The daily worker., 1931-02-13
BY E. GARDOs.

D. 9HT on the eve of the elections, Chicago is
again in the throes of a serious financial
crisis Threats of complete withdrawal of all
support by bankers, talks about taxpayers
strike, the warming of Col Randolph, the pres
ident of the Chicago Association of Commerce,
about the need of calling in the militia" using
various building funds to cover the payroll
by the Thompson administration-an show the
bankruptcy and corruptness of the capitalist
politicians and the efforts of finance capital to
secure full control of the fasciszed city govern
ment In spite of the avertion of the break
down in 1929 by the bankers, the wolf of collapse
is again at the door.
When the Strawn Committee Of Citizens (big
bankers) delivered last year the city treasury
to the bankers by securing loan of "a million
dollars through the sale of the 1890 tax-War-
rants, the bosses press spread the illusion that
Mr.. Thompson will take better care now of the
citys money. So he did-for his bosses and for
himself and his machine. Mr.. Sam insult got
his present of $10OOO0,OO0 through the traction
steal, 5000 more politicians were given city jobs
at cost of about is million dollars. Contracts
for public works were not given to the least
bidder and Mr. Wolfe, Commissioner of Public
Works has been exposed of giving out contracts
to his business associates at extra cost of 300
to 500 per cent more to the city. In one word,
according to Mr.. C. B. Barnes, 200 million dol
lars were stolen during the past year and the
city is again faced with bankruptcy.
Bankers Again "Save" the City
The saviours of 1929, the bankers of MIR.
Strawn, this time are standing pat. They refuse
to buy out the tax warrants, not only because
they know that it is one thing to have it and
another to get the cash, but because they want
to secure now complete control of all govern
Mr.
and others are coming out with an ultimatum,
which the city has to accept or bust. Their
conditions the embodied in Bill No. % pending
before the Illinois legislature, which demands the
drastic reorganization of the administration Ac-
cording to the bill the County Board of Assess
ors, the Board of Review and the 80 Township
assessors in Cook County are to be consolidated
in a new board of three members Instead of
having AIT independent tax spending bodies
townships, towns, park boards, school boards,
etco AIT sources Of graft, AIT petty politician
strongholds, the entire government must be con-
soldated. The argument is more efficiency less
waste, less opportunity for graft--admitting
themselves that because of these Overlapping"
bodies 1856 million dollars were wasted last year,
and only so per cent went for what it was
intended for" In spite of all opposition by the
various political machines, the bill has the full
approval of all Civic" Leaders and the entire
press, and it is natural that it will be passed
by the legislature.
The real purpose Of this bill is, of course not
better government, or better economy for the
people. 1t is for better government for the bank
ers. These gentlemen want to secure the full
control of all governmental bodies They don't
want to rely on the 38 elected officials to as
sess the taxes, but to board of three which
they can control much eisier. They want to
eliminate the AIT independent governmental
bodies and have only one. They want to have a
unified police system in place of the 103 in
dependent CITY, town, township and park board
police departments, in one word: behind the
proposal we can see the characteristic trend in
the American politics-the fascination of the gov
ernment the elimination Of all unnecessary
democracy and the open control of the govern
ment by'fnance capital
Sheriff Sales and Tax Payers "Strike"
These gentlemen, Of course, don't say work
about what will happen to the hundreds OF
thousands of small tax payers-not to speak of
the one-half million starving, unemployed work.
ers. At present. according to Mr.. Albert, can
didate for mayor, $4,000 real estate parcels out
of 100000 in Cook County are to be sold for
taxes on the 1923 levy only. Because over 10
per cent Of the budget is covered by taxation on
real estate, 1t is natural that the ever-increas-
ing budget 227 million dollars In the Chicago
City alone, including the Board Of Education, Is
to be paid primarily by the small property own
ers. AS result Of the crisis, the price Of prop
erty has dropped-ln many instances 20 to 30
.tf s IA -.