Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-04
BY PAUL r. LEACH.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
CHICAGO. April CN.A.N.AD.-A.
usual in a Chicago election issues al
stake in the mayoralty campaign are
somewhat involved.
William Hale Thompson. Republican
fighting for a fourth term, expects tc
squeeze through in the election next
Tuesday, although straw votes. ward
canvaSses and the general feeling in
the air" indicate victory for Anton j
Cermak. Democrat.
Thompson has been far from the
spectacular clown of previous cam
paigns. He has performed so far in an
almost conservative manner. compared
to his rearing up in the primary-when
he blasted his principal opponent, Mu-
nicipal Judge Lyle, up one side and
down the other, marshaled a daily
'jackasS show" on the Loop streets and
talked, holding halter, which he said
would lead from the necks of his op-
ponents to the principal Chicago news
paper Offices.
Calls Cermak "Bohunk."
Ridicule is Thompson's major DO
litical weapon, and he has used it
against Cermak-referring to Cermak
as "bohunk," because of the Demo-
Gratis birth in Bohemia, and ATTEMPT
ing to stir racial and religious hatred.
Thompson has shadow boxed a little
with King George, as he did four years
ago, but he has not stressed that AS
matter of fact. if his campaign utter
anceS and headquarters publicity state
mentS are indicative, Thompson is run
ming for fourth term because he is a
Republican and on his record of ex-
tenSive public works improvements dur
ing his administrations
n NriY Al Il,
but three-fourthS of his speaking time
and he has been speaking five to seven
times day, plus two or three daily
15-mlnute radio addreSses-have been
taken up with abuse of his opponent
and attacks upon the Chicago Tribune
his old newspaper enemy
Stresses Tax Reduction.
Cermak has refused to be drawn into
a contest of Billingsgate with Thomp-
son. He and his Democratic speaking
aides have established tax reduction
through governmental economy as the
major issue. The alliance Of crime and
politics, Al Capone and prohibition enter
as side issues
Chicagos financial condition has BEEN
badly muddled in the last three wears.
Because of inequalities in real estate
assessments, a reaSSessment was ordered
in 1928 and was not finished until early
in 1880. AS a result. taxes for 1923
were not collected until last year, and
1929 tax bills are just now being mailed
When the 1923 bills were received a
year ago taxpayers raised a howl be-
cause they found a considerable in
crease. A much greater howl is going
UP now, for Chicago taxes have mount
ed 10 per cent
On the other hand. the tax rate for
Cook County in the last eight years has
remained static under the administra-
ton OF Cermak as president of the
County Board. He is promising TO cut
pense and the tax rate accordingly
along the line of economies he effected
as president.
Cermak Far Wetter.
Both Cermak and Thomson are
"wets," but Cermak is far the Wetter
In 1905, when it was unpopular to talk
about personal liberty and against the
Anti-Saloon League, Cermak was sec
Tetary OF the United Societies for Local
f-Goyernment.
AS city councilman in 1915 he clashed
with Thompson, then serving his first
term, when Thompson made a gesture
toward the 'dryS" and the church fed
Grafton by enforcing the old. dead let
ter Sunday saloon-closing law
Cermak also clashed with Thompson
In an investigation of charges of pro-
lection for saloons that wanted to re-
main open after l am. Cermak alleg-
ing that the l m closing enforcement
was little more than a dodge for COL
Iectlng protection money from salocn-
Keepers. He did not prove his charges
and nothing came of them.
He Is more of a wet" today than
ever, and that is popular in Chicago.
Witness James Hamilton Lewis election
last Fall TO be United States Senator
on a State rights platform by 700 900.
q $4,000 majority in Chicago over Ruth
hanna Mccormick, dry" Republican.
Both Dodge Capone.
Cermak has scarcely mentioned pro-
nloltlon in his speeches. but Thompson
has brought it in several times. In one
recent speech he said Cermak was more
responsible for prohibition than any
dry he ever heard Of charging that
Cermak, as q representative of the
saloon interests. was a partner in the
inconsistent and abusive" practices of
the saloons.
Both candidates have lodged Capone
Cermak laid Capone's rise to Thornp-
son, and other Democratic speakers
have been even broader in hints of
alliances. Thompson says of Capone;
He Is not one OF my men. 1 had
nothing TO do with bringing him here
and have no dealings with him, but
you can't blame all the crime on
Capone. II you want to get rid OF
Capone, repeal prohibition laws"
tcopyrisht, 1891. By the North American