The San Francisco call., 1897-08-19
MODEL CITY GOVERNMENT.

at time when our own City is earnest
ly discussing the subject of q new charter
and when the thinking mind of The Nation
is bent largely on the solution of the
problem OF municipal government, such
an article as that contributed to the cur
rent number of the Forum bv Professor
Frank w. Blackmar on THE Municipal
Government of Berlin" has a peculiar
interest. The learned gentleman occupies
the chair of history and sociology in the
University OF Kansas, and it is ote worthy
that Professor Blackmar is a product OF
our California schools.
According to the description given by
that scholar Berlin is a model European
city, and its growth has been as wonder
ful as its municipal govern ment has been
progressively wise and admira ble -
From 1900 TO 1870 its population increased
from 1000 TO 100000, while at present
the city contains nearly 100000 souls.
From 1870 to 1890 it grew more rapidly
than New York and kept pace with
Chicago. AS Mr.. Blackmar observes,
while attempting to solve the problem of
city government in the United States it
may not be wise to think of initiating the
government of Berlin. which has the i'm
press of imperialism upon it, though the
methods which prevail there in every de-
partment yield some useful Lessons.
The military discipline which pervades
the Prussian system OF administration has
had its effect on city government. 1.-THE
power OF concentrated action, the thor
oughness of social institutions, the serious
ness with which all the governmental acts
are regarded, the scientific management
OF public works, the patient and exhaus-
tive treatment of every subject in hand"
says the writer, "all have contributed to
the perfection of the great German
capital"
The city expends yearly more than
$20,00O,O0O for the government, part of the
revenue being derived from the proceeds
OF public works. Everything is closely
accounted for, and the records are so fully
published that ratepayer may obtain at
any time true statement of the business
condition of the municipality.''
Public constructions and the mainten-
ance OF streets are carried on with like
thoroughness. As much care is exercised
in the building of street as bv a carpen-
ter III making table or Matchmaker in
making a watch. Nearly all the streets
are OF frst-class asphalt, and they are
kept in proper repair and remarkably
clean.
Rigid rules are enforced with reference
to garbage and sewage, and large quan-
titles OF disinfectants and decd orizsrs re-
used by the city ana furnished by nrivate
individuals free of charge. The sewage
of the city is used to fertilize lands below
the city by means of irrigation pipes. Az
the corners of the parks and intersection
of public ,horoughfares public lavatories
are established, being well built and
scrupulously kept by women. These fea-
lures OF the sanitary system are there con.
| sidered indispensable to health and com.
! fort.
1t seems rather odd, however. to Ameri.
cans to hear that the chairs in the small
| parks of Berlin are veritable nickel-in.
the-slot machines, an individual being re.
| quired to drop in piece of money to un
lock a chair that he may sit down ano
rest Such a thing would never be toler.
| ated in this land Of the free. It is said