The morning call., 1893-05-09
CHICAGO TRAVEL.
What Local Ticket Agents
Are Doing.
CROWDS FROM THE INTERIOR.
San Franciscans Are Waiting Till
All the Exhibits Are in Place.
Pointers for Travellers.

Are you going to the Worlds FairP"
That is the question which every ticket
agent and every railroad man is now ask
ing.
They are everywhere, these railroad So
licitorS. On the ferries, in the hotel lob
bles, in the streetcars and On the streets.
They board the incoming vessels and way
lay every new arrival that comes valise-
laden through the gatewa at the steam
boat landings.
There are a whole lot OF ways for get
ting 10 the big show other than those pro-
posed by the runners. who have but slight
idea OF what their roads can do for you
after all, so it is best to 60 right to the
main ticket office. whore you will fud lots
OF accommodating gentlemen who are only
too willing to answer ques tions.
Now, speaking of questions" said a
local tcket-seller. wiping the perspiration
from his troubled brow. for a stout lady
with four small children had Just put him
through cross-eXamination as TO the
scenery along the Los Angeles, Ell Paso
and Kansas City route, there have been
more questions asked on a smaller sale of
tickets during Saturday and Friday than
during any other two days since the fair
opened.
ITO commence with, the reports of ex-
| torllon IN Chicago have good deal to do
with 1t. Why, you would be surprised at
the number OF people who ask u.s. Is it
really true that it cost so much to live
there% Of course it is not policy for us to
tell them all we know about the cost of
living in the Windy City, so all we can say
IN answer is, oh. likely enough the first
class hotels are charging big prices, but
then there are other and cheaper places
TO stop at 1t is true, too; for example, a
number OF our men, who have recently
been in Chicago in the interest of the road,
UlyGS tha Qf n u Wbnm
tourists can apply for cheap rooms and
board.
"All the roads are making arrangements
10 have men at the other end of the line
who will assist our customers to find quar-
ters. This will be good boon for travel
llers; for instance, you buy ticket over our
line; we give you coupon, which will
Identity you as customer to our Chicago
agent, who viii turn you over to a clark
whose duty 1t is to keep record of board
ing and lodging houses and hotels, together
with their prices.
Everybody wants to know how much it
VIII cost to make the trip 10 the fair and
return. Now, that Is very hard question
10 answer, because no two persons are
alike in their tastes and financial standing.
l calculate that a trip 10 Chicago and re-
turn-so far as railroad fares. berth. meals
en- route and little travelling incidentals
are cOncGrned-can be made for about Sl35.
travelling pretty comfortably with Pull
man berth. etc. OF course, you can go
second class and squeeze through FOR about
500, while if you are not particular as to
getting regular sleep, being crowded and
suffering a little from hard plank seats
you can make it tor $50 in an emigranJ
coach"
Are there many San Franciscans going,
so FAR as you can see, or Is the majority of
the travel from inbound trans-Pacifc
steamers and the country towns?"
1T strikes me that there are more
country people going than any other class
just at present We catch big lot of Gus
toners off the Australian steamers. The
Australia brought up large number of
passengers in the cabin, nearly all of
whom were for Chicago.
San Francisco seems slow to move.
The travellers from this city demand
second-elass tickets as a rule. and the
richer people of the place are holding back
for all the exhibits to be put in place Poor
people have 10 60 whenever opportunity
presents, and strange TO say there is n
prevailing opinion among this class that by
going early they can see more.
why, there was a woman in here n
short while ago who asked me If thought
she could get to Chicago in time to see the
big naval review II she left Monday next.
My dear madam replied, the review
is over and part OF the fleet has returned
explaining that the review was held in
New York harbor.
'She said: Is that so? Why. thought
the ships were coming to Chicago through
the new SueZ canal
ut would be wrong TO assume that this
person is fair example of those who
ask us questions. however"
Are You anticipating any rush next
month";"
Yes, we do expect to have our hands
full then and will probably have our car
rylng capacity taxed for tile first week in
June, judging from what people say when
I u IN ne oil
There are nifty persons who ask questions
and tell when they are going to start to
every one who buys ticket enabling him
TO leave Immediately"
In conversation with a Southern Pacific
official upon the subject of the travel from
the interior towns the gentleman said:
AS lar as l can see the country people
VIII form the largest State contingency at
the fair. Farmers sons and daughters
can better afford the tme to go than sons
Oh our S'n Francisco men, who are prob
ably tied down TO some clerical position
and would have to resign 10 get vacation
/ Tor month. The country people are
| making greater preparation for the trip
than our city folks"
Al the local railroad officers say that
/ people are holding back for cheaper rates.
and 1t might be we'll TO insert that those
who can spare The time do well to do so.
Tor there is every indication of a conces-
sion on the part of the transportation
companies. as Eastern roads are cutting
to Salt Lake and Denver, and California
must eventually become field for compe-
tition.
The Canadian Pacific, Union Pacific and
Atlantic and Pacific agencies here all say
that no cut is contemplated as yet, but in
innate that each Is waiting to see what the
others intend doing.
An old railroad man said: "The lines
VIII boom their advantages as scenic
routes and cry in favor of their fine ser
vice until they find this will lot draw GUS
tom, then down will go the rates"
The sealpers are doing a better business.
II anything, than the regular ticket agents
I and give fair reduction on all routes.