Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-05


Of the Municipal Court by only 10000
votes In the last November election.
after having served in that capacity for
IL years. In the February primary
Kearns was nominated as the Repub-
lican candidate for city treasurer over
the Thompson candidate for the nomi-
nation.
If the Deneen group swings into Ger
max columns, will Thompson leaders
penalize a fellow Republican by In
structing precinct workers against
Kearns, as a retaliation against the in
dependent group?
The problems Of Chicago politics as
represented by numerous Republican
groups are difficult. Which way will
these groups go so that each may pro-
tect itself for future patronage?
It must be remembered that as po-
litical bosses in the Thompson army,
Brundage controlled the North Side,
Barrett the West Side and Harding the
South Side districts of Chicago. All
have deserted Thompson, as previously
noted. With them went the Republican
county chairman, B. w. Snow, and DR..
John Dill Robertson, strong factor in
the West Park Board system, po-
litical body distinct from the regular
city government.
These leaders were Lyle men in the
primary, as was John L. East jr., later
appointed LyleS campaign manager.
How these groups will go is a ques-
ton. It is presumed that many Deneen
lieutenantS, because Of their long fight
against ThOmpSonism, have Endorsed
Cermak, although official action as a
group has been withheld, especially be-
cause of the complications due to the
Kearns candidacy for city treasurer.
Kearns has an outstanding chance
to be elected. Success here would main
tain Republican in the City Hall, even
though the Democratic Cermak he
elected as mayor.
His Vote Has DwindIed.
1t was a divided opposition which
handed Thompson the denomination
late in February. II his opponents had
been united, the figures indicate the
mayor would easily have been defeated.
The majority of the Republicans at the
polls voted against Thompson. There
were 1888 more Republicans who
voted anti Thompson than who voted
for him. although Thompson'S plurality
was 67,84I.
With the exception of his first may
oral race in 1915, when he was nomi-
mated by less than 1000 votes, Mayor
Thompson made the weakest showing
Of his career in the last primary. In
the February primary Thompson OBJ
tanned only As per cent OF the Repub-
lican votes, while four years ago he
received 81 per cent and in 1919, SIS per
cent.
study Of Chicago campaigns shows
that Thompson, since his first effort
t.. III - AT n
higher percentage of votes in q primary
than in an election.
In 1927 Thompson's primary total
was 81 per cent of the Republican votes.
while in the election he received only
Sis per cent Of the total. In the 1919
mayoral primary Thompson received a
little better than 81 per cent of the
votes in the primary. but in the cleo
ton he obtained only 37.6 per cent OF
the total.
Thompson's strength. as indicated In
the last primary, Is concentrated in ii
Of the SO Chicago wards. This terri
tory embraces the first ward, the home
ward of two widely known Illinois
Democrats, Michal "Hinky Dink" Ken
na former alderman, and Alderman
John J. Bath House John" Coughlin,
both Of whom often held out their po-
litical friends by supporting the Re-
publican ticket on primary days.
Extending from the first Ooop) ward
to the near South Side are the second,
third and part Of the fourth wards a
territory said to be the second largest
colored settlement in the world, rank
ing second only TO Harlem in New York.
This territory previously has been re-
puted to be under control of George F.
Harding, Lyle primary hacker.
A. -
Thompson strength are the eleventh
and twelfth. adjoining the stock yards
and drainage canal. Much Of the bal
ance of ThompSon's strength lies in
the bloody twentieth ward where
Octavius Granady, colored candidate for
ward committeeman, was murdered on
a former primary day. Then there is
the twenty-fifth ward. Other wards
where Thompson has concentrated
strength are the twenty-sixth, twenty
seventh and thirty-flrst
Many leaders of the primary cam
paign for Judge Lyle have swung into
group has not officially supported Ger
max despite its long fight against
Thompson, although 1t is certain that
many Deneen associates are following
the Cermak banner, for next year an
election for states attorney will be held
The incumbent, John A. Swanson, who
four years ago defeated Robert E.
Grove, Thompson leader, will not
likely have the support of Big Bill AL
though it cannot be definitely stated, it
is surmised that Swanson and Cermak
have established cordial relations for
mutual benefit.
1t Is certain that Thompson is near
ing the end OF his political domination
OF the city, although 1t remains for the
voters to determine whether Cermak
win be the man to deliver the final blow
to Thompsonism In Chicago.
Keen-Eyed.