Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-27
SPEEDING THE WORK.
Rapid Progress Made at the Chicago Ex-
position Grounds.

h8p10 ffO8feeS M a0e at tine chicago EX.
position Grounds.
The Johnstown food record appeared in q
fair way to be almost outdone by the rain yes.
terday at Chicago; but the warning elements
seem to have lost their terror. so far as the
management Of the worlds Columbian
exposition is concerned. The vast work
of bringing the mighty enterprise to q
state Of completion goes steadily on, in spite
Of the wind and weather. The blizzard.
the cyclone and the deluge each in turn
have turned themselves loose on the great white
city, and each in turn have failed to check its
mighty progress. During the winter there was
an almost unprecedented fall Of snow Biz
yards ragged with a ferocitv that would have
startled the inhabitants of Dakota. and now for
the last fortnight there has been almost a steady
downpour Of rain.
But yesterday. as before, new wonders ap-
peared to rise out OF the ground until one was
prone to believe the management has secured
Aladdin 8 lamp to aid in overcoming what
would seem lnsurmountable obstacles. The
mire and the mud that would naturally be ex-
pected were yesterday finally wiped out and
now sound concrete roads wind in and out
among the labyrinth Of palatial buildings. Work
that would seem at glance to require months
OF time FOR completing is done practically in
less than twenty-four hours.
Ponderous machines, tons in weight, were
yesterday afternoon, more rapidly than ever,
being picked up and shifted about and put into
place in a moment. The immense temporary
power house which was built to supply tenn
porary power when the great work was begun
and which presented such an unsightly appear
ance just south OF the transportation building
stood intact Tuesday. Yesterday morn
ing not vestige Of it remained. 1t was
RACED to the ground during Tuesday night and
AnVIn af% - 1t
smoothed over the surface where it stood that it
seems incredible that only forty-eght hours ago
an enormous building occupied the space.
But there is an army of - 5000 men working
in relays night and day with all the assistance
that modern invention and science can provide.
and this great army WORKS with systematic
precision. Each laborer knows his place: he
has task to perform. SO much work is laid
cut for each one each dav and he does it. The
management now admits the fair will not be
complete in all its parts by next Monday. when
President Cleveland will formally open the ex-
hibition.
But nearly every one who knows ANYTHING
about it declares that. even though unfinished,
the grand exhibition will have so far advanced
toward Its completion :Eit what will remain 10
be done VAL De scarcely noticeable. There viii
be SO much OF il competed that by the time
one sees that part thoroughly dhe wo-Emen will
have put The finishing touches on VIVA. now re-
sanSuine and express themselves OF the opinion
that 1t viii require IA month 20 put things ii,
presentable shape.
The monster 2.0CO-horse- powec engine which
vii. De set in motion wnen Prositer. Cieye-
land touches She button on Monday was tested
Tuesday night for the first time. The ponderous
wheels revoivcd with such and ,rec ision
that the ohlookers could scarcely Delieyc i: was
III motion Mt all. 1t was tested in its every
par; and not flaw was found. II VAS simply
perfect. Yesterday the mechanics were =. work
connecting il with the ynam os and betting it M
for the great work to begin on Monday. The
electrical fountain. wi4icn has required SO much
arduols ard skilled labor during the last three
months, IL almost finished 1t will be in
readiness for Its first display when the monster
engine begins to work
Another wondrous accomplishment ia the
work OF building the elevated railroad into the
grounds. The terminal has been completed
and by Sunday it will be ready to land pas
seDSers i'll the grounds. In eighteen days the
company has built mn immense stretch OF
track, constructed suspension bridge with a
span OF 10 feet over the Illinois Central tracks
ard erected its terminal station.