New-York tribune., 1900-12-24
TOPICS IN CHICAGO.
PRIZEFIGHTING BARRED TWENTY
YEAR STREET RAILWAY FRAN
CFISES RECOMMENDED QUEER
POSTAL. REFORM IN VIEW.

been placed under the ban by the local munlcl-
pal authorities Mayor Harrison last week at
tached his signature to resolution to this ef-
feet adopted by the City Council at its last
meeting. and forthwith issued orders TO the police
that the law regarding glove contests be rigidly
enforced The order not only prohibits boxing
bouts to which an admission fee is charged, but
precludes the possibility of any evasion of the
law by local clubs which are especially Informed
that they may not assess their members TO
cover the expense of such entertainments or 10
make up a purse for the fighters For several
months local opponents of a wide open" policy
have been Mortified by the increasing frequency
OF widely advertised and largely attended prize
fights. and this element is much pleased with
the Mayors new attitude which was announced
soon after they had begun to despair of relief
from that quarter, for Mr.. Harrison was him
self conspicuous IN the audience which witnessed
the Cans -McGovern fight only the week before
IN fact, il is a moot question as TO whether
the charges that the fight was fixed" did not
have much more TO do with the suppression or
boxing than did the local crusade against vice,
the promoters of which. by the way. claim no
small part OF credit for the result
Twenty year franchises with just compensa-
ton 20 the city were recommended by the local
Civic Federation's Committee on Street Rail-
way Franchises last week, in response to re-
quest Tor suggestions maze Dy the lily 1OuilClA
Street Railway Commission. Reference of the
more important measures to the popular vote
was also recommended. The Federation Com
mittee further advocates the enactment of
new Law, which it thinks should provide %
against overcapitalzation by new companies
and further overcapitalizauon by existing ones;
2) adequate inquiry by proper local authority
TO determine whether public convenience de-
mands proposed new lines. and the comforting
of power to compel extensions of existing lines;
CD that all licenses OF existing lines. whether
renewals not, should expire at the same time,
and that all licenses for extensions should ex-
pire at the same time the license granted
for the main line; "a that the city buy the
property or renew the license on its expiration
under proper terms and conditions; % that an
nuaI reports under oath be required of each
company by the local authorities. showing in
detail its business, financial operations and con-
ditions. the books 10 be open TO the authorities
at all times and subject to at least an annual
expert examination; 90 that just compensation
be exacted in one more Of the follow
ing FORMS City paving, repairing cleaning
and lighting. and a percentage Of gross re-
ceipts; C0 that the power of eminent domain
may be invoked by the company to obtain need
ed property. and that the city may acquire the
tangible property of the street railway in the
same manner Such law. they continue. should
be strongly urged in the coming session of the
Legislature, for the time is at hand when
the franchises of many Of the principal sys-
TENS in Chicago will expire.
Chicago prides herself upon the expedition OF
her business methods, and is constantly devising
new means TO hurry things. The latest effort in
this direction has been crystalzed in petition
forwarded by the local postmaster to the au-
thorities at Washington. in which he asks per-
mission 10 sell one cent stamps already can
ceIed, that the delay caused by the can
ceiling process at the postoffice may be avoided.
The scheme contemplates the advance
collation. of the stamps in large quantities. for
sale to firms which send out circulars daily.
Postmaster Gordon mas made a canvass Of
number of downtown firms. and says they are
almost unanimously in favor of the project
When plans under way are completed an
entire subdivision of Chicago, comprising
tract Of 160 acres. Will be heated by a single
steam plant A local realty firm is to erect 176
two story fiat buildings on the property, and
will install st once boilers capable of supplying
5000 feet Of street MAINS and additions will be
made they needed. 1t is estimated that
the cost viii be $40 fiat per annum. The in
noVatiOn by the way. is an innovation only in
so far as Chicago is concerned. for Boise City,
Idaho, has had similar plan in successful
operation for many years. with the difference
that there the entire city gets its heat piped to
il from q nuRe spring OF boiling hot water some
distance beyond the city limits.
If the building record may be taken as an in
oication, Chicago is beginning to recover from
the overbUilding that Immediately preceded the
Worlds Fair in 1893. In that portion of Hyde
Park which is still known the Worlds Fair
district, where IL thought that improved
property would be at discount for at least
decade to come, fats and apartment houses to
the value Of 100000 are now in course of con-
struction The majority of the buildings thrown
Up TO accommodate the hosts of Fair visitors
are the same class of structure. though many
OF them were of an extremely unsubstantial
character and are now mere wrecks that will
soon have TO come down as a matter OF public
safety.
The action OF the State Board of EquaIizers
In making reduction Of ID per cent in the
State assessment outside of Cook County (Chi-
cago) is not the smaller municipalities are be-
ginning TO find. altogether unmixed blessing
Galesburg is the first 10 be heard from in COM
plant. and her authorities declare that as the
reduction 100000 from the citys assess
ment they unable TO raise enough money for
corporate purposes. The laws fix a per cent
levy the limit for corporate purposes so
that her uttemost income for the coming year
is $4,000 which is $4,000 less than last year
Not only they say. will the greatest economy
be necessary in every department but there
VIII be little chance for public improvements
Chcago taxpayers, upon whom was imposed
the burden of the greater portion of the States
taxes.
The local Galveston Relief Association has
finished its labors, and reports having forwarded
a total Of S40.743 20 in cash and clothing to the
value of S44, ,752. The Executive Committee also
reports that IL has been advised of sums having
been sent by private individuals and corpora
tions to the extent Of $4,000 besides the do
nations OF the Catholic churches and many 9TH
ers who do not wish their mentioned.
The committee estimates Chicagos total con-
tributon in cash and its equivalent at fully
100000
The next Legislature will be asked TO grant
large section Of the lake front to local or