352.07731 
 T777 
 
 THE TRUTH ABOUT 
 HARRISON UP TO 
 DATE
 
 THE TRUTH 
 ABOUT 
 HARRISON 
 UP TO DATE 
 
 TOLD BY THE 
 RECORDS AND 
 THE PRESS 
 
 MARCH 26, 1903
 
 THE TRUTH ABOUT 
 HARRISON 
 UP TO DATE 
 
 TOLD BY THE RECORDS 
 AND THE PRESS 
 
 MARCH 26. 1903 
 
 JOHN F. HIGGINS, PRINTER, 
 
 196-198 CLARK ST. 
 
 CHICAGO
 
 \
 
 7-7-77 x// ^'*+ 
 
 THE TRUTH ABOUT HARRISON UP TO DATE. 
 
 ' ' We may thank our stars for the presence in the Mayor's 
 office of an honest man with a club." 
 
 Tht Chicago Times- Her aid, July 14, 1897. 
 
 THE COUNCIL RECORDS TEEM WITH HARRISON'S VETOES 
 OF BAD LEGISLATION. 
 
 Here are a few samples: 
 
 PEOPLE'S GAS June 21, 1897, Mayor Harrison vetoed a 
 
 COMPANY .-, ., . 
 
 Council order allowing 1 the People s Gas 
 
 Light and Coke Company to tear up the streets and providing 
 that their repaving be paid for by the city, for the reason that 
 it burdened the city with expense properly chargeable to said 
 company. 
 
 Council Proceeding*, 1897-98, page 416. 
 
 THE NOTORIOUS J une 2 8, 1897, the Mayor vetoed the noto- 
 
 "COMMON WEALTH rious Commonwealth Electric Company or- 
 
 ELECTRIC" dinance, for the reasons that : 
 
 1. The names of the beneficiaries were not known; 
 
 2. The powers granted were altogether too broad; 
 
 3. District in which underground wires were required too 
 
 restricted ; 
 
 4. Charges to be made to private consumers too great ; 
 
 5. City's consideration for the rights and privileges granted 
 
 was too small ; and, 
 
 6. The proposed term of grant was too long. 
 
 Council Proceeding!, 1897-98, page 475. 
 
 "Mayor Harrison's chief power in his last two 
 terms has been gained by placing the interests of the 
 people above the selfish interests of the politicians, " 
 
 Chicago Journal, December 7, 1902. 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF 
 
 ILLINOIS LIBRARY 
 
 AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
 
 THE THDTil ABOUT HARBISON UP TO DATE. 
 
 The Council passed the ordinance over the Mayor's veto, 
 and it is the first and last so-called boodle ordinance that has 
 beeome a law during Mayor Harrison's three administrations. 
 
 THE "CHICAGO July 6, 1897, the Mayor vetoed the ill-con- 
 
 GENERAL RAILWAY" sidered and improvident ordinance of the 
 Chicago General Railway Company^ for 
 the reasons that: 
 
 ' 'The compensation running to the City in return for said 
 franchise is insufficient. The powers granted in Section 1 2 of 
 said ordinance are so broad as to practically amount to an 
 electric lighting franchise, and certain conditions which should 
 be incorporated in every traction franchise are absent from said 
 ordinance. I refer to the ultimate placing of all trolley wires 
 underground, the introduction in use of the grooved rail, and 
 the paving by street railway companies of all streets used by 
 them from curb to curb. " 
 
 Council Proceedings, 1897-98, page 531. 
 
 THE ODIOUS GEN- July 12, 1897, Mayor Harrison vetoed the 
 
 ERAL ELECTRIC scandalous General Electric Company or- 
 
 ORDINANCE dinance by which the company sought to 
 
 avoid its obligations to the City and prop- 
 erty owners who had signed frontage consents for the company, 
 for the reason, as he stated, that : 
 
 "It is against the policy of this administration to permit 
 the unconditional use of the overhead trolley wire; an for 
 the further reason that this administration, favoring as it does 
 the ultimate introduction of the so-called grooved rail, cannot 
 countenance any ordinance which does not contemplate, sooner 
 or later, its use. " 
 
 ''Mayor Harrison * * * has annihilated boodle 
 ordinances, has administered a quietus to franchise- 
 grabbers, has well safeguarded the interests of the 
 people. Chicago Journal, Decsmber 26, 1902.
 
 THE TRUTH ABOUT HARRISON UP TO DATE. 
 
 And for the further reason that the ordinance was a fla- 
 grant breach of the contract between the company and the 
 owners who signed frontage consents along its proposed line 
 and of the contract between the company and the City; and 
 that "it smacked of shady methods, to say the least." 
 
 Council Proceedings, 1897-98, page 560. 
 
 The Mayor's veto was sustained, and in connection with it 
 Harrison made his first appearance as the first Mayor of Chi- 
 cago to fight the Council aggressively in matters of vicious legis- 
 lation. 
 
 "The Mayor and that honest minority which stands with 
 him have done their duty nobly. They have shown not only 
 that they are honest, but also that they are good, stubborn, 
 effective fighters. His Honor, in particular, has demonstrated 
 that he knows both what is right and how to go about securing 
 it His blunt, straightforward method is refreshing." 
 
 Chicago Journal, July 14, 1897. 
 
 ' 'Citizens of Chicago cannot be too grateful for the masterly 
 manner in which Mayor Harrison conducted his fight for the 
 preservation of the contract which was entered into between the 
 City and the General Electric Railway Company. " 
 
 Evening Pott, July 13, 1897. 
 
 AGAINST UNBUSINESS- October 13, 1897, the Mayor, following 
 LIKE METHODS IN out his promises of a businesslike adminis- 
 
 CITY AFFAIRS. tration of City affairs, vetoed an order 
 
 closing: the City Hall at i o'clock Saturday 
 afternoons during the year, for the reason that : 
 
 "It is necessary every department should work more 
 rather than fewer hours in order that the work of the City may 
 
 ''Mayor Harrison is net of the Journal's political 
 faith, bat he is in many respects one of the best of- 
 ficials Chicago ever had." Chicago Journal, May 11, 1901.
 
 THE TRUTH ABOUT HARRISON UP TO DATE. 
 
 be properly expedited. The City should be run on the same 
 basis as any large business house, and it is not the custom to 
 close any mercantile establishment Saturday afternoons except 
 during the heated season." 
 
 Council Procudings 1897- 98, page 676. 
 
 CONSUMERS' March 7, 1898, the Mayor vetoed the Con- 
 
 ELECTRIC. sumers' Electric Light Company ordi- 
 
 nance, for the reason that: 
 
 "Said ordinance does not sufficiently insure compensation 
 to the City. " 
 
 Council Proceedings 1897-98, page 1862. 
 
 FOR COMPENSATItN April n, 1898, Mayor Harrison vetoed an 
 TO CITY. ordinance permitting the Chicago, Milwau- 
 
 kee and St. Paul Railway Company to in- 
 stall a trolley line on its Evanston Division, for the reasons 
 that: 
 
 "The compensation from said company to the City was inad- 
 equate; no requirement was contained in the ordinance for the 
 paving of the streets between the rails where the company was 
 to make use of any part of a public street ; and there was no 
 provision for the removal of overhead wif es in view of future 
 elevation of the roadway. " 
 
 Council Proceedings, 1898-1899, page 3. 
 
 FOR ECONOMY. October 17, 1898, the Mayor vetoed, 
 
 among other things, the erection of a 
 municipal reviewing stand for the Peace Jubilee. 
 
 "For the reason that the administration cannot afford to 
 spend money for a purpose of this kind when the City is ham- 
 
 "/ believe that honesty should be the qualifica- 
 tion for Aldermen, and I don't care whether a man is 
 a Democrat, a Republican, a Populist, or what, so 
 long as he is for the city's interest and not for his 
 own poc&et." 
 
 Mayor Harrison in Chicago Record-Herald, March 23, 1902.
 
 THB TRUTH ABOUT HARBISON UP TO DATE. 
 
 pered for money in the Street Cleaning, Bridge, and other De- 
 partments. There are too many necessities demanding the 
 expenditure of City Funds to-day for the City Government to 
 spend money on pure luxuries. " 
 
 Council Proctedinqi, 1898-1899, page 770. 
 
 MORE VETOES OF BAD "MAYOR HARRISON'S SEVEN VETOES. 
 LEGISLATION. Mayor Harrison was a busy man yester- 
 
 day. * * * He was preparing a num- 
 ber of vetoes for the instruction of the City Council and, inci- 
 dentally, for the discipline of several Aldermen. * * * It 
 was a great night for Mayor Harrison, and he has the thanks of 
 the community for the good use he made of his veto power. " 
 
 Evening Post, October 18, 1898. 
 
 A FULL DAY'S WORK November 9, 1898, the Mayor again in- 
 FOR A FULL DAY'S sisted upon the City's getting a full day's 
 
 PAY. work for a full day's pay and vetoed an 
 
 order for Saturday half holiday through- 
 out the year. He said : 
 
 "The City is to-day hampered by the need of money in 
 every department. A large increase of the force is required 
 by the Police Department, the bridges are going to rack and 
 ruin for the lack of money to put them in decent condition. 
 The garbage of the City cannot be disposed of effectually with- 
 out a large increase in the appropriation. The same conditions 
 obtain in all branches of the City Government. A half holiday 
 on Saturdays would be peculiarly unfortunate in the Street and 
 Alley Cleaning Department, because it would throw the teams 
 of the City out of service Saturdays after noon, when on account 
 
 "Certainly this is a most admirable statement of 
 the duty of a good citizen as well as of a party leader 
 in municipal affairs," Chicago Record-Herald, March 23, 1902.
 
 THS TRUTH ABOUT HARBISON UP TO DATE. 
 
 of no work being done on Sunday, a good systematic cleaning 
 up is most required. * * * Before such a step can be 
 adopted * * * with prudence and justice to the taxpayers 
 of the community, it will be necessary so largely to 
 increase the revenues of the City that the payment of one- 
 twelfth of the entire payroll without corresponding service 
 being rendered shall not fall as a calamity on the City." 
 
 Council Proceedings, 1898-1899, page 874. 
 
 GRABBING ORDINANCE January 30, 1899, the Mayor vetoed the 
 
 OF ILLINOIS TELE- obnoxious Illinois Telephone and Tele- 
 
 PHONE AND TELE- graph Company ordinance because, as he 
 
 GRAPH CO. stated: 
 
 1. It failed to specify time limit for completion of plant; 
 
 2. It granted the right to tear up any newly paved streets; 
 
 3. It was too broad in permitting the bringing of wires to the 
 
 surface in every block and carrying them for four 
 blocks on poles, roofs, etc. ; 
 
 4. It failed to require metallic circuits necessary for good 
 
 service ; 
 
 5. It gave the City no right to use the Company's poles and 
 
 ducts; 
 
 6. The time granted (40 years) was altogether too long 
 
 and there was no provision for ultimate municipal 
 ownership ; 
 
 7. It provided for no compensation to the City. 
 
 Council Proceedings, 1898-1899, page 144 J. 
 
 4 'And the Mayor is to be congratulated that, hav- 
 ing recognized that his duty to Chicago is higher than 
 to his party, he has had the courage and public spirit 
 to announce it thus boldly." 
 
 Chicago Record-Herald, March 23 1902.
 
 THE TRUTH ABOUT HARRISOX UP TO DATE. 
 
 VETO OF SALARY March 27, 1899, the Mayor vetoes salary 
 
 INCREASE. increase of City employes and helps the 
 
 taxpayer. 
 
 Council Proceedings, 1898-99, pagt 1957. 
 
 "HARRISON AND THE TAXPAYERS. Mayor Harrison again 
 demonstrated his loyalty to the interests of the taxpayer when 
 he vetoed the salary grab action of the appropriation bill at the 
 Council meeting last night, and the people will not overlook the 
 act. * * * It is not every Mayor who would do such a 
 courageous thing in behalf of the ; >ple during the closing 
 week of a political campaign in which he was vitally interested. 
 * * * Mayor Harrison was satisusd the increase was unfair 
 and should not stand, and he took the first possible opportunity 
 to make his convictions known, totally disregarding the day 
 and date. " 
 
 Chicago Record, March 28, 1899. 
 
 BALKS IMPROVIDENT November 13, 1899, the Mayor vetoed an 
 SALE OF VALUABLE order providing for the sale of the "Boston 
 CITY PROPERTY. store property, " saying to the Council : 
 
 "I do not approve of the selling of good income-bearing 
 property for any purpose. I am in thorough harmony with the 
 underlying spirit of this order. The necessity of establishing 
 a small park system affording breathing spots in the over- 
 crowded inside wards, for the children of these densely popu- 
 lated districts, appeals to all of us. The municipality can 
 undertake no more laudable work than that of providing play- 
 grounds close to the homes for the children of such of our citi- 
 
 ' "The vote is one of confidence in Mayor Harri- 
 son's personal honesty, and a just rebuke to the at- 
 tacks upon the credit 9f Chicago." 
 
 Record-Herald, April 3, 1901.
 
