The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-02-10
JUDGE JOHN H. LYLE
GIVEN GOOD CHANCE
TO WIN MAYOR RACE.
Anton ]. Cermak, Democrat
Nominee, Arrayed Against
Several Republicans
WAR ON CRIME IS BIG ISSUE
Alderman Arthur Albert and
George K. Schmidt Other
Prominent Candidates
WAR ON CRIME IS BIG ISSUE
Ry BRUCE

Chicago, Feb. 1O.-(NEA)-That
combination of old-time camp meet
ing and three-ring circus that con-
stitutes a mayoralty campaign In Chi
cago has this slightly furnished city
by the throat just now. and the
heavens are being assailed day and
night by the loud pleadings of the
men who hope to occupy the city hall
for the next four years.
To an out-of-towner the focal
point of interest Is the ample figure
of Big Bill Thompson, for whom it
seems mayoralty campaigns were in
vented. Big Bill is a candidate to
succeed himself, and he has a large
tight on his hands.
It is more than possible that
Thompson will be beaten in the Re-
publican primaries Feb. "a; indeed,
finishes one would predict it boldly.
But he has not yet hauled up his
heavy artillery, and forecasting now
IS hazardous.
Two Fiery Opponents
Opposing him are two prominent
office -holders. both good vote getters;
Judge John H. Lyle, who has had
numbers of hoodlums arrested for
vagrancy, and Alderman Arthur F.
Albert, who at 80 has risen amazingly
and who fought last spring for a
councilmanic investigation of the po-
lice department.
Also in the running is George K.
Schmidt, former city controller, who
resigned his job to make the ace and
who was expected to bear Mayor
Thompson's blessing, for at the time
it was believed the mayor would not
seek denomination. But Mayor
Thompson fooled everybody, includ-
ing MI. Schmidt.
There are, in addition. one or two
other candidates of whom almost no
body, including the average Chicago
voter, has ever heard. Arrayed
against all these Republicans is An
ten j. Cermak, the Democratic NOM
inee.
Just at present the situation looks
favorable to Judge Lyle. He has
gained much popularity here by his
campaign against the hoodlums. as
GailGSICAo dlc hllOWlA lCC1Ly.
Lyle States Platform
Lyle bases his campaign or his
arti-crime fight.
THE big issue. if not the only is
sue" he told me. lis our wal on crime.
1t is strictly a home problem and we
are solving it here at home, though
we realize that the fair name Of Chi
cago has been smirched by recitals
spread TO the limits of our nation.
Therefore I welcome this opportunity
to assure readers of NEA Service
newspapers that Chicago will be able
proudly to welcome her visitors to
the Worlds Fair in 1888. for long be-
fore that time the gangsters-as-
suming my election next April-will
have found Chicago the unhealthiest
spot in the United States.
What I have been able to accom-
plish as Judge is small compared to
what the mayor Of Chicago can do
with the power that goes with the Of
flee. If + have been able merely as
Judge to make life miserable for Chi
cago's public enemies by imposing
high bonds, i~nflicting heavy penal
ties, digging up old charges and
pressing vagrancy charges against
those who live by their wits, then as
mayor I should be able to carry to
the finish a successful war against
organized crime.
5000 Police Figure
GAS mayor, I will have 5000 police
under my control. Such a force,
freed from fear of those with drag
can and will work wonders"
The judges campaign so far is
highly effective. Straw votes show
him running somewhat ahead of
Thompson, who in turn is shown
ahead of Albert. Whether he can
sustain his present popularity until
the primary is another question.
No less interesting is Alderman AL
bert. He entered the city council 10
years ago at %. He was born in Chi
cago and Is expected to run strong IN
the German wards.
Lyle, in his campaign, attacks
crime and Thompsonisn. Albert at
tacks these, and also attacks Lyle,
and is charging that Lyle's anti-crime
campaign has been more spectacular
than effective. He asserts that not
enc public enemy is in Jail today be-
cause of Lyle.
Furthermore, he charges that Lyle
is getting the support Of the old
Thompson crowd. and the indications
bear this out. Charles v. Barrett,
aligned with the Crowe-Thompson
machine in former years, has come
cut for Lyle. So has George F. Hard
ing, ex-county. treasurer and former