New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-04
CONGRESS- IND THE WoRLUS FAIR.


The Worlds Fair managers are considering
tho ACCESSIBILITY of asking Congress for loan
of S5,OOO,00O. This is the mild and unob-
trusve way in which tho proposition is report
ed, but tho truth would not be severely
wrenched, we suppose if the dispatches should
announce that the managers were convinced OF
the absolute necessity Of appealing to the Ma
tonal Treasury for the sum named. we eX-
pressed the opinion last winter that the man
ayers intended to take this course, and we have
never since been able to see how they couid
hope to avoid it. The arguments and negotla-
tons which resulted in the awarding to CHI
cago of the supposed prize for which several
cities contended at Washington were largely
based upon the assumption that ample 1unaS
would be forthcoming. Indeed, it was emphat-
ically asserted that the requisite capital had all
been subscribed, and, moreover that 1t was
practically cash in hand. This declaration was
subsequently found to be just about as true as
the assurance that an admirable, nay, rather
an adorable, site had been chosen upon which
the Worlds Fair buildings would Use like an
exhaation the moment that Congress did It's
duty. These and other influences prevailed,
Chicago was selected, and after season OF
jubilation and thanksgiving began stubborn
contest over the site, which has recently ended
and weary search for money, which is now
approaching its most serious stage.
If Congress, eighteen months ago, had been
able to look into the future, the great and hon
orable task awarded to Chicago would have gone
elsewhere or nowhere. But it is needless to
dilate upon that fact now. The Fair VIII be
held in Chicago, and the country is profoundly
interested in the question whether it is to be
triumph or a comparative failure. Matters have
gone more smoothly during the last three
months. Foreign Governments in general have
received our travelling Commissioners with the
utmost corliality, and have promised to CO.
operate heartily with the Government and peo-
pie of the United States in making the ExpoSl-
ton a success. Many veXatiOus local obstacles
have been removed, the work of construction
is proceeding with reasonable CELEBRITY, and in
most respects the outlook is hopeful. But the
financial basis still remains insecure, and 1T
must be confessed that this is disquieting, to say
the least of it. The managers acknowledge
that the sum of $4,000, 900, in addition to
whatever amount may be in sight, will be re-
ouired to carry the project forward to the point
where receipts will begin and apparently they
see no way of obtaining it except through an
appeal to Congress.
From this time forward the argument will be
that the country has been 50 completely com
mitted to the enterprise that it must recognize
and meet the emergency. We do not think it
is unjust to say that this has been the pro-
gramme for nearly year past. 1t is idle to
discuss the propriety Of fostering dilemma OF
this sort. i'll the expectation that an appeal to
National pride and honor would ultimately pro-
cure way of escape. The practical question
now is whether or not this appeal will be sue.
cessful More than six months ago an eminent
man officially connected with the Fair predicted
that Congress would be asked for from five to
ten millions, and that Congress would refuse.
The Congress that authorized Worlds Fair
was Republican. The next House will be over
whelmingly Democratic, and it will contain
numerous Representatives who under ordinary
circumstances would seek to increase their own
political capital by an ostentatious display Of
parsimOny. What effect National predica-
ment of the kind described will have upon such
a body as this nobody can foresee.