New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-01-16
THE VORLD'S FAIR BILL.

The Worlds Fair bill which has been intro
duced by Senator Cantor allows an appropra-
ton Of $500, 900 to enable New-Iork to erect
building and make a suitable display at Chicago
next year There is an evident disposition to
push the measure to its passage at an early day.
so That if any amendments are to be made they
must be submitted at once and their adoption
urgently requested. As has been already ex-
planned in THE TRIBUNE, the Cantor bill is a
compromise measure, which the drygoods mer-
chants of this city, who have displayed so much
interest in the matter, have accepted only under
protest, and with the hope that sufficient pressure
may be brought to bear upon the Legislature to
secure the increase of the appropriation to at
least half million dollars. The Senate having
adjourned until Monday evening" it is obvious
that now is the time for hard work to be put
in, if an effort is really to be made to secure
the enactment of the bill in satisfactory shape
In passing we may remark that the provision
for the appointment of three commissioners for
each judicial district in tho State, making twenty
four in all, seems clumsy and not well designed
to accomplish tie objects in view with prompt
ness and facility. There seems to us to be no
doubt that on this point the Worlds Fair bill is
capable Of improvement.
But the main thing to be now considered is the
amount Of the appropriation. 1t is well known
that the Chamber of Commerce and some other
influential bodies of this city, as well as nlaner-
Gus labor organizations in various parts of the
State have gone on record in favor of appro-
priating $1,000, 900 for this purpose. The dry
goods merchants, who were first in the field
fixed upon half that amount as necessary. Colonel
William l.. Strong, Mr.. John Clafin, Mr. Depew
and other prominent citizens whose views have
been expressed through TIE TRIBUNE, are a
unit in declaring that the sum named in the
Cantor bill is totally inadequate to carry out the
objects in view. There is little doubt that this
is the general opinion of those who have given
close attention TO the subject. 1t should be borne
in mind that the good name and fame of the
State are at stake in this matter. In view Of
the belief that has gained currency in the West
regarding the indifference of, tits section to the
Columbian Exposition. this city and State cannot
ford now to enter upon policy that may Justly
be stigmatized as niggardly and mean There is
no question whatever that New-York will reap
large benefits from the Fair and we will surely
be made to suffer if we permit ourselves to fall
in the rear Of States of less wealth and smaller
population.
1t is not-at least 1t ought not to be-a ques-
ton of how little New-York can afford to grant
for this important object. Not few of our
citizens believe that million dollars would not
DO too much. Half that amount will surely
cause no outcy on the ground Of extravaganza
Furthermore it will be far the wisest plan to
make an adequate appropriation now rather than
to set aside a moderate sum with the expecta-
ton of adding to it year hence Now is the
time TO provide the means for the commission
representing the State to lay out its plans on
liberal SCALE so that every Newly orlser who
visits Chicago next year may be able to hold up
his head in honest pride when he views the
exhibit Of his own State. mistake made now
cannot be easily rectified. Mr.. CantorS bill
should be amended before any further step is
taken toward its passage.
As will be seen by the appeal to the citizens
of the State which the Drygcods Committee are
now sending out and which is printed in another
column, that energetic body of men are doing
their utmost to secure needed amendments to the
bill. Their efforts ought to be heartily seconded
by other trades and other cities. A unanimous
appeal to the Legislature cannot fail Of pro-
ducinc the desired effect