 10 THE TRUTH ABOUT HARRISON DP TO DATE. 
 
 zens as cannot afford the luxury of private yards. * * * The 
 argument is advanced that the property sought to be disposed 
 of has reached its maximum value. The proponents of this 
 argument lack faith in the future of Chicago. At every period 
 in the history of our City the same idea has found voice. For- 
 tunately for Chicago, however, in the past this note of warning 
 has been sounded by citizens of other cities, who could not un- 
 derstand the spirit of progress and advancement that domi- 
 nated our citizens ; and the citizens of Chicago have proceeded 
 in the building up of this great municipality with the firm con- 
 viction that they were laying the foundation stones for the 
 future metropolis of the world. " 
 
 Council Proceedings, 1899-1900, page 1549. 
 
 MAKES THE COUNCIL On February 26, 1900, Mayor Harrison 
 CONSIDER THE CITY'S vetoed an ordinance increasing the scale of 
 WELFARE FIRST. wages to be paid by the City to its employes, 
 
 and in his message to the Council said : 
 
 "The City is in no position to-day to raise the salaries of 
 its employes. Our bridges are either closed or rapidly going 
 to pieces ; our streets are dirty and demand the employment of 
 more men if they are to be put and kept in anything like decent 
 condition ; the clay holes in which the City at present is depos- 
 iting its refuse are rapidly filling, and the day is almost here 
 when the City must have reduction and incinerating plants to 
 
 take care of the garbage ; the police force 
 URGES MORE POLICE. 
 
 is too small, and its size should be in- 
 creased if life and property are adequately to be protected ; 
 
 "No man has dared hint that Mayor Harrison has 
 been the beneficiary, directly or indirectly t of any 
 franchise that has passed the City Council." 
 
 Chicago Journal, December 26, 1902.
 
 THE TRUTH ABOUT HARRISON UP TO DATE. 11 
 
 the electric lighting system should be 
 MORE ELECTRIC LIGHTS. 
 
 extended so that every street in every 
 
 ward will be well lighted ; small parks in the thickly settled 
 
 wards are demanded as playgrounds and 
 AND SMALL PARKS AND 
 PLAYGROUNDS FOR THE breathing spots for both young and old, 
 
 PEOPLE AND THEIR to whom fortune has denied the privilege 
 
 CHILDREN. f , f .< . m , , 
 
 of a yard of their own. These and many 
 
 other demands rightfully made by your constituents should be 
 complied with before there should be any question of a salary 
 increase for any class of City employes. The public at large 
 is more interested in good service than in the rate of wages its 
 employes receive. It is willing to pay each of its employes an 
 honest wage, but before making an increase over what has 
 been the settled standard for a decade, it demands and justly, 
 too that your Honorable Body shall givs it the service for 
 which it pays its taxation. " 
 
 Council Proceedings, 1899-1900, page 25" 7. 
 
 THE FAMOUS J une 25 ' I9 ' the Mavor vetoed the per- 
 
 nrncw r UCTO nicious ordinance permitting the Ogden 
 
 Gas Company to sell out to the Gas Trust 
 
 in defiance of the terms of the company's franchise, for the rea- 
 sons that: (i), the proposed ordinance "renders nugatory the 
 obligation imposed upon the Ogden Gas Company by its origi- 
 nal ordinance to furnish all the people of the City of Chicago 
 with gas at ninety cents a thousand;" (2), the ordinance " fails 
 to provide for additional compensation to the City of Chicago." 
 The Mayor said : 
 
 "The people of Chicago have the right to expect and 
 demand that a franchise granted by their City Council and of 
 
 "With Harrison in the saddle the property owners 
 will not have to stand guard st night with shotguns to 
 save the streets and alleys from being pilfered." 
 
 Chicago Journal, December 2, 1902.
 
 12 THK TRUTH ABOUT HARRISON UP TO DATB. 
 
 great value to the holders shall be operated in the spirit in 
 which it was granted ; they have a further demand that no val- 
 uable privilege or enjoyment of existing privileges shall be 
 granted without adequate compensation therefor being paic 
 into the City treasury. " 
 
 Council Proceedings, 1 900-1901, page C63. 
 
 This was followed up January 6, 1902, by Mayor Harrison 
 recommending an ordinance, which was passed, declaring that 
 the rights and privileges granted to the company by the city 
 were of no more force and effect by reason of the company's 
 violation of its agreement with the City. 
 
 Council Proceedings, 1901-1902, page 1677. 
 
 rnMTiiuiicc cfiP April 8, 1901, Mayor Harrison vetoed an 
 
 win? ordinance on the ground that it was 
 
 "against the policy of the present admin- 
 istration to permit switch tracks to be laid either on the surface 
 or on elevated structures, on or across City streets and alleys, 
 without the payment of compensation to the City. " 
 
 Council Proceedings, 1901-1902, page 2. 
 
 HARRISON'S PART IN CONSTRUCTIVE LEGISLATION. 
 
 More, than any other Mayor, Harrison has advised and 
 recommended to the City Council legislation for the advantage 
 of the whole city. 
 
 COMPENSATION FOR July 6, 1897, as indicating his policy with 
 PUBLIC FRANCHISES, reference to public franchises, in a message 
 to the Council he urged that in every traction 
 ordinance provision should be made for adequate compensation, 
 and "the ultimate placing of all trolley wires under ground, 
 
 "Boston and the East have much to learn from 
 Chicago in advanced methods of public school in- 
 struction. "Record-Herald, May 26, 1901.
 
 TUB TttUTII ABOUT HARRISON UP TO DVTE. ]3 
 
 the introduction in use of the grooved rail, and the paving- by 
 the street railway companies of all streets used by them, from 
 curb to curb. " 
 
 Council Proceedings 1897-1898, page 531. 
 
 HIS WELL-KNOWN December 6, 1897, in a communication to the 
 EDUCATIONAL Council, Harrison asked that authority be 
 
 COMMISSION. given him to appoint a committee to inquire 
 
 into the Chicago Public School System. This authority was 
 given and he appointed the Commission of eleven members, 
 consisting of members of the Board of Education and of the 
 City Council and of men prominent in the professions. Of the 
 work of this Commission a high authority and eminent critic 
 said : 
 
 " The result of all this labor is one of the most important 
 educational documents ever produced. It cannot fail to attract 
 widespread attention and excite deep interest wherever the im- 
 portance of public education is understood. It affords a striking 
 example of a necessary piece of work done in the right way ; 
 and it is much to the credit of Mayor Harrison that he should 
 have taken the initiative in this commendable enterprise. We 
 have said more than once that of the duties incumbent upon 
 the Chief Executive of a great city those which relate to the 
 conduct of the Public Schools are paramount to all others ; and 
 in the present case, as perhaps never before in the history of 
 Chicago, the importance of these duties seems to have been 
 realized. " 
 
 The Dial, January 16, 1899. 
 
 "The Mayor has evinced unusual and gratifying 
 appreciation of the qualifications that should govern 
 in appointments to the school board." 
 
 Record -Herald, May 29, 1901.
 
 14 THE TKDTH ABOUT HARBISON UP TO DATE. 
 
 REDUCES INTEREST April n, 1898, in his annual message, Har- 
 
 ONE-HALF. rison announced the refunding of $100,000. oo 
 
 7 per cent, twenty-year bonds at the reduced 
 
 interest of 3.5 per cent., and their sale at a premium of 1.0366, 
 
 and the reduction of interest on time warrants from 6 to 5 per 
 
 cent, and the reduction in bonded debt of the city $65,000.00. 
 
 "The Mayor further said : 
 
 "Instead of sitting down and weeping over the insufficiency 
 of civic revenue, the administration grappled the task of giving 
 the city more light, of inaugurating an intercepting sewer sys- 
 tem which results in giving the City absolutely pure water, in 
 arranging for the establishment of what was regarded as an 
 almost perfect garbage system, and in seeing to it that track 
 elevation should be a fact and not a theory." 
 
 Council Proceedings, 1898-1899, page 4. 
 
 TO REGULATE February n, 1899, Harrison suggested 
 
 TELEPHONE RATES. that in all new telephone ordinances the 
 city reserve the right to regulate the rates 
 charged for the public service. 
 
 Council Proceedings, 1898 1899, page 1692. 
 
 INSTALLS ELECTRIC March 23, 1899, Harrison suggested that 
 LIGHT PLANTS. electric light plants be installed at new 
 
 water works pumping stations, thereby 
 saving $36,000.00 anmially to the city. 
 
 Council Proceedings 1899-1900, page 1794. 
 
 COMPENSATION September 25, 1899, the Mayor in a mes- 
 
 FOR PRIVATE USE sage to the Council presented a tabulated 
 
 OF PUBLIC SPACE. statement of public street and allej'^ce 
 
 occupied by private persons, and t^iged 
 the Council to require adequate compensation therefor, saying : 
 
 '.' I have always held that no matter how trivial might be 
 the private use of tmblic property, proper compensation should 
 
 "The city may be proud of the Mayor and Mrs. 
 Harrison for the graceful courtesy with which they 
 filled the part of host and. hostess in the city's behalf. " 
 
 Chicago Tribune (Prinse Henry's visit), March 5, 1902.
 
 THH TKDTH ABOUT HAURISON ~CP TO DATE. 13 
 
 be required, and since 1897 the various privileges of this char- 
 ter have borne such compensation-" 
 
 Council Proceedings, 1899-1900, page 1182. 
 
 The same policy has been carried out with regard to all 
 private uses of the streets, such as switch tracks, conduits, 
 alley bridges, street scales, store windows, etc. The revenue 
 to the city from these sources, due entirely to the Mayor's 
 efforts, amounts to not less than $50,000 ANNUALLY. 
 
 Comptroller' 's Book*. 
 
 SEWER CONSTRUCTION. November 13, 1899, Mayor Harrison sub- 
 mitted to the Council an ordinance author- 
 izing the construction of Sections "G" and "H" of the inter- 
 cepting sewer system by day labor. He said : 
 
 ' ' The best bid this or any other administration charged 
 with the completion of such an undertaking could make for 
 public favor would be to do the work cheaply and well. Econ- 
 omy of administration as well as perfection of construction will be 
 demanded by the public, and neither end could be gained were 
 the work prostituted to political ends. Any attempt so to 
 prostitute the work would merit the public's sharp condemna- 
 tion and receive it in full measure." 
 
 The Mayor showed, furthermore, the advantage to the com- 
 munity of having the work done by day labor, as the contrac- 
 tor's profit would go in higher wages to the citizens who actu- 
 ally did the work. 
 
 Council Proceedings 1899-1900, page 1544. 
 
 Actual results justify the Mayor's position. The work done 
 by day labor has resulted in great saving to the city. 
 
 (See page 30.) 
 
 "Mayor Harrison in his official life has set a good 
 example to the people of Chicago not part, but all of 
 the people that is worth much." 
 
 Chicago Journal, October 20, 1902.
 
 18 THE TKUTII ABOUT HARRJSOX L'P TO DATE. 
 
 While the contractors' ring has fought the Mayor on a tech- 
 nicality and to an extent successfully in the lower courts, he is 
 yet carrying on his fight for economy by appeal to the Supreme 
 Court. 
 
 PAYMENT FOR November 20, 1899, the Mayor submitted 
 
 PRIVILEGES. to the Council a list of upward of three hun- 
 
 dred switch tracks in use within the City 
 
 limits, with the suggestion that the Council take the matter up 
 with a view to increasing the revenue of t"he City by compelling 
 the owners of privileges in the public streets to pay adequate 
 compensation for them." 
 
 Council Proctedings 1899-1900, page 1618. 
 
 RECREATION FOR December, n, 1899, the Mayor submitted 
 
 THE YOUTH. to the Council an ordinance providing for 
 
 free use of the City hydrants for the pur- 
 pose of affording skating rinks by flooding vacant property. 
 The Mayor said : 
 
 "Any action tending to afford the youth of the City, free 
 of charge, healthful and amusing exercise is not only directed 
 towards improving their physical condition but gives them an 
 occupation for leisure hours Jhat might in other circumstances 
 be devoted to questionable or demoralizing occupations." 
 
 Council Proceedings 1899-1900, page 1835. 
 
 PLANS TO SAVE December 19, 1899, the Mayor sent to the 
 
 MONEY. Council a message calling attention to the 
 
 large judgment indebtedness of the City 
 
 and suggested that the judgments be refunded by means of bonds 
 bearing lower rate of interest^ \h\\s saving the City abotit $40,- 
 ooo. oo per year in interest charges. He said : 
 
 ''// is fortunate, moreover, that the council's fi- 
 nance committee has the guidance of a comptroller 
 with the municipal experience and business sense of 
 Mr. McGann. "Chicago Record- Herald, February 11, 1903.
 
 THE TRUTH'ABOUT HARBISON UP TO DATE. 17 
 
 "From a business point of view such an issue ought not 
 to be objectionable as being an increase of the City's indebted- 
 ness, for it would be merely a change in the form of a part 
 of it." 
 
 Council Proceedings 1899 1900, pagt 1926. 
 
 The proposition to issue the bonds was submitted to the 
 electors at the City election of April, 1901, and although receiv- 
 ing an overwhelming majority of the votes cast on the proposi- 
 tion, failed by a small margin of a majority of the total vote 
 cast at the election. 
 
