The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-03-15
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.

CHICAGO, March 15.-Many families
living in this city, who own houses, or
who hold leases of houses, are turning
themselves out on the woeld, 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 b 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 chance to make
something" by pursuing that course.
Many of the richest and most inauen-
tial citizens are arranging to let
strangers into their houses, and exor-
bitant prices are being demanded and
obtained.
Sosne Have 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 a 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. Ii is mainly
the prosperous, and even the real
Awealthy, who have struck out to obtain
5Avage 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 il all, but have wilfully ''exurban-
ixeds themselves, will be sorrowfulf
A Striking illustration.
Most people who read the papers
know what Chicago win 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: How
much will you take for your house?'
The man produced a photograph of it
from his pocket. Its fine house,
said the first. ''Should like that. What
do you want for ity' Ten Thousand
dollars" mildly answered the other.
sNot to hny it?' exclaimed the would
be tenant. Il mean to rent it for four
months" $50 do l." was the retort. II
am only making it low for an old
2 friend. should ask any other man
$4,000 month. On inquiry the New
York man found that $4,000 was
moderate, ais things were going, and
took the house.
A Chance 10 Make Money,
The proprietor of good house or a
comfortable fat is almost scorned if he
announces that he will stay in 1t all
summer and entertain friends from
other cities. You could get $500 a
month for this apartment" or 81 800
month for this house" your astonished
friends exclaim. II 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.
The whole business of renting homes
10 s,trangers 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 as
much as ever they can for
their stocks in trade. Heaven
knows there are bad years
enough, and no one grudges any hard
working man or woman harvest Of
dollars. Markets and monopolies are
governed by supply and demand. We
know all this, and are prepared for it.
IBut what on earth should prompt the
Nswners of comfortable homes to tip
themselves out, and consider money an
equivalent for such self-eviction, is q
mystery to person with . remnant OF
snnl or sentiment
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