The record-union., 1893-05-10
Special to the REcoRp.UN1oN.

Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
CHICAGO, May 9.-Since the day the
President opened the fair there has been
no day when the attendance was larger
and the weather more propitious. The
actual figures could not be learned this
evening, but they undoubtedly far sur
pass any previous day. From early
morning until late this afternoon thou
sands crowded through the gates In
comparing the attendance here yesterday
with the corresponding day of the Phila-
delphia Centennial, it is shown that S,S73
more persons paid for admission here
than at the Centennial.
The programme for the day included
exercises by the Catholic knights of
America, this being their day at the
fair. Outside of this the programme was
devoid of any specially interesting fea-
ture.
Among the exhibitors the failure of the
Chemical Bank was the principal topic
of discussion. Most of the foreigners had
deposited money with the bank, and
their letters of credit were honored at
that institution. Considerable excite
ment prevailed for a time but things
quieted down when it was stated that the
bank expected to pay in full. Some of
the depositors, however, refused to be
comforted, and great many of them
from out of town had no means to re-
plenish their exchequer at short notice.
AT meeting of the National Commits
sion this afternoon the matter was
brought up. Commissioner Cannon of
Oklahoma offered a resolution reciting
the facts of the failure and asking the ap-
pointment of a committee of six to inyes-
tigate the matter and report as to the ad-
visibility of permitting the bank to re-
sumo business on the grounds. Several
dissenting voices were heard, to the effect
that the commission had no right to in
vestigate the affairs Of the bank, but an
equal number were positive it had. At
ter lengthy debate the resolution was
adopted and committee appointed.
The first business which came before
the National Commission this afternoon
was the petition of Phoebe CouZins of
Missouri setting forth her claims with re-
gard to membership. The Judiciary Com
mittee reported that under the Act Gre
ating the commission Miss Couzins can
not be regarded i'll any sense as a mem
Der. This settles her status, unless she
takes other action.
Reports from the committees on work
on the different buildings were then re-
ceived. The fisheries building work was
reported far advanced. The report of the
Committee on Live Stock was not en-
couraging. The grounds and buildings
of this department are not ready, though
the chief of the department thinks there
is ample time, and that he will have all in
readiness by the time they are needed.
According to the report, not a single ex
hibitor is yet in attendance, nor are there
any exhibits. The date of entry for
horses and cattle is therefore changed
from June 18th to July 18th, and for sheep
from July 1st to August lst.
The mines and mining exhibit is nrob-
ably the most advanced on the grounds.
The committee finds the installation
almost complete.
The Committee on Forestry reports
deplorable state of affairs in that depart
ment. Chairman st. Clair stated that no
one competent to have charge of that in
teresting exhibit had been appointed.
The building and grounds were in an
out-of-the-way place; a roadway has not
even been made to them, no provision
made for visitors i'll the building, and
there was otherwise a deplorable lack of
proper management in the forestry di-
vision. st. Clair laid the matter before
the commission in such vigorous man
ner that motion was Immediately made
fixing time for consideration.
The report on the electrical department
showed that the work there was very
backward. This was caused in part bv
the delay of exhibitors, who have been
devoting all their energies to installing
the great dynamos in the power houses.
The committee found the electric build
ing magnificent in proportions, well
adapted and all space assigned.
A visit to Machinery Hall this morning
showed that vast amount of work had
been accomplished during the night. 1t
is true that not more than half OF the ex-
hibits in the mammoth structure have
been installed, but if the present activity
is maintained, it Will not take more than
two weeks at the outside to complete the
work in every detail.
1t is a strange commentary that many
foreign exhibits have been installed
considerable time in advance of those of
our own country.