New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-10
THE CITY SEEN IN THE RAIN.
CORDIAL RECEPTION FOR THE PAN
AMERICANS UNDER POOR CONDITIONS.
RECEIVED BY THE MAYOR AT THE CITY HALL
AND BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND
EX~HANGEs-THEY EMPRESS THEIR
ADMIRATION FOR NEw-YORK AND
1rG u
ITS HosPITABLE CITIZENS.

ADMIRATION FOR NEw-YoRK AND
IT'S HosPITABLE CITIZENS.
lore wretched weather conditions could hardly
oe conceived than prevailed yesterday upon the
srst days presence In New-York Of the mer-
chants from the South American countries,
Mexico and Central America. who are here to
study United States industries and the conditions
surrounding them. But In spite Of the continu-
GUS downpour. the visitors saw sufficient Of the
magnitude. resources and commercial energy OF
the metropolis Of the United States to create in
them deep impression that more than one. in
evident sincerity confessed himself unable for
the moment to describe in words.
The first days programme mapped out for the
entertainment Of the guests was sufficiently
comprehensive TO give them a fairly adequate
,aea Of how great city New-York Is From the
recesses OF carriages they saw the hustling
throngs Of the streets, and in the great financiai
and commercial exchanges they witnessed 'ha'
business activity that so invariably fills the lor-
egner with wonderment. Then, from the decks
ot steamboat which sailed UP the North ana
East Rivers for their special advantage they
viewed the extent Of Manhattan Island from 'he
Battery 10 it's northern limits. and looked VIII"
the deepest interest upon its miles OF DOCKING
facilities It's high buildings, and its many ia'iu-
marks Of progressive development ana engineer
Ing triumphs that to most of the deieea'eS ii.
least had hitherto been matters OF secohd-ha"o
knowledge only.
The representative committee hd'iHs "a"
visitors in charge yesterday were sensiole Vi
Tho significance OF impressing the Southern
merchants with the commercial forces and pos
sibilities Of this city Each delegate mas peeii
dulv elected by the Chamber OF Commerce VI
the CITY from which ne comes, and upon MS ie
turn he will report upon all that he mas sec"
and learned and upon the utility OF iiioi
the channels Of trade between the I>or'" anu
Soutb None of these men look upon their
Journey as sightseeing excursion '"e'
rather regard IL as a trip with purely business
ends and the probable development OF inter-
national intercourse. No such representative
body has ever visited the United states before
and es will be seen from several interviews
,rinted below the visitors deplore the fact that
about 50 per cent Of the South American trade
ebouid he controlled by European countries.
and are already prepared to point out means
,vberehv the greater part can be diverted. as
,pov saw II rightly should be. to the United
States.
Tired as the delegates were with their long
tourney on Tuesday and. although IT was MID
night when they reached the quarters prepared
for them at the Waldorf, many or them were SO
anxious to take q peep at the metropolis that
-av,,ght had dawned before they found their
,.ds. A party Of twenty Of them In the inter-
vening hours rambled along Broadway. and
took rides upon the elevated and surface cars
Unfortunately the drzzling rain which Kept on
INCREASINGLY throughout the night, was not caicu-
lated TO make the city look its best, though the
men were well satisfied with their nrst intro
6uction 10 New-York, and especially In the lar
famed" Broadway. ,.,
The delegates began the official day win
reception at the City Hall. Mayor Strong as
sisted by an influential committee there, warm
" welcomed them to the metropolis OF the
Union and with enual Cordiality his remarks
were responded TO by the spokesman OF the party.
Then in turn. the delegates visited the Prod
uce Maritime Coffee and stock exchanges, ana
M each Of these places they heard further ad-
dresses of welcome. Tha business operations at
these centres were closely observed and the de-
srrip,ions of the methods employed were IN
tently listened to-
Al the Chamber Of Commerce many proml-
nent husiness men assembled to pay honor TO
tbe southern merchants. Here they were enter
tained at luncheon. The remainder of the after
NOON was spent upon the steamboat Cepheus
which conveyed the delegates upon the two rivers
bounding the island. In the evening they were
fnyited to the Herald Square Theatre.