The San Francisco call., 1906-04-04
City May Own but
Not Operate Its
Railways.
One Proposition Pre-
walls, While Other
Is Defeated.
Bitter Contest at the Polls
Results in a Close
Decision.

CHICAGO, April 3.-Under the result
of the city election held today, in which
the question of municipal ownership of
the street railways was the vital issue,
the city of Chicago can proceed to ac-
quire and control the railways, but can
not operate them. At the same time the
voters, while declaring that the city shall
not proceed to operate the railroads, de-
clared that, as a question of policy, it
would be desirable for the city to do so.
Three propositions were submitted to
the voters. the first of which was: Shall
the city of Chicago proceed to operate
street railwayS?
This proposition required so per cent of
the total vote cast in order to become
effective. The total vote was 231,171.
OF this number the proposition to pro-
ceed to the immediate operation of the
street railways secured but 120,911
votes, 1872 short of the necessary
three fifths.
The second proposition involved the ap-
proval of an ordinance previously passed
by the City Council, providing for the
issue of street railway certificates in an
amount not to exceed s75, 900 for the
purchase. ownership and maintenance of
the street railways. This was carried by
1888 votes.
DUNNE CLAIMS VICTORY.
The third question, which was simply
on the question of public policy and has
no legal effect whatever, was: shall the
City Council proceed without delay to
secure the municipal ownership and oper-
alton of the street railways under the
Mueller law, instead of granting fran
chises TO private companies?" This pro-
led Nv xOfo
Mayor Dunno construed the passage of
the SIS, ,000.0 900 certificates and public policy
propositions as a victory for municipal
ownership, but expressed his disappoint-
ment over the defeat of the proposition
for municipal operation. He said:
II admit that 1 am disappointed be-
cause the victory is not complete. The
important proposition, however, at the
present time, is for the issuance of the
certificates and this has been carried. 1
regret, however, very much that we did
not get the necessary majority to enable
us legally to operate the street railway
lines. But this will not prevent us from
again going before the people after we
have the street railway lines and asking
for the necessary authority to operate.
The people will vote for operation with
big majority at the proper time
BITTER STRUGGLE AT POLLS.
The election was one of the most in
teresting to Chicago voters that has
been held in many years. The vote was
much larger than had been expected
and all day the contest for and against
municipal ownership was bitterly
fought. Party lines We're largely
ignored and the eligibility of candi-
dates depended more upon their atti-
tude toward municipal ownership OF
streetcars and high license for saloons
than upon their party records.
OF the thirty-five Aldermen who were
elected today. Mayor Dunno claims.
nineteen are avowed champions of
municipal ownership and he will have
much less difficulty in passing measures
relating to that doctrine through the
City Council than heretofore. The fac
ton opposed to municipal ownership
declares that it still holds the control
of the Council and that Mayor Dunno
will have no greater success in the fu-
ture than he has had in the past.
Besides the question of municipal
ownership, the issue was made in many
of the Aldermanic contests on whether
the saloon licenses of the city shall be
$500 or $1,000. The low figure was in
existence up to March 5, when the City
Council by a close vote and after a
hard fight passed an ordinance raising
the amount to $1,000.
LIQUOR INTERESTS DEFEATED.
The liquor interests made a strong
fight against every Alderman who was
up for reelection who had voted for
the license of $1,000. OF the fifteen men
against whom they put their influence
twelve were elected and three defeated.
OF the nine Aldermen up for re-elec-
tion who voted for the continuance of
the $500 license all were returned to
their seats in the Council There is lit
tie danger, however. that the high Ii
cense will be repealed
The vote in several of the wards was
so close that it probably will require
the.officiaf canvass to determine the re-
suit, but the probabilities are that the
Republicans will have a majority of
three or four.
The old Council consisted of thirty
seven Republicans. thirty-two Demo-
Gratis and one Independent.
Following are the correct figures on the
election: The total vote cast on the
question Of municipal ownership was
231. III. OF this number 120.911 were cast
in favor of municipal operation of the
street railways and 110,260 against 1T.
In order to become binding the PROPOSE
ton to operate the railways should have
received 13S,703 votes. 1t therefore fell
short of the required number by 1872
votes.
The proposition to issue s5.OOO.OOo in
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