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| 1933 Century of Progress Exposition Documents |
Visitors to Fair Praise Chicago Streets—and People
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By John Drury.
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Source: Chicago Daily News, 17 June 1933, pg. 10.
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World's fair visitors, who have come to Chicago for the first time, are pleased with the city and its public servants. Many admitted they came to blame and have remained to praise. Most of them point out that the city's two greatest assets are its lake front and its "regular" street system.
This was revealed today in a survey made by a reporter for The Daily News stationed at the official Century of Progress registration booth in the Sears, Roebuck building. Eight persons from as many sections of the United States were interviewed as to their opinions of Chicago. All were making their first visits to the city.
They were asked if they had any criticisms to make and frank opinions were sought. Most of them were satisfied with Chicago. One man, however, said the city "ought to pay its school teachers" [a reference to the city's Depression-era public school budget crisis]. Another said our buildings were "smoky."
Robert Franzen, a railroad man from New York City, was the one who said our buildings were "smoky." "But I suppose you can't help that, considering you have so many factories and railroad locomotives," he smiled. "On the whole, we've been well treated here and the traffic policemen are very civil and polite. Your lake front is the grandest thing I've seen. We have nothing like it in New York."
Mrs. Blanche B. Lloyd of Pittsburgh, Pa., felt differently about our buildings. "Our skyscrapers at home are worse than yours for being covered with soot. We haven't had any difficulty since coming here a few days ago. Everybody has been nice to us. We like especially your wonderful department stores, your Michigan boulevard and your street system. It's very easy to get around in Chicago."
A salesman from Sioux Falls, S. D., A. L. Steen, said our street cars were too crowded. "Apparently you don't have enough street cars to go around or maybe it's because of the fair crowds," he said. "One thing I like about your town, though, is the way the streets are laid out and the long shore line. I've been treated nicely since coming here."
O. D. Winge, a Los Angeles railroad man, thought we ought to pay our school teachers. "Then, too," he added, "your atmosphere is pretty hazy. Your buildings have a uniformly gray appearance that is annoying. In all other respects, the city is fine and your lake front is the best thing in it. Your policemen are O. K. with me."
Duncan Schwancke, an accountant from Del Rio, Tex., likes the way our policemen handle auto traffic. "There were no james and traffic flowed smoothly. We like your Michigan boulevard skyline and the long shoreline on the lake."
A. C. Drewry, a trader from Haleyville, Ala., was another who showed his pleasure with Chicago. "No, sir," he said. "We have no trouble to find. We think your city is as much an exhibition as the world's fair. Your lake is great, your skyscrapers are big and impressive and you have plenty of room here."
[End of news article]
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Page compiled: 14 January 2006
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