CHAOS IN CHICAGO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20490, 15 February 1930, Page 12

CHAOS IN CHICAGO.

, UNPAID CITY EMPLOYEES.

, POSITION GROWS DESPERATE.

r WAR 'AGAINST CRIMINALS,

PUBLIC PAYING TRIBUTE.

By telegraph—Press Association— Copyright, ' : CHICAGO. Feb. 33,

Tho unpaid civic employees in Chicago are growing more desperate every hour. A rumour has been circulated that tho Mayor, Mr. William Thompson, is about to leave for Florida.

Alderman Arvey stated to-day that the "employees would not go much longer 'without their cash. All they needed was a leader to start serious trouble for tho city's administration. Officials are suddenly becoming worried lest their constituents desert them at tho primary elections in April. They have promised to make determined efforts to find a way out of the increasingly serious predicament, but a superabundance ol words, combined with a complete absence of action has characterised tho activities, of tho majority of the members of thei ■ xeliof committee. Tho Mayor and the Strawn group, who offered funds, are still at cross purposes. Tho unpaid police continue to round np tho criminal olemont. They havo arrested more 'than 2500 suspects, tho names of some of whom, according to tho chief detective, Mr. Egan, would " grace ■ tho penitentiary roster or tho hangman's warrant."

The- principal captures effected to-da\r were those of five leaders of a notorious gang known as tho O'Donnell gang. They Wero arrested at a " directors meeting. - Mr. Robert Randolph, president of the Industry Association, discussing " racketeering," said there was not an industry or business in Chicago which was not paying tribute, some directly and some indirectly. The public was paying in increased higher laundry and. tailoring bills, higher rentals and in scores of other ways.