The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-17
SAYS BOODLERS
HERE ARE CRUDE,
Lincoln Steffens Declares Other
Cities Are More Corrupt
Than st. Louis.
WRITER DIMES WITH Mr.. FOLK.
"If Missouri Once Starts She Will
Clean Out Corruptionists,"
Magazine Correspondent
Remarks.

philadelphia and Pittsburg are far ahead
of st. Louis in the matter of municipal cor
rrptton. 1t is better managed there than
in st. Louis. 1t is more important. more
profitable. and more significant. 1t is han
died more like q business. The corruption
lists get more and they give more
This statement was made to a represent
tative Of The Republic last night by Lin
coin Stefens of New York. who has writ
ten a series of articles for McClure's mag
azine about the corruption of American cit
les. His article this city was entitled.
The Shamelessness OF ST. Louis" but since
that was published, Mr.. Steffens has pub
lished two more. entitled, "Pittsburg, a
City Corrupted and philadelphia. Cor
rupt and Contented.'
Mr.. Steffens came to st. Louis yesterday
to keep in touch with the Doodle situation
Circuit Attorney Folk dined with him at
the West End Hotel last evening. Mr.
steffens left the city last night. but before
he departed he said that he intended to
watch Missouri. to see II it freed itself
from boodlers.
Mr.. steffens. when approached. objected
to being interviewed. pleading editorial i'm
munity." 1t was in reply to direct ques-
ton as to the methods of the Pennsylvania
boodlers compared with those of St. Louis
that Mr. Steffens maoe the statement al
ready quoted.
COMPARES CITIES.
IF the corruptionists of Philadelphia are
laying boulevard" continued Mr.. s,ef-
fens, they lay good one. though they
may charge a great deal for It. Here. they
may steal the boulevard before they get it
down"
How do the people of Philadelphia look
at the Doodle situation. compared with the
people of St. Louis whom you characterized
Shameless - was asked.
Just as 1 said in my last article. St.
Louis is shameless. but Philadelphia is
corrupt and proud of it
How do the Pennsylvania bosses CON-
pare with those of Missouri
THE bosses in Pennsylvania seem to me
to be more sagacous politicians than are
those of this State. For instance, none Of
the ADLER bosses there that 1 know would
have failed to be in the lead of such a
popular movement seems to be making
here now for Mr.. Folk
AT this point, Mr.. Steffens turned inter-
viewer. and asked several questions about
popular government and the Missouri Su-
preme Court.
Assuming that the people really want to
settle this Doodle business now, once and
for ALL he said. will they be able to do
so? VIII they have much to say about
the matter? Do they rule in this State?
Tell me about your Supreme Court Is
It highly respected here? Are the Judges
regarded as able? And sagacious too? Then
why don't they express in the terms q
common sense their Interpretation Of the
law? Don't they care whether the people
understand them?
DO you think the people of Missouri will
clean out the boodlers?" Mr.. Steffens in
turn was asked:
II get the impression here" was the reply,
that II ever Missouri gets a chance and a
fair start. she won't stop until she has done
the Job thoroughly. Thus far the people
have not had chance at an election to
express themselves on the Doodle issue.
THE eyes Of the entire country are on
Missouri. When 1 go to other States 1
find that the people are talking of Mr..
Folk for President. Here, however. it
seems doubtful If he can be Governor"