The Caucasian

CHICAGO LAKE FRONT STOLEN?

Milwaukee Legislative Committee Charges $250,000,000 Land Grab.

Accusations of a $250,000,000 land grab have been made after two years of investigation by a special committee appointed by the Illinois legislature, and some prolonged legal battles between alleged usurping corporations and the state government are expected to result. This so called steal is perhaps the largest on record so far as public land is concerned, and the outcome of the cases will affect many cities in the United States.

Chicago is particularly interested, as the investigators assert that practically its entire water frontage has been grabbed by railroad, dock and other corporations desiring to use the shores of Lake Michigan. Mississippi wharfage rights are also at stake, so the issue, it is predicted, will spread to other commonwealths bounded by the Father of Waters.

In the case of Chicago the grab was chiefly in "made" land—that is, shallows beyond the shore line which have been filled in until connected with the mainland. Practically the entire lake front of Chicago has been added to in this manner; hence the amount at stake.

MAP SHOWING AMOUNT OF CHICAGO'S WATER FRONTAGE CLAIMED TO HAVE BEEN STOLEN.

The committee recommends the revocation of the charter of one powerful railroad which originally entered the city by means of a trestle in the lake, but which has filled it in so that it now runs on solid ground.

The committee also delves into the famous case of Captain George Wellington Streeter, who established what he termed the "district of Lake Michigan" on a sand bar a hundred feet or so from the shore line and had to be ousted by police, militia and Gatling guns. That plot of ground is now occupied by huge factories and a park, and the investigators assert there is grave question to the title of the district and that Streeter is nearer right than any one in his claims of ownership.

An appropriation is recommended with which to prosecute the cases to restore the land to the state.