Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 37, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 March 1905 — STREET CARS THE ISSUE. [ARTICLE]

STREET CARS THE ISSUE.

An Extraordinary Municipal Campaign in Progreaa in Chicago. Two- candidates for Mayor, who propose to achieve municipal ownership of the street railway system by different methods, are giving 'Chicago- one of the most picturesque campaigns in its history. One is John Maynard Harlan, the Republican nominee, and the other is Judge Edward F. Dunne, the choice of the Democrats. Judge Dunne is generally looked upon as the real municipal ownership candidate. The Municipal Ownership League has indorsed him, and many of the Socialists have announced their intention to vote for him. Dunne proposes to offer the traction companies a fair price for their tangible properties and a reasonable compensation for the franchises which have yet a term of years to run. If the companies refuse to sell, he proposes to go at once into the courts. He will endeavor to

have each franchise forfeited as soon as it expires, and to have the traction companies outsted from the streets. Then lie proposes to build rival city lines on the principal streets. Such a course, in a few years, would leave the existing companies without downtown connections. Harlan proposes to grant the existing companies 41 new franchise, at the expiration of which they are to sell out to the city. If they refuse he proposes to build rival lines. The campaign is’just now in full swing. The Republican nominee, in a fast automobile, rushes about to various portions of city, making four speeches in the evening. The Democratic leader has been forced to place a substitute on the bench and take the stump in his own defense, and is making one speech a night.