WITHOUT A MAYOR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 122, 26 May 1933, Page 10

WITHOUT A MAYOR

POSITION OF CHICAGO COMMITTEE IN CHARGE CONFUSING SITUATION Full consciousness of the. political implications involved in the tragic death of their Mayor, Mr. Anton Cermak, has not yet come to the dazed minds of citizens of Chicago, -says a writer in the New Y r ork Times, Other happenings of national importance have absorbed the anxious thought of the majority. Among politicians and in circles of the more civic minded, however, there has been much discussion of the situation represented by a vacant chair in the City Hall The brave fight for life made by the late Mayor, and his quoted words of unselfish gratification that he and not the Presidential choice of the people suffered the wound, have deepened the sense of sincere sorrow felt by even those of his fellow-citizens who were not numbered among his warmest admirers. It is everywhere conceded that Chicago has lost a capable and courageous leader whose, service, in a time of crisis, was of high value in effecting economies and controlling gang crime. His death, however, has disclosed an astonishing state of affairs, with many possibilities- for confusion. According to qualified legal authorities, the city charter makes no specific provision for the interim filling of the vacancy. It requires the holding of an election to choose a successor for the unexpired term, but since there must be interval of important duration before that requirement can be met, the need for a pro tempore Mayor is obvious. Proposal sthat the City Council should name one of its members to act in that capacity until an election can be held are answered with-the doubt that an official so chosen should exercise the veto power or validate payrolls and fax anticipation warrants. Without Authority. In the meantime three members of the former Mayor’s Cabinet and one aiderman, whom Mr. Cermak designated before his death, are acting in so far as they may as a “mayoral committee." The power of attorney with which one of them was clothed by the Mayor while lying on his hospital bed has, of course, expired. The committee, therefore, is without statutory authority for certain acts that may at any moment become urgently necessary. It has been suggested by certain pub ,; c-spirited citizens that the Legislature be urged to adopt quickly an emergency Act empowering the City Council to name a pro tempore Mayor with all the powers resident in the office. Proponents of that course would prefer that any citizen, whether a member of the City Council or not, should be made eligible for such choice. With that done, they would favour postponing a popular election until November. The overwhelming Democratic majority in the City Council, and the politicians of that party generally, are strongly disposed to holding an election in June, when there will be State-wide judicial elections. Their interim plan is hot clearly defined. Apparently they shy from the danger of possible divisions in their own ranks over choice of a pro tempore Mayor, or desire to avoid precipitating candidacies before leaders of the party have been able to reach some agreement on a successor to the late Mayor. Republicans in the City Council favour postponement. Their party, fraction-rent, is in poor shape for a fight. Citizens who are less concerned about politics than they are about filling the vacant position with a man who can meet the exigent demands of' unusual times also favour delay in holding an election. They fear the likelihood that a party scramble may result in the election of a mediocrity. A powerful and perhaps decisive factor in the situation is the Citizens’ Committee on Revenue and Expenditures, under the chairmanship of Fred W. Sargent, president of the North-western Railroad. It virtually dictated the Budget limitations of Cook County government and has been active in promoting the sale of tax warrants. Hence its advice has weight. It is understood to be against precipitate action and to favour ultimate selection of a non-partisan Mayor, commanding by character and ability the undivided support of the community. Potential Leaders. Temporarily the Democratic party in Illinois ig without a “boss." That is a serious lack for a party accustomed to the powerful control of men like the late Roger Sullivan, the late George Brennan, and the more recently deceased Anton J. Cermak. Down-State Democrats will not feel the loss so greatly as Cook County, and since Cook County Democrats dominate the party in Illinois, down-Staters may even feel a sense of relief. But the peril of factional division, such as wrecked the hopes of Illinois, Republicans, lurks in the situation. As • yet there is silence about a successor to the power of Mr. Cermak, which strongly affected every local government in Cook County and bad established itself politically at. Springfield through the election of Henry Horner as Governor. The silence may be ominous. Some think it is a prelude to 8 stern fight. Pat Nash, chairman of the county central committee and dispenser of patronage, is getting well on in years or he might, be a vigorous contender for tho succession. Joseph McDonough, Cook County treasurer, is said to fancy himself in Mr. Cermak’s toga. Emmett Whealan. president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, cherisehs ambitions. He followed the late Mayor in that office. \nd. finally, there is Michael L. Igoe, who, after Mr. Brennan’s death, was Mr. Cermak’s hard-fighting hut defeated rival for party control.