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

Daign now drawing 20 a close mas been char
acterized by such strenuousness on the part of
each Of The opposing political parties-the Re-
publicans and Democ-ats-to have that problem
solved to its own liking that the general publics
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 and more. It has been wretchedly han
died by many administrations It has been so
tainted with graft that it was At to be touched
only with longs. It is only recently that de-
cisions rendered by the United States Supreme
Court and in the lower courts have made intel
lgent action by the City Council. looking toward
a 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-
ton OF it, Now it 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 public refer
endum. and It is this referendum to be voted on
at The election Tuesday. that is making the
present campaign the hottest in the poll
IDEAL history Of Chicago.
The issue is clearly defined between the Re-
pubcans, 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
Of securing good streetcar service for Chicago.
with ample provision for municipal ownership of
the traction systems when feasible. However,
the position Of the party is generally understood
20 be one OF skepticism as 10 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-
itIes
Or the other hand. the Democrats urge that
the ordinances be voted down at the referendum
and that the city then assert its right under the
eminent domain act to condemn the streetcar
properties in the courts as 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 al the referendum. The city and the
companies agree that the value OF the property
Of the Union Traction system is S29O00OO0 and
Of the City Railway system S2l 100000, making
the price at which the city hereafter may pur-
chase both systems SJ0,OO000O, plus future ex-
penditures for rehabilitation. The companies
agree that they VIII once proceed to reha bill
tate their entire systems in compliance with
specifications and under the supervision OF a
board Of supervising engineers created under the
ordinances. The city or any company author
iaed by it gets the right Of purchase on six
months notice on payment OF the agreed price
and cost of rehabilitation and extensions
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 ths
companies in the ratio OF SIS per cent to the city
and As per cent 20 the companies.
The ordinances provide for a comprehensive
system OF transfers and through routes, BY
means Of which passengers can ride over all
connecting lines within the city limits in any
one general direction for a single fare. Twen-
ty-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
me logering OF the tunnels by the companies
me 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
lion 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
nsnt against the ordinances by the Democrats
Dlng that the ordinances were drawn up at the
suggestion OF Mayor Dunno, prepared by his
own special counsel and the local transporta-
non committee Of the City Council along lines
marked out by himself
Eleventh hour objections urged BY the Nravor
against the ordinances and incorporated in the
democratic platform are that they are elusive
ana equivocaL" The main objection he raises
= mar although they puTDOrt TO give the city
'ue reht 10 purchase the traction systems on
siR months notice they fail TO provide prac-
ueai way OF doing so. They fail to do this, the
Mayor says because they do not guarantee that
me % per cent, the city's share Of the net in
come shall amount 20 z fixed minimum sum
eguai 10 AZ least per cent OF the gross income
me absence q this guarantee. says the Mayor,
pus u IN the power OF the companies TO manipu-
'a'e expenditures 10 leave the city no in
eone whatever. The reply OF the Republicans
= 'lis is that the stockholders OF the companies
mOulo nave something 10 say about the dissipa-
uoA of company funds, and also that the ordi-
Iiahees provide for annual reports and the audit
ing OF the companies books by public account
ants
Another objection urged by the Mayor Is that
me ordinances do not secure to the public the
"sht 70 Sour-ccnt CT three-cent fare In this
eDyecuon the Mayor has made radical change