Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-06-06
FACTS Ass FIGURES


I thrusiNencss VI Tue plx Ar, AHu tnOSe v no
fail TO visit It will never know how much
they have missed.
The first building to attract visitors from
the Pine Tree State is the Maine buiidins.
This j. situated on the lake front and is cas-
lily reached in short direct walk from the
9th street entrance. The structure is in
all respects credit to our State. and the
Maine people here feel justly proud Of il,
While many states have buildings vastly
larger and more elegant in finish and sp-
poin,ments, there is none that is daintier.
prettier and more homeike. The beauti-
full Maine granite ami slate appears to con-
spicuous advantage IN this building.
/ The view out upon the lake is magniii-
cent and emphasizes the good judgement of
the Chicago sons of Maine who secured the
site, almost before build ng spot had been
assigned to any state building. In the
large open FIRE place Of the big reception
room, cheerful wood FIRE blazcs. This is
with one exception the only such fire on the
grounds and has proved very attractive
/ feature. We have several times described
the general features of this building, and
have twice published cut of it, so tina, its
plsn and looks are fsmiliar to Journal
readers.
We can only say that it has more than
met all expectations. Maine PEOPLE natur-
ally make it rendezvous. A register is
kept where each writes his name, city ad-
dress and the length of time he expects to
remain at the Fair. In this way visiting
friends are enabled to keep track of each
other. Many people also have their mail
come to the Maine building very con-
| venient plan since the greater part of their
time will he naturally spent upon the Expo
sitlon grounds.
Ia the beginning we want to say emphat-
ically that that the charges of extortion so
generally preferred against the Exposition,
and especially Its restaurants, are without
foundation. During the past week the wri-
ter has taken large number of his meal.
upon the Fair grounds and no two at the
same restaurant. In every instance the
food has been well cooked aud neatly
served and the prices fully as reasonable a.
one would expect to find in good restaur-
ants anywhere.
The plain fact is that a trip to the Expo.
sition will depend, in its cost, very much
upon the individual visitors. II he does
not desire to be expensive, and knows how
to manage, he can secure good comfortable
quarters and plenty Of wholesome, hearty
food at very reaso 1able figure. The
Worlds Fair does not differ from others ia
the possession of eatch-penny devices. save
in the fact that it has larger number and
greater variety of them. They are, how
ever, no part of the Exposition, and men
who do not yield to their sednctions will
save considerable money that can be an.
piled to the expenses attending the legit-
mate Sightseeing of the Exposition.
One Of the first things which the visitor
should secure is good guide book. The
writer has had several of these, but the
most satisfactory one, and the one 10 most
general use is a little black covered PAM
rhlet, compiled by John J. Flynn, and of
fcially endorsed by the executive depart
ment of the Exposition. 1t is called the
"OfficiHl Guide, Worlds Columbian Expo
sltion 1t retails for % cents, and is sold
by hoys all over the grounds, and espec-
tally about the various entrances.
1t would be better to wait till the grounds
are reached before buying guide book,
and there secure this official one. The
newsboys on the various trains running in
to Chicago sell a number of SO called
Guide Books TO the Exposition, all of
which are inferior to the official AMI, most
of them higher in price. In the back of
the official guide is an excellent map of the
Exposition grounds showing the exact loca-
ton of all the entrances, streets and build
ings. This map is divided by block lines
INTO excellent suggestions for seven daily
itineraries. 1t will well repay careful study
BY visitors to the Exposition before they
start out to view the various exhibits.
The number of visitors to the Fair hns
been persistently and grossly underesii
mated. When the report has been 5000
the fact has been 30 900, and the crowds
are constantly growing larger. The Expo
siton is a gigantic success and there is now
every reason to believe that it will be at
tended with financial prosperity.
There il not the slightest danger that
Chicago will not be able to take care of all
the people that will visit her during the
coming summer and autumn and still have
lots of room to spare. A very large num-
Der Of private houses are letting rooms all
over the big city and in all of its suburban
towns. The regular hotels of the city have
capacity to take care of many thousands.
In addition to these are hundreds Of ho
tells which have come up, like ionab's
ghourd, almost in single night. Many of
these are mushroom affairs, but large
number, and some Of them immense struc
lures. are built of stone and brick and pre-
sent substantial appearance of permanen-
cy. Very many of these new buildings are
very far from completion, some of them.
indeed, are scarcely fairly begun, and 1t
seems exceedingly doubtful if they will b.
finished in time to secure any benefit from
the big Fair.
1t is scarcely probable that there will be
suffirient crowd in attendance upon the
Exposition at any time during its eontinu-
auce to anywhere near tax the capacity of
tie city for their entertainment. This fact
has penetrated the wool of landlords very
generally, and the effect has been to bring
Prices much nearer this mundane sphere
than was originally intended. One hotel,
constructed with exalted ideas of revenue
and located very near the Exposition
grounds, is now furnishing a number Of
Maine people with very excellent rooms
for 81 a day, and good quarters may be OBJ
tanned at a number Of other very respect
able places at the same figure.
There il now very large and exceed
inely pleasant party quartered at the Fam
Eliy Dormitory. This massive building is
/ located a. Windsor Park, about a mile
fr ,m the Fair grounds. 1t has accom-
I ipE i'p' fcopits uc fuotns AIf
| clean and comfortable. There are 10 par
| lors where gnests may meet to read and
write and enjoy themselves socially. There
| is dining room in connection with the
| house. where excellent meals are served at
30 cents each. The food is well cooked
neatly served and in excellent variety. BY
| buying 81 meal tickets the price of meals
can be reduced to IS cents.
| Rooms may be secured here at 81 a day.
! Applications should be made several weeks
| in advance. II is said that the restaurants
| now in operation at the Exposition grounds,
and those soon to be opened witt afford ac-
rommodasions for feeding at one time
about 60, 600 people. There are 16 in the
Liberal Arts building alone. 1t isa good
/ plan, however, to be on hand promptly At
meal time otherwise one msy be obliged to
wal. for a seat.
! The expeEsiveAess Of visit to the Expo
/ sition has been very much exaggerated.
When the truth is more clearly understood,
and it is known that people can see the
wonders Of the big Fair at very reason
bic expendtion. the attendance already
large will undoubtedly be greatly increased.
/ Over IS 900 go candle power IL used in
the illumination Of the Exposition
grounds at night, and the
sff-c. il indescribably beautiful
| A number of very fine bands. including
| Sonsas. give evening concerts, and on fine
| nights tho sceue IL indescYibablv brilliant