Evening star., 1926-04-25

opening of the Centennial exposition
at Philadelphia
EXrortlon at fifty years ago
Big Fair Feared. shsre siSerabIe Mas Concern ce
in other cities lest the prices prevail
ing at the big fair would be prohibl-
tive of general attendance and long
stay. In The Star of April IS. 1875,
is comment OH this subject:
1T is a proposition now quite well
enough established that any material
reduction of railroad fares Is always
followed by a large increase Of travel.
The railroad companies centering in
Philadelphia have agreed to reduce
their fares 25 per cent, which Is not
enough, considering the hard times
and the inability of thousands who de-
sire to visit the great exposition to
pay even the reduced rates. A special
correspondent of the New York World.
who is now in Philadelphia looking
over the situation, demonstrates very
conclusively that the concession
named on the part of the railroad
companies Is wholly inadequate TO
the occa sion. suicidal on the part of
the railroads. and fearfully detri-
mental to the big show. The same
correspondent says that in his recent
trips North and West he took pains
agents and others how many people
were going to the Centennial, and
almost invariably the answer was.
Well, II depends good deal on how
much Ii costs. People can't afford TO
use much money just now outside or
their own family expenses. If the
ra ilroads put down their fares low
enough and folks are sure of not being
swindled at Philadelphia. good many
will go. II not. they1l stay at home:
AS there are very strong premoni-
tory symptoms that visitors will be
swindled, it behooves the citizens Of
PHILADELPHIA and the Centennial au-
thorities to take immediate steps to
prevent strangers from being victim
lied by rapacious hotel keepers.
Toward the close of President
Grants second term in office half a
=, century ago Congress,
Presidents in spirit of economy.
ST., passed a bill reducing
Salary. the salary Of the execu.
tive Office from $4,000 to $2S,Oo0 a
wear, Gen Grant. who had announced
that he would not seek third term,
vetoed this measure. His message of
disapproval Is published as follows In
The Star Of April 10. 1876:
Herewith I return Senate Dill NO
172. entitled An Act Fixing the Salary
of the President of the United states,
without my approval. am con.
strained to this course from sense OF
duty to my successors in office. TO my
Self and to what is due to the dignity
of the position of chief magistrate of a
Nation of more than forty millions OF
people.
"INhen the salary of the President
| of the limited States was fixed by the
constitution at $4,000 per annum we
| were a Nation Of but three millions OF
people. poor from q long and eXhaus'
tive war. without commerce or manu-
fa actories, with but few wants and
| these cheaply supplied. The salary
| must then have been deemed small for
the responsibility and dignity of the
position, but justifiably so from the
| impoverished condition of the Treas.
| ury and the simplicity IL was oeslreo
| to cultivate In the Republic.
| "The salary of congressman under
| the Constitution was first fixed at $6
| per day for the time actually in ses,
| Sion. an average Of about 120 days to
each session, or $720 per year. or less
| than one.thirtieth of the salary OF the
! president. Congress have legislated
Il
upon their own salaries from time ia
time since. until finally 1t reached
s5. 900 per annum. or one'fifth that OF
| the president. before the salary OF the
| latter was increased.
"No one having a knowledge OF the
| cost of living at the National Capital
| will contend that the present salary
| Of Congressmen is too high, unless II
| is the intention to make the ONCE
| one entirely of honor. when the salary
| should be abolished-a proposition re.
! pugnant to our republican ideas and
| institutions. .
II do not believe the citizens of this
| republic desire their public servants
| to serve them without a fair compen'
| sation for their services. Twenty-Five
| thousand dollars does not defray the
| expenses of the executive for one
| wear, or has not in my experience. II
in not now one-fifth In value what 1t
| was when fixed by the Constitution in
/ supplying demands and wants. Hav-
ing no personal interest In this matter
| I have felt myself free to return this
bill to the house in which 1t originated,
| with my objections. believing that in
doing 30 I meet the wishes and Judg-
ment Of the great majority OF those