East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1905-04-03
Dunne Represents RadicaIs.

Dunno Represents Radicals
While immediate municipal owner
ship appears to be fundamentally and
physically impossible, yet the demo-
cratic platform declares tentatively
for such immediate ownership, al
though really founded on the princi-
pie of steps to obtain municipal own
ership as soon as possible. The re-
publican platform, on the other hand
seeks to convey the idea of ultimate
municipal ownership If the people
want it; to let that be settled by the
referendum vote of the people.
! 1t is presumable that Mr.. Harlan.
the republican candidate, believes in
settling the traction question as soon
as possible. That means a new fran
| chise. For the Eastern capitalists
who have invested large sums in the
securities of these companies are out
for a franchise, and nothing short of
franchise. II is presumable, there
fore, that Mr.. Harlan will favor the
submitting of an ordinance to the
people at as early a date as posi-
BILE for their approval or condemna-
|
If the people approve he will aid
such an ordinance to its passage. and
| II will become a law. If the people
vote such an ordinance down, he will
assist in having another ordinance
drafted, aiming to meet the objections
of the people. and persist in this until
the people and the companies agree
on a measure. The question of the
provisions of such an ordinance would
be in the hands of, first. the people,
through meetings in the various
wards, and. second. the aldermen. d.
rected by the people to see that their
wishes are followed.
Harlan Represents Conservatives.
Mr.. Harlan appeals to the conserv-
Iative voters, the quiet people who de-
sire TO avoid trouble, and who believe
the question should be settled outside
the courts of law. He has pursued a
vigorous campaign stumping the city
thoroughly. He is not considered es-
pecially strong with his own party,
however. as is shown by the fact that
the betting odds are against. This is
regarded chiefly due to the fact that
he bolted the republican convention
eight years ago and ran independent,
splitting his party vote badly.
Judge Dunno and his hackers rep
resent the uncompromising end of the
municipal ownership question. They
point to the wretched service. the an
tiquated cars the vast amount of wa
tered stock on which the people are
paying interest. the overcrowding of
the cars, and the antagonism of the
company to the public. Judge Dunno
believes in strenuous measures. He
believes in municipal ownership-and
ny that is meant immediate steps In
vigorous manner to obtain immedi-
ate ownership. He separates owner
ship from operation. however, and
says that is the question to be de-
termined by the referendum. He
proposes to accomplish immediate
ownership either by buying the unex-
pired franchises and rolling stock out
right, with the consent of the COM
! panies, or on condemnation proceed
ings.
The vote tomorrow is expected tc
be the largest on record. The voters
. feel that, though the present may
come to nothing no matter who is
} elected, there is at least a chance
/. and q chance that never before hai
J been offered them, to settle once ant
; for all the question OF municipal own
. ership of the street railways