 Mayor Harrison has taken the matter up again. At his 
 instance the proposition is to be submitted to the voters at the 
 election of April 7, 1903. 
 
 BREAKS UP A January 3, 1900, Harrison submitted an 
 
 MONOPOLY. ordinance, subsequently passed, BREAKING 
 
 UP THE MONOPOLY IN THE PAVING BRICK 
 
 COMBINATION and opening the field to competition. 
 
 Council Procetdings 1899-1900, page 2026 
 
 ESTABLISHES ART On the same date he submitted to the 
 
 COMMISSION. Council an ordinance ESTABLISHING AN ART 
 
 COMMISSION. 
 
 The Mayor's message was subsequently carried into effect 
 by the passage of his ordinance at the meeting of February 1 1 , 
 1901 
 
 THE MAYOR URGES January 39, 1900, the Mayor sent to the 
 
 RIVER IMPROVEMENT. Council a message in which he pointed out 
 
 the necessity of REMOVING CENTER PIER 
 
 BRIDGES AND REPLACING THEM WITH BASCULE BRIDGES. He Said: 
 
 "What the river has done for Chicago in the past it may 
 reasonably be expected to do in the future. Upon it our City
 
 18 THE TRUTH ABOUT HARRISON UP TO DATE. 
 
 largely depends for the maintenance of its commerce. While 
 its welfare is looked after with a watchful eye, while its inter- 
 ests are properly guarded and its condition receives careful 
 attention, the supremacy of Chicago as a shipping center will 
 be maintained, and the freight trade of flie lakes will of neces- 
 sity go to and from this harbor." 
 
 SOLVES THE By this message the Mayor was the first 
 
 BRIDGE PROBLEM to point out the solution of the center pier 
 
 bridge problem how to do away with 
 
 them and how to obtain modern bascule bridges in their stead 
 in spite of the City's inability to increase its debt or to pay for 
 them out of current revenue. He showed that center piers 
 were in the greater part of the river obstacles to the flow of 
 water required of the Sanitary District by law, and therefore 
 that the expense of removing them and replacing the bridges 
 with bascules should properly be borne by the Sanitary District. 
 
 Council Proceedings 181)9-1900, page 2291, 
 
 AND CETS BRIDGES. This resulted in the Sanitary District un- 
 dertaking the building of bascule bridges 
 
 and the removal of center pier bridges, as advised by the 
 Mayor. 
 
 Five of these bridges at Taylor, Canal, Main and State 
 streets and Ashland avenue have been completed. The new 
 bridges at Randolph and Harrison streets are under construc- 
 tion. 
 
 The City has recently built three large bascule bridges at 
 Clybourn place, East Division street and Ninety-fifth street. 
 
 THE MAYOR PROTECTS February 19, 1900, the Mayor asked the 
 THE WATER FUND. Council to refrain from placing new obli- 
 
 gations on the Water Fund, pointing out 
 
 the large amount of indebtedness outstanding against it, and 
 saying : 
 
 "For some time past it had been rather the fashion to 
 
 "The City of Chicago now has an excellent ac- 
 count system. There was a time when that system 
 was not excellent, A change was effected." 
 
 Chicago Tribune, July 21, 1902.
 
 THK TRUTH ABOUT HABRI9ON UP TO DATE. 19 
 
 attempt to saddle all character of work properly chargeable to 
 the general appropriations of the City upon the Water Fund. 
 The result of this has been to excite considerable alarm among 
 bankers and financial men holding certificates issued against 
 the receipts of the Water Department and to make the work of 
 the Comptroller of selling new water certificates more than 
 ordinarily difficult." 
 
 Council Proceedings 18SO-1900, page 2448 
 
 MAYOR COMPELS A DE- The Union Consolidated Elevated Rail- 
 FAULTING AND REPUDI- roa d Company in 1896 obtained a fran- 
 ATING RAILROAD COM- chise to com pi e te the Union Loop, and in 
 ^ N Ir T R FFMlNT P w^H consideration for it agreed to pay a fixed 
 THE CITY compensation to the City. At the very 
 
 first opportunity the company defaulted. 
 
 When payment was demanded by the City 
 
 the company repudiated the agreement. The Mayor promptly 
 submitted to the Council an ordinance to forfeit the franchise. 
 
 Council Proceedings, 1900-1901, page 323. 
 
 Two weeks later the Mayor submitted a message to the 
 Council withdrawing the ordinance. The company had paid up. 
 
 Council Proeeedings. 1900-1901, page 471. 
 
 MAYOR COLLECTS The Elevated Road on the South Side had 
 
 BACK DUES FROM owed the City dues for compensation, and 
 
 ANOTHER RAILROAD had been delinquent in payment from 1892 
 COMPANY. to 1897. June n, 1900, the Mayor sug- 
 
 gested to the Council a plan for collection 
 which was adopted by the Council. 
 
 Council Proceedings, 1900-1901, page 473. 
 
 The City got the money. 
 
 " Mayor Harrison has touched the street railways 
 in a vital point in demanding that they obey the law." 
 
 Chicago Daily News, December 23, 1901.
 
 20 THE TRUTH ABOtT HAKKISON UP TO DATE. 
 
 ANOTHER TRACTION The South Chicago City Railway Com- 
 
 COMPANY BROUGHT pany refused to pay arrears of license fees 
 TO TIME. due the City. The Mayor sent a com- 
 
 munication to the Council, with an ordi- 
 nance, to repeal the company's rights. 
 
 Council Proceedings, 1901-1903, page 37. 
 
 The Company thereupon paid in full ($3,058). 
 
 City Collector's Hooks. 
 
 COMPELS ELECTRIC November 26, 1900, Harrison submitted 
 LIGHT COMPANIES to the Council a list of persons operating 
 
 TO PAY electric light plants and using street and 
 
 sidewalk space for their wires. 
 
 Council Proceedings, 1900-1901, page 1394. 
 
 He did this with a view of compelling paj'ment of com- 
 pensation therefor, and his action resulted in the recalcitrant 
 electric light companies paying their just dues to the City. 
 
 MAYOR STOPS January 7, 1901, Mayor Harrison vetoed 
 
 ILLEGAL CONFES- an order directing a confession of judg- 
 
 SIONS OF JUDG- ment against the City, for the reason that: 
 MENTS 
 
 "The confession of judgment by the City as a means of 
 paying the City's debts is contrary to the policy of this adminis- 
 tration. The entry of judgments for this purpose in this man- 
 ner violates both the letter and the spirit of the Act providing 
 for the annual appropriation ordinance. * * * The next 
 appropriation bill is soon to be passed, and the indebtedness 
 mentioned in this order should be provided for in that bill; and 
 the utterly bad practice of confessing judgment in such cases 
 should be wholly repudiated. " 
 
 Council, Proceedings, 1900-1901, page 1557. 
 
 "Mayor Harrison established an excellent prece- 
 dent for the repression of anarchy when he issued 
 the imperative command which prevented Emma 
 Goldman from delivering a public address in this 
 city. ' Chicago Record-Herald, October 4, 1901.
 
 THE TRUTH ABOUT HAKUISON UP TO DATE. 21 
 
 " * * * It should serve as a sufficient notice to the 
 Council that the practice of paying debts by confession of judg- 
 ment must be abandoned, and that appropriations must be ade- 
 quate to meet the requirements of each Department. As the 
 Mayor says, 'the practice violates both the letter and the spirit 
 of the Act providing for the annual appropriation ordinance'." 
 
 Chicago Time*- Herald, January 9, 1901 
 
 ESTABLISHES BUREAU January 21, 1901, Mayor Harrison sub- 
 OF STATISTICS. mitted to the Council a message calling 
 
 attention to the necessity for the estab- 
 lishment of a Bureau of Statistics. He said : 
 
 "There is hardly a city in Europe or America of the size 
 and importance of Chicago which has not, in accordance with 
 the scientific spirit of the age, a bureau for the collection, colla- 
 tion and distribution of statistical information regarding the 
 condition of affairs of the municipality. The beneficent re- 
 forms of the present time are chiefly due to the scientific study 
 and perusal of statistics. A sure test of the goodness or bad- 
 ness of a particular measure lies in an appeal to the same 
 source. To understand intelligently the needs of this City one 
 must understand intelligently the details of the. operation of its 
 institutions. " 
 
 Council Proceedings, 1900-1901, pagj 1814. 
 
 THE MUNICIPAL "In its municipal library and bureau of 
 
 LIBRARY AND statistics Chicago has an asset that is too 
 
 BUREAU OF often overlooked. City officials depend 
 
 STATISTICS. upon it for the information they need con- 
 
 cerning their own and other cities, news- 
 paper workers seek it almost daily, and college professors from 
 all parts of the world write to it for aid in their studies." 
 
 Chicago Record- Herald, March 5, 1903. 
 
 "Knowledge of facts is as important an aid to 
 successful government as it is to successful busi- 
 ness." Chicago Record-Herald, March 5, 1903.
 
 22 THE TRUTH ABOUT HAKUISOX UP TO DATE. 
 
 GOES AFTER ^ January 21, 1901, Mayor Harrison sub- 
 
 ANOTHER DEL*IN- mitted to the Council a draft of an ordi- 
 
 QUENT RAILWAY. nance repealing the Chicago General Rail- 
 
 way Company franchises, for the reason 
 that: 
 
 ' ' The Company has failed to keep its right of way in repair 
 and has paid no track rental except for the year ending Decem- 
 ber 31, 1896, and no license fees since April i, 1896; while the 
 service rendered the public has been of the most unsatisfactory 
 character. There is due the City for track rental alone the sum 
 of $9,456.25, in spite of diligent effort on the part of the City to 
 collect it." 
 
 Council Proceeding*, 1900-1901, page 1814. 
 
 The Company paid up. 
 
 MAYOR POINTS In February, 1901, the Supreme Court of 
 
 THE WAY OUT. Illinois decided that the City of Chicago 
 
 could issue no more bonds for the con- 
 struction of bridges or other permanent improvements because 
 its limitation of indebtedness is 5 per cent of the assessed valu- 
 ation of taxable property instead of the actual value, and has 
 already been reached. The assessed value is by law one-fifth 
 of the actual value. The Mayor's plan is to have the law 
 changed, making the assessed value one-half the actual value 
 instead of one-fifth, but not increasing the taxes. February 25, 
 1901, he transmitted to the Council drafts of certain acts, 
 
 * * * h av i n g f or their purpose the amending of the 
 revenue laws of the State in order that the City of Chicago may 
 be enabled to make the permanent improvements it needs to-day 
 
 4 "The positive stand of the mayor against the de- 
 struction of the tunnels is a commendable step in the 
 direction of a solution of the tunnel problem." 
 
 Chicago Record-Herald, April 28, 1902.
 
 HE TRUTH ABOUT HARRISON UP TO DATE. 23 
 
 and to pay for the same with the proceeds of a bond issue rather 
 than with a portion of its scanty annual revenue. * * * The 
 change from one-fifth to one-half the cash value as determining 
 the assessed value would enable the City to issue new bonds to 
 an amount aggregating $8,500,000, or merely enough to cover 
 the most imperative present needs of the City for permanent 
 improvements. 
 
 In order that the taxes of to-day should not be affected by 
 this change of valuation, the acts limit the City and all other 
 taxing bodies in the State to 40 per cent, of their present rate 
 of taxes. In other words, the burden of taxation already 
 grievous for our citizens to bear would not be increased, while 
 the task of providing funds to pay the cost of permanent im- 
 provements would be divided up among the taxpayers of the next 
 twenty years. " 
 
 Jfaj/or's Message, Council Proceedings, 1900-1901, page 2280. 
 
 These acts were presented to the legislature of 1901, but 
 failed in passage in spite of the Mayor's efforts. They have 
 again at the meeting of March 23, 1903, been presented to the 
 City Council in order that their passage might be urged upon 
 the legislature now in session at Springfield. 
 
 Council Proctedings, 1902-1903. 
 
 TO REQUIRE In the acts presented the Mayor further 
 
 REFERENDUM TO provided against improvident issues of 
 
 THE PEOPLE. bonds by requiring them to be voted upon 
 
 by the people; and provided for a Com- 
 mission to superintend the expenditure of proceeds of bonds 
 when sold. 
 
 14 In not agreeing to the destruction of the river tun- 
 nels Mayor Harrison takes a position that is sound and 
 tenable, and that will meet with the approval of all 
 who have given any thought or study to the traction 
 problem, either in its present aspects or in its possible 
 development. "Chicago Record-Herald, April 28, 1902.
 
 24 THE TRUTH ABOUT HARRISON UP TO DATE. 
 
 HARRISON ABOLISHES October 21, 1901, Mayor Harrison sub- 
 WINEP.OOMS. mitted to the Council an ordinance abol- 
 
 ishing "wine rooms" in saloons. The 
 Mayor said : 
 
 "Public morals suffer greater damage from the wine-rooms 
 than from almost any other cause. It is not necessary to 
 particularize the evils resulting from their toleration ; the evils 
 are self -evident and firm steps should be taken to uproot them." 
 
 Council Proceedings, 1901-1902, page 976. 
 
