New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-07-30
DUNE HASNOT RECANTED
Chicago Mayor ReiterateS Faith an
Municipal Ownership.

Boston, July 29.-SeveraI thousand persons this
afternoon heard Mayor E. F. Dunno. of Chicago.
deliver an address on Municipal Ownership -
before the Tammany Club, a local Democratic
organization. Mayor Dunno dwelt particularly
on the Chicago campaign. and said that the
movement was not only strong in Chicago, but
was advancing everywhere. He reviewed the
municipal ownership movement. citing statistics
10 support his statements. He said
can confidently assert that it is almost in
yariably the rule that where utilities fur
ntshed by private companies they cost from %
TO 100 per cent more than where the same utili-
ties are furnished by the public companies
The speaker also vigorously defended himself
against statements which had been published
that he had recanted his faith in municipal
ownership, saying:
I am glad to state 10 you that the cause of
municipal ownership is as ardently espoused by
to-day S ii has been for several years past,
and that 1 am as confident Of its ultimate con-
summation as 1 have ever been at any time In
my life.
Mayor Dunno then reviewed his recommended
tons TO the Chicago City Council, and said:
Since have been indicted into office we have,
by the vigorous action of our law department,
succeeded in dtssolving an injunction which pre-
vented our taking possession Of any portion OF
the lines Of the present traction company whose
franchises have expired. We have instituted
quo warranto proceedings in the name of the
people under which the traction companies Will
be compelled to disclose all their rights, and
which in my Judgment. will be passed upon ad-
Versely 10 most Of their rights in the supreme
Court % the State within the next SIX months.
The transportation committee Of the city COun-
ell has called upon the present roads to name a
price for their property and they have refused 10
come down 10 definite figures and are pro-
ceeding vigorously TO map out a municipal hne
running through the heart Of Chicago, when, II
built, viii not only furnish adequate transportd-
ton for one-third to One-half Of the people or
the city within the next two years. but Wlll' IN
my opinion prove so remuneratiye as TO pay Tor
its construction inside of ten years
The cause OF municipal ownership IN chicago
instead Of tagging or dropping by the wayside.
is being furthered vigorously and steadfastly.
The demand of the people is being responded 70.
The fight between vested interests ana the peo-
pie is well under way, and. backed as we are
by public sentiment and the righteousness Oh
our cause, I have no fears for the ultimate re-
suit That We will have litigation and every
other sort OF obstacles thrown in our way by
the private companies and the capitalistic syn
dicates Of New-Yor and Chicago is TO be eX-
pected. But the wave Of public sentiment in
favor of the ownership OF these utilities is
sweeping headlOng over the land. Its first mani
tested itself In the great city by the inland seas
But IT Is sweeping steadily and lrreslsubly over
the whole country.
Chicago IS in earnest. and when she says, Il
will" to-day. she viii say L have done" to-
morrow That tomorrow in my opinion, will
be but few months away. Il may be longer,
but the resistless loFce or pubnc sentiment can
not be WithstOod.
| confidently predict. from what know or the
people OF Chicago that within very short time
il will have the proud distinction Of being the
first city IN the United States TO be in actual
ownership of its own municipal streetcar syS-
tenn and when once that great city has proved
that municipalization of streetcar plants is an
assured success il viii mean that hundreds of
and accomplish an economic revolution TO the
great advantage Of the citizens Of this country.