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Newspaper Page Text
vrmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm What Do Tou Get Out- of 'f'That Street Car 55 Per Cent? . Not long ago the newspapers ,were telling us how smart we were when -we climbed into bed Swith'the street railway compan ies. The people were told they had made a bully business deal when tfiey got 55 per 'cent of the net profits, although, they didn't say much about what a bully chance tile traction sharps had -to juggle tile books and teach figures to do "some tall lying. ' Anyhow, we turned our streets 'over to the big financiers and taxpayers keep on keeping those "streets-in 'shape for the gas, elec tric and street railway companies. 'What do the people get as THEIR share of this wonderful bargain ? Here's what they-got: They are packed, jammed, Yammed, crammed, crushed, hus tled and cussed . into the street clrs like so many sardines in a box. They are hustled off at transfer stations to wait in the heat, cold, dust, rain, wind and puddles for the car. And when the car does come, it is already so overcrowded that men, women and children risk life and limb trying to get aboard, r , More cars mean more help. More help means more expense. 'And' that means less -profits for the people in this unholy business alliance. For we're partners, you know. That's what they tell us -jadbem weukio&w, seotu io fcuiDQu- - V TUa nt.A to ai tfiA nivnnla urtlW ride on street" cars. - They never get their fingers in any. of this net profit. It doesn't lower car fares. It may cut down the taxes of the people who ride to and from work in automobiles. Low fares wotild do some good for the people who ride on cars. More cars and some comfort in riding, would help some, too. And we could .forget that 55 per cent because we never got our fingers on it anyhow. The suWay steal, ' the loop scandal, protected crime, build ing graft and innumerable other crimes against the people all these are an open book -to the newspapers. Yet, about all we get out of them is an occasional- spasm of virtuous indignation when the public protest is too loud and the stink of graft and corruption t6o strong. Then they go after the little criminals, kick up a fussy noise and hope the people will hurry up arid forget. "" All of -which means" that the people of "Chicago will get what tfiey want only when they go after it themselves. All' they'll get from govern ment by a newspaper trust will be a handout. For the'trust mem bers must get theirs first. o o h A merchant' prince who pays salesgirls only $6 a week, will have a tough time of it breaking into heaven. Poison's Jkavttapjtifigct.?