The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-25

PHILADELPHIA, June 24.-Extensive
advertising and a reputation for knowing
how to handle national convention were
not the only benefits Philadelphia gained
during the past week. The Republican Ma
tional Convention was a good thing for
the city from financial point of view Is
well.
While it is. of course, impossible to get
at the exact figures, conservative estimates
place the sum total of the money spent in
the city by Convention visitors at about
s1.300,000. While the number of people
attracted by the Convention did not come
up. TO the expectations of some, there is no
doubt that the visitors numbered at least
100000. First in the item of expenditures
on their part come rooms and board.
The hotels, as crowded as they were.
housed only comparatively small pro-
portion of the strangers, probably 10000
in all. For their accommodation these
10000 paid, according to a prominent hotel
mans estimate, something like $4,000 a
day for four days, total of s120, eco. One
half the number were here for two days
prior to Monday last, the first of the four
days counted, and their presence brought
to the Golfers of the hotel men $50, 600
more.
Half of the remaining 90, 600 persons were
here only one day, from Monday noon until
the next morning. For rooms and meals
while here the same hotel man estimates
that they contributed toward the grand
total at least $125.o00. OF the other halt
of the $4,000 probably a third were quar-
tered with relatives and friends at no out
lay for either rooms or meals. This left
80 600 to be cared for in apartment and
furnished room houses.
For these accommodations prices were
stiffened up little. 81 per day for each
person being the ruling figure. This would
mean another $4,000 for the four days
the crowd was there. OF course, the 3d.
600 visitors thus Quartered had to eat,
and here is where the restaurants came in.
How much do l think Convention visi-
tors added to the regular business of the
restaurants?" repeated the proprietor of
one Of the largest eating houses in the city.
THAT would be difficult thing to figure
down to a nicely. But l think l can come
close enough to satisfy you
After five minutes work with a pencil
and piece of paper the restaurant man
announced that q low estimate of the
amount spent in the restaurants by those
brought here by the Convention would be
That means spent during the four days
by each Of the 90, eco visitors not quartered
at hotels or with friends, a total OF $780,
00O," he continued Counting in the rush
Of Monday night and Tuesday morning
think the correct sum would be about $780,
0G0"
The second biggest item on the list was
probably that for liquid refreshments.
CN1nting half of the Convention visitors as
total abstainers. and allowing an average
of 81 per day for each of the others, an
estimate furnished by saloon man with
knack for figures, who were here for four
days, and the same amount for one-half OF
those who were here only on Monday,
grand total of s137,5oO was dropped into
the Golfers of the saloon men. The sales of
the cigar dealers were increased to an
amount equal to onefeurth of the sum
spent for orinkable or about s35, coo.
I'VE probably collected about 2ee, 600 tx
ira fares each day during the first four
days of Convention week." said Unaon
Traction Company official yesterday, "a-d
one-fourth that number on Saturday and
Sunday. That would mean $4,000 added
to the company's receipts on &C cunt OF he
Convention"
Ever hack cab. and public automobile
in the city worked overtime cur ng at least
four days, and $4,000 day for this lem
is considered by the manager Of ole of the
cab companies az conservative estimate.
Then there are the theatres, trips to At
lSntic City. the baIbe shops, lips 10 wait
ers the street vendors CT badges and but
tons, etc. all to figure in, TO say no.Liag
of the extra business done by the retail
stores.
Convention visitors. as a rule. do not
expect to make extensive purchases" said
a Chestnut street merchant, but merry
all of these -hc come from any distarce
usually make {; 2 point to take home vi b
them something in the way Of souvenir.
If you are compiling figures on the ken
d;tures of the throng attracted here during
the week, $i6o,0 fer purchases made in
the stores will come as near beng correct
as you can get
Tabulated, the amount of money left IN
Philadelphia by Convention yi.itors would
read something like this:
Hotels ---.-----...---..-.---. SZ'o,tDJ