(t (t <p November 14, 1925 WINNETKA TALK 23 --_ REFORM BODY REVIEWS YEAR'S ACHIEVEMENTS North Shore Leaders Assist in Bringing About Numerous Civic Improvements A note of optimism pervades the fifty-first annual report of the Citizens' Association of Chicago, the oldest civic reform organization in America, with which several north shore men are affiliated in an official capacity and which was made oublic this week. In addition to lending its influence to the prevention of legislative meas- ures designed to place public pensions, involving the expenditure of millions of dollars of public funds, under con- trol of groups of public employes, the association was also instrumental in securing important improvements in civic matters relating to the City of Chicago. In the matter of public pension, the association employed its influence in securing the establishment of a City Pension commission, ap- pointed by Mayor William E. Dever of which one member is the president of the Citizens' Association of Chi- cago. The association also obtained the disbarment of John P. Reed, al- leged unscrupulous pénsion attorney who, it was said, had defrauded widows of policemen in the matter of their just pension claims. Win Sanitary Case The association, according to the report, gained a favorable decision in the Appellate court in a taxpayers' suit, instituted three years ago, at- tacking the legality of the payment of more than a million dollars as "extras" by the Sanitary District trustees to the Illinois Improvement and Ballast company, in connection with the contract for the construction of the North Shore Intercepting sewer. The Appellate court declared the contract null and void and ordered an accounting. Replacement of hundreds of electric lamp posts in Chicago, declared to have been faultily installed by con- tractors, were brought about through the instrumentality of the association, the report states. Convict Ballot-Stuffers Eleven persons, charged with ballot- box stuffing at the election April 7, 1925, were given jail sentences as the result of the prosecution of election fraud cases by the association, it is explained. The Chicago Bar associa- tion aided in the prosecution. The association favored a bill in the state legislature authorizing a general registration for elections only once in four years, instead of two vears:; the annual intermediate registration in the precincts to be handled by only two election officials. instead of by five as at present; registration on any busi- ness day at the office of the election commissioners in the City hall. This bill, it is pointed out, would have meant a saving to the taxpavers of about $250,000 annually, was passed by both branches of the legislature but vetoed hy Governor Small. Want Independent Voting Arrangine names of candidates bv office, rather than bv partv, has been suggested by the association. a move designed to encourage independent voting in the instance of all candidates, The association lauds Mayor Devers administration, declaring that "the Citv government is gradually but steadily beine reclaimed from the al- "most incredible state of demoralization to which it had heen reduced dnrine the eight vears of misrule under Mavor Thomnson." Tribnta jc naid ta the memorv of Frederick W. Rurlincham. of Win- netka. former vice-president of the as- sociation and a member of its hoard of directors for 25 vears, who passed awav durine the fiscal vear just closed. Similar tribute is paid to the late Victor F. Lawson, a member of the association almost from its inception. State Organization's Aims The aims and purposes of the asso- ciation supported by voluntary sub- scriptions, are given as follows: "To insure a more perfect adminis- tration in our municipal affairs; to promote the general welfare and pros- perity of the City; to protect citizens, so far as possible, against the evils of careless or corrupt legislation; to effect the prompt enforcement and execution of the law; to correct existing abuses, and to prevent their future recvrrence." North shure men who are active in the association's work include George E. Cole, honorary president and di- rector; Leslie Gates, first vice- president; Shelby M. Singleton, secre- tary and attorney; Wilford C. Shurt- leff, director--all residents of Wil- mette; and Roy C. Osgood, director, of Kenilworth. Augustus S. Peabody is president of the organization. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ketcham, 40 Devonshire lane, Kenilworth, motored to Champaign for the Illinois-Chicago game and then spent the week-end at Joliet with Mr. and Mrs. DeWitt | Stillman. New Trier Faculty Men Are Guests at Dinner The men of the New Trier High school faculty attended a dinner given for them by the men of the Deerfield- Shields High school faculty at High- land Park Tuesday evening of this week. Besides the dinner there was a special program of entertainment. Last year the New Trier men were hosts to those of Deerfield-Shields. About 30 men from New Trier at- tended the dinner. Read the Want Ads G EE wood Room expectation that here. " of dining. To our guests the Rookwood Room means not merely a new room, but a new and delightful experience Its Character Bears Out Its Name-- The Rookwood Room "THE VERY NAME of the Rook- awakens becomes from the first moment of your visit eager reality Since the Rookwood Room is part of the Library Plaza Cafeteria, its excellence of cuisine requires no comment of assurance. 11 A. M. to 7:45 P. M. LIBRARY PLAZA CAFETERIA Orrington Ave., Just South of Church Street in the Library Plaza Hotel 'Where your Appetite Can Always "Find Its Way" to Happiness Five thousand square feet of added space in the Carlson Building to provide ample accomodations to all who come to dine. clusters of glowing lights . . . . the purl of a fountain . . . . the green- ery of palms, -- soft-toned, rugged walls, columns and arches . . . . The sparkle of