New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-22
THE COLUMBIAN FAIR.
a GENERAL VIEW OF THE GREAT ENTER
TRISE AT CHICAGO.

revelation in a first visit to Chicago in this
Worlds Fair Buildings twenty stories high ::
houses smoky you may think you are i'm Lon
don: streets broad enough to make New-York's
look like lanes, cabs that take yon somewhere for
twenty-five cents, and cable cars that transport
you anywhere for five, and men with enough
corked-up energy to get up fairs in all planets.
With feeling that there is kind of lavish
ness about everything that could only come with
the prosperity of a new country-for Chicago is
ncw-why should there not be admiration instead
of a lament or lingering regret that the Empire
State does not hold the great Fair? With the
enthusiasm of Chicago has come tremendous
power for work, the results Of which show IN
magnificent way at this early day. II is
expected that every one Of the fifteen main build
ings will be completed by October ~. The cleo
trcal and machinery buildings are the least adj
vanced. Some one has suggested that hoodoo"
was lurking around the former possibly showing
his fendish delight in thwarting matters because
Edison has only got a certain proportion Of the
interior when he applied for such space az would
have conceded the whole TO him. Whatever may
be the Vaccinations of the hoodoo, it certainly
is established fact that than twice the space
has been applied for in each and every building
than can be granted.
Mr.. Davis. the director general man Of power
full build, who holds sway the forces Of the
Exposition not less by reason of his popularity
than by virtue Of his office. in conversation with
the writer gave the following information
The Worlds Fair will exhibit twice The num-
Der Of interests that were represented in Paris.
We have been thought to be at work on too grand
a scale There was no limit to the invitation the
President of the United States was required to
issue, and we know to limit it.
Tho eyDpnSe of the exhibitors who install their
exhibits here will he very large.-the amount can
not be Appropriated. 1t will reach many mill
ions, however, TO say nothing of the value of the
exhibits. Take the appropriations now made in
foreign countries These have reached nearly
$4,000, 100000 at the present time. and there Is
very little doubt that they will be much increased
For instance. Mexico has appropriated only $780,
600, but that country's expenditure will probably
amount TO 100000 Great Brtains frst APP
preparation was Sl25,OO0 and it is now $780,
600: Germanys was $4,000. and it has been
increased to 100000. France has appropriated
$3.50, 900. Japan S650,0 and Brazil $500, 1000
The computation of these sums with the many
ethers known to he Forthcoming from business
corporations and private individuals bring ont
astonishing figures Even conservative business
men, whose interests will not in any way be
affected by what is to take place in the next
inspiring. but Chcagoans themselves are only
beginning to realize what big thing the Fair
is to be. although it is fast becoming absorbing
topic in all circles of society.
There IS doubt that leading women in society
had some idea at first of closing up their houses
and settling themselves in distant climes during
the six months of the exhibition. but this is all
changed. There is not woman. among
the most sef-indulgent, who is not already plan
ming not only to remain in Chicago during the
summer months, but to open her house with the
freest hospitality, and the hospitality Of the West
is without stint The work and attendant
anxietes and annoyances will doubt be as
sumed as light burden. there is certainly no
bugbear made of them at the present time. But
not less is the visitor impressed with the feeling
that everybody in Chicago is going TO have
role to play and duty TO fulfil during the half
year when the town will be inundated with |
strangers than with the idea that the Fair itself !
is being taken seriously by all the residents. |
1t is not considered merely an exhibition to amuse
and please, but "a school to instruct and edify
The visitor 10 the Fair Grounds at the present
time has only IIobsons choice for getting there
from Chicago as only person OF the most luz
urious proclivites would dream of consuming the
time necessary TO drive the ten miles TO Jackson
Park. The route is by the local train the
greedily desired to absorb all the traffic. as it
is only by persistent endeavor that the Balti
more and Ohio has gained a right Of way across
it's lines which will enable it to let out privileges
10 other railways during the time OF the EXposi.
ton
toll is now asked for entrance TO the grounds.
Such entrances are made at gate only, known
as the Sixty-second-st. entrance. 1t leads d.
recty to the Office of the general superintendent
Of the buildings, Dion Geraldine. whose head is
the chief of construction. DR.. ii. Burnham In
order to give some slight idea Of the rapdly WIN
which work is being done on the grounds, 1t may
be mentioned that the contract was taken 10 put
up the new offices of the Construction Department
in one months time and the building begun on
April ! is now almost ready for use
The yastness of it all-the grounds, the build |
ings. and the whole enterprise-s naturally the
first thing 70 impress the visitor. The value OF
the land inclosed for the use of the Fair Is est-
mated at 800, 000, 900. dickson ParK haf
frontage on Lake Michigan of one and hall
miles and together with the Midway flaisance.
which forms the connecting link between IL ana
Washington Park, comprises an area OF o3S acres
The ground available for buildings is 900 acres
the rest is included in interior waterways ana the
island 1t is on this wooded island that the
japanese exhibit will be made a spot coveted
BY every one. eut reaoiS '"o0oiueu !" '"P,
Government of that country having appropriated
+. sum sufficient TO erect and maintain permanent
eybibr there. The island comprises sixteen acres
and will be devoted entirely to flowers with the
execution of this one exhibit About seventy
pagodas and small crafts have been ordered for the
lagoon and waterways, and when completed they
will bear familiar comparison with the Venetian
canals. &c.. ~
Tho shore lines of the Grand Central Court or
ohio, ,yoter basin will he lighted at night with |
electricity At none end-the lake sde-wiil |
stand the colossal statue Of Liberty by Daniel |
French Of New-York, graceful female figure |