The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-10-24

A Great Tower to be BuIItb by Andrew
Carnegie as an Adjunct TO the
Worlds Fair.

Chicago Is to have during the worlds fair
tower taller than Elffeps says a Chicago
despatch. After loDg-contlnued negotiations
the Keystone Bridge company Of Pittsburg,
one Of Andrew Carnegie's concerns, made
offers In writing. and today a conference
was held at the Union League Club between
A. L. Griffin. president Of the Keystone COM
paDy, and Edward +. Cragln. representing
the promoters Of the tower enterprise and
their financial hackers. The outcome Of the
conference was that the Keystone company
agreed In writing to construct the metal por-
tion Of the tower and have 1t completed by
Feb. /, 1898. The company will have to pay
heavy forfeits for any delay over that time.
President Griffin expects that the tower
however, will be built by Oct. II. 1892. In
that case his company will receive bonus
for the time saved. Options have been Sc
cured on grounds adjoining the worlds fair
site and arrangements made with the worlds
fair officials so that, II desired, the tower
grounds may be Included within their iuris-
dicti n. Subscriptions to the enterprise and
pledges OF subscriptions have been received
from Chicago, Cincinnati, st. Louis, Pitts
burg and other cities.
The designs have been made by Engineer
George s. Morrison Of this city. He estl-
mates that the earning capacity OF the tow
er win be nearly four times that Of the
Elffel tower. The actual cost will be about
81, 800, 900. The cost Of the Eiffel tower was
little less than Sl,700.O00. The difference
Is in the greater simplicity OF design Of the
American tower and the use OF standard and
merchantable sizes Of steel.
The tower win be !, 1,120 feet high. 1t will
accommodate more than q. 900 people at one
time. Two Of the many elevators will start
from the ground and run up more than 1000
teet without change or stop, directly to the
lookout landing. The diameter of the tower
q. the foundation level will be 40 feet.
The three landings will be circular plat
forms, the first $50 feet In diameter and 200
feet from the ground. The second will be
$50 feet In diameter and 400 feet from the
ground and, the third landing OF lantern"
will be 60 feet in diameter and 1000 feet
above the ground.
At the 6rst landing there will be a grand
colonnade around the outside. 10 feet wide
and 73S feet mean circumference. On this
c0l0nnade four or five Thousand people can
be accommodated at one time. Inside this
colonnade will be space, In addition to the
space required for elevators aud machinery
sufficient for four hotels or restaurants.
In addition to the restaurants there will
be provided numerous kiosks or booths,
constructed In accordance with the archi-
lecture, styles and customs OF various
countries which will be used for the sale OF
curl0s, ornaments, fabrics and other articles
produced and manufactured In all lands.
In the restaurant 5000 or 5000 persons
may be comfortably seated and served at
one time. Within and about the booths
and surrounding platforms 5000 more will
have room to move about, make purchases,
etc.
The second landing is designed to be
grand promenade and picnic quarters In the
day time and dancing hall In the evening.
Ii will accommodate at one time from 5000
to 5000 persons.
The topmOst landing will be two OF three
time from 1900 to 1900 persons. Above
this will be four officers for the signal SER
vice and scientific Investigation. Above
these will be the circular electric railway,
carrying electric lights at night and sig
mails by day. Still further above will be
lighthouse, to be provided with the most
powerful revolving light ever constructed,
surmounted by flagstaff bearing the stars
and stripes.