The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-10
CAMERAS
THE III. LIEBER COMPANY.
"a West washfngfon Street
HOTEL LOBBY GLEANINGS
W. ID. KERFOoT, OF CHICAGO, TALKS
ABOUT CARTER HARRISON.
ne VIII BE a Big Factor I'm National
Politics, Kerfoot Predicts-Vis-
itors ut the Hotels.

I'd. Kerfoot. ex-city controller of Chi
ergo who Is at the Denison, does not agree
With the newspaper stories sent out from
Chicago to the effect that Barrett, the
democratic candidate for sherih OF COOK
xsmnty, received a total OF 10000 votes more
sfan the total number of official Demo
cratic ballots printed.
:saTnat story originated with some re-
porter or paragrapher who had more love
far the humorous than reverence for the
ruth" said Mr.. Kerfoot last night. The
nan who started that doubtless wanted 10
snow that Chicago Democracy can give
Tammany a few pointers on getting out
fie vote. AS matter of fact, Barrett did
lead the rest OF the Democratic ticket some
1900 votes, and he was the only Democrat
elected, but there were legitimate causes
1or this. In the first place, Barrett Is
3oung man. a member of the Board OF
Trade, a good fellow with every one and
extremely popular. He had lots OF young
Republicans, fellow-members OF the board,
working harder for him than they would
work for a man of their own party. In the
second place, Healy, the Republican can
fidate, had young Harlan making speeches.
for him. Harlan is a bitter, vituperative
Fpeaker and re assailed Barrett In man.
Ter that reacted against Healy. He called
barrett a gambler because he is member
re the Board of Trade. and this hurt Healy
syith many business men.
"I really think that Harlan's speeches.
Gid more good for Barrett than any other
ene thing. Incidentally. Barretts election
cooked Harrison's political goose. Harlan
has for several years been ambitious to
f,ecorae mayor of Chicago He is a bril-
fa1rr< In nv
Gus friends. He was member or the City
Council for two three terms and his rec
ord is clear, so far personal and official
Integrity are concerned. / think he stood
an excellent chance OF securing the RepuD-
clean nomination for mayor, but since his
disastrous effect on Healys campaign Tor
aherifr i doubt If he can realize his ambi-
zion. Lorimer, the Republican boss, was
Fearful of the effect of Harlans speeches,
and he would not permit Harlan TO go into
his congressional district.
.Harlan. by the way. is a son of Justice
HARLAN. of the United States Supreme
Court He has been practicing law in CHI
cago for several years and mas been taking
an aggressive part In politics.
FRIEND OF HARRISON.
sTo come back to Barrett's remarkable
plurality. I think that considerable of II
may be accounted for by election boards in
some of the precincts Of the city which
made numerous mistakes in computing the
total vote and were always sure TO err In
favor OF the Democratic candidate. who
stood the best chance of being elected. You
see, am not much of a partisan, added
Mr.. Kerfoot. with a laugh. Neither am
much of a politician. If 1 were 1 might
still be city controller. That is really not
true; however, L think i could have held
the once another term If / had so desired
but found that the work and responsible
ties were out of all proportion TO the re.
Enumeration and / retired voluntarily.
which ended
ago last spring.
Mr. Kerfoot is close friend and ardent
sadmirer of Carter Harrison, the present
Democratic mayor of Chicago. He live:
near the mayors home. When asked whai
he thought of Harrison's declaration thai
he was not a candidate for denomination
Mr.. Kerfoot smiled and replied:
Perhaps he Is not candidate at this
time. but he will be before the convention
Is called. Mr.. Harrison is in politics anC
expects to stay there. Under the circum
stances he must keep his present position
step TO one higher, or drop out altogether
think that he will in time drift into ma
tional politics. and when he does you wan
TO keep your eye on him. He is natura
politician. having inherited many of thu
qualities OF his father. and he Is mar
OF more native ability than most peopl,
give him credit for. He has demonstrated
time and again that he knows the gam,
of politics. and 1 should not be surprised
at anything which he may accomplish.
He Is a great man with the masses. III,
has fought and won the fight compelling
) the street-car companies TO issue transfers
and while IL is true that Republican coun
cllmen started the fight, Harrison's admin
1ofration carried IL out, and he gets all tn,
/ credit for IL. He has refused to renew tn
I franchises OF the street-car companies ex
copt on basis such that the city will ge
|, full value for the privileges il grants. H
has even taken the position that he will
grant no more franchises until the Stat
Legislature enacts a law making IL pos
/; eible for the city 10 own and operate IL
own public utilities. This attitude of Har
rfson's has made him solid with the peO
pie"
Tn other words. he is a sort of Tom L
Johnson"
well. yes" replied Mr.. Kerfoot. "he is
but he has none of the claptrap method
and bufsoonery OF Johnson"