New-York tribune., 1902-05-11
CAREER Of POTTER PALMER
INCIDENTS WHICH SHOWED THE EC-
CENTRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF
THE MAN WHO OWNED
THE PALMER HOUSE.
THE PALMER HOUSE.

Chicago. May 1c (SpeciaD-Potter Palmer the
dean of the hotel OF this city, former mer-
chant prince and later the largest holder of realty
here though n many sided man I'm business and So
cial life had little Of the humorous in his nature
Rather. there in him that which might be
termed eCcentricty
While the Potter Palmer family has always fig
ured conspicuously in society, not only here. but
elsewhere in this country and abroad. Potter
Palmer had a personality OF his own which kept
him largely apart from distinctly social life. He
was in every sense of the phrase thorough busi-
ness man-stern. exacting. watchfu careful, and
the strictest integrity. Generous by nature, he
was averse to letting the general public know of
his bonefaCtions, and his good deeds were known
only to those who executed his wishes in this
spect and those who benefited by his lib
erality. In public affairs. to promote the COM
munity welfare well as in the upbuilding Of the
city, he entirely broad gauged
Despite his strict devotion to affairs there
certain incidents in his manner Of doing things that
reveal Mr.. Palmer in his eccentric and lighter
moods It IS recalled ny n man. who held
responsible position in his employ. that at
time ne suddenly became possessed OF the
tion that too long tenure in job by any OF his
help was detrimental to the successful carrying
on OF the Palmer House. One day at unusual
hour he went TO the basement and found the engi-
neer in his greasy overalls. busy at his duties.
Who you asked MI Palmer
I'm the engineer, Mr.. Palmer" replied the busy
mechanic.
How long have you been working here?''
Fourteen years
That's too long too long" said Mr.. Palmer
You 20 10 the cashier and get your pay and get
out. You're discharged
But. Mr.. Palmer. haven't neglected my work,
and"-
Never mind that" retorted Mr.. Palmer. ''you
just do I tell you"
The engineer did as he hidden. and disap
pearod. Later in the day Mr. Palmer accosted
his brothcr-in-law his representative in the man
aEemeut of the hotel, who talking to fairly
well dressed In the lobby OF the hotel. and
Informed him Of the discharge Of the engineer
and the need OF employing another in his place
Why. here's a looking for just such job.
Mr. Palmer" said the manager with twinkle in
his eye.
well. II he's competent put him TO work"
piled Mr.. Palmer.
And the man. who the old engineer. attired
in his Sunday clothes. resumed his duties engi-
neer Mr.. Palmer not having recognized him. The
engineer kept his job until he was ready to quit it
Before Mr.; Palmer undertook personally to man
establishment. newsstand, barrier shop. ticket
Sa and r edea @ to GT Jancd e pT
charged the lcssces OF the various privileges. lie
Obliged to raise his rent The barber readily agreed
TO pay more; Then Mr. Palmer informed him that
commission the business. To this the barber
matter over and recalling how readily the barber
had agreed to the imposition of new terms. Mr..
thing a money maker and it was not long he
fore it came directly under control of the hotel
management.
As an illustration Of how closely he attended
to the details of his business affairs, a patron of
the Turkish bath department of the Palmer House
relates this incident lie went to the hotel bath
rooms late nj yht and after his bath, sought
the seclusion Of one of the lounsing rooms to
sleep. He had hardly got asleep, IL seemed, when
he was awakened by a pounding on the wall When
able to distinguish what going on he "A
ladder with hammer and chisel. punch
ing hole in the wall. and near by intenty watch
ing the work. Mr.. Palmer. And this at 7:GO
a. m
A popularity Mr.. Palmer possessed a land
lord which his tenants, a rule did
relish all Though the houses he built o rent
were models of attractiveness and comfort. he
made Il a fixed rule to compel the tenants to fur
nish the gas fixtures. water attachments for the
lava tories and kitchens and the door knobs
All other house owners in Chicago not only fur
nish all these things, but also the inside shades
for the windows.
A few years ago. owing to his advancing years
his family tried to persuade Mr.. Palmer 70 give
up his active personal interest in his business
fairs, and especially his hotel, which his
chief interest. He was persuaded to consent to
selling the Palmer House block Negotiations We're
carried with John Wanamaker To buy the prop
crty and establish big department store there
Mr. Wanamaker and his son came to close the
deal. but Mr. Palmer then refused hatfooted to give
up his hotel in which his greatest interest centred
and the negotiations were off.