The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-08-04
GROWING INTEREST
IN WORLDS FAIR
Visitors at National Capital Ez-
press Enthusiasm Over Com
ing Exposition.
GOSSIP ABOUT WASHINGTON.
Worn-Out Government Clerks Are
Working for Civil Pension
Roosevelt Said to Fa-
vOr the Idea.
GOSSIP ABOUT WASHINGTON.
The Republic Bureau.
l4th a.. and PeunevIyaofa Ave-

Washington, Aag. 3.-The Wills Fair
management would be ~gratihed to know Of
the rapidly growing interest In the Expo
sitioa OF 1904, as reflected in the hotel cor
ridors at the capital. Even in summer there
may be found visitors from all parts of the
globe. The hotel registers almost any day
will show the presence of tourists, dipio-
matists and business men from japan TO
Peru.
A group of men were standing in the lobby
Of the new Willard this evening. One of
them was named Myrick, a prominent drug
manufacturer from Boston. st. Louis being
mentioned, Mr.. Myrick ventured the asser-
ton that the Fair would far eclipse any
thing of the kind which has been given In
the world. and this gentleman was quite
enthusiastic over the coming Exposition. He
predicted his State would send the best ex-
hibit that had ever gone from that COM
monwealth. and said that business men gen.
orally at the Hub felt a great interest in
the event. A prominent tobacco man from
chm Joined in the conversation to re-
mark that in his State also great interest
is being felt in the st. Louis Fair, and that
more people would go from Virginia 10
witness this celebration than went to Chi
cago. There were other gentlemen present,
and all of them commented upon the ap-
preaching event in a similar vein. 1t was
q casual conversation, but amply proved
that growing interest. and. in fact, enthusi-
asm, is being felt in the st. Louis Fair N
localities where some indifference might be
looked for.
Worlds Fair circles will recall the late
Representative Otey of Virginia, who served
on the Exposition Committee. Otey was
known to the world as Peter j." Otey, and
probably few of his friends knew that mis-
name was William NorveIl." When Otey
was young he had a very red face, in fact,
it was rudy till the day of his death.
When irritated in youth Otey's face would
turn scarlet, and members OF his family
gave him the soubriquet OF "Dcter John
ston," after a local character whose face was
always very red. The name chung to Otey
and his real cognomen was obScured until
finally he appealed to the court to have
himself formally rechristened Peter John
ston." The court records bear the following
entry:
"on the petition of William Norvell Otey,
and for satisfactory reasons appearing to
the court, II is ordered that the said petit
toner be permitted to change his name to
Peter Johnston Otey."
In Washington Otey became a prominent
character and was known as a good story
teller and genial companion as well as law
maker, and none Of his friends suspected
that his name was not in fact Peter J.
Otey.
What to do with worn-out Government
clerks is a question which the parties most
interested answer in a manner satisfactory
to themselves. Pension u.s." they say.
There are indications that there will be a
strong movement to procure a civil pension
list during the administration OF President
Roosevelt. Whether he favors 1t is not
known definitely. There are assertions by
some. who should know. that the President
believes a pension would not be improper
for long and faithful service in the civil
departments. as in the military, where Off
GERS may be retired on part pay. At any
rate, the clerks are determined to force the
issue, IL possible, before the Republicans re- |
tire. and they are counting on securing some
substantial aid from President Roosevelt
w. s. DANIELS. |