New-York tribune., 1905-04-10
MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP IN CHICAGO.
CITY NOW THOROUGHLY COMMITTED TO IT-MAYOH
ELECT Oils Nv GLASGOW EXPERT.

latSApaA ownership or street railways. Ever since
the passage of the Mueller Law by the Illinois Leg
islature, two years ago. making municipal owner
sap OF public utilities possible. the advocates OF
mat new governmental doctrine In this country
control by the representatives Of the people. have
been urgent in their demands 20 institute II in
Chicago a solution of the tiresome and COM
phcated traction problem. Mayor Harrison who
TWO years ago was reelected 10 fourth term won
that issue. However he subsequently reiuseo
yield 10 the opportunities Of the municipal own
erhip advocates 10 bring the streetcsr lines unoeT
CITY control By drastic meas sures which would have
forced 10 termination OF some KIND the rl'Sl
claims Of the traction owners ana the ely oI
Chicago. Mayor Harrison thought and said that
ne did think the conditions were ripe 10 put
municipal ownership into effect In his opinion there
must drst he an unrayement Of the traction tahgle
with suits Of various sorts. too puzzing even TOT
a Philadelphia lawyer. the receiVership IN 'hs
federal court the ninety-nine year conienuoh' anu
a mass Of other collateral complications TOO oeep
for even the most expert knowledge 10 readily soiVe
all these things Mayor Harrison claimed must
be in way cleared
Though he shifted somewhat on the muhieipai
ownership matter Mayer Harrison did not aoa'e
on. sol in his opposition granting any OF ue
roads any concessions whatever even 10 the glVIHs
Of a temporary permit q short time ifalicIASe-
In his firm attitude he held out for the rights OF the
people and did fan 10 maintain the ctys rights
Down 10 the very moment that he announced he
would not be a candidate for reelection mayor
Harrison stood steadfast i'm his position against
yielding anything 10 the lIaSAloI NlVA'
ISSUE FORCED TO THE FRONT
Meantime. the municipal ownership men, after
thoroughly canvassing The heid and the ouuooA'
decided make the supreme effort by FORCING Ihe
issue before the people at the city election- Inc
Democratic party was in a receptive mood, seeing
that IL was the burning question before the people
and the only that stood any chance Of success.
The two elements joined together on the under
standing that municipal ownership as against the
NJ he Stre of
syndicate Of spectators would be the platform
without any quibbling. The pact was readily MADE
and in casting about the leaders found IN Judge
Edward F. Dunno. then on the Circuit Court
bench Of Cook County, stanch, not 10 say radical
advocate Of municipal ownership. The judge filled
every requirement, and therefore was the logical
candidate.
on the other hand the Republicans, while pro-
Tossing TO be in favor of municipal ownership OF
traction lines would commit themselves only TO a
gradual realization Of that form Of control ot a
public utility. alleging that there were other mat
ters Just as vital in the city government which de-
rnanded immediate attention and correction lhey
found IN John N Harlan a man who elnooaleo
these views and made him the party mayoIa4'S
candidate The campaign opened ana for weeks
was waeed hercely. Judge Dunno, declaring that
municipal ownership the sole issue talked On
that subject alone and other. His opponent
asserting that it merely one OF many issues
gave il little prominence, hut demanded thoI-
ough cleaning out OF alleged corrupt mlsrue III
-esult showed that a large majority OF the voters
conceded with Judge Dunno in the view that lm-
mediate city OF the street railways was the
question demanding attention.
So Chicago adopted municipal ownership, the nrSt
Dig city in the United States take this important
step. Perhaps many persons in Chicago were OF
opinion that Dunno and his supporters were mercy
.snauleinr in campaign buncombe. but the Mayor
elect and his advisers admit that Il IS up 10
rbe rsw city executive to make good Moreover
81 Is pointed out that within forty hours aiter
the announcement Of the result at the poHs AaYoi
elect Dunno had taken the initial step toward 'le
realization of municipal ownership o. the suee'-
car lines in Chicago This his action in cabling
10 the municipality Of Glasgow 10 permit the man
acer of that city's municipal tramWays 10 WISH
Chicago the purpose Of conferrlng win The
9Iayor-elect the steps necessary 10 institute the
system OF street railways operated by a city gov
ernment The Lord Provost Of Glasgow sent
prompt response TO the effect that the favor asked
by Nj Dunno was granted, and that the Glasgow
expert viii start for Chicago early in May
EARNEST OF NEW MAYORS INTENTION.
such is the first actual step taken by the Mayor
elect before he has even assumed the duties OF
lis Ofice as chief executive. But 1t may be taken
as an earnest OF intention 10 keep his pledge
without delay. In The light of these things il may
l,e well 10 mention briefly the position Of Mayor
eject Dunno. outlined by him He positively
asserted in a pu5llc interview that he is confident
of giving the people of Chicago municipal owner
ship Of their street railroads by the end Of his
rvo-year term Of Office. He declared that a Mayor
OF ison VIII backed by Council in accord with
his determination. could carry out the peoples
viii TO the extent OF defying the courts that
might seek 10 thwau his efforts But in more
conservative strain Judge Dunno made clear that
the following were the steps by which he expects
10 bring about municipal ownership
First-By the appointment Of commission OF
street railroad experts and eminent lawyers, plac
iHg az the head Of The commission man worth in
money by subscription II need he.
Secondly requiring this commission consider
the situation the value ard utility Of all present
EtFeetcar properties. and reach conclusion for
general action. radical move be made prior
Thirdly making while larger plans in
which the franchise has expired securing the right
ty having the federal court dissolve Injunction
which a. present ues up me said line
Fogrth BY nroseeuting what @ Court I9 aetoRs The
viii decide fl into the grand scheme
OTHER ACTION TO BE TAKEN
In addition 70 the views briefly outlined above
fne new Mayor elaborated his ideas the sub
sect al greater length without incorporating any
features not already mentioned for the attainment
Of his cherished purpose. In this regard il is vital
70 take into consideration the tentative forecast
of the Mayor-eiects probable plan OF procedure
given by his judicial colleague. personal friend
and adviser the veteran Judge Tuley- This juriSt
discussing the municipal ownership question almost
az the same time that Judge Dunno made public
1is linz Of action. declared that the first step Of
the Mayor would be ind out the controlling in
terest in the Union Traction concern. made up OF
the various systems which had been financed by
Charles T. Yerkes. II would then be the duty OF
The Mayor according Judge Tuey. invite the
chase 10y the city be effected al reasonable
price on the surface Of things they now exist
Jndgc Tuley foresees that the line owners will
dghi FOR time IA that case. ne asserts that he