The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-04-10
CERdAK RODE OLD WHITE HORSE IN
 HIS FIRST JOB
Looked Over the City, He Was to Rule Later, as Tow Boy for Old Street Car Company
BY MERTON T. AKERs

United Press Stan Corrcspopdcnt) }
 ChicaSo, April 10.--(UP).--From the back of an old white horse. Am ton J. cermak gained his first im- pressions of the city he afterwards was to head.
 As Dick Wilmington went to Lon don, so Cermak came to Chicago afoot, following the natural route from Braidwood. H., along the canal. His first job was that of q tow boy for the street car company. Each morning he rode his old white horse to the Blue Island avenue viaduct. There he spent the days helping to pull the horse cars over the hill. Be- tween cars he observed the teeming life of Chicago and became a part of 1t.
 Small as his pay was, 1t Is said of Tony" that he saved part of 1t. Al night he continued his studies, first to get general education and later to branch out in the field of law Fate in the form of mine foreman had started him toward Chicago but romance started him toward busi- ness fortune.
 In the restaurant where he ate Inc me. q milliner, not yet 17 years old. Irony" and Mary HoreJas had much in common. Both were lonely; both worked hard and long hours and both wanted to better their condi- tions. Acquaintance ripcned into TO- financial problem. Two couldn't live on. his wages. so he cast about for an opportunity to make more money.
 Someone told him that the Inter- national Harvester company was dis carding wood that might be used as kindling. Cermak contracted to buy the wood for $1 q load. He sold the wood for kindling at $2.50 load Later he noted that some of the pieces were large enough for chair seats so he graded his loads and sold the larger pieces to furniture fac- tory for as much as SIS a load.
 This money represented opulence to the mine boy. He and Miss Horejaf The home he built for his bride was his first investment in real estate.
 He made many more, buying lots for $200 and selling for $1,500. By 1910 his fortune had grown until he with others organized two banks Later he added building ,and loan business that now ranks as one of the largest in the state.
 Early in his business career, Ger mak had become a democratic pre- cinct worker and in 1902 he was mentioned for the legislature.
 He went r1eryously to the caucus In the Hotel sherman where the slate was to be made out. Roger Sullivan, powerful democratic poli- tfcian was there, and so was George knew neither of them.
 Point out Brennan will you?" Cermak asked worker.
 There he is." the worker said pointing out the political lieutenant who had lost leg in q mine acci- dent. Cermak felt the thrill of rccog- milton.
 Pm Tony cermak." the youth In. troduced himself to Brennan.
 Well I'll be damned. it's Tony Chermock," answered Brennan. "pvt been hearing about rising young fellow down in the 10th by the name of Cermak but 1t never occurred tc me that 1t was the Tony Chermoch l knew in Braidwood."
 Cermak was on the ticket wher the caucus broke up and was elect. ed.
 He was reelected in 1905, '0G and '08. Tn 1909 he was elected alder. man. There he stayed until 191: when he won the bailiffship of the municipal coudt. That job he .helt until 1921 when he was elected pres. ident of the Cook county board oi commissioners.
 In 1928 Cermak won the demo. cratic nomination for senator bu was defeated by Senator Otis r Glenn, the only defeat in his DO liticai career.