Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-11-19
.CH|cAGOANS NEED
.STATESMEN'S VIEW,
DECLARES WALLACE
City, Burned When 0'Leary
Cows Kicked Lamp, Again
Threatened"
BY RUTHwELL DUNCAN.
iecial Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
CHICAGO, November 18-Among
other worries, such as unemployment
relief, liquor control and taxation re-
form. Illinois must add to its burdens
the possibility that its proud metropolis
may become o heap OF ashes. That
danger is not a consequence Of any glar-
ing defect in Chicago's Fire Department,
despite the irregularity with which the
men of that department have been paid
for the past two years; nor yet is there
any immediate threat Of widespread
incendiarism.
The warning came from Secretary Of
Agriculture Wallace on his recent APP
pearance here. He was stirred to in
dignation by certain newspaper COM
ments on his program for agricultural
recovery, and declared that unless the
statesman-hke view OF what the Gov
eminent Is trying 10 accomplish, inc
cago would surely become ash heap.
Legend Of Cow Recalled.
Nobody knows by just what process
the Secretary envisages the destruction
Of Chicago. Citizens wonder whether
and bury 1t, as Pompeii was buried; or
whether thunderbolt Is to fall from
heaven and consume it. They are lcath
to suppose that Mr.. Wallace had q
vision Of embattled farmers marching
on the city and putting 1t to the torch.
Legend says COW once started IRE
that was not extinguished until large
part of Chicago lay in smouldering ruin,
but the theory has never been advanced
that Mrs. OLeary's COW was symbol
ically prophetic of more audacious
assault from barnyard sources.
In any case, this new anxiety has not
occasioned great alarm. AS one citizen
cinders in 1871, and now look at the
darned ethyl" Another expressed the
belief that Secretary Wallace was
merely trying, as a prophet. to go one
better than former President Hoover,
who predicted that grass would grow IN
the streets Of New York If the Repub-
licans we're defeated.
Ignoring the Cassandra forecast OF
the Secretary those enterprising citi-
zens of Chicago who conceived and car
ried out the Century of Progress Ex-
position, unsubsidzed by Nation, State or
city, are steadily going about the work
of preparation for its reopening next
June on larger scale and with better
display.
There is no doubt the exposition did
much to promote better feeling for Chi
throughout the country Down-State
suspicious and jealousies might have
been cheered year ago by the thought
that fiery Judgment was about TO de-
scend on the metropolis. In rural COM
munities the impression was widespread
that Sodom and Gomorrah had nothing
on Chicago. The conception is no.
nearly so prevalent today.
Relief Prospect Cheered.
The prospect of Federal money for
civic work relief has cheered both city
and State. Notwithstanding the limited
means that have been at the disposal
of the Relief Commission, it has already
developed work relief effectively, reduce
ing the burden on direct relief, and pro-
noting many necessary repairs and i'm
provements on public buildings and IN
parks and forest preserves. Extension
of that work on a much larger scale will
be possible now. The State feels the
stimulation to morale In knowing that
relief is coming to the needy through
useful labor. It recognizes in the de-
development Of that program an impor-
tant and hopeful step toward recovery.
Many friends Of Gov. Horner have
advised him that he is running into
trouble by postponing a call for spe-
cial session of the State Legislature until
late in November. They also warn him
that his intention to include In the call
half dozen questions in addition to
that of liquor control increases the
danger of delay in providing for the
new era Of lawful liquor sale.