Evening star., 1939-02-19
Kelly Machine Nears
Test Chicago Race
Enters Home Stretch
Mayors Foes Split for
Primary Election
10 Days Hence
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
CHICAGO, Feb. 18.-Mayor Ed
ward j. Kelly's Democratic organ
ization approached new test of
strength today as the mayoral pri-
mary campaign moved into the
home stretch.
Smash the machine" was the
theme of broadsides leveled by
Mayor Kellys opponent for the
party's nomination, States At
torney Thomas j. Courtney.
Dwight H. Green, who entered
the Republican lists against Will
liam Hale big Bill Thompson,
contended victory for Mr.. Courtney
would merely place new man in
the drivers seat" of the machine" :"
What was needed, he asserted, was
a complete shift to a Republican
administration.
c. B. Goodspeed, treasurer of the
Republican National Committee,
opined destruction of the power
OF the Democratic machine within
the city" would enhance chances
OF electing Republican President
In 1910.
Mayor Kelly, maintaining the
voters would rely upon perform
ances instead of promises" ex-
pressed confidence his six-year
record would insure his renomina-
ton February % and reelection
April 4.
Anti. x oI1v Eoron- C-I:x
The closing rush found the anti
Kelly forces split. Gov. Henry
Horner was i'll in Florida and un-
able to participate in the campaign.
Mr.. Courtney, who sided with the
Governor IN a Democratic factional
feud last year, received the support
OF some of Gov. Horner's followers
Many Endorsed Mr.. Kelly and others
remained neutral.
Gov. Horner fought the organ
7atlon headed by Mayor Kelly and
National Committeeman P. A..
Nash in two major battles-in 1896,
when the Governor won renomina-
ton, In 1888, when his candidates
Tor United States Senator and Cook
County (Chicago) judge defeated
their rivals in primary elections.
Subsequently, the factions united
and bested the Republicans in
major county and Statewide votes
MIR. Green, with the eight-year
domination by Democrats in mind.
urged the electorate to break their
Chicago monopoly" The former
district attorney, who earned wide
notice as a gang buster" when he
prosecuted Al Capone and six of his
henchmen, charged Mayor Kelly
and Mr.. Courtney were jointly re-
sponsible for revival of the Capone
syndicate.
Courtney Challenges Foes.
Mr.. Courtney, who polled the
largest vote in the county in 1896,
declared the Chicago tax rate had
scaled up to the highest in history"
during Mayor Kelly's administra-
ton. He challenged Mr.. Kelly and
Mr.. Green to make public their in
come tax reports for the last six
years and offered to publish his own
II they consented. Mr.. Green ap-
proved the suggestion. Mr.. Kelly
ignored 1t.
my administration has given
more service at less cost than any
other in the modern history of the
CITY," stated Mayor Kelly. He said
hundreds of miles of streets had
been paved, IS new schools had been
built, and crime had decreased,
while Chicago had less labor strife
than any other metropolitan center
In the United States" For the
future he planned unified traction
system and completion of the sub
way.
Mr.. Thompson, elected Mayor in
1915, 1919 and 1923, pointed to his
record, too, pledged a fight against
involvement of the United States in
foreign wars and for 81 day
minimum old-age pension. He de-
manded a "house cleaning of the
Republican county leadership on
grounds that they have been selling
us down the river"
Mr.. Kelly claimed the support of
20 of the so Democratic ward COM
mitteemen. Mr.. Green, drafted by
the Republican regulars" counted
48 of his party's committeeman on
his side.