New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-14
SUNDAY AT THE FAIR.
THE LOCAL, DIRECTORS MAKE MATTERS
WORSE THAN EVER

GROUNDS ON sUNpAY-oPPosED BY THE
NATIONAL COMMISSION JEALOUS
GATEKEEPERs
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.
Chicago. May 13.-The most vexatous question
With which the Worlds Fair Directory has had to
deal is of opening the Exposition to the public
on sunday. TIE Importance of admitting visitors
on that day, far bearing upon the revenues
Is concerned, is obvious. There IS doubt that when
chicago secured the Fair and the people subscribed
their money the idea never entered their mihas
that 1t would not be a sevenday In the'weeR En-
position The condition OF things here has always
been such to preclude the thought OF anything
else than sunday admissions. Theatres are run
open the barrooms are in full blast all day IN
deed there nothing the way of amusement INDUCED
In through the week which to have come under
restriction In Chicago Sunday. When the great
enterprise foot. therefore, 1t was natural
that Its promoters could foresee the Immense receipts
which were likely TO flow into their treasury on That
day 1t Is, after all. not much a question OF
whether the workngman shall have this Opportunity
to see the Fair ii Is that the Fair shall not be
like any other great show in Chicago The act Of
Congress was certainly staggering blow when it
was decreed that the Fair should close It's gates 10
the public the first day Of the week
INHERENT minds have brought TO bear upon the sub
iect different plans overcoming this provision OF the
law vet nothing has thus far developed into prac
teal form. There scene at Jackson Park gate
last Sunday, when many persons believing mat the
ingenuity of The Directors would fl some way over
come the restrictions, went out to the Park In the
hone and In fact, in the expectation OF being admit
tod within the Enclosure. This incident afforded the
Directory a reflection Of what might be II THIS barrier
WAS removed. With 100000 persons paying TO get Ill
there would pass into the treasrers hands Soo'ooo
and as It costs about $4,000 day to run the Ex
nos,tjon this would mean $4,000 on the good side OF
The account Yet 100000 IS small number at winch
IN fix the average of the Sunday attendance between
this time and November l. 1t Is the confc<nt be
lief that between 100000 and 100000 visitors
would avail themselves Of the privilege Oh max
Ing a tour OF the grounds and buildings on that day.
Granting that the paying visitors would average only
100000 on sunday, this would mean 100000 ana
for twenty sundays IL would mean receipts 10 the
amount OF 81 600 900, mean sum to be taken INTO
consideration when the immense totals In the columns
OF receipts and expenses come to be maze up al inc
close Of the Exposition in the fall.
TWO SIDES TO THE QUESTION.
This IS. however. only one side Of the question
ana ,his Is about the only side of 1t which the d.
rectors make any pretence OF considering. But LII
the face Of the act Of Congress there has not ap-
peared any of opening the gates and the
buildings 70 the public without clear violation OF
the law and a consequent offence to large class "
people who have stood protestants against what
has been honestly regarded by them as proposed
dissertation Of the Sabbath Day. 1t has been this
view which has probably Influenced the Directory
against any advance radical STEP because what thew
might gain In direction they might be apt to
lose In another. The every day citizen of Chicago
or the stranger his family temporarily visiting
here might patronize Fair upon that day If the
gates were open, but he would be apt to patrohlze
II anyhow, even II admission was only permitted
during the week; whereas, on the other hand,
thousands of people WHO otherwise will visit the
Fair will insist upon remaining away II the gates are
open Sunday, and In doing so will doubtless act
consistently with their religious convictions.
a step, however, was taken yesterday. when Is IN
the nature least providing key for the opening
OF the locks 10 The gates though it does not pioVoe
one for the opening Of the doors TO the great buildings
Edwin Walker. chairman Of the Committee on Legs
lation, has given legal opnion on the subject The
LAWYER has argued ingeniousv, and yet with entire
lncidity, In view OF the relative positions OF the
Jackson Park property and the Midway Plalsance
70 the Federal authority, which has imposed TINS
restriction. lie defines the word Exposition as
cmploved I'm the act of Congress, and he makes the
Exposition itself distinct from the grounds on winch
the buildings are constructed containing the exhibits
Jackson Park and Midway Plaisance berg held by
the Worlds corporation under lease he holds that
they are in legal sense, separate fiom the EXPOSITION
itself and ,nalntairb that while all the exhibits are
required by Congress to be concealed from public view
on sunday the law will admit of the construction
Of extendir the prohibition TO the public park AMI
grounds ON the basis Of this opinion the Board OF
Directors have resolved
that the public may be admitted to the GROUNDS sur
rounding the Exposition buildings upon sunday, ana
That the price of admission on such days shall DC
Oh CENTS IL IL proposed TO carry this idea into erect
by the opening OF the gates on sunday morning.
MAY 81.
in the general mind this is not satisfactory soiu
tion OF the question at all. There Is much OF en-
80, men AMI will continue to De as the season ad-
In Strolli
and among these stupeDdous structures; but this Is
not what the public camorlng for sunday ADMISSION
wants. and not what II will be satisfied Win. vi
course, If there 10000 people who are sausneo
To- pay % sunday for the privilege OF TINS
enjoyment the Worlds Fair treasury Will be behe-
flied to the extent of $4,000. The action Is re-
garded, however mere a sort OF feeer put out y!
the directory than serious permanent soinu'n
OF the problem. The more this question Is aeta'eu
irritating II becomes 10 certain classes Iii tc
community. IL is held up continually TO the poor
evidence that If he wants to see the Fair
he give up many working days ana the
revenues which he needs for the support Of his family
In order 10 do II. IL has resulted also In Inspiring
criticism Of the very element that has commended so
strongly in opposition the opening Of the buildings
OIL Sunday. For instance, an official closely Identified
with the Exposition expressed an opinion few days
ago which hears In different places TO III effect
that the different religious DENOMINATIONS have cOl
tbued nothing I'm the way Of object lessons TO this
great educaliial display except Roman catholic
Church This organization has provided in the De
partmcnt Of Liberal Arts demonstration Of methods
for the conduct of school uuder church supervision
which Is Interesting In It's way, but Is without Il
competitor. 1t Is argued that the Christian Church
through its macy denominations possessed the oppor
uniiies for demonstrating certain branches Of Christian
work both charitable and educational as applied
not only 10 popular centres bat 10 remote sections
or iD small towns. Nothing Of The kind has been
suggested and the entire series Of buildings with the
Danger!
~ YOU have a feeling OF oppression and uneasines5 a