Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1893-05-18
THE Big FAIR.
Thus Far it is Not a HOVling
Success.
Country Editors Roasted by the
Management. :=
(From our Special Correspondent,


CHICAGO. MAY ID, 1893.
Up to the present time the Worlds Fair
has been comparatively failure, and there
has been no perceptible increase in number
of daily visitors. This is partly accounted
for from the fact that the news had gone out
that so much remains to be finished that
those whose time and money are an object
with them will delsy their coming until
some of the promises made early in the
spring, that everything would be complete
May l, are liable to be fulfilled.
For many months past the Worlds Fair
and particularly the department of publici-
ty and promotion, have had in the press out
aide the city of Chicago loyal friends, who
have furnished free advertising and notices,
and kind words.
Sometime since the chief of this depart
ment sent to the press in gensral blank
form or application for passes, to be filed
out and returned to him in exchange for said
free advertising.
When the returns came in, these blanks
were not filed out according to this chiefs
idea, and he called together a number of re-
porters of the city papers, showing these
mistakes to them, and they in return made
all manner of fun of the matter in their pa
pers. 1t would seem that such action was
beneath the dignity of the position the chief
occupies, and to say the least it was uncalled
for, and ungracious, considering the services
the press throughout the country had ren-
dered to the Fair. Perhaps many are won
dering why they don't get their passes. This
explains the niger in the fence. 1t is not
80 many months since, that it was under
serious consideration whether this depart
ment should not be entirely abolished.
Those of our friends who contemplate tax
ing "snap shots" with their kodaks. within
the grounds, are warned that they will not
be allowed to do so, unless they pay two dol
lars per day for this privilege. Their is a
possibility of this decree being modified la
ter on.
As one strolls through the different, build
ings, notably that of the manufacturers and
Liberal Arts, and sees the many packing
cases in all shapes and sizes, the thought
naturally arises, "what is done with them
are they destroyed ?" No. In many in
stances theyhave cost lots of time and money,
some have been made specially to order,
number in foreign lands. Come with me
to the south end of Jackson Park, and there
you will see several large temporary storage
houses, all divided into compartments, and
where at the rate of ~ cents per cubic foot
these outside coverings are stored during
the continuace of the Exposition, and so
perfect is this system of storage, that any
box or crate can be found in a few moments.
Just to the north of manufacturers build
ing, as if to warn US that we could not get
along without his help, stands the structure
erected by "Uncle Sam" "Tis said by
some that taken in its entirety, it is one of
the best. if not the best exhibit within the
grounds. Only hasty visit was made here
in, but we must briefly mention the showing
of the postofice department. It is highly
interesting and instructive, as it portrays
the workings of the postofice, displaying
the improvements in the service from its
earliest stages to its present state of SEEM
ing perfection. Here can be seen real
live postoffice and postal car, with all its
ramfcations in full operation.
The terminal facilities as used by the diff
ferent lines of railroads centering at the Fair
would seem to leave nothing to be desired.
Arrangeme pts have been made, 30 that pas
sengers from a distance can be landed di-
rectly at the Fair, without the necessity of
coming into the city first. This will no
doubt become very popular with those who
come on excursions, with the intention of
only spending the day at the Fair. The
railroad station erected for the reception of
visitors ia lar?e and commodious, with de-
partment of formation in charge of COM
petent railroad men, where it has been said,
that up to date, no one has failed to receive
correct answer to his question in respect to
the movements of trans, rates, distance, etc.
In fact these men are walking encyclopedias
in their department.
In close proximity to this terminal depot
is the transportation building, and at both
the north and south entrances thereto, is a
long, wide balcony, the balustrade of which
is surrounded by life-size statues of men
who have long been identified in some way
with transportation, among them being
Scott, Stephenson, Garrett, Watt and Van
derbit.
There are very many interesting and old
time relics in this building, such as old en-
gines and cars both from England and
America, many of them having quite his
tory notable the engine used in the days of
the "late unpleasantness" on the W. & A.
railroad, between Atlanta, Ga, and Chatta-
nooga, Tenn.
Apropos of transportation, there was seen
being carried about the grounds a sedan
chair, with lady peeping from behind its
silken curtains, 1t looked curious to see
this means of locomotion, especially as the
power employed was two savage-looking
Turks, clad in Turkish garb, and harness
both fore and aft, between the shafts of this
peculiar carriage. The lady seemed to enjoy
it, perhaps, though, it was because of the at
tention she was attracting, more than the
comfort.
The grass in many partsof the grounds
looks as if it had been growing for years,
while in others the sod has not been laid but