New-York tribune., 1901-04-01
TOPICS IN CHICAGO.
CHANGES IN THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER
FIELD-PREPARING To CARRY
PASSENGERS To BUFFALO
BY STEAMSHIP.
BY STEAMSHIP.

20 make news. the publications of Chicago
have been reversing the usual order Of things the
last week and have collectively and individually
been the most talked OF things in the city. The
greatest affair Of the week in this respect was
the sale by Victor F. Lawson of ''The Chicago
Record to II. II. Kohlsaat and the consolidation
by the latter of 'The Record" with The Times
Herald" under the title The Record Herald"
Growing out Of this transaction was the oppor-
tunity which Mr.. Lawson seized TO become
philanthropist by providing some five hundred of
his employees who were suddenly thrown out Of
work with months salary each. in case they
did not find other employment in the mean time,
entaing expenditure OF about $4,000. Fol-
lowing quickly upon THE Record Herald" con-
sOlidation came the sale Of The Chicago Eve
ming Post" by Mr.. Kohlsaat to a syndicate OF
newspaper men who had interested local capital
lists in the enterprise. BY the time the turmoil
caused by these changes has abated. The Inter
Ocean" viii be about ready move into its new
building, which is be OF the handsOmest
newspaper plants in the country, and The Trib-
une" viii have under way its new twelve story
newspaper plant The competition will be keen
than ever before. in consequence of these
things, and Chicago is expected 10 present the
most active newspaper field in its history. Mr..
Lawson is understood TO have large projects in
view for his Daily News" to which he will de-
vote himself exclusively in the future.
Previous 10 his generous act Of last week Vic
tor +. Lawson was a most cordially disliked man
among the union labor organizations connected
with newspaper publishing. At the present time
the labor men are loud in his praises. and admit
that their oldtime enemy has been much mis-
understood. Incidentally Mr.. Lawson has earned
the respect and gratitude Of practically every
newspaper employe in the city Through the
assistance of Mr.. Kohlsaat, who was heartily in
accord with the plan places Were found on The
Record-Herald" for sixty employees Of The Rec
ord Many others received places on THE Chi
cago Daily News" Except for Mr. Lawson's
generous action. the employees of the other news
papers here would be shivering in their shoes.
AS IL is, the situation is relieved for long
enough period TO give the newspaper labor mar
ket a chance 10 adjust itself 10 the new condi-
tions
The consolidation Of The Record" and The
Times Herald" marks the passing OF The Chi
cago Times" once widely regarded as one Of tie
greatest newspapers in the country. II was
founded IN 1854. was made great power by
Wilbur F. Storey. and was consolidated with
1.-The Chicago Herald" in 1895. The new con-
solidation gives 10 THE Record Herald" the
largest circulation-about 100000 daiy-outside
OF New-Yorz City.
The new publishers Of The Evening Post viii
make the experiment OF running an afternoon
newspaper in tabloid" form on the Harmsworth
plan. geographically THE Evening POST has
ranked with The Times-Herald" one Of the
handsomest daily papers in the country. and il is
presumed that it will not abandon its attractive
makeup with it's change of form. 1t viii be six
teen pages instead Of eight. as at present and
the pages win be about half the size Of the usual
newspaper.
Charles T. Yerkes has announced that he viii
return to Chicago and publish his newspaper,
'The Chicago Inter Ocean," pastime soon
as he has completed his London enterprises. This
means, Of course, that the local publishers must
lead strenuous life for some time TO come.
Because Of the big blockade at the grain ele-
vators at Buffalo at the close Of navigation last
year the winter grain feet that will move out Of
Chicago at the opening OF navigation viii be the
smallest in years. 1t is usual for large num-
her of vessels TO bring cargo Of anthracite coal
to this city in the fan and load with grain for
the winter storage charge and for transportation
east in the spring The blockade at Buffalo
caught many Of the boats at the eastern end Of
the lakes. The grain cargoes loaded here TO 60
out when the ice in the Straits Of Mackinac viii
permit aggregate 5,755.O00 bushels. as compared
with 100000 bushels a year ago.
The lake transportation passenger business is
a large factor in the eastDound situation this
year. There viii be lively competition on the
shifted its two big steamers, the North Land
and the North West, from the Duluth Buffalo 10
the ChicagO-BuffalO run. in order to capture
some OF the Pan-American Exposition business,
and also the c. A. II. encampment business next
August In order TO keep up its passenger ser
vice between Buffalo and Duluth the Northern
Steamship Company viii put the steamer Miami
on the run between Duluth and Mackinac Isl
and where II Will connect with the above named
steamers for the remainder OF the trip to Buff
falo. Two other steamers, the Russia and the
Cuba now being fitted out passenger
boats by another line 10 ply between Green Bay
and Buffalo.
The local money market is hardening percept-
ibly. The head Of one Of the largest local banks
asserted recently that his institution did not
have a single loan out at below per cent. The
large amounts of money which the Chicago
banks sent 10 NeW-York the latter part Of last
week were sufficient TO take up all Of their avail
able funds. and they are therefore making new
applicants for loans bid up for the money There
IS an increasing call for commercial accommoda-
fions, and rates OF 80 TO per cent prevalent
for large blocks. A loan Of 100000 was made
yesterday at per cent for ninety days with the
privilege OF renewal for six months at Az per
cent.
The local election campaign is drawing TO a
close, with the usual whiTligig OF excitement.
Mayor Harrison and Judge Hanecy, his Repub-
crowded meetings IN every part OF the city at all
hours OF the day and night. Each has given a
remarkable demonstration OF continuous cam
paigning, and each side appears confident as to
the result. The Democrats assert that Harrison
and the Democratic ticket viii De elected by
about 100000 majority, and the Republicans
are equally sure of success The Republicans
have muck better opportunity than they have
had in many former campaigns owing 10 the
Feeling against the Harrison administration and
by reason Of the fact that the Republican vote
VIII be undivided, while there several splits
among the Democrats.