 The Mayor's ordinance was passed by the Council Decem- 
 ber 9, 1901. 
 
 Council Proceedings, 1901-1902, page 1501. 
 
 ' ' The wine-room ordinance passed by the City Council at 
 its last session is not to be regarded as a bit -of harmless 
 literature for the edification of the decent element of the com- 
 munity. It was not enacted as a paper ordinance for political 
 effect. The saloon wine-rooms must go. This is the edict of 
 Mayor Harrison, and his instructions to the police are proof 
 that he means business. " 
 
 Chicago tiecord-Herald, Dectmber 13, 1901. 
 
 "Mayor Harrison has not missed a single Council 
 meeting since he was first inaugurated in the year 
 1897. "Council Proceedings, April, 1897, to March 23, 1903.
 
 THE TRUTH ABOUT 11AUH1SON UP To DATE. 25 
 
 WORK DONE AND PROGRESS MADE BY DEPART- 
 MENTS UNDER HARRISON. 
 
 THE WATER DEPARTMENT GROWS FROM AN OUT-OF- 
 DATE, INADEQUATE AND ILL-MANAGED CONCERN 
 INTO A GREAT SYSTEM, WITH NEW PUWPING STA- 
 TIONS, NEW CRIB, NEW TUNNELS AND PIPES 
 EXTENDED TO MEET ALL THE CITY'S NEEDS FOR 
 YEARS TO COME; AND A BUSINESS MANAGEMENT 
 WHICH REDUCES THE RATES YET MAINTAINS THE 
 
 REVENUE. 
 
 INCREASE IN Under Harrison the great West Side has 
 
 WATER SUPPLY. been given adequate water service for the 
 
 first time in its history. Never before 
 
 has there been given a water supply above the second stories 
 of houses in many portions of the West Side. 
 
 Number of gallons ol water pumped per day in 1896, 254,208,509 
 Number of gallons pumped per day at present . 358, 101,710 
 
 Miles of water tunnels in 1897 23. 
 
 Miles of water tunnels in 1903. . . ..37.7 
 
 INCREASE (63 per cent ) or in i.iiic ; 14.7 
 
 NEW PUMPING In June, 1900, a new pumping- station at 
 
 STATIONS. Central Park Avenue and Fillmore Street, 
 
 having a daily capacity of 60,000,000 gals., 
 
 was put into service. In December, 1900, a new pumping 
 station at Springfield Avenue and Bloomingdale Road, having 
 a daily capacity of 60,000,000 gals., was put intD use. The 
 effect of the opening of these two new pumping stations, pump- 
 
 ''The Mayor has entered into the campaign for a 
 lowering of the tunnels with commendable spirit," 
 
 Chicago Journal, 'November, 1902.
 
 26 THE TRUTH ABOUT HARRISON UP TO DATE. 
 
 ing through a new pipe-distributing system, has been felt, with 
 the result that the section of the City on the west, from the ex- 
 treme north as far south as Washington Heights, which had 
 heretofore suffered on account of inadequate pressure, has now 
 a water supply system sufficient for years to come. 
 
 Increase in pumping capacity since 1896, 26.7 per cent. 
 
 AND ADDITIONS TO During the last six years the following 
 
 SYSTEM IN LAST additions to the system have been made : 
 
 SIX YEARS. 
 
 LAKE VIEW PUMPING STATION 
 
 One 14 million gallon pump. Tunnel system remodeled. 
 
 CHICAGO AVENUE PUMPING STATION 
 
 A new modern boiler plant installed. Three 25 million 
 gallon pumps contracted for. Tunnel system remodeled. 
 
 FOURTEENTH STREET PUMPING STATION 
 One 30 million gallon pump installed. 
 
 SIXTY-EIGHTH STREET PUMPING STATION 
 
 One 14 million gallon pump installed. Boiler plant re- 
 modeled. Capacity of two old pumps increased. 
 
 WASHINGTON HEIGHTS PUMPING STATION 
 One i% million gallon pump installed. 
 
 NORWOOD PARK PUMPING STATION 
 
 One air lift pump installed. One additional well with 
 pump installed. New boiler installed. 
 
 "Victory for Transfer. The people have won a 
 signal victory in the transfer case. " 
 
 Chicago Journal, Oct. 27, 1902.
 
 THE TRUTH ABOUT HAKRISON UP TO DATE. 27 
 
 About 50 miles of large main feeders, greatly improving 
 the water pipe system of the City, have been laid. 
 
 All parts of the City have thus been attended to and the 
 result has been a better and more satisfactory supply of water 
 than for many years previous. 
 
 THE BUSINESS Has improved to a most marked extent un- 
 
 MANAGEMENT der Harrison. It is noteworthy to record, in 
 
 OF THE WAiER view of previous experiences peculiar to this 
 
 OFFICE office i that no scandals or rumors have been 
 
 connected with it during the past six years. 
 
 MAYOR HARRISON May i, 1898, a decrease was made in 
 
 REDUCES WATER water rates, pursuant to Mayor Harrison s 
 
 RATES. recommendation. ' 
 
 MAYOR HARRISON March 6, 1899, a further decrease was 
 
 AGAIN REDUCES made in water rates, pursuant to Mayor 
 
 WATER RATES. Harrison's further recommendation. 
 
 SAMPLE RESULT Of the reduction by the present adminis- 
 
 tration : 
 
 In 1896 the average 8-room house paid for water $12.50 per year 
 In 1903 it pays 10.50 
 
 "The citizens of Chicago are to be congratulated 
 on selection of special Counsel made by Corporation 
 Counsel Walker to act as advisers of the local trans- 
 portation committee in the work of framing the trac- 
 tion franchise extension ordinances. " 
 
 Chicago Evening Post, February 5, 1903,
 
 28 TUB TKUTH ABOUT UAKBISOX UP TO DATE. 
 
 MR. P. D. ARMOUR In connection with the reduction of water 
 
 WROTE THE rates the late Philip D. Armour wrote to 
 
 MAYOR Mayor Harrison: ' 
 
 "DEAR SIR: I have been delayed by a little press of 
 business from doing what I intended to do some time ago, 
 viz., to thank you for the interest taken by you in the adjust- 
 ment of the water rates for this City. 
 
 The rates for large consumers of water are, under present 
 conditions, entirely satisfactory, and, until the Water Depart- 
 ment can make further reductions, I feel that no complaint 
 can be reasonably made. 
 
 Personally I take great pleasure in assuring you of my ap- 
 preciation of your efforts in conserving the great manufactur- 
 ing interests of Chicago. The broad-gauge views entertained 
 by you are in line with those held by your respected father 
 when the same question was before him, and the City at large 
 is to be congratulated upon your liberal handling of the 
 subject. 
 
 Allow me, also, to add that I sincerely hope it will be many years before this 
 City may be deprived of your wise judgment in the management of its affairs. 
 
 Yours very truly, 
 
 PHILIP D. ARMOUR." 
 
 The present administration has stripped the mains in the 
 Stock Yards District and discovered many uncharted pipes, 
 thereby preventing "leakage" in that district. 
 
 Under the present administration the percentage of expend- 
 itures to collections has been continually decreasing. 
 
 It cost $288,497.34 to collect $3,003,692.61 in 1896, or 9.6 per cent. 
 It cost 1252,810.28 to collect $3,223,807.55 in 1902, or 7.8 per cent. 
 
 "Chicago was able to make a good showing at 
 the annual round-up of the National Municipal League 
 in Boston. An incident of the convention was the 
 public recognition of the progress made by this city 
 in matters of municipal reform, a progress which was 
 marked enough to evoke special felicitation by the 
 secretary of the league. "Chicago Record-Herald, May 19, 1902.
 
 THE TRUTH ABOUT HARRISON UP TO DATE. 29 
 
 THE GREAT SEWEP SYSTEM BEING BUILT UNDER 
 
 HARRISON. 
 
 THE NEW SEWERS. The construction of the intercepting- sewer 
 
 system, according to the plans changed and modified under 
 Harrison's administration, has been completed to the extent of 
 17.57 miles. 
 
 The intercepting sewers are built along the Lake shore to 
 intercept the flow of sewage into the Lake and turn it back into 
 the Drainage Canal. The intercepting sewers are designed to 
 cut off and prevent the flow of 23 outfall sewers into the Lake 
 along the City Shore from North to South. 
 
 HARRISON HELPS THE To complete the system it was necessary 
 DRAINAGE CANAL AND to construct pumping works and lateral 
 
 THP T4YPAYFRQ 
 
 conduits. The Drainage Board was about 
 
 to construct pumping works and lateral conduits in order to 
 enable it to supply the flow required by law. To save the 
 double expense to the taxpayers the Mayor suggested, and the 
 Board adopted, the plan of having the City pay the expense of 
 the construction of the conduits and the Drainage Board the 
 expense of the operation of them and the pumping works. 
 The first work of this nature completed was the construction of 
 the Twelfth and Twenty-second Street .sewers, reversing the 
 flow from the Lake to the River. These sewers drain a densely 
 populated district, and have been estimated to carry 38 per cent 
 of the sewage discharged into the Lake. The immediate result 
 of their being built and the consequent diversion of the sewage 
 was noted by the City Chemist in the reduction of 40 per cent 
 in the pollution of the Lake water. 
 
 Records of Sewer Department. 
 
 "Now that the city has completed the 39th street 
 sewer perhaps the authorities at Washington could 
 do no better than to hand over to the municipal 
 government the work of completing the federal build- 
 
 ng. "Chicago Daily News, March 7, 1903.
 
 THE TRUTH ABOUT HARRISON UP TO DATE. 
 
 THE 39th STREET At Thirty-ninth Street the great conduit 
 
 5EWER - 20 feet in diameter has been completed 
 
 from the Lake to the River, a distance of 12, 123 feet. The in- 
 take and pumping station the latter with the enormous capacity 
 of 120,000 cubic feet of water a minute will be ready for use 
 by the fall of this year. Then all the sewage of the city from 
 Diversey avenue on the north to 75th street on the south 
 eleven miles of Lake front will have been diverted from the 
 Lake to the Drainage Canal. 
 
 Hecords of Department. 
 
 TO RESCUE SOUTHERN South Chicago, Grand Crossing, Burnside 
 ENDfOF CITY FROM and ot h er p arts o f t h e c j t y sou th of Seven- 
 
 FLOODS. c^-u i- i. u- 
 
 ty-nftn street have always been subject 
 
 to overflow. Land has been purchased 
 
 for a pumping station, and the assessment roll is being spread 
 for a system of sewers, fifteen miles in length, which will be 
 pumped into the intercepting sewer and effectively drain all 
 this territory. 
 
 ILLUSTRATION OF SAVING Lowest bid for building 14,994 lineal 
 TO CITY BY HARRISON'S f eet o f intercepting sewer (running 
 
 DAY LABOR PLAN. .. , * - , 
 
 south from 3901 street) ranging from 16 
 
 feet to 13}^ feet in diameter was $627,890.35 ; that is to say, 
 
 By contract, average cost per foot ? 41 87 
 
 By day labor, average cost per foot 39 97 
 
 Saving to City per foot '. $ 1 90 
 
 Total saving on 14,994 feet 28,488 69 
 
 This, notwithstanding advance of 15 to 20 per cent in labor 
 and materials after bids were received. 
 
 "Compared with New York, Chicago is a re~ 
 markably economically administered city. Its rev- 
 enues are far below its needs, and its streets are 
 neglected because its people pay such a small tax 
 rate both per actual -wealth and per capita. " 
 
 Chicago Record-Herald, May 11, 1902,
 
 THE TRUTH ABOUT HARBISON UP TO DATE. 
 
 31 
 
 STREET DEPARTMENT. 
 
 NOTE SOME CHANGES UNDER HARRISON. 
 
 Miles. 
 
 There were of asphalt pavement in 1896 45 . 94 
 
 There were in 1901 100. 29 
 
 There are now 129 . 54 
 
 There were of brick pavement in 1896 8 . 88 
 
 There were in 1901 48.83 
 
 There are now 68.20 
 
 There were of cedar pavement in 1896 752 . 58 
 
 There were in 1901 749.40 
 
 There are now 708.43 
 
 There were of granite pavement in 1896 25 . 20 
 
 There were in 1901 30. 09 
 
 There are now 35 . 87 
 
 There were of macadam pavement in 1896 344 . 31 
 
 There were in 1901 387.08 
 
 There are now 420.73 
 
 Miles of Streets paved under Harrison 318.32 
 
 Since 1896 the mileage of asphalt pavement has been nearly 
 trebled; the mileage of brick pavement is over eight times 
 greater; the mileage of the out-of-date cedar block pavement 
 has been decreased, and the pavements in each case have been 
 replaced with more siibstantial ones. 
 
 GREAT INCREASE IN 
 PERMANENT SIDEWALKS. 
 
