New-York tribune., 1900-04-16
N. As at present CONSTITUTED. the

posed in them. As at present constituted. the
CITY Council has forty-two Republicans. twenty
seven Democrats and one independent.
The plans of Mayor Harrison for the coming
year are multitudnous. The principal subject
IN his message 10 the Council was the treatment
OF the question of the renewal OF the franchises
OF the various street railway companies OF the
city. Despite the fercest corporation fight that
was probably ever made against executive.
Mr. Harrison has managed TO defeat the street
railway people ct every turn in their enGeavors
during the last three years to get their expiring
franchises extended 1t is seen that he proposes
TO keep this battle UP. and the Council is COM
mitted to support him till the companies agree
TO what is considered just compensation in re-
turn for the privileges they ask In addition tn
this, the public Is making many demands of
the companies but they minor to the main
contention OF compensation.
The Mayor demands that the compensation,
when 1t shall be agreed 20. shall be based ON
gross receipts instead or gross earnings his
principal suggestion. however, regarding a
settlement OF the controversy is that such or
dinance as he or his advisers and the companies
can agree to shall be submitted the people
for ratification by direct vote. II is pointed out,
however, since the Mayor made his suggestion.
that there is provision in the city charter
that will permit this. Such an amendment could
probably be secured through the next Legis-
lature. however. The further suggestion OF the
Mayor. for municipal ownership at the expira-
ton Of the next grant, met with a like crit
iCism. but that too. could probably be remedied
by the State Solons at Springfield. Universal
transfers reduction OF fares and other reform
ideas constitute the balance Of the Mayors pro-
gramme-
L
Another serious consideration that the Mayor
treats cornprehensivey is the increase in the
area and population of Chicago and the gradual
decrease in tie revenues. In this regard he
points out that in the last quarter century
Chicago has Increased five and one-half times
in size and that the revenue has only increased
two and one-half times. AS economy, he is
in favor Of consolidating the numerous govern
ing bodies IN the various towns that constitute
the city. making compact city government for
the whole of Cook County. Then he wants to
get the drainage canal under the city govern
ment and have the city appoint commission
TO boom and further the project of ship canal
He wants Chicago TO emerge from its rustic
ways financially and borrow S15,oO0.OO0 for per
manent improvements.
Mr. Harrison has the support of the better
element OF Chicago irrespective of party, and
the people repose great confidence in his plans
Personally he is welded TO the place OF MS
nativity where his father. the assassinated
Mayor was regarded the father of the whole
city tnat it is believed he viii stife the plans
o. the Democratic machine politicians 10 run
him for Governor next fall, and that ne VIII
continue his fight in the interest OF chicago:
At one time il was thought the people would
go on re-electing him Mayor as long as ne
would accept the nomination. This was under
the non-partisan regime, however, and whether
the outbreak of the new Council will be carried
far enough TO place Republican in the CITY
Hall next spring remains TO be seen