The St. Louis Republic., 1902-12-21
Lessee of Catlin Tract Closes the
Contract and Asks to Be
Taken Into Midway.
TO MEET FRANCIS ON FRIDAY.
Reproduction of Panama Canal,
5000 Feet Long, Spiral Tow
er and CanOpied BOule-
ward Chief Features.

Xavier Pene the lessee OF the Catlin
tract announced last night that he had OBJ
tanned his contract from the Park View
Realty Company and had made a definite
proposal to President Francis for the pay
ment of an adequate penalty to the Ex-
position Company, if his entire amusement
project was included as a part of the Mid
way.
Mir. Pene said that he had an appoint
ment with President Francis for Friday
morning. at which time he would learn
whether he was to cooperate with the Fair
or be compelled to become an outsider. In
either event, Mr.. Pene said that he was
prepared to begin construction work after
the holidays.
The complete plans for the immense
amusement attraction to be erected on the
Catlin tract were outlined by him, without
reservation. In describing these plans ne
protested against the opinion that he de-
sired TO force the management OF the talr
into project which would not be TO their
financial benefit.
u came 10 ST. LOUIS he said. ''as a le-
gitimate amusement purveyor- l represent
weli-kncwn CAPITALISTS of Chicago and Buf-
faio, and these gentlemen have put up their
money on my Representations. My business
instincts and my Judgment as a Snowman
OF experience at many expositions were
what turned my attention to the advan-
tageS of the Catlin tract.
If the Worlds Fair management will
include the tract as a part of the midway
they will make more money than they
would otherwise with their projected mid
way. l am paying the rental There Is alb
solutely no expense to them and | agree
to pay adequate royalties. The class OF
my attractions will not be cheap; on the
contrary, they will cost more money than
most of the largest ideas which are being
promoted by applicants for concessions
within the Exposition site.
1T is my intention to make the chief at
traction OF the tract gigantic representa-,
the entire tract for distance OF nearly
10000 feet. 1t will be veritable canal Of
running water. At intervals great turbine
wheels will be introduced in bricked pits
in the canal.
These wheels. revolving, will produce a
bilowy motion to the water Craft OF al
kinds will navigate the canal. The tropi-
cal scenes which intend to reproduce along
its shores will include mountain ranges, the
junsles and prehistoric RUNS l OF lie Gentrai
size in the swiftly running water. giving a
realistic idea of a wreck
TO BUILD REVOLVING TOWER.
In the center Of the tract surrounded by
the canal l will erect a revolving tower.
Visitors will take their places on platform
raj motion A complete bird's-eye view OF
the Exposition and the adjacent country
will be furnished from the top of the tower.
Many other attractions operated by inde-
pendent amusement purveyors will be
placed in the interior space of the canal
circuit. which will require twenty minutes
'Lindell boulevard is included within my
lease; it is part of the Catiin tract, an
undeduCted street. IhlS tnorOuSnIare Will
be canopied its entire length of 4.3o feet
from De Baliviere avenue, to Skinker road.
AS cool promenade, made delightful with
swinging hammocks, cafes along its way
and other light attractions. such as con-
cert halls. the boulevard should prove one
of the most eagerly sought spots in the
vicinity of the Exposition. especially on the
hote days of the summer.
II have examined into the probability OF
legal bycott If such term can be applied
to any effort on the part of persons who
might try to kill my enterprise. That
feel assured that any such act will be un-
constitutional. may be judged from the
fact that have advised my friends to en-
ter the scheme with me- My whole enter
tainment will be as high class as anything
within the Fair. and 1 trust that the re-
suit OF my proposal to President Francis
will be beneficial to both the Fair and my
self and associates"
Mr. Pene displayed his contract, which
reads for rental of s4S0,0O0 for the entire
tract. or 500 front foot along its frontage
on Lindell boulevard. He bases his esti-
mates of the earnings of the enterprise on
an attendance of only 100000. At these
figures he says that he sees a profit of at
least s2.500,000.