New-York tribune., 1906-04-05
p.n5o.1 SENTIMENT MEASURED.


Chicago has interpreted itself regarding Inu-
nicipal radicalism. Its previous votes were ca
pressions Of exasperation over menduraDle con-
ditions. Tuesdays vote was a sober declara-
tIon Of what the city was willing TO do TO cure
the evils The voters kept a wary eye aAke on
fire and frying pan. Tho former rage at une
traction monopodes died with the Judlclai GRIP
pling OF those corporate bodies. ana no" tne
passionate and tremendous majorides Tor mu-
nicipal ownership have dwindled TO mere
handful The citizen with long memory Oh
strap hanging of ''trailers OF Gecrepit cars
tumbling TO pieces on the way between down
town and uptown, put aside his personal grleV-
ance-for the streetcar corporations are now 100
poor for Chicago TO do them the honor OF a
"whopping rebuke at the pOlls"-and went as
dispassionately as he might, about decldlng
where the city's best interest lay. Iuesday
vote, q narrow margin Of less than 4,OOO LOT
municipal ownership and for the issuance or the
S75.O00ooo certificates TO embark the city upon
IL was the true test OF Chicagos sentiment
The issue simple and unconfused by party
passion or anger against the corporations. The
vote was large. showing the public had made
up its mind. The result robs municipal owner
ship of its pretentiOus character as a tremen-
dous popular issue. Long endurance Of abuses
that had embittered the city against private con-
troll OF transit, long incubation OF the remedial
virtues of public ownership and exceptional
legal opportunities for acquiring municipal con-
troll have left the most radical city In the coun-
try" cold and half reluctant 10 enter into the
promised land. What hold may such an issue
have upon municipalities where conditions have
not become unendurable and have created no
such need OF change as in Chicago, and where
the idea Of public ownership is new and held
with much greater circumspecton than theref
The defeat Of municipal operation is severe
blow for Mayor Dunno, for II is the rejection
OF full half OF his policy; but it is an instance
Of the caution and essential conservatism which
We're hidden behind those previous tremendous
expressions Of evaporation. Chicago is con-
tent with ownership; il shes from the untried
perlls Of operation. It has needed the advice
OF the Scotch expert, Mr.. James Dalrymple. 1t
VIII make its numerous and skilful politicians
stick 10 politics. and II will intrust its traction
interests TO practical street railway men who
have made street railroading, not herding heel
ers the business OF their lives. II evades the
peril OF increasing the number Of voters on the
municipal payroll until there should be city gov
eminent by employees. 1t votes for some such
contract as that under which New York con-
trolls the subway. All this falls far short OF
the dreams of radicalsm.
Such is the result OF the election. Meanwhile
Mayor Dunno has his work cut out for him.
The Mueller law must be tested regarding con-
stituionality before the railway properties can
be bought. This will probably take year or
so, and during that time the Mayor must amel-
iorate the present shocking transit conditions.
If he does not. he is ruined for the people will
not wait indefinitely for the fulflment OF their
immediate" demands. II he does and retains
his popularity, be must perforce be either mar
vellously adroit or marvelously lucky. Eego-
tistiOns between the Mayor and the bankrupt
companies are already under way Perhaps a
practical solution Of the whole question con-
fOrmable 10 Tuesdays vote will be for Chi
cago TO own the existing lines and for the pres
ent companies 70 operate them under contract to
furnish an adequate service