New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-27
4 HyNT TO CHICAGO.

II is said that two wealthy, influential ana
public-spirited gentlemen from Chicago lately
called on the president Of a trunk line railroad
comnonv in the interest of the Columbian EX-
position to ask for a reduction of passenger
,atas to a half-farc basis during the EXPOSE
ticn. One was a leading drygoods merchant.
the other proprietor OF one oil the largest ana
most profitable Chicago hotels. I'm reply to
the suggestion of the railroad man thai pas'ch-
Ger rates on the trunk lines were already lower
than anywhere else in the world ana Only
sufficient to afford an infntosimal profit on the
actual cost of transportation, they urged WIN
earne>tncSS and apparent sincerity that Ii was
the duty of these great corporations - make
some sacrifice not merely to make the ENpuSl-
ton. which is rather National than local
enterprise. a financial success, but in order 10
Give thousands of citizens who could not aiiold
to nav more than half rates the opportunity -
broaden their minds and enlarge their patriot
ism by the educating and clcvating influences
Of the Eypostion To this warm-hcartcd APP
nnal to purc patriotism the cold-blocdcd rail
road mans response was a simple inquiry
whether the drygoods dealer was contemplating
any discount on the price OF MS wares or III"
hotel proprietor any reduction in the price OF
Board and lodgings.
II had never occurred to the merchant that
he might contribute 10 the success OF IN" ~
position by Offering inducements To- visitors in
reduced prices of the siulfS sold over his coun-
ter, or that the increased sales cOnSc qucn, upon
lower prices to the large influx Of customers
from abroad would in the end enlarge his
profits. And as to the hotel proprietor II ap-
pearod that neither he nor the Chicago hotel
proprietols generally had ever considered the
proposition that thousands of people who would
he dcbalIcd the enjoyment OF the educating
and clevating influences of the Exposition by
tbc present cost of hotel accommodations would
be attracted t. Chicago by small reduction
in hotel charges On the contrary il is said
that in view Of the expected enormous rush
Of visitors they are seriously considering an
advance in prices In this state OF things the
railroad mans inquiry must have been some
what embarrassing. 1t is quite possible that
ND to that moment they had not entertained
a suspicion Of the gcnulncne'S Ot their own
di,ntcrcstcdnosS and public spirit, and this
NAV have been in the nature Of Il revelation.
And il may be there's hint in ii to Chicago.
The whole country is deeply interested IN the
success of the Exposition. The Government
has been liberal in lis endowment and the
bcstowal has received ungIudging popular
approval. National pride and the honor of
the Government are >takcd upon il. But l.
! there not danger that the people Of Chicago
upon whose business tact, sagaclty and organ
izcd capacity for affairs the result 50 largely
depends arc banking too much upon the Ma
tiona interest in the undertaking? The rcpu-
tali0n of their town in which we believe they
all have a just pride is staked upon it. If
the Nation at large cannot afford t. have it
fall short Of the grandcst success, neither can
they. aS citizens of Chicago. While they are
the INN diatc bencfciareS Of the enterprise
/ from a financial point Of view and the gamers
in prestige and permanent prosperity from its
/ successful management, it Is well for them 10
remember that any manifestation Of greed or
of a disposition to require from others sacrifices
which they are unwilling t. make themselves
will not only impcril success, but will involve
/ dishOnor and disgrace.