, 1905-04-03
A LIVELY FIGHT
IS ON IN CHICAGO
THE MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP THE
PRINCIPAL ISSUE IN CAM
PAIGN FOR MAYOR.
Republican Party Supporting John NJ.
Harlan and Democrats Have Judge
Dunno for candidate-Republican
Party Position Better for the PEG.
Pile Of the City.


Chicago, ILL.,, April popular inter
est in Chicago is just now centered in
the mayorality election. The repub
lican candidate is Hon. John NJ. Har
Ian. a son of Justice Harlan of the
United States supreme court. The
democratic candidate is Judge Dunno
The fight is attracting much attention
outside the city, and in Chicago itself
the excitement is reaching quite a high
pitch. The issue is practically the
question of the municipal ownership
of the street railroad system of the
city. Along with this issue the repub-
lican party insists on street improve,
ments, a non-partisan board of educa.
ton, a practical system of civil service,
and the municipal ownership of the
street railways. The democratic par,
ty insists on regarding street improve
ments, civil service and the elimina,
ton of politics from the city school
system as side issues. All their stress
was, and is laid on this one point.
AS both parties are in favor of mum,
cipal ownership, the issue is practical
ly laid on the method of ownership.
The democratic party has insisted on
immediate ownership regardless of any
body's consent at a price fixed already
at $1O0, 000, 900, regardless of the, val,
ue of the Junk rails and "sea-going
cars" 1t seemed plausible, indepen-
dent and catchy at first blush. But the
republican position and referendum
that is, of submitting this proposed
public measure Of the purchase of the
street railways by the city after the
law has passed the city council to the
people themselves for ratification or
rejection, is having a telling effect.
AT the opening Of the campaign it
looked like a walk-away for Judge
Dunno in this democratic city. But as
the difference between municipal own
ership. INT municipal operation of the
lines OF street railway is made clear
ed in the discussions in the campaign
it is seen by the people, when the
question of securities, of the radical
change in the wage system involved
the application of civil service to this
system, and the question of receipts
are raised that the republican posi-
ton is better for the people and more
in harmony with public interests. The
effect is p%receptible in a steady change
of sentiment to the more ratiOna
course proposed by the republican par
ty. 1t is becoming quite plain that
Mr.. Harlan has a fighting chance; and
more, that, Notwithstanding the un'
scrupulous methods of the Hearst
newspapers, which are lending all their
aid to Judge DUNES election, Mr.. Har'
Ian is in all probability going to be
Chicago's next mayor.
AS a political fight the contest is
beautiful. The issue is square. and
Harlan is hitting square from the
shoulders. l listened to his speech in
IMcVicker's theater last week. He
makes a deep impression for energy
and Of honesty o. purpose. He had a
clean record, and has been for about
eight years interested in the agitation
for municipal ownership. He is sur
rounded by an able lot Of men. In
deed the difference in the personnel OF
the candidates on the two tickets be,
low the heads is very striking, and a
subject of comment in commercial and
financial circles, n among the bet,
ter class of citizens interested in the
higher life in Chicago. These politi,
cal issues joined in the great western
metropolis and the second city in the
union will be settled on April 4.
One thing Is certain. Chicago needs
a change for the better in its munich
pal government. After you have rid
den over Ave hundred miles in the ele'
CANT trains operated on the Chicago
Union Pacifc-Northwestern line, where
there is comfort and satisfaction, a
traveller is impressed most u%nfavorably
with the streets Of this metropolis
The dirt and filth in them. sifted all
over your clothes by the slightest wind,
is neither pleasant nor hyginic. 1t
is in striking contrast with the luxury
of railway travel and impresses one
that the condition of Chicago streets
are not a side issue as is claimed by
the present democratic campaign.
However, the election may result in
Chicago April 4. sensible, thinking PEG
pie cannot help admiring the agrees
sive, manly fight Hon. John M. Har-
Ian and the republican party are max
ing in Americas second largest city for
good laws and honest government In
the interests of the people.
L. M. K.