New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-04
CHICAGO,s coon SENSE.

The result Of the Chicago election was VIC
tory of common sense, and in that lies its chler
interest to outsiders. In these days when we
boar n prodigious amount Of nonsense talked
about hostility to railroads or to this or that
variety of public service corporation, we may
turn to Chicago and see how, when reason
able abatement Of their grounds OF complaint is
offered the people may be trusted to take
common sense view Of the situation ana accep'
a comnromise agreeable TO the corporations.
And there was real hostility to the traction cor
porations in Chicago. Its people had Voted
over and over again that there should De no
quarter given, but when those corporations saw
the light and agreed TO a reasonable compro-
mise regarding the points at issue the people
cheerfulIy reversed themselves and eagerly ac-
cpnted n practical solution. That the compro-
mise was also favorable to the traction COM
NAMES is shown by their interest in the cam
paign for the ordinances. the companies having
promised an increase Of pay TO all their en-
ployes if the ordinances were successful at the
polls.
Just how favorable the ordinances are to the
CITY any one familiar with the conditions under
which traction companies operate in New York
will readily appreciate The companies are to
provide q continuous passage from one sectlon
of the city to another for five cents. with uni
yersal transfers. The companies receive iran
chise for twenty years but the city may terIni-
nate it on six months notice by purchase or
the traction system. The ordinance fixes the
price at S5OOOOOO0 plus the cost OF reAaDlliRt-
ing the lines The city will exercise supervision
of their Improvement and operation ana the
companies will pay the city 80 per cent of their
net earnings. Those would prove satisfactory
terms Tor an agreement between almost any
CITY and its traction companies. The provision
for the purchase Of the system at any time on SIX
months notice and at a price easily TO be de-
ternIned should serve TO keep the traction IN
terests up to their best efforts to give the pubic
a satisfactory service. If at any time they fali.
the city will be ready to take over the owner
ship and operation Of the roads This alterna-
tive is likely to prove most eHecuVe means
Of regulating their service.
II is significant that the vote in Chicago was
not a choice between municipal ownership and
private ownership Of the old sort, but between
municipal ownership and private ownership IN
der municipal regulation, and regulation won
The people voted as they did because they
Thought they could hold the companies TO their
bargain This country is fairly embarked on
policy of regulating the public service corpora
tons, and Chicago votes in sympathy with It.
We have stopped short OF the European system
Of municipal or government ownership and pre-
fer TO leave public utilities In private hands,
subject however. TO strict public regulation.
The progress Of this idea during the last two
years has doubtless had something to do with
Chicago's taking a sane and practical view OF
the solution OF its traction problem If regula-
ton improves the service of our utilities cor
porations, we shall probably hear little more Of
municipal or state ownership So in Chicago, II
the traction companies enter upon their new
franchises with a new ideal Of giving a salts
factory service. or IL the municipal authorities
by the terms Of the bargain can hold them up
to that ideal there will be no suggestion OF
the citys availing itself OF its right to purchase
the traction system.
Chicago is as fortunate In its choice of a
Mayor as It is In It's choice OF traction policy.
Mayor Dunno was as impractical as an execu-
tive as his favOrite municipal ownership hobby
Is as a theory, and Mr.. Busse Is as practical as
is the policy accepted by the voters. The Mayor
elect has an excellent record as an executive
and as business man. BE is the first Mayor
to be elected under Chicago's new charter, with
a term OF four years. With the enlarged powers
OF his Office he viii undertake the work of con-
verting Chicago from an Overgrown village in
the matter Of municipal improvements into a
modern city. 1t is fortunate for Chicago that
this work will be In the hands OF a practical
man, not a radical dOctrnaire ana impractical
enthusiast