The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1906-01-04
BLAST For CAPITALISTS
Rich Are Real Anarchists"
Says J. M. Patterson.
DECLARES THEY ARE ABOVE LAW


As Chicago's Commissioner of Public
Works, He Finds That Millions OF
Dollars Worth of City Property Is
Illegally Occupied by Certain
wealthy Men without Payment of
Compensation.
Certain capitalists of Chicago are
anarchists. ] say they are, and with
emphasis. I believe men are anar
chists, no matter how big their bank
accounts, who take the attitude that
law does not exist for them and that
they are exempt from obeying it.
millions of dollars worth of prop
erty is Illegally occupied at the present
moment in Chicago by rich individuals
and corporations who have not yes
tige of right to it, and many of whom
give arrogant defiance to the law. If
that is not anarchy, what is?''
This was the reply of Commissioner
Of Public Works Joseph Medill Patter-
son of Chicago when questioned con-
corning a speech made by him the
other day in the University Of Chi
cago, when he put the real anar-
chists" in the ranks Of the wealthy,
says a Chicago dispatch. Mr.. Patter-
son amplified his views then expressed
and said some very strong things
about his experiences since assuming
office with wealthy anarchists" and
their representatives. "Since | have
been trying to make people obey the
laws" said the commissioner, land
trying to get them to do the legal, the
right and the fair thing, 1 have been
brought in contact with a brazen de-
fiance Of the law in this city which Is
amazing.
Z "Why, it is an absolute fact that
many do not say all, by any means,
but many-of the wealthy men and
firms of the city actually believe they
are above the law The law may ex-
list, but it certainly does not exist for
them. That is their position. They
defy the law, ignore the law, laugh at
the law, all with an arrogance that
makes my blood boil.
wealthy firms occupy city land both
on sidewalks and underneath side
walks without paying a cent Of COM
Densat1on and without an atom Of title.
They do not pay taxes on-the land thus
Illegally occupied. Again, land belong
ing to the city in the shape of stub
ends Of streets abutting on the river is
occupied by business men without
compensation, title or right. Yet, again,
made land is grabbed by private per
sons who have no title to it. They give
no consideration to laws.
"Still again wealthy firms in this city
are in the habit of stealing water-it is
stealing and nothing else. The water
costs the city pumping and labor, and
that these firms take outright. Some
times they steal the water by means
Of their own pipes and sometimes by
changing the meters.
81 am now trying to insist that such
nrms as we have found acting In this
way shall pay the city what is due. l
have told some Of these firms that ex-
posure will certainly follow their fur
ther refusal to settle. At present will
not mention names. Two of the CON-
panies, however, who have been steal
ing water are large brewing companies.
"Still, again, | may mention the rail-
roads which refuse to install gates at
grade crossing. The law says they
shall install such gates, but they do not
care what the law says"
"What is the value of all the prop
erty which is illegally grabbed in one
way or another" Mr.. Patterson was
asked.
'It is very difficult to make close
estimate" he answered, "but the sum
will certainly run well up in the mil
lions. In the loop alone, for instance,
100000 square feet of property is H.
legally occupied by bay windows and
other sidewalk encroachments and in
other ways. Two hundred thousand
dollars should come to the city in the
way Of compensation each year.
'These men, who are acting illegally,
are preventing the people from having
the amount in their public treasury
that should be there. Proper compen-
sation paid to the city for its property
which is being illegally used means to
the city and it's people more police, bet
ter fire protection and generally more
money for crying civic needs"