Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-26

what think of them. No. concluded the
mayor, what we need is more considera-
ton on both sides. We want more broth
erly love. We want the Golden Rule
But, Mr.. Mayor, is the situation not
growing better?'
II think it is,' was the reply. 1.-The older
unions are becoming more conservative and
the employers are beginning to see that
the demands of the ,workingrnen after all
are only business propositions, based on the
sale of their commodities, that is. the muscle
and skill which they have to put into the
product; and that the matter should be
treated as business one.
How Long Men Work in Chicago.
You spoke of the unions shortening
hours, Mr.. Harrison What is the common
working day in Chicago?"
ut is the eight hour day." was the reply.
But can big city like this be run on an
eight hour basis?'
I'VE are running it So All government
jobs are given out on that basis
II see it stated that your labor troubles
are driving capital out of Chicago?"
II don't believe it." replied the mayor.
'At any rate the city is growing rapidly.
Our factories are increasing in size and
many new ones are going up. We are in a
healthy financial condition and our BUSH
ness is growing every year..
What is your populat ton now?" l asked.
1.-The federal census gives less, but the
postal census and the directory census
give us more. We have also an estimate
based on the number of school children
which makes our population considerably
in excess of 2.OO0O0O. The federal census
is paid for by the number of names and in
population containing as many foreigners
as Chicago. the enumerators have probably
skipped some because they would not take
the trouble to verify their statements"
Not So Wicked After All.
here asked Mayor Harrison several
questions as to order in Chicago with
view to learning something of the wicked
ness of the city. He said:
IT do not think Chicago is any worse
than any other city of the United States.
It Is a good fair average, and its people
will grade up with those of any other
locality. One reason for the bad repu-
tation which the city has In some quar-
tiers comes from their non-appreciation of
our bigness. We have now over two mil
lion people. If city of two hundred thou
sand has two assaults in a given time it at
tracts no attention, but If Chicago, which
has two millions, has twenty assaults they
hold up their hands in horror. not rejecting
that this number is only proportionately
the same as that of the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
sand town.
"As to safety, have been in Chicago
about forty-two years, and have been trav-
the day and night. I never carry a gun
and have never thought that needed one.
A mans property, life and person are
safe here as in any part of the United
States"
A Vast Floating Population
''There is one thing" continued the mayor,
"that might make Chicago more lively than
other cities. This is its vast floating popu-
lation. We are so situated that we have
tens of thousands of men for the win
ter. We are right on the lake, and large
part of the vast army of lake workers come
here at the close of navigation to spend
what they have earned during the rest of
the year. We have thousands of railroad
workers, including Italians. Greeks and
others who labor in the spring. summer
and fall on the various trunk lines. going
as far west as the Rockies, and we have
the men who work on the farms in the
summer The result is that we have many
men who are half idle during the winter.
and such men are always hard to control.
'tWhat do you think, Mr.. Mayor" said !,
"a bout the city ownership of great public
utilities, such as the street cars and light
rlants?"
think that all such matters should be
very carefully studied, end that nothing
should be done until the city shows that it
has the capacity to mar ge them. l think
the day will come when Chicago will own
clause in all our new charters giving the
city the option of taking over the plant
after a certain number of years
The Presidency.
IT should like to ask word about poll
tics, Mr.. Harrison" said l. DO you think
the democratic party has fighting chance
for success in the coming presidential cleo
tion?'
81 most certainly do. The republicans
have by no means sure thing, and 1 be-
lieve that they are losing ground today in
the state-of Illinois"
Who will be the candida tes?"
1T Is a foregone conclusion that Rooss-