 Total mileage of walks existing in fol- 
 lowing named years: 
 
 
 1897 
 
 1898 
 
 1899 
 
 1900 
 
 1901 
 
 1902 
 
 Tola I 
 
 
 80 66 
 
 98 88 
 
 90 83 
 
 95 80 
 
 167 19 
 
 120 67 
 
 654 03 
 
 Stone walks 
 
 3 27 
 
 5 34 
 
 4.77 
 
 . 5 85 
 
 .95 
 
 2 58 
 
 22 76 
 
 
 
 
 6 80 
 
 29 71 
 
 98 79 
 
 106 31 
 
 241 61 
 
 Totals 
 
 83 93 
 
 104 22 
 
 102.40 
 
 131 36 
 
 266.93 
 
 229.56 
 
 918 40 
 
 Records of Public Works and Board of Local Improvements. 
 
 "The civil service law is being well adminis- 
 tered; it has been of great service to the public; it has 
 raised the standard of public work and has greatly 
 reduced the evil effects of spoils." 
 
 Chicago Evening Post, July 10, 1902.
 
 32 THE TRUTH ABOUT HARBISON UP TO DATE. 
 
 Under prior administrations street paving contractors 
 
 were compelled to guarantee their work for only .... 5 years 
 
 Under Harrison the contractors have been and are required to 
 
 guarantee their street work for 10 years 
 
 Hecords of Board of Local Improvement*. 
 
 ABOLISHES WRETCHED The unsatisfactory contract system of 
 CONTRACT SYSTEM. street and alley cleaning and garbage re- 
 
 moval was abolished under Harrison's ad- 
 ministration, and the work was undertaken by the city directly. 
 
 RESULTS. 
 
 In 1896, number of complaints (old contract system) 8,524 
 
 In 1902, number of complaints (City employment system). .1,417 
 
 Records of the Department. 
 
 WHY NEW YORK IS It is often charged that the streets of 
 
 CLEANER THAN CHICAGO. New York are better cleaned than those 
 of Chicago. True. Why? 
 
 New York's ctreet mileage is 2,572.41 
 
 Chicago's street mileage is t 4,163 . 11 
 
 New York spent in 1901 on street cleaning and gar- 
 bage removal $5,192,660.00 
 
 Chicago could spend in 1901 on same only 944.123.00 
 
 Chicago Statistics, October, 1902. 
 
 This means that 
 
 Chicago can spend for cleaning per mile only $ 226. 76 
 
 While New York spends for cleaning per mile 2,019.40 
 
 Nearly 10 times as mncJi 
 
 "The Journal is persuaded that Mayor Harrison 
 intends to be as vigilant in the future as he has been 
 in the past in regard to all traction questions and will 
 protect the interests of the city faithfully. " 
 
 Chicago Journal, June 7, 1901.
 
 THE TRUTH ABOUT HARRISON t'P TO DATE. 33 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICITY. 
 
 THE ECONOMY AND Is illustrated by the following results 
 EFFECTIVENESS OF secured within the last six years: 
 THE DEPARTMENT 
 
 In 1896 total street lights amounted to 4, 236,800-candle power 
 In 1902 total street lights amounted to 11,600,000-candle power 
 
 In 1896 the cost was $ 1,069,000 00 
 
 In 1902 the cost was 936,179.00 
 
 Increase in light in 1902 over 1896 nearly 300 per cent 
 
 Decrease in annual cost 132,831 .00 
 
 A LESSON IN MUNI- In 1896 the city operated. . . 1,256 arc lamps 
 
 CIPAL OWNERSHIP. i n 1993 the city is operating 4,822 arc lamps 
 
 Cost per lamp in 1896 $ 96.40 per year 
 
 Cost per lamp in 1902, including salaries and office expenses 53 . 51 per year 
 
 MANY MORE LIGHTS To have rented from a private com- 
 FOR MUCH LESS pany the 4,508 arc lamps oper- 
 
 MONEY. ated by the city last year would 
 
 have cost $ 524,837.00 
 
 As operated from the municipal lighting plants for the same 
 
 period the cost was ; 241,208.00 
 
 Actual saving to the city $ 283,629.00 
 
 A reduction in the cost of operating the municipal electric 
 lighting system has been made notwithstanding a 30 per cent 
 increase in the price of material ; 20 per cent in the price of 
 labor and 40 per cent in the price of fuel. 
 
 The city has paid out in building and operating 
 
 its plants a total of $ 3,400,663.00 
 
 To have rented the lamps from private compa- 
 nies would have cost 3,535,875.00 
 
 "Two things are to be noted, the first that the 
 municipal plant is conducted efficiently at a less cost 
 than that of the Edison Company, though it gives a 
 greater return to la bor. "Chicago Record- Herald, May 19, 1902.
 
 
 34 THE TRUTH ABOUT HARBISON UP TO DATE. 
 
 Result: The city has saved more than the entire cost of 
 its municipal lighting- plants. 
 
 In 1896 city lighted with electricity, miles of streets 90 
 
 In 1902 city lighted with electricity, miles of streets 340 
 
 Since 1896 electric inspection fees paid by citizens 
 
 have been reduced 40 per cent 
 
 In 1896 office expenses of Gas Bureau were over. . .$ 30,000.00 
 To-day this Bureau is incorporated in Department 
 of Electricity, effecting reduction in expenses 
 of over 19,000.00 
 
 ' 'The city has proved its capacity to run a lighting plant as 
 well as a water plant. Given a thorough development of this 
 activity and it can certainly force prices down. Why, then, 
 should its people submit to the exactions of the private 
 monopoly? 
 
 "The practical answer to this practical question is that 
 here is not the slightest reason for submission, and this partic- 
 ular development indicates how the problem of municipal 
 ownership, generally speaking, is likely to be settled." 
 
 Record-Herald, May 19, 1902. 
 
 BURIES THE WIRES. In the years 1900, 1901 and 1902, through 
 pressure brought to bear by the Depart- 
 ment of Electricity, the various telephone and telegraph com- 
 panies removed their poles and placed underground their 
 wires, from over 90.5 miles of streets, at a cost to the compa 
 nies of over $1,100,000.00. 
 
 Electrician Ellicott 
 
 "And the second, that the governmental com- 
 petition must tell not only against the rivalry of elec- 
 tric companies but against that of the gas monopoly 
 as well. "Chicago Record-Herald, May 19, 1903.
 
 THE TRUTH ABOUT HARRISON UP TO DATE. 35 
 
 TRACK ELEVATION. 
 
 ABOLISHING DEADLY The stupendous work of elevating the 
 
 GRADE CROSSINGS. steam railroad tracks in the city and 
 
 thereby ABOLISHING THE DEADLY GRADE 
 
 CROSSINGS, has been pushed with vigor and success unprece- 
 dented. The considering 1 and furthering of ordinances for this 
 purpose have been the work of a special committee of the City 
 Council, appointed by the Mayor and known as The Mayor's 
 Special Committee on Track Elevation. 
 
 Under all former administrations grade crossings 
 actually abolished numbered 41 
 
 During Harrison's administrations grade crossings 
 actually abolished numbered 286 
 
 Also under Harrison, ordinances have been passed for 
 track elevation, but under "which work is not yet 
 completed, to abolish grade crossings, in number. . 422.33 
 
 And to elevate miles of track 54.81 
 
 In two years under Swift elevation ordinances passed, 
 
 in miles 17 
 
 In six years under Harrison elevation ordinances 
 
 passed, in miles 96 . 30 
 
 Under Swift in two years, miles of main track actually 
 
 elevated 8.5 
 
 Under Harrison in six years, miles of main track actually 
 
 elevated 54.81 
 
 Under Swift, grade crossings actually abolished 23 
 
 Under Harrison, grade crossings actually abolished 286 
 
 Cost of track elevation, work done under Swift. .$ 2 025,000.00 
 Cost of track elevation, work done under Harri- 
 son $17,680,000.00 
 
 All of which cost was paid by the railroad companies. 
 
 Reports of Track Elevation Department. 
 
 "The removal of grade crossings is a matter the 
 city is able to attend to and is attending to as fast as it 
 can. It has induced the railroads to do a great deal of 
 track elevation, and the roads have, paid *11 the bills 
 as they ought to, "Chicago Tribune, March 12, 1903.
 
 36 THE TRUTH ABOUT HARBISON UP TO DATE. 
 
 TRIBUTE FROM MEN Two pioneers of Tack elevation, said of 
 WHO KNOW. Harrison with reference to track elevation: 
 
 "The elevations * * * are monuments that are more 
 eloquent than any words we could use. We thank him in the 
 name of those for whom he has labored, and the thousands 
 whom he has benefited will not fail to show him that they are 
 not ungrateful for his work." 
 
 Rev. Father Edward A. Kelly and Rev. Father P. M. Flannigan. 
 
 CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION AND ITS WORK. 
 
 APPOINTMENTS TO May 5, 1900, the Mayor appointed as Com- 
 
 THE CIVIL SERVICE missioner John W. Ela, an advocate of Civil 
 
 COMMISSION. Service Reform of national reputation. 
 
 "John W. Ela * * * was one of the most earnest 
 advocates of the merit system before its passage, and since then 
 has championed and defended the law and merit system in the 
 courts. No appointee who might have been selected could have 
 been more thoroughly committed to a faithful performance of 
 his duties by an ineffaceable record. The appointment, there- 
 fore, is a conspicuously fit one. " 
 
 Chicago Times-Herald, May 6, 1900. 
 
 This was followed December 7, 1900, by the excellent ap- 
 pointment of Joseph Powell, as Republican member of the 
 Commission. 
 
 * * * "His career and associates have been such as to 
 indicate that he will be true to the merit law. There can be 
 no doubt * * * that the whole Board now deserves the re- 
 spect and confidence of the blic." 
 
 Chicago Times-Herald, December 9, 1900. 
 
 4 'In eastern cities the roads have borne only a part 
 of the cost. Here the pracice is different, and will 
 coninae so. Chicago does not need the services of a 
 railroad commission to apportion expenses. " 
 
 Chicago Tribune, March 12 1903.
 
 THE TRUTH ABOUT HARRISON UP TO PATE. 37 
 
 After the death of Mr. Ela, Mayor Harrison appointed Mr. 
 Julian W. Mack to succeed him. 
 
 " Mayor Harrison's selection of a successor to the late Mr. 
 Ela on the civil service board is most satisfactory. Julian W. 
 Mack is and has been for years a consistent supporter of the 
 merit system. He is thoroughly in sympathy with the broadest 
 application of this system, a sound and well-known lawyer, a 
 university professor, a man of conviction, education and cul- 
 ture. As Alderman Jackson expressed it, ' It is an honor to 
 the city to secure a man of Mr. Mack's attainments for such a 
 position.'" 
 
 Chicago Evening Post, January 6, 1903. 
 
 WORK DONE BY THE At the time of Mayor Harrison's first in- 
 
 COMMISSION. auguration the greater part of the classified 
 
 service of the City had not been brought 
 
 under operation of the Civil Service Law. At present hardly 
 a position in the classified service of the City has not been 
 brought under the operation of the law. 
 
 The following table gives the figures as to examinations 
 and certifications: 
 
 Number of examinations to April, 1897 142 
 
 Number of examinations under Harrison's administra- 
 tions, to March 1, 1908 567 
 
 Number of Civil Service Certifications to May, 1897 i,792 
 
 Number of Civil Service Certifications since May, 1897. 24,044 
 
 Report of Civil Service Commission. 
 
 "As it (the Civil Service Law) is now being faith- 
 fully enforced, employes need not fear to stand upon 
 their rights. "Chicago Record-Herald, Nov. 2, 1901.
 
 THE TRUTH ABOUT HARBISON UP TO DATE. 
 
 THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE. 
 
 The splendid work of Robert A. Waller, the Mayor's first 
 Comptroller, in bringing order out of chaos in the City's 
 finances, has been continued with marked success by William 
 D. Kerfoot, the Comptroller from 1899 to 1901, and by his suc- 
 cessor, Lawrence E. McGann, the present Comptroller. 
 
 Of Mr. Kerfoot's administration the Chicago Tribune^ 
 February j, 1901, said: 
 
 "In less than two years a revolution has come into the 
 affairs of the office of Comptroller. Bookkeeping methods have 
 been revolutionized. The indebtedness of the City has been 
 reduced $2,000,000 without increasing the City's floating debt. 
 Bonds of the City have been sold at a lower rate of interest 
 than ever before. Special assessment accounts have been 
 looked into and unraveled until in time property owners will 
 receive rebates due to them. After thirty years a correct bal- 
 ance of accounts in the office is being effected. Trust funds 
 have been preserved intact. " 
 
 In 1900 the bonded indebtedness was reduced $503,600.00 
 
 The indebtedness of the Water System was reduced. $500, 000. CO 
 
 In 1901 the bonded indebtedness was reduced $858,450.00 
 
 In 1901 the indebtedness of the Water System was 
 
 reduced $501,000.00 
 
 In 1902 the bonded indebtedness was reduced $847,000.00 
 
 In 1903 the indebtedness of the Water System was 
 
 reduced $799,000.00 
 
 Comptroller's Reports. 
 
 Total reduction of bonded debt under Harrison $1,709.050 
 
 Total reduction of indebtedness of the Water Sys- 
 tem under Harrison $1,800.000 
 
 "The mayor's appointments will give general 
 satisfaction, and are a pledge of a clean city morally 
 as well as physically, while its affairs will be con- 
 ducted on business lines. "Chicago Journal, April 30, 1901.
 
