New-York tribune., 1901-08-26
TOPICS IN CHICAGO.
A MUNICIPALITY HAMPERED FOR LACK
OF FUNDS-PUBLIC FAIRGROUNDS
A POLICE SCANDAL.


A POLICE SCANDAL.
Chicago, Aug. % (Specia).-In its municipal
government Chicago presents some anomalous
conditions In the administration Of civic af-
fairs by Mayor Harrison, his cabinet and the
city Council the hands of the city are tied by
the constitutional limitation of bonded Indebted
ness ridiculously low compared with New
Yorb's bonded debt. and by recent act of the
Illinois Legislature which restricts the total tax
alton in Cook County for all purposes TO per
cent Of the assessed valuation of personal ana
real estate. This Limitation has forced the as
sessng bodies 10 desperate expedients In order
90 raise the total valuation Of county property TO
S400,0O0.000. Retired merchants and capitalists
have claimed a residence in New-York and other
places in order TO escape taxation on their per
sonal property. They have been branded as tax
dodgers and ingrates toward the city in which
they have accumulated their wealth
Chicago is burdened by multitude Of taxing
bodies. which make it possible for plenitude Of
funds 10 be raised for purposes which are com
paratively unnecessary while the City Han gov
ernment is compelled TO close bridges over the
Chicago River, to stop the cleaning and repair
ing Of the streets except in the downtown dis
trct; TO curtai the regular collection of garbage
and to postpone public works designed to purify
the water supply. Sanitary experts and Health
cent increase in the mortality from typhoid fever
IS traoeable to the impure supply and ne
'glect 10 clean the streets and remove garbage.
: w. d. Kerfoot. who resigned his position OF City
Controller under the last Harrison administra-
ton in disgust at the financial condition Of af-
fairs. declared the other day that the city was
run on whisky and water. BY this he meant that
the revenue from water and saloon licenses alone
made it possible for Chicago TO keep from bank
-l,a hos mill nfd
lars that it cannot pay in current bills and for
damages awarded in court for injuries received
on city property, such as defective sidewalks.
All the satisfaction which creditors get is in the
form of judgments on which interest is paid
With the city in this desperate plight, the
three mark boards received authority from the
last legislature TO issue S3,0000o0 in bonds for
the purpose Of extending the park system OF
this issue S2,500.O00 will be spent to establish
small parks in the districts Of congested popu-
lation which are remote from the large parks
The Increased tax made necessary by this bond
issue is levied through the town and park bodies
independently OF the city government
The city Council last year also started out TO
emulate New-York, Boston and Philadelphia by
appropriating money to establish municipal
Fairgrounds. One Of these Fairgrounds was
opened recently in the ''tenderloin" district of
ine. games. athletic exhibitions races for prizes
and other attractions. The ground was filled
with merry, noisy crowd of juveniles, appar-
entity absorbed in the novel delights Of the play
ground. The director Of the ground was happy,
but his feelings We're ruff1ed when he missed the
nozzle from the sprinkling hose While he turned
his back one of the young benehciaries had un-
screwed the brass attachment to get few cents
on IT, On the next inventory the director dis
covered that the cup used for drinking water
had been detached from its chain and another
piece of brass had been misapproprlated. Inc
commission had planned for a crowd of juveniles
who would observe the posted rules. but they
were mistaken One gate had been provided so
that closer watch could be kept on the crowd
coming and going. AT the first opportunity an
exrrs gate more Convenient of access was made
by the boys through hole cut through the wire
fence, and another dream was shattered An as
sistant director was called into service, and two
police officers are needed TO prevent the play
ground being overrun by hoodlums.
The local political atmosphere, especially that
in which the Democrats live, is being stirred by
disclosures made regarding the conduct Of the
city detective bureau through the activity OF the
new chief of police, Francis ONeill- The charges,
so far made, indicate condition Of affairs
similar to the New-York police scandal The
Civil Service Commission viii sit in judgment on
the accused. and before the investigation is at
an END wholesale corruption ana dishonesty
throughout the police department is'expected 10
stand revealed While the original charges af-
fected only two detective sergeants and lieu
tenant of detectives for completely in a false
expense account for trips after fugitves the
scandal is expected to involve not only Captain
Luke Colleran, the chief Of detectives, but other
commanding officers and policemen generally.
They are accused informally of standing in"
with criminals, Of levying tribute for protection.
of allowing offenders to get away, and other ir-
Irregularities. There is strong Democratic fac
ton which has seized on this opportunity TO
undermine the power OF Robert E Burke, the
Croker Of Chicago. Captain Colleran being one
of Burke's pets and his candidate for chief OF
police. The former chief of police Joseph Kip
icy, was ousted from his place mainly through
the Burke influence, 20 ma ke room for Colleran,
and Kipley and his friends now supposed TO
be telling tales out OF school Chief O'Nell is an
honest policeman and has nothing to fear Poll
ticians predict that Colleran's disgrace means
the downfall Of Burke as the one-nlan power in
local Democratic politics.
LfLeT nlT NTaNl QN RLNALNG ROARD