The herald., 1893-05-07
JUST BEFORE THE OPENING,
How the Fair Looked to a Cor
respondent.
Chicago Determined to Stand by
High Hotel Rates.
1t VIII Cost Money to See the Fair.
washington's sword-The Pennsyl-
vania Building-Notes About
the Fair

Special Correspondence to the HERItD.J
CHICAGO, April 30.--0nly one more
day and then the fair will be thing of
the present. Although the daily visitor
will see but little difference next Mon
day from the appearance of the grounds,
as they are in fine condition, still the
fair will seem different. 1t will be on
the stage of action, and the thousands of
visitors next Monday are not going to be
disappointed in the greatest show on
earth. Every effort has been made by
the anxious officials to have the fair open
in good shape, but the continued storms
and incessant rains have hindered the
work very much. The finishing touches
are being put upon the white gown of
the wonderful city by the lake, and they
will be ready to throw wide open the
gates and invite critical inspection from
their many guests next Monday morning
at 8 o'clock. Chicago is proud of the
fair, and on whole has done her duty
in preparing to receive aud entertain and
care for the visiting multitude. She has
placed the city in first-class sanitary con-
milton. She has organized an efficient
system of FIRE, police and hospital service
at the exposition grounds, and che has
done all and even more than she prom
ised to do when the location of the lair
was settled.~
There is one thing. however, that
Chicago will stand on her rights for, and
that is the prices charged for hotel and
restaurant accommodations. It is use
less for the people way back in the coun-
try to think they can come to Chicago,
see the fair and stop at the best hotel
while doing so, for the same money that
they pay for hotel rates at home. Chi
cago is big city, and the rates are al
ways higher in a city than in small
country villages.
A visitor can get good board and room
in any part of the city for about SO per
day, and he can buy good meal at any
restaurant for 30 cents but if he comes
here expecting to live on So per week.
and take in the big show out OF that, he
will be much mistaken.
In short, it will cost money to see the
fair, and it will be money we'll spent,
too.
A historic relic reached the city yes
terday, and iH now in the custody OF one
OF the safety deposit companies. 1t is
the sword of Washington. It is a bayo-
net plated, full dress sword, with parch-
ment scabbard and silk hilt and cord
attached. II was manufactured in 1850.
1t is not yet determined just what dis
position will be made of the sword dur.
ing the fair, but it will probably be on
exhibition in the government building.
The Pennsylvania worlds fair head
quarters will be in good shape Monday
evening. The carpets are all laid, and
the rich furniture will be put in today.
The pictures are all hung and the deco
rating is finished. The building is a
substantial building. and resembles
somewhat the Independence hall in
Philadelphia. In the center OF the
structure is a great rotuhda running up
through the building and far up into the
clock tower, where it ends in dome,
richly irescoed and brilliantly lighted by
electric lamps sunk in the ceiling. 1t is
under the dome that the famous Lib
erty Bell will be placed. The woman's
department is artistically designed, and
is furnished for the reception room. A
cloth of gold carpet, made on special
order in Paris, covers the triangular
shaped room. Some very fine pictures
painted by Pennsy lvania women adorn
the walls. The keystone state has
responded bountifully in the way of
exhibits in the main building. Eight
thousand square feet are occupied in the
Horticultural building. This is fitted
up handsomely and it is intended to
have a very fine display of pomology
and viticulture. Pennsylvania is famous
the world over for it's coal, and coal will
be king in its exhibit. Great pyramids
OF selected pieces with solid chunks are
placed around, and in the center is a
large model of the well known coal
breaker and mining appliances, show
ing Just how the work is accomplished
in the great anthracite region.
The sun shines with a bright glory
to-day, giving bright warm welcome
to the many visitors that are in our
city. Two O'Clock is the hour set for
removing the liberty Dell to Jackson
park. This will be fine parade. The
Chicago guards will escort the party to
the grounds. They are rushing things
in every building. A visitor can hardly
hear himself think for the noise of the
hammers, the rolling of trucks and the
wrepching apart OF box tops. The odor
of paint and varnish fill the air, as every
workman puts the finishing touches to
every nook and crevice. The fair will
close tonight with thankful sigh that
everything is in good shape as it is.
NOTES.
The dedication of the Turkish mosque
at the Turkish village Of Midway Plais-
ance. yesterday afternoon, attracted
more than 1000 people, many of whom
stood in rain and water without being
rewarded with glimpse OF the chief
actors in the ceremonies.
California is way behind with both
building and exhibits, but they are
working day and night, and it is ex-
pected that the work will not take over
a week longer to finish.
Mrs. Potter Palmer gives reception
in the large cyclorama at Jackson park
today. This will be rare treat to
great many ladies, and it is to be hoped
the sun will continue to shine through
out the day.
The Mojave Desert.
The following is the view OF the Mo-