Steffen calls for thorough clean out of Chicago police leadership
Alderman Steffen, chair of the City Council Police Committee, urges a full reorganization of the police department. He faults current staffing, crime checking, and morale, advocating a Scotland Yard like detective bureau with scientific methods and merit-based promotions. He cites past failures including the car barn case and insufficient bonds in court, urging desk sergeants to reject cash bonds under 100 dollars.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Walter P. Steffen
Police Department
Council Committee On Police
Als
Steffen
Ald. Steffen
Milwaukee
Chicago
Ald
Scotland Yard
Wight
van Dyne
Aldermen Form Subcommittees To Inspect Police Dept
Chicago city council committee on police will study every phase of police work with independent subcommittees. Subcommittees cover personnel, first and second deputy offices, traffic squad, and detective bureau, with named chairs and members.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago
Police Department
City Council Committee On Police
Steffen
Cermak
Eaton
Maypole
Byrne
Guernsey
Touhy
Krumdick
Smith
Kunz
Govier
Burns
Passmore
Furman
Public Service Errors Plague City Street Signs
City signs are largely misspelled or misleading across intersections with examples like South Wells at 51st and 5th Avenue Sedgwick being misspelled Sedgewick and Tooker place named after Dr Tooker misrendered as Tucker. The piece notes inspecting public utilities is easier than correcting signage errors.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
City Department of Public Service
South Wells Street
51St Street
5Th Avenue
Sedgwick Street
Sedgewick Street
Tooker
Judge Stelk’s Great Record Keeps Speeding In Check
Judge John Stelk of the Speeders court notes a decline in speeding arrests in April and May across 1917 to 1919. Despite fewer arrests, fines rose from 4814.50 to 11680.50 in April 1919. The practice of posting a $25 cash bond to avoid court appearances is being curtailed as officers cite nonappearance. William Luthardt, private secretary to the chief of police, was summoned.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John Stelk
Speeders Court
Chicago
Speeders’ Court
Stelk
William Luthardt
Police
Public Service Fraud Exposed by City Weighing Machines
A critic questions the city Department of Public Service over fraudulent weighing machines found across the streets. He notes 102041 machines with about 100000 often out of order, each taking a cent for a wrong weigh. He also cites counterfeit gum vending slots that take money without dispensing gum. He asks why these frauds are tolerated.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
City Department of Public Service
City Public Service Dept Interest in Sanitation Contracts
A reader asks whether anyone within the City Department of Public Service is connected to the sanitation contracts. The inquiry seeks clarity on potential conflicts of interest in current bids and district allocations.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
City Department of Public Service
New Rates for Chicago Telephone Service Announced
President Sunny of the Chicago Telephone Company outlines losses since January and details a transition from flat to measured rates. The plan eliminates several service classes, introduces tiered message charges, and adjusts residence and business line pricing. Also notes on local clubs and liquor restrictions amid changes affecting social venues.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sunny
Chicago Telephone Company
B. E. Sunny
Chicago Telephone
Chicago
Traction bill pushed to speed Chicago transport
Alderman Capitain writes to the house committee on public utilities urging emergency action on traction legislation. He warns that delay will postpone permanent transportation improvements for at least two years and urges favorable reports to enact this session.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Capitain
House Committee On Public
Chicago
Smoking on L trains sparks council vote
By a 6 to 4 vote the council health committee ordered Commissioner Robertson to rescind his rule prohibiting smoking on elevated trains. The rule remains in effect on surface cars due to motormen and female passengers using the front vestibules as exits. The dissenting Aldermen were Kunz Pretzel Armitage and A O Anderson.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Council Health Committee
Wealth Robertson
Jackson
Burns
Furman
Shaffer
Klaus
Kavanagh
Kunz
Pretzel
Armitage
A. O. Anderson
Motoring Bond Question Plays Out In Court
On Monday a sergeant faces inquiry for accepting a bond from a speeder who was driving at 38 miles per hour after ignoring guidance from a motorcycle officer. The exchange was recounted to Luthardt as the proceeding unfolds.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Luthardt
Fireworks on the Fourth Prompt City Fire Safety Notice
J. G. McDonnell chief of the bureau of fire prevention and public safety writes to Chief Garrity urging strict enforcement of the city ordinance banning storage and sale of fireworks within limits except in approved buildings and use only with a special permit. He calls for cooperation with the fire prevention bureau in every way possible.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
J. G. McDonnell
Bureau of Fire Prevention and Public Safety
Garrity
Notable Chicago lawyer with South Dakota career and Rough Riders veteran
Colonel Robert Wright Stewart a prominent Chicago lawyer born in Cedar Rapids Iowa held public offices in South Dakota including State's Attorney Supreme Court reporter and State Senator. He served as a Rough Riders major in the Spanish American War and later commanded the First Regiment Infantry South Dakota National Guard. The text also notes a public figure Marcus Jacobowsky and discusses U.S. deficit and changes in Chicago telephone and postal rates amid wartime costs.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Robert Wright Stewart
Chicago
Cedar Rapids
Iowa
Hughes County
South Dakota
Supreme Court
U. 8
The
Rough Riders
South Dakota National Guard
University
Hamilton
South Shore
Glenview Golf
Edgewater Golf
Thompson is Clean Mayor Thompson portrayed as honorable figure
The writer praises Mayor Thompson as honest and outspoken, denying corruption in his administration. They acknowledge backing his opponent in the election and accuse petty Republicans of trying to blame Thompson’s aides for unpaid bills, while asserting most of his cabinet remains above suspicion.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Thompson
Republican Party
Clubs Go Dry In Chicago After July First
A Chicago club warns members it will not store liquor after July 1 and urges removal from premises. The Illinois Athletic Club states it will not store liquor for members, while the Mid Day Club announces it will go dry.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago Automobile Club
Edgewater Beach Yacht Club
University Club
Chicago Athletic Association
House
Union League Club
Chicago Club
Illinois Athletic Club
John W Eckhart as Chicago political leader in Democratic cause
John W Eckhart, a merchant miller and Chicago leader, is praised for his active work with the Iroquois Club and for contributing to Democratic victories in National and local elections. His efforts are described as effective and influential in building up the organization and supporting the party’s success.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John W. Eckhart
Chicago
Iroquois Club
Mr. Eckhart
Democratic Party
Haas Sets Splendid Record as Recorder of Deeds
Joseph F. Haas earns praise for his stewardship of the recorder of deeds office. The office operates with diligence and public satisfaction reported across records and services provided to residents.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Joseph F. Haas
Also Mentioned on This Page
Steffen Right
City Counsel Police Committee
Detective Bureau
Public Service Bank
Isjit
Robert W. Stewart
Alderman Capitain
Marcus Jacobowsky
Fort Dearborn National Bank
United States
Council
Union League
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!