Los Angeles herald., 1892-11-16
A CITY OF PALACES.
MR.. PLATER'S IMPRESSIONS OF THE
WORLDS FAIR BUILDINGS.
That Gentleman's Recent Trip Through
the East-The South Very Prosper
Ous-Interest in California.
Why People Stay Away.

Mr.. John E. Platter, president OF the
bank of America, has returned from an
extensive journey through the east and
south. He spent come time in Chicago,
and was struck with the progress made
in preparing for the great fair.
"Why," he said to HERALD reporter
yesterday, "they have already a real
city of white palaces there. The build
ings all look as if constructed of stone,
and it takes the closest kind of exami-
nation to show that they are built of a
concrete, which can readily be demol-
ished after they have served their pur-
poses. The statues and the carvings to
plaster OF paris, we'll painted, and pre-
ever originated this plan of putting up
the buildings was most ingenious, for ii
real marble and stone were used they
would look no better, while the cheaper
method of construction enables those in
charge to make a much finer showing
than would otherwise be the case.
"Fully 5000 laborers were at work
when l was there. and every day the
advance made could be seen. The
women's building is completed, and
presents a grand appearance. Orna-
mentAtion of the grounds has already
commenced.
SIT is impossible to give an idea of the
work which has been done there to any
one who has not seen the plain where
the buildings now are before it was
touched.
II found the south generally prosper
GUS. Particularly was this the case
through Texas. San Antonio has be-
come beautiful city. In fact the towns
in Texas looked as If the people had
plenty of money with which to buy
paint. Savannah has improved i'm
mensely; the idea appears to be preva-
lent there that house year old is
much better to live in than one built
100 years ago, and in consequence the
ramshackle old places are giving way
to modern structures.
"Yes, the people all through the east
show great interest in California, but
the long journey and the expense of
getting here are great obstacles.
Why, you can get on board superb
train in New York, and in about 40
hours will be landed in Jacksonville,
Fla, at the finest hotel in the world !;
place where every possible luxury and
means of pleasure are at ones beck and
call, together with semi-tropic climate.
Now these people object to riding Blk or
seven days across the continent, when
they can get what they want in such q
short space of time. They look incred-
ulous at people who advise them to take
trip of perhaps week in the cars for
pleasure.
Zone thing that impressed me greatly
was the superior condition of California
people of moderate means-farmers on a
small scale and similar classes, to the
people in the east. Why. there is no
comparison. Our people have luxuries
and prosperity that they do not dream
of in those old communities; but, as
said, the expense of getting here and
the difficulties in the way of selling
their properties prevent many from
coming.
"Many easterners look at California
as in old times people regarded the East
Indies, as place where the luxuries of
life have their origin. Every eastern
hotel will have on its menu at least two
meals, California fruit and half the
wine list is made up of California
Wines
''Politics? Well, as 1 travelled for
pleasure I did not hear much of the con-
test going on, but members of both par
ties to whom talked held that the re-
suit would be overwhelming one way
or the other, and 30 it was"
Mr.. Platter enjoyed his trip immensely,
and appears even more robust than be-
fore his departure. He is naturally glad
to get back, and at once plunged into
his work with his accustomed energy.