New-York tribune., 1899-04-11
FOR A GREATER CHICAGO.
FATE OF PLANS TO INCLUDE COOh
CO1-vTy SOON TO BE DECIDED.
tpr TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE ]

Chicago. April 1o-Withn few days the fate OF
the greater Chicago project Will he decideh II us us
friends are successful city of 2lVooo people'"il
he created with $40 square miles Of territory with
in ,ts limits The whole Of Cook County VIII ne
obsorhed bv Chicago, and seven township organiza-
,ions within the present city limits ana twenty
seven in the county outside will be abolished.
sixteen distinct bodies. whose courts arc con-
slant source Of scandal and corruption' VIII give
way 10 a smaller number of district judges. SIX
,oon distinct bodies which now have the right to
lavv taxes in Chicago and TO spend the money VIII
surrender their power to one central authority AS
a result II is estimated that at least SJooO year
would be saved in salaries alone.
Four successive steps are necessary before the
Greater Chicago can become a fact:
First-The State Legislature must pass resoln, IN
Gonsttmtion OF the stale which will permit the pro-
posed changes 10 be made. , .,., -, .
Second-This amendment must be carried ny
ma,9ry % vote Of snG PgSPs p s m appoint
mission to prepare measure covering the detaiis
Of ihe consolidation. , . a,o.,.,. -,
Fourth-Ths measure must receive majority OF
tho votes not only of the citizens Of Chicago but
of those towns which 1t is proposed to annex
MOORE FAvORING TIE PLAN.
The first move in the great plan Of consolidation
has been mad A resolution has been already re-
ported unanimously for passage In the Lower
House Of the State Legislature. 1t comes up for
| passage on Tuesday. April H. Its fate depends on
| the attitude Of the country members They are
willing TO do what Chicago wants. but fear the op-
position OF the towns in Cook County outside OF
Chicago This opposition has come from rural
| citizens who dc wish to be taxed to support
waterworks and high schools in Chicago. when
! they already have school systems and waterworks
OF their own Politicians. too, who hold office un-
der the township organizations are naturally re-
iuctant to let go. and they have sweed the chorus
OF remonstrance. In Evanston. the largest OF the
outside towns, where for nifty years there have
been no saloons inside the corporate limits there
has been a great fear OF the communicating in
fuence OF contact with the metropolis.
sELF-GOvERNMENT NOT DISTURBED
II is believed that all these objections have been
answered. A delegation Of prominent Chicago men,
headed by Josiah L. Lombard. president OF the
| Civic Federation spent several days in Springfield
| and assisted the House committee in preparing a
resolution which would cover the wishes Of the
| country towns well the needs OF Chicago.
The resolution provides for subordinate local gov
ernment by districts, and tor LOCAL control OF
lighting, Improvement OF streets sidewalks parks
sewers and waierTorks n The annexed territory
OF the greater Chicago shall have power 10
grant licenses for the sale OF liquors in the terri
the consolidation is effected
deessCn almost eys club and
/ the State capital on Monday night 10 urge the
! hoped that some citizens OF Evanston and the
other outside towns as weii as members OF the
ers. Will accompany the party.
II the resolution is successful In the House on
Tuesday, IL will come before tho Senate for hnnl
| passage on Wednesday. The constitutional amend
mcnt will then be voted upon In November OF this
year.
The amendment is so worded that II the outside
towns refuse TO consolidate with Chicago, the seven
] township organizations within the present city
limits can be abolished. and considerable saving
| made In that way
The last school census showed that the presen,
city of Chicago has population OF is50G1O Within
the city limits are lsI square miles Of territory
! II is estimated that 10000 people live in cook
County, outside Of Chicago, while the area OF terri
! tory II is proposed to annex is 70 square miles.
In 1881 when Chicago was incorporated ns city,
It had 400 population and included an area OF 81
square miles.