Ad Nauseam

Last week Chicago saw to a close what many named the filthiest, most nauseating political campaign in the city's history. Nearly 1,000,000 voters swarmed about the polls. Police squads in cars, armed with rifles and machine guns patrolled the streets; state militia stood ready to answer riot calls. It seemed probable that onetime Mayor William Hale Thompson, Republican, would again be elected Mayor; but followers of William E. Dever, Democrat, present mayor, were full of hope. Dr. John Dill Robertson, Independent, also ran.

In the seven mad days before, Chicagoans saw mud slung in steam-shovel fashion, the so-called "better element" cheered 10,000 women marching for "Dever and decency." "Big Bill" Thompson, idol of half Chicago, its mayor from 1915-23, made his chief issue the King of England, swung his huge hams of fists, slung mud. Of his onetime intimate, Dr. Robertson, Mr. Thompson said: "The doc is slinging mud. I'm not descending to personalities, but let me tell you if you want to see a nasty sight you; watch Doc Robertson eating in a restaurant. Eggs in his whiskers, soup on his vest: you'd think the doc got his education driving a garbage wagon."

At Mayor Dever and his backer George Brennan he howled: "Dever and Brennan are a disgrace to the Irish blood. They are the worst two-faced hypocrites who ever came to my attention. They circulated a cartoon called 'Thompson Kissing a Negro.' Is that what Dever and decency means?"

At his opponents, Dr. Robertson, Independent, called back: "Professional character assassins . . . social pariahs who prey like ghouls upon the weaknesses of mankind . . . filthy parasites." Fred Lundin, onetime crony and mentor of Mr. Thompson, now backing Dr. Robertson said: "My only answer to Thompson for calling me a rat and his other vile and untruthful references is that for a period of eight years he lived most of the time at this rat's house and was willing and eager to gnaw at this rat's table."

Mr. Thompson replied briefly: "Thank God, I'm through with him; he damned near ruined me."

Mayor Dever, campaigning for decency, made brief denials. Chicago, sated with politics, was glad it was over.