Evening star., 1928-01-24

Chicago Is growing weary OF the repu-
tation Of being wicked city. 1t has
tired OF the publicity given to the Sc
quence OF crime within its boundaries.
1t is coming to believe that 1t is better
than the press reports have indicated,
and it wants to remove the blight from
its name.
Certain Official statistics to the con-
trary Notwithstanding, organized efforts
are being made to spread the assurance
that Chicago Is not unsafe for visitors,
that its streets are not the scene Of re-
peated assaults and homicides. and that
anybody who enters its precincts from
the hinterland is just as secure as at
home.
The latest move In this direction is
the organization OF a series OF good
will excursions" arranged by the thirty
two railroads entering Chicago, in CO.
operation with the business houses, the
trade associations and the mayor. The
purpose of these excursions is to con-
vince out-of-towns folks that Chicago
is not a crime ridden city.
The first Of the excursions will carry
visitors to Chicago from cities in Wis
consin, the dates being February %.
"a and IS. The theaters and amusement
places are joining In the venture, with
the offer Of half-price admissions to all
the excursionists who are thus borne
from beyond the bounds and given the
freedom OF the city.
Details of how this enterprise is to be
managed will be interesting. II procur-
able. The excursionists will perhaps be
kept together and shown about accord
ing to definite plan. Maybe they will be
held to certain routes and places. It
may be asked in all sincerity II they will
be confined to an area from which the
crooks and gunner are by special man.
date excluded.
1t Is vividly remembered that short
time ago American visitors to Russia.
seeking light on the question OF how
sovietism was working In that country,
were shown about with every indication
of freedom of observation. being sup
piled with official guides who managed
TO keep them within certain areas. The
guests did not realize that they were
being shepherded, and some OF them re-
turned to the United States with glow
ing accounts OF the prosperity and the
happiness and the progress OF the peo-
pie. They did not see the dark corners,
the regions OF contention and distress,
the evidences OF strain against the boil
shevik regime.
These carefully organized and con-
Quoted excursions TO Chicago will give
some thousands of people from nearby
States a good time. afford them anluse-
ment at half price and show them the
big city a. II wants TO be seen, and as
Il would like TO be. But they viii not
change the hearts Of the criminal work.
ers. who continue TO prey upon the pub
lie and upon one another, In the alb.
sence of efficient and sincere law en-
forcement. Nothing can redeem Chi
cago from its sad condition but q com.
plete, thorough, honestly conducted
housecleaning. with the ruthless pursuit
OF all lawbreakers. the eviction OF all
those who are IN the twilight zone" Of
watchful waiting for opportunities TO
commit crime. When that Is done IT
win be In order To run excursions from
far-distant points 10 show what has
beea accomplished, with no limitations
upon the activities OF the guests during
their stay In town.