New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-03

=. am ha.hers being registered In the course of n
80 The old town of Coventry has one of the
-, nublc baths in England and Manchester
,,ord Liverpool. Glasgow, Dundee Bradford
,.ss Sheffield. Huddersfield and many other
.,,,es have adopted the same policy. The baths
-, not free. experience having shown that II is
-.;ser TO have small charges: but neither In Bir-
,,sham nor In other towns are these institutions
ysupporting. The baths have been established
. q sanitary measure. For halfpenny or a
-o,nv bath can be had by any applicant and
turkish baths are furnished for shilling IN
p,rr,insham and many other towns Public
ash houses. where there are stalls provided with
49,, and cold water FOR the use of laundrywomen
-. also 70 he found in Birmingham but these are
-, 6, useful here they have proved 10 be in
glasgow. Another characteristic institution is
che model municipal lodging house where decent
.ncommodations are offered at very low rates for
NOR people who are out Of employment Munich
ralzation has taken many forms in modern Eng
,.,a one city tries all experiment and other
,,Uns quickly repeat 1t. Just as there is emula-
,ion among American towns in business enter
mise and material progress. so there is among
English cities stirring competition for the fore
mos, place in improved municipal government.
THE TAXES AND THE TOWN COUNCIL.
Brmngham's town affairs have been conducted
rth such pre-eminent business ability that the
taxpayers have not been seriously burdened by
he progressive policies Of the last twenty years.
Ernest V. Hiey. solicitor in Town Clerks office.
has furnished me with comparative statistics of
the rates since 1882 showing that apart from the
school Board and Drainage Board there has been
M Improbable increase. The public debt is $685.
$4,000 and the municipal rates run from 2s sd. to
a. 10 the pound The artisans dwelling improve
msnt which has been a stupendous undertaking
even for wealthy town. is not yet self-support-
ing but the gas. water and market departments
Yield revenue OF over 100000 year. With the
gradual payment Of the debt by the operation Of
sinking funds. birmingham Will be of the
riches. % municipal corporations. with ma2nih-
cent property upon which ground rents are now
maid rever,ing 10 it Internationally. The policy
o. municipal socialism which Mr.. Chamberlain
may Justly claim mis- own. promises to reduce
the burdens % ratepayers very heavily during the
next generation. Meanwhile II has diminished
:ae death rate. transformed the appearance OF the
town. and promoted the welfare of all classes.
The only Good Government Club in Birmingham
is the Town Council representing ths household
ers and serving fellow-citizens without financial
reward. and without scandal or reproach. This
=
omnpotent u elects the Aldermen and the May
or who is merely presiding officer without pow
ers Of appointment or veto The Town Council
governs the town through committees placed in
charge Of the principe, departments Its mem
bers are recruited from retired merchants
wealthy landowners and active business mer, ana
they have nothing 20 make out Of politics except
& good name. but are content to devote their time
and thought 20 the business affairs Of the town
without other recompense than the honor Of serN-
ing on .he Council. The Town Council was the
scnool o. administration in which MI Chamber
lain frs. disclosed his extraordinary lucidity or
mind IN practical craftsmanship; but although he
was Mayor for three terms. thee was no munich
pal Dictatorship in Birmingham. OF bossism or
one-man power there is no trace in the municlpa'
government Of England. 1t Is government 10y a
large committee. In its operation it IS not only
conservative but progressive. for In ministering
% the welfare of the masses and In inventing new
administrative functions 1t has introduced me- n!
forms % c0ilectvSm or municipal socialism. II
offers TIE stronges; possible contras, TO municipal
experience in American cities. where government
by town council has been often sorry failure.
and where the best hope Of reform lies in armng
the Mayors with absolute powers OF appointment