New-York tribune., 1907-04-07
TWO CHICAGO MAYORS.
BUSSE IN; DUNE NOT OUT
MoUe to Hasten Traction Work and
AUoid "Contingencies."
LRy Telegraph . The rrisune.


Chicago. April 6-Frederick A. Busse, the sue
cessful candidate for Mayor at the municipal
election last Tuesday. is now Mayor Of Chicago.
Edward F. Dunno. the unsuccessful candidate
on the Democratic ticket. also is Mayor Of Chi
cago. The coup which brought this about hap
pened at 1880 o'clock this afternoon. when Mr.
Busse appeared before City Clerk Anson. pre-
sented his certificate of election, and took the
oath OF Office.
AS result Chicago is in one of the queerest
predicaments OF it's history. Mayor Busse has
not chosen actually to assume the duties of his
office as yet. and no one pretends TO say with
assurance just what his powers are at present, or
whether Mayor Dunno who has not formally re-
linquished his duties has any authority at ALL
Some contend that instead of having two May
ors Chicago has not any,
The Busse coup is the climax Of a week Of up
heavals in the municipal mchinery OF Chicago.
the new Republican administration insisting on
instituting its regime before the old Democratic
administration had begun to clean out its desks
preparatory to moving. With Mr.. Dunno still
IN the Mayors chair. discussing from day TO
day the defeat of his plans for the municipal
ownership of the traction companies. the
plans for the rehabilitation Of the street
car systems under the provisions Of the ordi-
nances, approved at the election. have been
Is scheduled TO begin Monday.
1t is admitted by Republican leaders that the
desire on the part of Mayor Busse to facilitate
this work as much as possible one reason
for his haste in being sworn into office.
1t was explained that II was all done to guard
against contingencies that there was no know
ing what radical friends Of ex-Mayor Dunno
might persuade him to do between now and
April 15. and that II would be Just we'll 10
strip him Of all authority. He can occupy the
chair eight more days IL he wants 20.
This fear Of radical action on the part Of the
outgoing administra tion was strengthened by the
fact that since the election Chief Collins has
been making promotions and removals right and
left in the Police Department. rewarding his
friends and Furnishing his enemies. Asc matters
stand he can be removed at a moments notice
by the simple expedient of Mayor Busse naming
an acting chief. the action to be approved by
the Council afterward
Mayor Dunno has absolutely no authority in
the City Hall. say the Republicans. He cannot
even legally pardon prisoner out OF the Bride
we'll or dog out OF the dog pound. Mr.. Dunno
when Informed at his home Of the sudden move
of the new Mayor denied after he had recov-
cred from his astonishment that he had con-
tempIated any startling appointments.
"I want the people Of Chicago 20 Judge OF this
procedure for Themselves he said. 1T is my
understanding and belief that the bond OF the
Mayor-elect must be examined and approved by
the City Council before he can be declared In
Dolce
"It seems to me that the time honored custom
Of notifying the outgoing Mayor OF his intention
TO assume Office might have been followed by the
incoming official in this instance know of no
explanation Of the method adopted"
sVVjI N-oti contest "a action
well, don't know that shall. II appears to
me that the people will be able 10 understand
fully from the bare facts involved. do not
wish to make any murther comment except to
say that the customary farewell address OF the
Mayor TO the Council will be unnecessary in this
instance and also that the time honOred intro
duction Of the new Mayor by the retiring Mayor
will be eliminated"
Mayor Busse said tonight that he would
formally assume office on Monday or Tuesday
at the latest