 THE TRUTH ABOUT HARKISOX UP TO DATE. 39 
 
 TRUST FUNDS HELD The Harrison administration of the City 
 
 INVIOLABLE. finances has been the first to keep the 
 
 sinking funds inviolable. No borrowing 
 
 whatever is permitted from one trust fund for another, or for 
 the general fund for the City's current expenses 
 
 CITY'S BILLS PAID The most marked financial reform effected 
 
 SPOT CASH. under Harrison is the wiping out of the 
 
 time-dishonored curse of unpaid bills. He 
 
 who sells goods to the City now gets his money when it is due 
 him. No man to-day need discount a bill against the City. 
 On the other hand the city now discounts its bills for cash. 
 
 In 1895 the city's unpaid bills of the previous 
 
 years amounted to $ 1,347,886.85 
 
 In 1896 Swift's administration had swelled this 
 
 amount to $ 2,243,729.97 
 
 In Harrison's first year this burden was reduced 
 
 to $ 850,646 . 00 
 
 At the close of Harrison's first administration 
 
 "unpaid bills ' were reduced to. . $ 489,941.41 
 
 To-day, at the end of Harrison's third term, all 
 
 indebtedness for "unpaid bills" is -wiped out 
 
 City Comptroller's Books. 
 
 REFORMATION OF Another triumph for business methods 
 
 ACCOUNTING SYSTEM. will be found in the complete installation 
 
 in every department of the City Hall of a 
 
 uniform method of accounting and a system of auditing by 
 officials retained especially for that purpose, who are independ- 
 ent of all departments. 
 
 Comptroller's Hooks. 
 
 "Comptroller McGann's faithfulness to duty, his 
 courage, and his honesty are known to every one 01 
 his fellow-citizens." Chicago Journal, April 30, 1901.
 
 40 THE TRUTH ABOUT HARRISON UP TO DATE. 
 
 
 
 CITY PRISON REFORM UNDER HARRISON. 
 
 THE BRIDEWELL. In the Bridewell there has been insti- 
 
 tuted and established in the last six years 
 
 a garbage-burning plant ; , which consumes all the garbage from 
 the Ninth and Tenth wards" and all the garbage from the Bride- 
 well ; green houses have been built in which women prisoners 
 are employed; a brush factory has been established, the brick 
 yards have been reopened, a cane shop has been established, a 
 soap factory has been established, in which is made all the soap 
 used by all the City Departments; a street-broom factory has 
 also been established, in which are made all the brooms used on 
 the streets by City employes; and additional sanitary improve- 
 ments have been made. 
 
 In the administration of the institution the following inno- 
 vations have been made: A complete separation of the boys 
 from the men has been accomplished through the medium of 
 the John Worthy School. Early in the present administration 
 it was insisted by Mayor Harrison that no further contracts 
 should be entered into by the Bridewell with prison contractors; 
 all t\i& prisoners are kept at work on City industries and for the 
 benefit of the City alone. 
 
 INCREASED EARNINGS. This method has increased the earnings 
 from an average of $50,000 per year under 
 contract system to $117,000 under the Harrison system. 
 
 In John Worthy School all cells have been abolished. 
 
 School has been changed from a penal to an educational 
 institution. 
 
 PERMANENT Modern brick plant was established 
 
 IMPROVEMENTS. in 1902 and over 5,000,000 brick furnished 
 
 -to city and used by it on intercepting 
 sewers and other city work. 
 
 Stone-crushing plant, daily capacity 100 tons, was erected; 
 stone taken from the quarry on grounds, and used on street 
 repair work. 
 
 "Fire Marshal Musham's appointment is an ex- 
 cellent example of the working of the merit system 
 and the banishment of political influence a system 
 which has made the Chicago Fire department the best 
 in the country. "Chicago Tribune, June 26th, 1901.
 
 THE TKUTH ABOUT HARRISON CP "TO DATE. 41 
 
 Large addition to the hospital was constructed to care for 
 victims of the liquor habit, who, after April, 1902, were not 
 cared for by county authorities and who from that time were 
 taken to this institution. 
 
 New quarters for women, and additional cells for meti were 
 constructed, and despite its great population, each inmate is 
 assigned to an individual eel! a humane method recognized by 
 the U. S. Government. 
 
 At Harrison's direction four acres of low ground abutting 
 en the river have been filled in and plans have been prepared 
 and an appropriation secured for a large addition to the garbage 
 crematory constructed in 1900 on the grounds, which consumes 
 the garbage of the institution and vicinity. 
 
 U. S. GOVERNMENT For the first time in fifteen years the 
 RECOGNIZES IT. United States Government, in September, 
 
 1902, began sending prisoners here. 
 
 MANUFACTURE At Harrison's request the Council has ap- 
 
 OF CREOSOTED propriated for the manufacture of creosoted 
 
 PAVING BLOCKS. paving blocks at this institution required 
 
 by the city for permanent pavements at 
 one-half the price now charged for these blocks. 
 
 Council Proceedings, 1902-1903, page 2620. 
 
 ECONOMICAL ADMINIS- An average daily per capita cost of main- 
 
 TRATION OF INSTITUTION, tenance of thirty-three cents, in contrast 
 
 with forty to fifty cents average daily cost 
 
 in majority of similar institutions in the country testifies to its 
 economical management. 
 
 Reports of thi Sbuae of Correction. 
 
 THE JUVENILE After the establishment of the Juvenile 
 
 COURT. Court for the care nd disposition of de- 
 
 pendent, and delinquent children, at the 
 
 Mayor's suggestion a representative of the Law Department 
 was directed to be present at each session to assist the Court. 
 
 "Chief O'Neill is redeeming the promise implied 
 in his appointment. He is cleaning the city. " 
 
 Chicago Journal, June 25, 1901.
 
 42 THE TRUTH ABOUT HARBISON UP TO DATE. 
 
 " An appeal was made to the Mayor of the City, Hon. 
 Carter H. Harrison, to detail a number of fatherly and humane 
 men from the police force in the City, to be appointed as pro- 
 bation officers of the Juvenile Court. The detail was at once 
 made. These police officers have been of great service in the 
 work. In fact, it is hard to see how, without their assistance, 
 the work could have been carried on. 
 
 "The Mayor of the City has responded to every appeal 
 made to him by the Court for assistance in the enforcement of 
 this law." 
 
 Judge Richard S. Tut7iill, f Presiding Judge of Juvenile Court, in 
 
 address before Illinois State Hoard of Charities, November 14, 1900. 
 
 ABOLISHES INIQUITOUS For many years prior to the present ad- 
 POLICE JUSTICE ministration the police magistrates took as 
 
 FEE SYSTEM. their chief compensation the costs paid 
 
 the court. The practice led to the evils of 
 the so-called "Justice Shop System." 
 
 The Mayor, in his annual message, April n, 1898, pointed 
 out the evils of this system and shortly afterward abolished 
 them entirely by requiring that all fees be surrendered by the 
 justices to the City, and salaries accepted by them instead. 
 
 "The subject long seemed hopeless * * * Then, thanks 
 largely to the courageous stand of a chief executive, the vice- 
 breeding fee system was abolished in certain of the courts, and 
 the justices were put on salaries. The result of this one step 
 * * * ws a decrease of 25 to 40 per cent in the number 
 of arrests." 
 
 Chicago Daily News, December 22, 1898. 
 
 "Chief O'Neill is doing a splendid work in the 
 right way, just as he has been doing from the begin- 
 ning. "Chicago Journal, June 21, 1901.
 
 THE TRUTH ABOUT HARRISON UP TO DATE. 43 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF POLICE. 
 
 GOOD WORK BY The Police Department, in spite of the 
 
 CHIEF O'NEILL. limited funds available for its mainten- 
 
 ance, makes a creditable showing in com- 
 parison with the Police Departments of other large cities ; for 
 nstance, New York. 
 
 Note statistics taken from the Bulletin of United States 
 Department of Labor for September, 1900: 
 
 New York spends for Police Department annually, $1 1,591,697 
 Chicago spends for Police Department annually, $ 3,668,886 
 
 New York has 7,637 policemen. 
 Chicago has 3,085 policemen. 
 
 A New York policeman has to patrol 25.82 acres. 
 A Chicago policeman has to patrol 39.62 acres. 
 New York has one policeman for every 450 people. 
 Chicago has but one policeman for every 550 people. 
 
 In Chicago last year the police recovered lost and stolen 
 property to the value of $436,786; restored 2,734 lost children 
 to their parents, and cared for 10,381 sick and injured persons. 
 
 Report of Police Department for 1902. 
 
 44 We have no hesitation in saying that there is less crime 
 in Chicago today than was ever before known, and fewer crim- 
 inals. Not only so, but we believe there is no large city in the 
 union that can make a better showing in this respect than Chi- 
 cago. 
 
 4 4 The truth is Chicago was never better governed in this 
 respect than it is today, and Mayor Harrison, Chief O'Neill 
 and the whole police department deserve the most unstinted 
 praise for this condition." 
 
 Chicago Journal, November 29th, 1901. 
 
 "What the Health Department has accomplished, 
 in view of the limited means at its command, is re- 
 markable and deserving of high praise." 
 
 Chicago Tribune, July 21, 1902.
 
 44 THE TRUTH ABOUT HAKRISON UP TO DATE. 
 
 FIRE DEPARTMENT. 
 
 FIRE DEPARTMENT'S The administration of the Fire Depart- 
 EFF1CIENCY. ment admittedly has been kept up to its 
 
 well-known standard of efficiency. 
 \ 
 
 CHIEF MUSHAM'S "The appointment of William H. Musham 
 
 to the position of chief of the fire depart- 
 ment will be generally received with satisfaction. The confi- 
 dence which the public has learned to repose in the ability and 
 energy of the firemen engaged in protecting life'and property 
 in this city will not be disturbed. 
 
 Mayor Harrison is entitled to public commendation for an 
 appointment which plainly manifests a purpose to keep the 
 merit system in the fire department intact. " 
 
 Chicago NemS, June 25, 1901. 
 
 HEALTH DEPARTMENT. 
 
 GOOD WORK OF THE When Mayor Harrison took office he placed 
 
 HEALTH DEPARTMENT, the Health Department under the control 
 
 of a physician. For the two years prior 
 
 to this time its head had been a layman without medical train- 
 ing or experience. During the last six years the work of the 
 Health Department has reached a state of efficiency never 
 before attained. Its monthly bulletins of vital statistics and 
 investigations in the fields of sanitation and preventive medi- 
 cine are highly valued by the press, the public and the medical 
 profession. The Philadelphia Medical Journal April 28, 1900, 
 said of these bulletins : 
 
 44 In spite of the dirty streets and sooty air of 
 Chicago its sanitary condition is better than that of 
 Manhattan. "Chicago Tribune, July 31, 1902.
 
 THE TRUTH ABOUT BAUU1SON UP TO DATE. 4f> 
 
 "Physicians who are fortunate enough to receive a copy of 
 the monthly bulletin of the Chicago Department of Health can- 
 not fail to be impressed with its constantly increasing value, 
 both as an evidence of the large amount of work well done and 
 as an educational factor of the medical profession of the inland 
 metropolis. The monthly bulletin from Chicago is as different 
 from and superior to the absolutely inane and useless list of 
 deaths issued weekly, by some other health departments as day- 
 is different from and superior to darkness. " 
 
 . ' ' Few persons are aware of the real value of careful work 
 done in the Health Commissioner's office in the way of scien- 
 tific study and treatment in matters intimately connected with 
 the health of the City. " 
 
 Chicago Daily News, July 10, 1899. 
 
 The London Lancet, the eminent English authority, said of 
 one branch of the Health Department's work, April 15, 1899: 
 
 "The method of treatment adopted by the Health Depart- 
 ment of Chicago has certainly afforded the best results yet 
 published as regards the use of antitoxin in diphtheria. The 
 system of investigation so admirably carried out has been the 
 means of presenting the medical world with a very complete 
 system of medical statistics, and it would be most instructive 
 if other municipal bodies would arrange for similar investiga- 
 tion so as to test what is practically one of the greatest medical 
 discoveries of the present century." 
 
 " 'The City Council, particularly the republican 
 majority, has been making a pitiful spectacle of itself. 
 The Mayor recommends some measure, and the alder- 
 men tumble into line and go over the mayoralty hurdle 
 like a lot Of circus horses, " Chicago Journal, February 26,1902.
 
 46 THE TRUTH ABOUT HAKKISON UP TO BATE. 
 
 "An Admirably Conducted Bureau The rapid decrease 
 in the prevalence of typhoid fever and the greatly reduced 
 mortality from that disease are facts which constitute a tribute 
 to the efficiency of the city health department," 
 
 The Chicago Chronicle, October 7, 1902. 
 
 " Dr. Reynolds, the head of the Chicago Board of Health, 
 is probably not quite so august as the New York functionary. 
 At any rate, he seems to regard the general public and its 
 health as less beneath his notice, and gets out a great many 
 bulletins for its information and guidance that never appear to 
 be dreamed of in the New Yorker's philosophy. In one of 
 these, recently issued, Dr. Reynolds calls attention to the con- 
 tagious feature of pneumonia, which the general public does 
 not appear to understand, and emphasizes the necessity for 
 caution." 
 
