New-York tribune., 1901-02-25
TOPICS IN CHICAGO.
"a MEASURE TO BENEFIT QUACKs-THE
CITY's DEBT LIMIT PASsED-A
WIDE OPEN TOWN.

titioners and diploma mills is not likely TO be
rendered less unsavory by the passage of an
amendment introduced in the Legislature this
week by Senator Stubbleheld. BY the wording
of the bill which has called forth the angry
protests Of physicians in all parts Of the State
Senator stubbleield. the physicians say. is evil
IDENTIFY desirous OF posing as the champion of
the masseurs. faith heslers and quacks; for if
the bill should be passed it would exempt those
classes from the provisions. penalties and re-
strictions OF the Medical Practice act. BY its
opponents the bill is characterized a thinly
Neiled attempt TO place the charlatan. the quack
and the medical fraud upon the same plane as
the reput able physician. IL is further urged
that by exempting these classes from penalties
and restrictions a legal status is given them, so
that they will be in position TO exact fees for
their services and legally bring suit for
the same The physicians agree that the bill,
il passed. viii throw open the doors for all
frauds operate under tie guise Of masseurs,
and that it VIII provide an additional loophoe
for the diploma mills 10 flourish. The Chicago
Medical Society and the Illinois State Medical
Society have taken up arms TO fight against the
hill and il is confidently believed by its Op-
ponents that the measure will be defeated.
The Illinois House Of Representatives has
placed itself upon record as indorsing the cleo
the people resolution asking Congress TO
permit this change was offered by Representa-
tive Curtis and received the unanimous support
of the House. although Speaker Sherman pointed
out the members Of that body that they were
asking for a material curtailing Of their priv
ieges as Representatives Mr.. Curtis produced
nerriment hy his reply: That is the great
trouble. II is too valuable franchise in the
hands OF most Of the members. A bill intro
duced by Senator Hail. of Chicago Thurs
DAY calls for the licensing Of all stenographers
engaged In court reporting, and provides for
the appointment of an examining board TO pass
upon the qualifications Of applicants. The
license is perpetual, and may only be revoked
in the manner in which attorneys disbarred
by the Supreme Court The measure is gem
orally approved by judges and members Of the
har
IL may he Of interest TO the money lenders 10
know that Chicago must stop borrowing money.
A decision Of the Supreme Court handed down
last Friday denies TO the City Council the right
TO add 10 the present debt. which has already
passed the limit Of s5000000. This leaves the
city without resource acquire funds for the
development Of the drainage canal power to
build bridges. and prohibits il from issuing
bonds for any permanent Improvement. The
decision effectually blocks the subway plan now
being considered by the Street Railway Com
mission, and, I'm fact, every important cOntem-
plated Improvement looking to the future de-
veopment of the city. Those familiar with the
situation say that the only hope for the city
now is the acquiring of a charter. Chi
cago's present bonded debt is approximately
$ls000000
The City Council has at last awakened 20 the
fact that Chicago is dirty city. and has de-
eided not TO wait until April to begin its spring
house cleaning At its last meeting it passed
ordinance which will. If enforced lead to a
clean Chicago" The new law deals with such
matters as the disposition of garbage, prohibits
the throwing of waste paper into the streets
and seeks to curb the very general practice of
storekeepers Of sweeping dirt and waste from
= their establishments in.o the streets The post
\ ing or pasting of signs on property without the
n owners consent also is made illegal and in
other ways the Council by its latest act en-
deavors to put a stop 10 practices which have
made Chicago a byword for its uncleanliness
In the death Of Policeman Stephen p Rowan
better known big Steve" the Chicago
police force has lost its most picturesque char
acteT. Rowan, who one OF The largest men
on the force, after a police career Of twenty
eight years. had but one arrest TO his credit
IL is said that when he appeared in court to
state the case against his prisoner he was 50
embarrassed by the unusual surroundings of the
justices court that he forgot why he had made
the arrest. For twenty years Rowan had been
stationed in the district about the City Hail.
and after the election Of Mayor Harrison he
was detailed in the Mayors office where he ac-
auired fame for the persuasive methods which
ne employed in protecting the occupant of the
Mayors Office from unwelcome or overzealous
visitors.
AhiCaR0 IN he Had
wide open town from a gambling stand
point than al present. Poolrooms are running
IN every section Of the city, and books are
being MADE on the races without any pretence
OF keeping under cover. Chief Ripley is ap-
psrentH making no efforts 10 stop the gambling
snd ihe men who run the books openly brag
that they have things fixed" at the CITY Hall
Politicians. many Of whom close to the pres
"nt administration, seem to be enjoying the
grestest privileges We have the tip from the
City Hail." said one OF the bookmakers. TO
keep someUh hat quiet until March l. After that
II is 20 be 'hurrah boys and everything is TO
po until the Mayoralty election at least" Poker
games fourishing within two hundred feet
of the offices Of Chief Ripley and Mayor Harri-
son. notwithstanding the protests of those Off
Gals that they are not aware that gambling is
going on in the city.
Patrol wagons are the latest aid 20 social
prestige IN Chicago. Inspector Max Heidelmeier
of The Chicago-ave police station, is responsible
Tor the introduction OF the fad which calls for
the use or patrol wagons conVeyances for
police inspectors and their families to and from
social functions. The exalted position of the
Heldelmeier family in North Side society is said
70 be largely due 10 the patrol wagon privileges
enjoyed by that family at hours when owl cars
end cabs are the only means of conveyance
offered to less fortunate devotees of society in
the inspectors district. II has been suggested
that the City Council provide the inspector with
a liveried coachman and coat of arms for the
Heidelmeier family carriage.
The election OF Vice-President Harris IN s,o-
oeed President Perkins. OF the Burlington, is
SAID 70 have had something TO do with the an