Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-01
CHICAGO GROOMING
FOR CLEAN ELECTION
Efforts Directed at Alliance
Between Crime and Politics
Discovered in April.
~ Consolidated Press.

~ Consolidated Press.
CHICAGO, June 3o.--1nstead Of con-
tinuing In the paths of unbecoming
lawlessness and noisy display, Chicago is
being groomed for a place among the
model moral communities of the land.
The process of grooming is tedious.
but II progresses, Most Of this effort
is directed straight at the alliance be-
tween crime and politics which so
amazed the world and shocked the city
itself into political revolt in April
Once the lob Is over. Chicago intends
70 survey the other cities. Of the Nation
from the erlinence of high moral
plane. Some of the results already
have been striking,
50 Indictments.
Foremost among them are nearly 80
indictments returned against terrorists
END criminals who have sought to make
. naockerv Of local elections. The grand
Jury which brought them retired yes
terday. but Monday another takes its
place,
The hoodlums have been put on the
ran The school system, plunged into
politics a year ago. is working its way
cut under new leadership. free presum-
ably from political control. Big Bill
Thompson. the city's mayor, has moved
itno the city hall Office after having
made his headquarters for year In
a downtown hotel.
order for restitution of 81. Toe. 900 paid
out of city funds to supposed real es-
tate experts during previous Thonp-
son administration has been entered
bv a local court. The court charged
that most Of this was illegally spent.
The city is opening its purse 10 the ex-
tent Of si50,0o0-all from private peck
etbooks--to prosecute election crimes.
Long Way to Go.
One Judge of the Criminal Court at
tackled. has requested to be transferred
to civil work Attacks directed at judges
for bargaining with criminals over pris-
on sentences have resulted in almost
complete abandonment Of that policy.
The whole tone of the city is improp-
ing as these changes occur. But still
conditions are such that Chicago has
a long way to so before becoming that
model among moral communities which
II is her intention TO become.
Frank j. IoeSch. 7e-year-old president
OF the crime commission, stands at the
head OF the forces leading this social
revolt. With no political ambitions to
hamper him, he is fearless, aggressive,
plain-spoken and thoroughly in earnest,
His standing as q leader of the local
bar only enhances his influence.
Mr.. Loesch tells the people that their
police are unframed, with many of
them illiterate: he says that the county
prosecutors are ignorant, low-grace law
yers for the most part; he advises that
the judges here are mostly boss picked
and incapable, and he lets it be known
n
the important Offices by stealing cleo
tons.
Calls for Fighters.
Asked how TO combat this criminal
political alliance he says:
Send out gunner to fight gunner
If they want blood, give them blood.
Send out officers of the Law on primary
DAY to every polling plaee-men who
will fight with fists and guns against
the terrorist, the bomber, the kidnaper
and the slayer.
THE felons Of Chicago have formed
an alliance. They have at their COM
mand gunners. sluggers, automobiles.
everything necessary to assist them in
they have their specializing lawyers,
bondsnen and professional witnesses
to help when they are caught.
But with all Of this, they can be
rooted out once the people are aroused .
The roofing -out process has progress
ed with such vigor during recent weeks
that the underworld Is credited with
collecting $4,000 fund to combat IT,
Whatever the criminal elements do.
It appears that Chicago Is destined to
become much more noral--able to face
the world again with different reputa-
ton than that developed during the past
year. Much of the credit for the already
evident improvement is freely given by
local leaders TO Mr.. Loesch, who even
az his advanced age. jumped in to
head the fight with surprising vigor.
frnnrrirhf. 1923