Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-03
ELECTION IN CHICAGO TODAY
Municipal Ownership Of Street Railways is
the Principal Issue,
dunno IS CONFIDENT OF SUCCESS
saloon Keepers Are Making a strong
Fight Against All Aldermen
who Voted for High
License.

! CHICAGO. April 2.-The question OF
| municipal ownership Of Chicago's street
railways will be submitted to the popular
vote tomorrow and the result is awaited
with great interest The contest has been
one of the most bitter that has been waged
in this city in many years. Members of
the Municipal Ownership league have de-
tailed to remain at every polling place in
the city tomorrow 10 watch the interests
Of "the little ballot" as the ticket bearing
the three propositions relative to municipal
ownership which are to be voted for has
been named. Representatives OF factions
which are opposed to municipal ownership
will also have watchers in every precinct
The usual party lines which exist at an
aldermanic election in this city have been
largely obliterated and the eligibility of
candidates Is construed in the light of their
attitude toward municipal ownership and
a high license for saloons. The advocates
Of municipal ownership tonight expressed
the utmost confidence In the result, declar-
ing that the voters of Chicago will favor
IT by an overwhelming majority. Mayor
Dunno said tonight that the municipal
ownership would carry Chicago by to l.
| Thomas Carey. chairman of the democratic
county central committee and a political
enemy Of Mayor Dunno, said: Il feel salts
fed that the voters will turn down the
propositions in a way that will surprise the
advocates of municipal ownership"
James Reddick, chairman Of the repub-
! lican county central committee. contented
himself with predicting an increase in the
number OF republican members in the city
council. He would offer no estimate of the
result on municipal ownership.
Issues on the Ticket.
The propositions to be voted for tomorrow
are:
l. Shall the city of Chicago proceed to
operate street railways.
z snail an ordinance be passed by the
city council Of Chicago providing for the
issue OF street railway certificates in an
amount not to exceed s7b,OOoOOO, the money
70 De used for the purchase of the existing
street railway companies, be approved
q Shall the, city council proceed without
delay TO acquire municipal ownership and
operation of all street railways in Chicago
instead of granting franchises to private
companies
The first proposition must receive 60 per
cent OF all votes cast in order to become
binding A majority carries the other two.
In addition TO the contest on municipal
ownership the question of whether saloon
licenses shall be $500 or $1,000 per anpum
will be up for final settlement The numer-
Gus crimes against women committed in
this city of late caused a widespread belief
that they were Indirectly the result of
many saloons which existed under q low
license, but which would be wiped out II
the amount was placed at 81 600 The city
council, after a sharp fight, passed an ordi-
nance making the license $1,000 The liouor
interests have made a strong fight against
every alderman up for reelection who
voted for the ordinance. If a majority of
these men are returned to the council the
$1,000 license is expected to remain, other
wise 1t Is expected the ordinance will be
repealed and the old figure of $500 restored.