 Brooklyn Eagle, February 22, 1903. 
 
 The Department won gold medals at both the Paris 
 exposition and the Pan- American exposition at Buffalo. 
 
 OTHER WORK. 
 
 CITY SEALER'S For the first time almost in the history of 
 
 WORK. the department the City Sealer's office 
 
 has, under Harrison's administration, 
 performed the duties for which it was created. 
 
 On the recommendation of the City Sealer, November 19, 
 1900, a new ordinance was passed by the City Council regulating 
 
 "The Mayor has done a most excellent thing in 
 notifying the managers of the various theaters in the 
 city that on and after February 15 the patrolmen 
 assigned to them will be charged for at the regular 
 rate charged by the department for special details. " 
 
 Chicago Journal, February 14, 1902.
 
 THE TRUTH ABOUT HARBISON UP TO DATE. 47 
 
 and fixing the size of coal baskets and milk bottles. On his 
 recommendation a new bread ordinance was introduced in the 
 Council and passed. 
 
 Council Proceedings, 1 900-1901, page 2146. 
 
 The administration of the office has been particularly dili- 
 gent, as newspaper readers have noted. Vigorous prosecutions 
 have been made of short- weight coal dealers, which resulted in 
 fines in each instance. Peddlers and all sellers of commodities 
 by weights and measures have been vigorously prosecuted in 
 every instance where the vigilance of the City Sealer has dis- 
 closed the fact that short weights or measures were being used. 
 
 CITY GETS RECEIPTS The Oil Inspector's office shows to-day 
 FROM OIL INSPECTION, increased income, as follows: 
 
 Two years' receipts under Swift $ 999. 56 
 
 Receipts for the year 1902 under Harrison 12,402.42 
 
 Add for 1902 claim in suit by City against Standard 
 
 Oil Company 9,649.79 
 
 $22,052.22 
 Comptroller's Books. 
 
 THE MUNICIPAL LODGING The Mayor recommended to the Coun- 
 
 HOUSE. cil, through its Finance Committee, the 
 
 establishment of a Municipal Lodging 
 
 House upon the lines of the one in successful operation in the 
 City of New York, by which the really deserving poor are 
 helped to employment and the actual tramps and vagrants sent 
 to the City prison. This is now in successful operation. 
 
 HARRISON PROTECTS The records of the City Clerk's office show 
 RESIDENCE DISTRICTS, numerous applications for licenses to 
 CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS maintain saloons in residence districts 
 AGAINST SALOONS. which have been refused in every instance 
 
 by Mayor Harrison. In every part of the 
 City, saloons in residence districts, or within 200 feet of any 
 
 "Almost anything the Mayor stands for the repub- 
 lican majority and the democratic minority indorse. 
 In five years the Mayor's veto has been overridden 
 but three times. Yet when politics begin to wa^m up 
 the republican aldermen tell the people what a fright- 
 ful Mayor Chicago has. " Chicago Journal, February 26, 1901.
 
 48 THE TRUTH ABOUT HAKKJSON UP TO DATE. 
 
 church or school, are absolutely prohibited by Mayor Harrison. 
 The local Hyde Park ordinances restricting the sale of 
 liquor have been repeatedly fought for and sustained in the 
 Circuit, Appellate and Supreme Courts of this State by the 
 City Law Department by Mayor Harrison's direction. That > 
 the people of Hyde Park acknowledge and have reason to be 
 grateful for the administration's attitude on this question ap- 
 pears from late reports of the Hyde Park Protective Association. 
 
 SUPPRESSION OF The Mayor has always been a vigorous 
 
 BLIND PIGS. and unrelenting foe of the "blind pigs," 
 
 that is, places where liquors are sold with- 
 out a license. The task of eradicating them has always proved 
 most difficult. In the summer of 1900 the Mayor placed the 
 matter in the hands of Corporation Counsel Walker, with in- 
 structions to proceed against them, with the result that all the 
 blindfpigs were driven from Hyde Park for the first time in its 
 history. 
 
 ' ' There are no more blind pigs, and I hope this condition 
 will last. * * * I must say that under Mr. Walker, the 
 Hyde Park Protective' Association and the lovers of the law in 
 the Prohibition District have received more aid than ever 
 before. Mr. Walker's work cannot be extolled too highly." 
 
 Mr. Arthur Burrage Farwell, Secretary of the Hydt Park Prottctivt Association, in 
 the Chicago Daily News oj August 8, 1900. 
 
 February 24, 1902, Secretary Brintnall, of the Hyde Park 
 Association, wrote Mayor Harrison's Law Department: "We 
 congratulate you on the splendid victory in the Germania case 
 in the Superior Court, and express our appreciation of your 
 loyal and continuous support of the Hyde Park people in their 
 long contest for protection of their homes. " 
 
 To a man up a tree it would seem that either 
 the Mayor is radically wrong and the Alderman are a 
 lot of wooden Indians or the Mayor is an angel and 
 ihe Republican Aldermen are a lot of hypocrites." 
 
 Chicago Journal, February 26, 1902.
 
 THE TRUTH ABOUT HAllKISOX UP TO DATE. 49 
 
 HARRISON ENFORCES THE PRINCIPLE "INTEREST ON 
 PUBLIC FUNDS BELONGS TO THE PUBLIC." 
 
 HARRISON STOPS Harrison was the first man officially to 
 
 COUNTY TREASURER'S call attention to the enormous amounts in 
 LOOT OF INTEREST ON interest on public funds received annually 
 PUBLIC FUNDS. by the County Treasurer, all of which 
 
 was appropriated to his own private use, 
 and to take active steps to recover it for the public. 
 
 In October, 1901, Mayor Harrison consulted his Corpora- 
 tion Counsel, who gave an opinion, the gist of which was "in- 
 terest on public funds belongs to the public." The Mayor de- 
 manded the City's share of interest received. It was refused. 
 He then directed that suits be brought against the Treasurer 
 to make him account for the interest and to compel his bonds- 
 men to stand good for the amount found due. These suits are 
 now pending and awaiting an early trial. The result of this 
 agitation has been that the County Treasurer and no longer 
 receives that interest for himself estimated at more than 
 $100,000 annually. 
 
 AND COMPELS It has been and is the practice of the City 
 
 REDUCTION OF CITY to give a percentage of the interest on its 
 
 TREASURER'S COMPEN- funds to the City Treasurer for his com- 
 
 SATION IN. INTEREST. pensation and expenses. 
 
 The City Council in the appropriation bill for 1903 fixed 
 this compensation of the City Treasurer at 50 per cent of the 
 amount of the interest on public funds in his hands. This, it 
 was estimated, would yield to the Treasurer a net annual return 
 of more than 
 
 "At this point Mayor Harrison came to the front by putting 
 a plank in the Democratic platform pledging the candidate of 
 that party to a net income of $15,000. Mr. Harrison followed 
 
 "Above all, he has stood like a rock in front of 
 the audacious Allen law, and by his determined atti- 
 tude he has nullified the schemes of the Traction Com- 
 panies that -would have profited by that nefarious 
 
 measure." Chicago Evening Post, March 17, 1899.
 
 50 THE TRUTH ABOUT HARRISON UP TO DATE. 
 
 this by amending the budget by reducing the 50 per cent to be 
 retained by the Treasurer to 35 per cent and, stung into action, 
 the City Council still further reduced it to 25 per cent. " * * 
 * * Mr. Harrison "is to be congratulated on knowing an oppor- 
 tunity when he sees it, and the city on the saving effected 
 
 through him. " Chicago Xecord-Herald, March 22, 1903. 
 
 THE CORPORATION COUNSEL'S OFFICE. 
 
 A MAYOR'S The Mayor appoints the Corporation 
 
 RESPONSIBILITY. Counsel. "One can hardly realize the 
 
 magnitude of the office of the Corporation 
 
 Counsel of the City of Chicago, the responsibility he has at 
 times to assume, and the vast legal interests that are submitted 
 to his care. 
 
 RESULTS SHOW. WHAT Corporation Counsel Charles M. Walker 
 HE STANDS FOR has conducted the business of his office 
 
 AND AGAINST. with great ability, and for the best inter- 
 
 ests of the city. He has so directed his 
 able assistants as to secure the very best results." 
 
 Tht Chicago Legal News, Januarys, 1903, Vol. 35, page 116. 
 The leading legal publication of the West. 
 
 "Rewards the Corporation Counsel -Instead of 
 using up all of his appropriation of $86,OOO last year, 
 Corporation Counsel Walker turned back $16,OOO of 
 it into the city treasury December 31. In recogni- 
 tion of this the Finance Committee made him the 
 same appropiation fpr!9O3." 
 
 Chicago Chronicle, March 1, 1903.
 
 THE TRUTH ABOUT DARRISOX UP TO DATE. 51 
 
 Following Are Some Results Under Harrison: 
 
 SOME GREAT VICTORIES In I'llinois Central Railway Company vs. 
 
 FOR GREAT PRINCIPLES. Chicago, the United States Supreme 
 Court affirmed the judgments of the 
 
 Superior Court of Cook County and Supreme Court of Illinois 
 
 (173 111., 471), restraining the Illinois Central Railway Com- 
 pany from constructing a round-house on 
 
 SAVES THE made land on the Lake Front, thereby 
 
 LAKE FRONT. affirming the title of the People of the 
 
 State of Illinois and City of Chicago to 
 
 the made land along the shore of La>e Michigan a decision of 
 
 incalculable value to the city. 
 
 /. C. Ry. Co. vs. Chicago \ 176 U. S. Repts. p. 646. 
 
 WINS SEVENTY-FIVE The United States Circuit Court, in the 
 CENT GAS CASE case of Peoples Gas Light and Coke Com- 
 
 IN U. S. COURT. pany vs. City of Chicago, case number 
 
 25,780, sustained the validity of the ordi- 
 nance limiting price of gas to seventy- five cents. The Com- 
 pany has appealed to the U. S. Supreme Court, and filed a 
 bond of $600,000. 
 
 DEFEATS ATTEMPT TO In two suits entitled William L. Elkins 
 ESTABLISH RIGHTS vs. City of Chicago, et al., cases number 
 
 UNDER 99-YEAR ACT 25,932 and 25,933 in the United States 
 IN U. S. COURT. Circuit Court, the City again won, and 
 
 complainant appealed to the United States 
 Supreme Court, where cases are now pending. 
 
 "If he had been less strong and less courageous, 
 if for a moment he had shown the least indication of 
 wavering, he would have been run over by the Tru- 
 culent Council, and the people would have lost their 
 rights. For this courageous attitude Mayor Harrison 
 deserves the thanks of all good citizens." 
 
 Chicago Evening Post, March 17, 1899,
 
 52 THE TRUTH ABOUT HARBISON 1 UP TO DATE. 
 
 ESTABLISHES POLICE Another victory for the City's Police 
 POWER TO COMPEL Power. In City of Chicago vs. Chicago 
 
 STREET RAILROAD Union Traction Company, the City had 
 
 COMPANIES TO CLEAN been defeated in the Criminal Court 
 RIGHTS OF WAY. (Judge Holdom) in its attempt to compel 
 
 the Chicago Union Traction Company to 
 
 clean its rights of way, but upon appeal to the Supreme Court, 
 that court held that the City had the power to compel street 
 railroad companies to clean their rights of way. 
 
 Chicago vs. C. U. T. Co., 199 111., p. 259. 
 
 This will save the City more than $200,000 per year. 
 
 Commissioner of Public Works. 
 
 THE CELEBRATED In the eleven well known Transfer Cases 
 
 TRANSFER CASES. the City won great victories for the people. 
 
 The Supreme Court of Illinois affirmed the Superior 
 Court of Cook County in entering fines against the Union 
 and Consolidated Traction Companies in suits brought by the 
 City for failure to give transfers. 
 
 Chicago Union Traction Company vs. Chicago, 199 111., 
 pp. 579-684. 
 
 The companies have paid the fines, court costs and entire 
 expenses of the City in trying the cases, and are giving trans- 
 fers entitling passengers to continuous rides for one fare, five 
 cents. 
 
 HALF FARE Immediately after these decisions the 
 
 FOR CHILDREN. Corporation Counsel succeeded in his 
 
 efforts to require street railways to carry 
 children for half fare. 
 
 POLICE POWER OF In the Burlington case the City established 
 
 CITY TO ENFORCE its police power to compel steam railroads 
 
 TRACK ELEVATION. to elevate their tracks. 
 
 181 111., p. 605.
 
 THE TKUTH ABOUT HARRISON UP TO DATE. 53 
 
 RAILROAD COMPANIES In Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul R. R. 
 
 MUST NOW CONSTRUCT Co. vs. City of Chicago, the Supreme 
 
 AND REPAIR VIADUCTS Court held the company liable for the ccn 
 
 AND APPROACHES; NOT struction and maintenance of viaducts and 
 
 THE CITY approaches over street crossings. 
 
 C., M. & St. P. Ry. Co. vs. City of Chicago, 183 111., p 341. 
 
