
Palmer has had the assistance of Secretary
Dickinson of Texas. who, though one of the
Youngest members of the committee, has
shown an executive ability, such as older
heads might envy.
A HAPPY SELECTION.
The choice of director general was one