The Virginia enterprise., 1901-06-21

Read in round figures. says the Trib-
une, 200 through passenger trains come
into the six passenger stations Of Chi
cago every day, leaving 10000 strangers
in the city. Then 200 more trains are
made up under the miles Of train sheds
and 10000 more strangers are whirled
out of the smoke and din and CRIME
that mark these great centers Of in
gress and egress. These figures are
from the estimates OF the stationmas-
ter: IN the six passenger stations of
Chicago.
AS to tations trains and train move
ments in Chicago. these figures are
small compared with the suburban
business. In the Union station alone
200 suburban trains arrive and depart
every day, carrying 10000 passengers
Thirtythree thousand five hundred
persons go in and out Of this station
every lWentyfour hours.
But that 10000 strangers come into
Chicago every day by these railroad
lines is significant group Of figures
TO these may be added the lake ex-
bcr These may reach 1900 day in
the height of the season. And just how
these thousands distribute themselves
through the city. find lodgings, amuse-
nleuts, occupations. or catch other
trains out. leaving Chicago as a mere
way station. would make a guide book
tired.
AS Il general proposition. the stran3-
or ia Chicago is not easily disposed OF
by anybody but a confidence m:;n The
hustle and hustle Of Chicago get upon
their nerves. They get excited the mo-
mcnt the train pulls into the train
shed, and they begin by making life
busy for gatemen and basgaScmen.
Then they pass out to world Of noisy
streets.
In the streets the stranger is an inn
ped!u,cnt to traffic Of all kinds. The
effect Of him is seen especially in the
faces and tclnpcrs Of conductors and
Gripnlcn whose cars run to railway sta
tlons a man with two yalises, a
luncheon basket. an umbrella. and a
rain coat trying to board il cable train
that is already full, is a proposition to
Wh;tcn heads Of a trains crew.
Relieved of his impedimcnta, he is
still clog to Professionalism in the
streets. The leisurely gait which be-
comes him in his home town is lost
upon the citizen who is trying to pass
him in Il crowded street The cool con-
tent expressed in the rear view of the
stranger fr;,ZZles the city mans
nerves. And when the stranger stops
suddenly to turn to an inviting Win
dow display. and four persons from be-
hind collide with him. the measure of
his possibilities as an obstructionist is
reached.
At tho Crossings.
10 tramstcrs and to crossing police
men the stranger is especially trying.
In the conytSteu streets downtown no
ono but the stranger expects clear
crossing between 6 O'Clock in the morn
ii3 and - o'clock at night The city
E:*u walks out into the street into an
5mH"nNlraDle jam. picking his way,
t-.i.iti>Nt OF room between vehicles
'IE.> stranger waits until he sees the
folly CT waiting, then dashes forward,
W.,A his head down, obivious to the
>,.-l;,lS OF the crossing policeman. He
is Inclined to step in briskly behind
c::r cable train. just in front Of another
gong in the opposite direction. He
goes up the wrong stairs in the loon
stations, and on the trains will get up
for his station just when the cars are
grinding around a sharp curve
OF the 10000 strangers landed in
Chicago every day perhaps $4,000 of
them pass on through with as little de-
lay as connecting trains will admit.
Five thousand others are bent upon
business strictly, attending to their af-
fairs with small time for anything else
The remaining 10000 may have some
degree Of business. but in the main
they are seeking recreation and amuse.
mcnt while moving about the city.
Push to Stock Yards.
Sightseeing is the main diversion, and
in this it is patent that nothing his
displaced the Stock Yards as the one
great attraction Of Chicago. More Wis
itors go through its miles of paved
streets and it's acres upon acres Of
packing houses than go into every 9TH
er public institution combined. The
Board Of Trade. the libraries, the Art
Institute, the Columbian Museum, nor
the parks have such powers to attract
as have the great slaughter pens from
which half the world is fed.
Viewing the city from the tops Of sky
scraping buildings is another Of the
inexpensive amusements of the strang-
er. Not even the place where the roof