CHICAGO’S CRIME.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18346, 4 June 1931, Page 3

CHICAGO’S CRIME.

UNJUSTIFIED NOTORIETY. NEW MAYOR’S BIG CHANCE. “There are a lot of people- who think it’s a good place to come away fro-m, but 1 think it’s a nice place tp live,” but Mr R. V. Warman, an American businessman, referring to Chicago, on his arrival by the -Makura at Wellington. “I am still sorry to see that so much space is devoted to crime conditions in Chicago,” he added. “When I was lTere last year I did all I could to show that conditions there were not as bad as they are painted. “Just before I left this time I was given figures by a man connected with the Department of Justice showing that in a list of 80 American cities Chicago ranked 67th in the percentage of crime lo population. I think teat will surprise a great many of your readers. It is quite true, and it is the sort of publicity that Chicago should have.”

Referring to the new mayor, Mr Cermak, who routed “ Big Bill ” Thompson, Chicago’s former mayor, Mr Warman said that a great many people were afraid that there would be no improvement in political conditions compared with what they were under “Big Bill’s” regime. Shortly before Mr Warman left Chicago he happened to meet a friend of the new. Mayor who was convinced that Mr Cermak was absolutely sincere in his promises to give the city the cleanest and most efficient administration it has ever had. Mr Warman was inclined to think that this was true. Mr Cermak had every opportunity to make a splendid name for himself, because not only the whole country was watching him, but also the world at large. They would want to see his conduct during the great world fair. “By the way,” said Mr Warman, “t'he exposition is coming along splendidly. The organisation is working well and some of the buildings are going up." Dr. E. Hope Pearson, of Christchurch, who was also aboard the Makura, and who had been working in Chicago, added his testimony to Mr Warman’s. Mr Cermak had defeated “Big Bill" by a majority of 196,000 voles, and had spent his first day in office putting 3000 men out of tho city hall, 1800 of whom were on the political pay-roll and had never done a day's work. Dr. Pearson was In Chicago for four months, and was impressed with the, arrangements being made for the world fair. He was astounded, also, at the distress which existed in the city.