 OUSTS LAWLESS February 18, 1903, th^ Supreme Court of 
 
 STREET RAILROAD. Illinois affirmed the Circuit Court (Judge 
 
 Tuley), holding that the City had right- 
 fully forfeited the franchise of the Suburban Railroad Com- 
 pany to operate on certain streets, and that the City had 
 authority to cause the removal of the tracks. Pending on 
 petition for rehearing. 
 
 PROTECTS CHICAGO October 14, 1902, in Deeringvs. Chicago, 
 
 AND CALUMET RIVERS. Case number 26,003, the U. S. Circuit 
 
 Court confirmed the authority of the City 
 
 over the Chicago River and refused to restrain the City from 
 preventing the construction of a dock in the north branch of 
 the Chicago River, which would narrow the width of the chan- 
 nel and be an appropriation of a portion of public waterway. 
 
 February 23, 1903, the United States Supreme Court, in 
 the two cases of Calumet Grain and Elevator Company and 
 Cummings vs. Chicago, affirmed decrees of the United States 
 Circuit Court confirming the same power of the municipality 
 over the Calumet River. 
 
 (Decision not yet printed). 
 
 RECLAIMS LOST In Eisendrath vs. Chicago, the Supreme 
 
 STREETS. Court of Illinois affirmed a judgment of 
 
 the Circuit Court of Cook County finding 
 
 that Sangamon street, from Drx street to the north branch of 
 the Chicago River, was a public street. For many years this 
 street had not been used by the public, adjoining property 
 owners having encroached upon it so that it was entirely lost to 
 the public. 
 
 th vs. Chicago, 192 111., p 320.
 
 54 THE TRUTH ABOUT HARRISON UP TO DATE. 
 
 In Shirk vs. Chicago the Supreme Court affirmed the title 
 of the people to a "strip of land thirty feet in width on the east 
 side of Michigan avenue, between i zth street and Park Row 
 (part of a street in the heart of the City), the use of which the 
 public had been deprived of for a long- period of years. 
 Shirk vs. Chieago, 195 111., p. 298. 
 
 LOWERS BUSINESS February 9, 1903, the Appellate Court in 
 
 TELEPHONE RATES. the case of City of Chicago, et. al. vs. 
 
 Chicago Telephone Company (decision not 
 
 printed), a proceeding instituted upon the strength of an opinion 
 rendered by the Corporation Counsel to the City Council, 
 enjoined the Telephone Company from charging a rate per 
 annum of more than $125 (it was charging $175) for business 
 telephones with long distance equipments. 
 
 PROTECTS HOMES OF In three attacks upon the Hyde Park 
 HYDE PARK. Liquor Ordinance, the Supreme Court 
 
 sustained the validity of the Hyde Park 
 Liquor Ordinance and the position taken by the Mayor. 
 
 People ex. rel. Hinch vs. Harrison, 185 111., page 307. 
 Harrison vs. People ex. rel. Boetter, 195 111., 466, 
 
 reversed, 97 111., App. 434. 
 
 People ex. rel. Krause vs. Harrison, reversed, 92 111., 
 App. 643. 
 
 SUSTAINS THE MAYOR IN In Harrison vs. People ex. rel. Jaeger, the 
 REFUSING LICENSE TO Appellate Court reversed an order of the 
 BOWLING ALLEY IN RESI- Circuit Court (Judge Hanecy) compelling 
 DENCE NEIGHBORHOOD the Mayor to' issue a license for the opera- 
 AND NEAR CHURCH. tion of a bowling alley in a residence 
 
 neighborhood and near by a church, hold- 
 ing that the Mayor had a discretion in the issuance of such a 
 license and that he had properly exercised such discretion. 
 
 Harrison vs, People, ex. rel. Jaeger, roi ///. App., p. 224.
 
 THE TRUTH ABOUT HARBISON UP TO DATE. 55 
 
 ENFORCED PAYMENTS OF The Supreme Court of Illinois, in Chicago 
 COMPENSATION BY General Ry. Co. vs. Chicago, held the 
 
 STREET RAILWAY street railroad company liable to the city 
 
 COMPANIES. for the payment of $2,250 for a mileage 
 
 tax under its franchise, and Feb. 7, 1900, 
 
 the company paid into the City Treasury said amount, with 
 costs and interest amounting to $2,628. 71. 
 
 Chicago General Ry. Co. vs. Chicago, 176 111. 253. 
 
 The City recovered a judgment in the Superior Court of 
 Cook County, Case No. 204,240, against the Chicago and South 
 Side Rapid Transit Railroad Company (Alley "L") for $12,- 
 981.93, the amount due the city for mileage tax under the 
 terms of the company's franchise for five years, which judg- 
 ment, together with court costs and interest, making a total 
 amount of $13,074.07, has been paid. 
 
 A judgment 'was also entered against the Lake Street Ele- 
 vated Railway Company for similar compensation due for seven 
 years' arrears, by the Circuit Court of Cook County, Case No. 
 204, 176, for the sum of $13,374.42, which also has been paid. 
 
 Payments by street railway companies and elevated roads 
 to the City were: 
 
 In 1899 $ 79,645 61 
 
 In 1900 105,058.09 
 
 In 1901 120,898.64 
 
 "The marked increase during the past two years is 
 attributed to the successful efforts made by the City of Chicago 
 in exacting payments from companies which were in arrears or 
 delinquent. The material assistance rendered by the Corpora- 
 tion Counsel is highly appreciated by this department " 
 
 City Collector's fitport of December 31, 1902.
 
 56 THE TRUTH ABOTTT HARRISON UP TO DATE. 
 
 RENEWAL OF STREET RAILWAY FRANCHISES THE MAIN 
 QUESTION THE NEXT MAYOR OF CHICAGO WILL HAVE 
 TO MEET. 
 
 THE QUESTION These remarks apply to-day: "Chicago's 
 
 STATED. Mayoralty campaign. The underlying 
 
 question of the campaign will be: Shall tJie public, through the 
 City Council and the Mayor, or shall the street railway corpora- 
 tions control the streets and the systems of taxation to be imposed 
 upon corporations using the streets? * * * The Republicans 
 have partly fallen into the control of the companies through the 
 workings of the party machine, dominated by Congressman 
 William Lorimer. It is his purpose that a Mayor and 
 Council shall be chosen which will be favorable to the wishes of 
 the street railways. * * * If Mayor Harrison is re-elected 
 it is a foregone conclusion that street railway control of local 
 legislation is ended forever, and that the corporations will have 
 to pay handsomely hereafter for franchises. " 
 
 The New York Evening Post, January 30, 1901. 
 
 "Mayor Harrison's unswerving loyalty to the 
 people in their battle against the dishonest assaults of 
 the Traction Companies, his success in defeating the 
 would-be grabbers, and in forcing the repeal of the 
 Allen law, and his intelligent and patient effort to 
 equitably solve the street railway franchise problem 
 for this City, have very naturally commended him to 
 the favor of those voters who, regardless of party 
 predilections, believe in sustaining a tried and com- 
 petent public official. "Chicago Daily News, March 8, 1901.
 
 THE TRUTH ABOUT HARRISON" UP TO DATE. 57 
 
 MAYOR HARRISON'S POSITION ON TRACTION STATED. 
 
 In 1899 Mayor Harrison outlined the conditions on which 
 he believed the traction question might be settled with justice 
 to the street railway companies and with full consideration of 
 the people's rights. The conditions were as follows: 
 
 " The passage by the Legislature of a municipal ownership 
 enabling act ; this to be an absolute prerequisite to any consid- 
 eration of the traction question. The reference of all proposed 
 extension ordinances to a vote of the people for their sanction 
 and endorsement. An improvement of accommodations which 
 will do away with the present uncomfortable, unwholesome and 
 indecent overcrowding of cars. Adequate compensation in the 
 form either of a percentage of gross receipts into the treasury 
 as a trust fund, to be expended solely upon the public streets, 
 a reduction of fares, or a combination of both forms. An 
 express waiver of all alleged rights under the ninety-nine-year 
 act. Provision for municipal ownership at the earliest possible 
 date. The simultaneous expiration of all franchises on or 
 before twenty years from date of grant, and the express prohi- 
 bition of the transfer of a franchise to a foreign corporation. 
 The tise of the underground trolley within certain boundaries ; 
 the realignment of terminals that transportation may be rapid 
 and street congestion avoided ; the use of modern grooved rails 
 in all paved streets, and the paving of rights of way by the 
 traction companies with asphalt or dressed granite block. A 
 universal system of transfers. Full publicity of accounts. A 
 system of arbitration for the settlement of disputes arising 
 between traction companies and their employes. A single car 
 service instead of the present train service. "
 
 58 THE TRUTH ABOUT HARBISON UP TO DATE. 
 
 99 YEAR ACT Mayor Harrison demanded the waiver of 
 
 all alleged rights claimed under the 99 
 year act, because for twenty years the street railway companies 
 have held this infamous measure as a club over the people of 
 Chicago whenever a settlement of the traction question has 
 been broached. Twenty years ago when the franchises were 
 last extended the adjudication of the 99 year act was postponed 
 to be taken up during the life of the franchise then granted. 
 Twenty years have passed and the act is still uncontested, still 
 unsettled. To-day the traction magnates again ask an exten- 
 sion of franchise, and again demand a postponement of the 99 
 year act controversy, to be taken up at some time during the 
 life of the proposed extended ordinances. Should this be done 
 another twenty years will pass, and at the end of that time the 
 same club the alleged rights of the companies under the 99 
 year act will be swung over the heads of the citizens of Chi- 
 cago, and again the traction magnates will propose a new exten- 
 sion of their ordinance, a new postponement of adjudication of 
 the tights claimed under the 99 year act and so on ad infinitum. 
 
 MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP Mayor Harrison demanded the passage of 
 ENABLING LEGIS- municipal ownership enabling legislation 
 
 LATION. as a prerequisite to the granting of new 
 
 franchises. Why? Because if the fran- 
 chises be extended prior to the passage of such legislation it 
 will be made altogether too easy for the traction companies in 
 the many devious ways known to their kind to block the legis- 
 lation which would give Chicago the right to own and control 
 its utilities. 
 
 REFERENDUM. Mayor Harrison also demanded the pas- 
 
 sage by the Legislature of an act which 
 
 would take from the Mayor the veto power on street railway 
 legislation, now vested in him as a means of protecting the 
 people's property and their rights, and would transfer that veto 
 power to the people to whom it properly belongs.
 
 THE TKUTH ABOUT HAflRISOX UP TO DATE. 59 
 
 In this same message Mayor Harrison wrote the following 
 words: 
 
 "One hears occasional criticism of the failure of the 
 present city administration to pass constructive street railway 
 legislation. Whenever the traction companies are ready to 
 take up a settlement of the question upon the foregoing lines 
 constructive legislation may readily be had. Until they express 
 a willingness to approach the question with due regard for the 
 rights of the citizens no honest-minded critic can find fault with 
 the city administration for its neglect to pass constructive legis- 
 lation." 
 
 In the years Mr. Harrison has been Mayor three oppor- 
 tunities have been presented to him to settle the traction ques- 
 tion. He was first given the chance when the Humphrey law 
 was under consideration by the Legislature of Illinois a pro- 
 posed law whose defeat was in larger measure due to his stand 
 than to any other agency. The second opportunity was pre- 
 sented when Charles T. Yerkes asked of the City Council of the 
 City of Chicago the passage of the so-called fifty year ordinances. 
 What Mayor Harrison's services were in defeating this obnox- 
 ious measure is known to all citizens. The third opportunity 
 came when two months ago the representatives of the traction 
 companies appeared before the Local Transportation Commit- 
 tee to present their case. 
 
 THE 99 YEAR ACT All went swimmingly until the question 
 
 STUMBLING BLOCK arose as to what disposition should be 
 
 made of the rights claimed by the com- 
 panies under the 99 year act. Here horns were locked and the 
 conferences were ended. The representatives of the eastern 
 holders of stock in the Union Traction Company returned to 
 New York, leaving this word behind
 
 30 " THE TRCTH ABOVT HARRISON VP TO DATE. 
 
 THE MAYORS' DEFEAT That they would not return to Chicago 
 IS THE TRACTION until after the municipal election, and 
 
 COMPANIES' HOPE. when they would return they might find a 
 
 new occupant in the Mayor's chair. 
 
 THE MAYOR'S SPEECHES. 
 
 This is Mayor Harrison's record as an "obstructionist." 
 
 . A fair statement: 
 
 "Of Mr. Harrison it may properly be said in his favor that 
 his integrity is unquestioned; that his record in defending the 
 rights of Chicago in the traction issues is a tremendous element 
 of strength ; that honest men will love him for the enemies 
 he has made in the ranks of his own party; that his election 
 will make sure that no cooked-up bipartisan judicial ticket will 
 be forced on the voters in June in order that incompetents or 
 worse may be kept on the bench ; that above all that when the 
 traction question is settled it will be settled in the interest of 
 the people of Chicago." 
 
 The llecord- Herald, March 25, 1903.


 
 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 
 
 ,T HARRISON UP TO DATE TOLD 
 
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