New-York tribune., 1891-02-06
FTTF MILLIONS FOR THE FAIR.

1t was reported a few days ago that the man
ayers of the Worlds Fair found themselves
confronted by the awkward fact that there was
not enough money in sight to carry out the
undertaking. This discovery is now followed
by the announcement that the Chicago ways
and Means Committee has resolved to ask Con-
gTeSS for an appropriation OF S3OO0,o0O. IAlS
cheerful request is not to be presented at this
session, the time being too short; but la!d be-
fore the next Congress. II remains to be seen
what the country will think of the application,
but it will be surprising if it does not encounter
strenuous opposition.
There seems TO be no doubt that the man
ayers are in dilemma, and not only the man
ayers but all the people as well. II must he
assumed that the Finance Committee OF the
Fair would not have decided to make this ap-
peal if It's members had not been convinced
that without great contribution Of pubic
funds the enterprise was doomed to failure; or.
at the very least, in grave danger Of failing.
Possibly an extra session of the next Congress
may be convened in the spring. but probably
the application must wait for the regular session
next December In other words, a year must
elapse before the managers can know within
f.A'''.''+'N
ultimate resources What are they going to do
in the meantime? Are they going to spend
what they have and then wait for something
TO turn up? Or are they ing II assume that
the appropriation will he made and proceed 10
lay out their plans on that basis? They may
as well understand, frs1 As last that whatever
action Congress may finally take, the charge Of
bad faith and false pretences will he urged
| against the Chicago leaders Of the Fair move
ment They will be accused OF capturing tho
prize which they coveted by foul means. When
! they we've before Congress- a year ago they pro
tested that an ample financial foundation had
already been laid. and their indignation was
great against these sobcr-mindcd critics who
questioned the solidity of their paper subscrp-
ton. And not only was the pecuniaIy basis
upon which they were building perfectly Sc
cure, hut they had the best possible site already
| in possession.
Having won their clSe at Washington, they
went home and began a long and bitter quarrel
over the land question, which was Supposed 70
! have been 50 perfectly adjusted in advance.
| ThcIc was no site, and for months there was
great doubt whether one could BE secured with
cut interminablc litigation or u civil war. Even
now il is uncertain whether the site has been
/
put beyond the reach Of disastrous c1mplica-
tons. \ year ha, passed away. and the greater
part of it been wasted in those proceedings,
and just as the country was beginning 70 feel
some degree Of confidence in the vast under
taking which 50 closely concerns its welfare
and Icpu.e, CONES the announcement that q
huge gift from the National Treasury is 10 be
demanded IS an essential condition Of success.
! 1t is moi easy to avoid the suspicion. unworthy
though it may be. that in conicSsing this necos-
sity at such a time that practical action upon
the apre1l cannot BE- taken for a year the m1n-
agemcnt intends % commit the country 50 de-
ciSyely a. 10 make refusal impossible We
might abandon the enterprise now without
very serious consequences, though we could not
| hope to escape the mild deiision Of the world.
| But year from now il will be too late to with
! draw. The alternatives which are likely 10
be presented then are five millions or a Ma
/ tiona disgrace. Whichever Of these altcr-
natives may be chosen. il will be strange if the
country does not feel that ii has been made the
victim of confidence g1mo.