The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1897-10-08
National Conference Of Mayors
WI. .A-sss st Tor. Carrcl D.
WI. .sAt's Elrtau s..
In Its Investigation of the Sub.
ject Of Municipal Ownership
Of Franchises
More Light Is Necessary Before
Action on So Important
q Subject.


Of American Municipalities redeemed
itself to some extent from the effects OF
its former questionable action by pass
ing unanimously the following resolu.
tons introduced by Hon. Albert J.
Boardman Of Tampa, Fla:
Whereas, This national conference Of
mayors and members of the city councils
has been informed that the United States
In the department. of labor has under
taken an investigation Of water, gas and
electric lighting works, and clear out
line of the methods, form and purposes Of
this investigation has been given by Mr.
Allen Ripley Foote, in paper read be
tore this conference, and,
Whereas, The Hon. Carroll d. Wright
United states commissioner of labor, hat
announced that the object of this investi.
cation is to enable municipalities and
their citizens thereof, to determine
whether there Is economic advantage to
the consumers in the municipal owner
ship and operation of water, gas, and
electric lighting works; and,
Whereas, Such an Investigation by the
expert and impartial authority of the
United States department of labor, which
can reach every municipality in the
United States is sorely needed, and will
have a vital and far-reaching influence in
correctly guiding public policy on this
question of paramount Importance to
all municipalities; be it therefore re-
solved:
First. That this conference cordially
approves of the investigation as set forth
In Mr.. Foote'S paper, to be made for the
purpose stated by Hon. Carol d. Wright
United States commissioner of labor.
Second. That the delegates to this con-
ference tender to the United States de-
partment of labor and its duly accredited
agents their cooperation in every practi.
cal way, to facilitate this Investigation in
their respective municipalities, and to
make the information collected complete
and accurate.
Third. That it is the sense of this con.
ference that the executive and Legislative
officers of I'LL municipalities should
promptly and cordially do whatever may
become necessary on their part to expe.
dite the work of this investigation, to the
end that through it statistics may be Sc
cured that will be accepted by all persons
as reliable basis Tor comparisons.
Mr.. Boardman supported the resolu.
ton in speech on the necessity OF
getting more light on this important
subject.
Officers elected for the ensuing
year were as follows: John Nc
Vickar Of Des Moines was elected presi
dent; Mayor Collyer of Atlanta, vice
president; Mayor Black of Columbus,
treasurer, and Mayor Warner of Peoria,
Ills, Councilman Walker of Trenton,
N. j., and Councilman Rand of Mime.
apolis, trustees. During the discussion
on the constitution an effort was made
to shut out of the league all cities of
less than 5000 population, but after a
hot fight it was agreed to place no re-
striction on membership as to popula.
ton.
Mayor johnson of Fargo, N. D., pre-
sided at the afternoon session. Detroit
was chosen as the next place of meet.
ing, the other candidates being St.
Paul, Niagara Falls, Binghampton, N.
Y, and Atlantic City, N. j.
The customary resolutions of thanks
were also passed.