New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-31
THE CHICAGO ELECTION.
TRACTION PROBLEM UP.
Indications Seem TO Point to Repu6-
Ican VictOry.

paign now drawing 10 a close has been char
acterzed by such strenuousness on the part OF
each Of the opposing political parties-the Re-
publcans and Democrats-to have that problem
solved 10 its own liking that the general publIc's
state Of mind Is somewhere between collapse
and hysteIia.
The problem is the so-called traction ques-
don" 1t has been Chicago's boyle for twenty
years ana more. 1t has been wretchedly han
died by many administrations II has been so
tainted with graft that it was ct TO be touched
only with tongs. II is only recently that de-
cisions rendered by the United States Supreme
Court and in the lower courts have made intel
ligent action by the City Council. looking toward
q settlement Of the question possible.
The Chicago public wants the question solved,
and solved in a hurry. Admittedly there Is
something the matter with the streetcar SER
vice OF Chicago. In the past that is about as far
as the Chicago public has gone in its considera-
zion Of it. Now il is determined that there shall
be an Improvement.
The way has been paved for this by the recent
action of the city Council in passing two ordi-
nances. over the veto of Mayor Edward F.
Dunno. granting franchises to the existing
streetcar companies. II IS provided in these
ordinances that they shall not become effective
until they have been Endorsed by a public refer
endum and II is this referendum, to be voted on
AZ the election Tuesday. that is making the
present campaign the hottest one in the poll
deal history Of Chicago.
The issue is clearly defined between the Re-
puhlicans, with Fred A Busse the present
postmaster OF Chicago. as their candidate for
Mayor, and the Democrats. with Mayor Dunno
as a candidate for reelection. The Republicans
favor the public Endorsement OF the traction
ordinances as the best and only expeditions way
-
with ample provision for municipal ownership of
the traction systems when feasible. However.
the position Of the party is generally understood
to be one o. skepticism as TO the success Of mu-
nicipal ownership OF traction utilities at pres
ent. in view OF the poor showing the city has
made Of its management OF other public util-
iiles.
Or the other hand. the Democrats urge that
the ordinances he voted down at the referendum
and that the city then assert its right under the
eminent domain act 10 condemn the streetcar
properties in the courts a means OF securing
municipal ownership IN short order.
A synopsis OF the provisions Of the ordinances
viii show what benefits the Republicans expect
viii accrue 10 the city by the adoption of the
ordinances at the referendum. The city and the
companies agree that the value Of the property
% the Union Traction system is $40 100000 and
Of the City Railway system S21 100000, making
the price at which the city hereafter may pur-
chase both systems $4,000 900, plus future ex-
penditures for rehabilitation The companies
agree that they VIII at once proceed to rehabili-
tate their entire systems in compliance with
specifications and under the supervision OF
board Of supervising engineers created under the
ordinances. The city or any company author
lied by il gets the right Of purchase on six
months notice on payment Of the agreed price
"a.
The companies are limited during their oper-
alton 10 an interest return OF per cent on the
agreed value OF their property. plus the cost OF
rehabilitation and extensions The net profits
then are 10 be divided between the city and the
companies in the ratio of IS per cent TO the city
and As per cent TO the companies.
The ordinances provide for a comprehensive
system OF transfers and through routes. BY
means q which passengers can ride over all
connecting lines within the city limits In any
one general direction for a single fare Twen-
iy-one through routes over the lines OF the sys-
tens are provided for, as well as additions
thereto and extensions, such as increased traf-
nc may warrant. Provision also is made for
the lowering OF the tunnels by the companies
the construction OF a central subway, TO the cost
OF which the companies must contribute s5OOO,-
600. and the installation OF the Underground in
stead Of the overhead trolley system Within
three years the companies must have in opera
non two thousand double truck cars, OF modern
type and design, 10 be approved by the board OF
supervising engineers, the city having full power
loreQuire as many additional cars and as much
additional equipment as may be necessary.
such are pointed out by the Republicans as
some OF the benefits 10 the city TO be obtained
Dy the Endorsement OF the ordinances at the
coming election-a remarkable feature os the
i'sht against the ordinances by the Democrats
being that the ordinances were drawn I'D at the
suggestion OF Mayor Dunno. prepared by his
Own Special counsel and the local transporta-
ton committee Of the City Council along lines
marked out 10y himself
Eleventh hour objections urged BY the Navor
against The ordinances and Incorporated in the
democratic platform are that they are elusive"
ana equivocaL" The main objection he raises
= mat although they purport to give the city
ne right 10 purchase the traction systems on
HiA months notice they fail 10 provide a prac-
.ieal way Of doing SO. They fail to do this. the
-ieyof says because they do not guarantee that
''e % per cent. the city's share Of the net in
Noi"e' snah amount 20 a fixed minimum sum
-sual 70 al least per cent Of the gross income
me absence CT this guarantee. says the Mayor
p1uS X IL the power Of the companies to manipu-
'a'e expenditures so as to leave the city no in
come whatever The reply OF the Republicans
ms - that the stockholders OF the companies
sou4u nave something 10 say about the dissipa-
- u company funds, and also that the ordi-
.'lHees provide for annual reports and the audit
ants
Another objection urged by the Mayor is that
ne ordinances DO not secure 10 the public the
lsht 70 four-cent CT three-cent fare. In this
So'ecuoA the Mayor has made radical change
OF 'front.', his contention a few months aRo heinz