The evening times., 1897-12-14
CITrs ClRA|Vlt OF CRIME
Human Life Is Not Safe in
Chicago.
TERRORlZED BY THE CROOKS
Citizens Who Have Been Assaulted
and Robbed Form a Protective As
Outdoors or IndOOrs-Nemhers
Will Carry Firearms.

Chicago, Dec. I4.-Louis II. Milges' ad-
vertisement, calling for a meeting OF West
Side business men to organize against
proval. West Side citizens, who have been
shot. t.slugeed, robbed and terrorized for three
months, believe the organization oil vigi-
lance Committee would 'ffI a long-feit
want
Mans life is safer where the wolf howls
or in the midst Of a mushroom nining town
than on the streets of Chicago.
During the last thirty days twenty one
men have been shot by footpads. Thre.
are dead. In the same time fifty-seven meu
have been robbed at the muzzle ofrevolvers
without offering resistance. Within the last
month, too, there have been no less than
500 burglaries.
Scores vi Uurglaries are reported every
morning. In many of these raids the
occupants OF houses and stores are held
up, plundered and then assaulted.
Two men lay at the point of death last
night as the Jesuit OF desperate fight
Sunday. Detective William Coughlin
is one of the victims. He is In hospital
with u bullet an inch above his heart.
The other man is Frank Ba aseOwski. alias
Garvin. a notorious thief and highway rob-
Der. Heis at the Jail hospital with a bullet
near his heart, and is expected to die.
There is q strong demand over In the
West Side for something that will pro-
tect life and property. Louis II. Milges'
the leader of tile new reform, desires to
work in harmony with the police With
this end I'm view he has decided that mem
bers CT tie organization who like excite
ncnt must not go cunning for footpads.
Eighwayrnen and burglars VIII not be
Iynched on the streets, the policy made
memorable In the Fart by vfe ilantes. A
fund viii be subscribed for the employ
ment of more policemen, and rev ards VIII
be paid for the arrest and failing Of foot
pads anc burglars.
'.Yes, 1 have been besieged by inter
ested citizens" said Leader Milges last
night. "Meh Of all kinds, from the rich
merchant, who feels insecure even behind
the heavy doors Of his elegant home. to the
dweller iE a cottage, between whom and the
burglar only lock OF ordinary construc-
ton, easily picked, interviews, all are
of one raind-that the idea is a good one.
They Insist on an early meeting OF ire
projectors and those interested in their
work. / shall call a meeting as soon as
have been able to secure the cooperation
of our ward aldermen and the assurance
of the police authorities that they will be
in accord with the movement.
1.-THE police are insufficient in numbers
for adequate protection. West Siders know
that the police are trying hard to hold the
thugs in check, but they know also
how futile the official endeavors have
been.
AT the present time 1t is not safe FOL
man to e. half block ON an evening
call, and in the middle of any night
he may be awakened by tue pressure
OF a steel barrel upon his temples and
the harsh command to tell where he
keeps his valuables. Burglaries are be-
coming more common every day, and ii
the victim shows fight the crime gen
orally becomes one of murder a s well as
robbery.
THE Chicago crooks look upon the
taking of human life as ON par with
taking Il g.ass of beer.
There are more than 5000 men Il
Chicago who have been robbed once OIL
twice by footpads," continued Mr.. Milges,
land, S for burslaries, l doubt II there
is a house in this city that has not been
plundered.
II don't say that every person who
becomes a member OF the protective assO-
citation is bound to fight under any and all
conditions. That would be folly, for
when some other fellow gets his gun on the
level first and has you covered there is
Just one thing to do. hand over and be
glad that your life is still your own. I've
been there, and l know the sensations.
But do think that whoever passes through
the hold-up district should carry revolvers
and be ready to use them.
when the robber finds that the issue
is one that concerns his own life he is apt
to mediate upon the risks longer than he
has to at present.
II am in favor OF having an organization
which will not give its time to shooting
thugs, but will raise fund out of which
assistance may be given the police.
would favor q reward, say of $2o to each
policeman WHO makes a capture of hold
up man or burglar, and I would advise
the appropriation of money to prosecute
lawhreakers.'
Mayor Harrison declares what is needed
is more police. when winter approaches
every year," he said last night, ''all the
tramps and thugs in the West flock to this
city. Chica go covers an immense territory,
and our police force is insufficient. This
Citizens Protective Association is a good
thing il it will subscribe money for more
police, and influence aldermen to vote FOR
an increase of police. 1t is not good thing
il it proposes to take the law into its own
hands"
I'VE are going to do the best we can,'
said Chief of Police Kiply. I'VE have not
half the number of men we require. / am
in favor of any citizens organization that
will help to legally suppress crime. 1 am
not in favor OF vigilance committee. If
this citizens organization wishes to en-
gage private policemen or subscribe funds
for regular policemen, it will meet with
favor"