The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-06-15
CHICAG0TAX j
WAR WATCHED
BY BIG CITIES
County Refuses to Pay State
Until Representation in
Legislature Is Increased
BY CHARLES p. STEWART
NEA Service Writer

Washington, June 15.--When the
Cook county commissioners refused
few days ago, to turn over the
states share of the county taxes to
the treasurer Of Illinois, they took
the first step toward what may prove
to be the greatest change this coun-
try has known since big cities began
to grow.
The state treasurer, naturally, will
sue. And since federal constitu-
tonal principle is involved
! All, a word as to that principle!
It's the crux Of the whole thing.
Illinois was districted for legisla-
tive purposes long before Chicago
Chicago and Cook county are the
same thing-had attained it's present
population On the basis of its then
number of inhabitants, it was given
adequate representation at Spring
| field.
Chicago grew, however, out of all
proportion to the rest Of the state.
! Out of all the citizens of Illinois,
nearly half are Chicagoans.
They pay more than half the state
taxes. But their representation in
! the Legislature hasn't been increased
by single seat.
Finally, they demanded redis-
tricting Of the state, on an up-to-
date population basis. Rural men,
bers of the legislature, heavily out
| numbering the city representatives,
turned the proposition down.
Thereupon. Cook county," said the
| ssioners, "is being taxed with
out due representation, at any rate
This is unconstitutional. BY violat-
ing the constitution the legislature
has invalidated itself. We repudiate
taxation imposed and laws made by
an illegal body"
Well, as previously remarked, the
state treasurer will sue, of course,
| probably in the state courts.
But, federal constitutional prin-
ciple being involved, the commission
ers doubtless will get the case before
| a federal judge. There will be ap-
hurry, the treasurer for his money,
and the commissioners to vindicate
their position.
1t will be litigation we'll worth
pushing ahead. In short order it
| will be before the supreme court in
Washington.
! Now, suppose Chicago wins. 1t
will mean a revolution, nothing less.
Not big city in the country but is
in Chicago's fix.
New York, Philadelphia, Boston,
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Indianapolis,
st. Louis, Kansas City, New Orleans,
Minneapolis, st. Paul-all the rest
all in the same boat!
mot ont but is under rural domi-
nation. The country is predominant
ly urban, as census figures show. But
it is rurally governed in every single
state.
1t looked as if this might 60 on
forever. The situation could be
changed only by the votes Of rural
legislators and they wouldn't vote
that way.
Chicago, however, has thought up
| a method of attacking the problem
from new angle-the judicial in
stead of the legislative one. 1t may
work.
If so, it's inevitable that every
center of population which hitherto
has suffered under the misrule of
those who, at best, knew nothing OF
metropolitan conditions, and, at
worst, positively enjoyed playing
horse with city slickerdom, will fol-
low the example of the community
blythe lake.
Then look out for some mighty
rapid changes in lot of laws!