The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-08-15
THE CLIFF DWELLINGS.
How the Big Communities Sky High
Are Managed.
From the Chicago Tribune.

From the Chicago Tribune
Chicago's mammoth Office buildings are
miniature worlds in themselvesthat are
not equaled in any other city either in
size or equipment. In them is concen-
trated the professional business of the
city that radiates throughout the coun-
try. The manner in which these build
lngs are conducted so as to insure salts
faction to the exacting patrons is one of
the most interesting municipal studies
that Chicago presents.
The Masonic Temple is the most inter
esting type of this class, as it poses as
the highest commercial building in the
world, and presents commanding layer
OF tWenty-one stories, reaching a height
OF 3O2 feet above the sidewalk to back up
its claim. To the scOtfer from Gotham it
adds the crushing argument of 4, 700 tons
of steel and 5000 tons of fire PROBING
used in its construction, and this is
certainly enough to settle the question.
1t is veritable walled city, with a popu-
lation Of about 5000, and governmental
officers corresponding to mayor and
councils.
The mayor is w. T.. Grower, more IA
mlllarly known as manager or superin-
tendent He is the autocrat of his little
city and bosses things generally and
wisely. He earns about as much money
in year as the president of the United
States. and gets about as much as the
president of small bank. His common
| council is composed of fifty janitors and
| thirty scrub ladies'" but they cannot
override his veto. He has an advantage
over other mayors in another UNIQUE re-
spect. When the ianitors finish their
labors at night they assemble in a room
are examined TO see that no stray valua-
hnx CT III 70 ,,1,
march out of the building in the lockstep.
This plan is not carried out because of
any presumption of dishonesty-in fact.
the presumption is all the other wav as a
| janitor's record is carefully looked up for
two years back before he is taken into
service. 1t is simply precaution against
| sudden falls from grace, and even a pro-
lection for the men themselves from false
accusations. IL is a plan that might be
copied IN the case of other common couu-
ellis and would have the added advantage
OF getting the real aldermen accustomed
! to the lockstep that many are forced sub
sequently TO adopt for a season.
Six sailors keep in double touch with
| their former profession by washing the
| 1929 outside windows They have plenty
| of water and more of altitude, and Mr..
| Grower has FARTHER added local color to
their duties by providing a rope and can
vas harness by which they are prevented
| from losing their positions This harness
consists of canvas belt attached to
ropes. that are fastened inside the win
| dow sill. The gallant tar can thus ma
| nipulate in perfect security, and if. per
! chance, he becomes too careless and loses
! his balance, as happened few weeks
| ago, he will be subjected to nothing worse
than an unpleasant quarter of a minute
| of dangling.
! But these sailors have no time TO in.
duge in much dangling They are sup.
! posed TO go over all the windows in a
week, and it keeps them hustling to per-
form the contract, They generally are
| successful, Mr. Grower saws. and thev
! generally are not, says tenant. and each
! ought 10 know