The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1893-03-17
CRAZE FOR CASH.
Some Chicago House Owners Have
Seemingly Lost Their
Senses.
they Are Turning Themselves Out of
Their Own Homes SO as to
"Make Money"
True Stories of High Prices Charged
by Wealthy People for Their
Furnished Homes.

living in this city. who own houses, or
who hold leases of houses, are turning
themselves out on the world, or are
preparing to do so, to accommodate
people who are now coming in hundreds
and will soon come in thousands. to
enjoy, or try to enjoy, the worlds fair.
This is not because of a desire to be
hospitable to visitors, and to make
their stay in the city as pleas
ant as possible, but only be-
cause there is a chance to make
something" by pursuing that course.
Many of the richest and most infuen-
tial citizens are arranging to let
strangers into their houses, and exor-
bitant prices are being demanded and
obtained.
Some Es,yc Gone Money Mad.
The Chicago Post publishes long
article, showing up in its ridiculous
light the craze of renting houses,
and predicts that the craze
is likely to burst like bubble. It
struck the suburbs first and worked its
way toward the center Of the city, and
finally the rich men saw their chance
and embraced it speedily. It is mainly
the prosperous, and even the real
wealthy, who have struck out to obtain
savage profits But The Post predicts
that when the fair is in full swing,
when there is the best music in the
world to be heard every night, there
are the best pictures in the world on
exhibition every day, and the best peo-
pie in the world gathered together in a
lump, then those who want to see and
hear it all, but have wilfully 'exurban-
lied" themselves, will be sorrowfuli
A Striking Illustration.
Most people who read the papers
know what Chicago will be like this
summer in the matter of rents; but one
rich man in New York feeling patriotic
and as if he would like to help things on
decided to come here for the summer,
and seeing friend of his from Chicago
in New York. said friendly: s.How
much will you take for your house?'
The man produced photograph of it
from his pocket. ''1t's fine house, -
said the first "should like that. What
do you want for it!" Ten Thousand
dollars" mildly answered the other.
mot to buy it?" exclaimed the would
be tenant. Il mean to rent it for four
months" $50 do T." was the retort. "i
am only making it low for an old
friend. / should ask any other man
81, 900 month. On inquiry the New
York man found that $4,000 was
moderate, as things were going, and
took the house.
n Chance to Make Money,
i The proprietor of good house or a
comfortable flat is almost scorned if he
announces that he will stay in it all
summer and entertain friends from
other cities. ''You could get $500 a
month for this apartment" or ''$1, 500
a month for this house, your astonished
friends exclaim. 81 got $1,000 for
mine," and so on. 1t is all .what you
can get, or "what you have got. mean
ing money. There is no other posses
sion worth mentioning in comparison
with it. The fair is nothing to see, in
view of the opportunities the fair gives
for doubling ones income.
\ Some Are Still Loyal.
4 The whole business of renting homes
TO strangers and going into the country
is wrong and will be severely criticised
by those who remain loyal to the city
and her welfare. No one blames the
hotel keepers, nor the purveyors of all
sorts, nor the farmers for getting az
much as ever they can fol
their stocks in trade. HEAVIER
knows there are bad years
enough, and no one grudges any hard
working man or woman a. harvest o.
, dollars. Markets and monopolies ar.
governed by supply and demand. We
. know all this, and are prepared for it
But what on earth should prompt tn,
owners of comfortable homes to til
themselves out, and consider money a1
equivalent for such self-eviction, is
mystery to a person with remnant o
soul OF sentiment.
; ROASTED BY COOK.