New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-08
SELECTIONS FROM THE NAIL.
MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP.
WHAT IT HAS DONE IN GREAT BRITAIN TO RE-
LLEvE TAXATION.
To the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: Every far-minded citizen must indorse your
timely leader. The Municipal Problem" in your
issue Of the 2sth favoring wise municipal owner
ship. such as one finds in Glasgow and Paris.
Now under the aegis OF the Greater New-York'
let TO it that longer sell our fran
chises except for full and ample recompense. Glas-
gov owns her own gas and water works, railways,
etc. and having on the New Year revenue suf.i-
Glen; for all purposes. will levy no taxes and
Paris in another way controls and benefits by
the corporations to whom she grants privileges
that the burdens upon her taxpayers greatly
reduced. and ere long she will be self-supportng
municipality. New-York is richly endowed. espe-
clally in unrivaed water rights and real estate
holdings; and. that to have new de-
parture. and the powers OF the Greater New-York
Municipal Assembly 10 grant franchises are TO be
properly limited, there is no reason why our reve-
nues should not increase and taxation be reduced.
And. in this connection won't The Tribune en-
tighten its readers a little more the vexed ques-
ton of soclalistc ideas and efforts. their intent
and power for good or harm TO State and city? Is
II not full time TO aid In correcting the impression
that socialism is In any way related TO anarchism?
As the socialist wants more government (the State
being the instrument OF the people,, while the
Anarchist wants no government at ALL there surely
little similarity between the two. The way
the social reformcrs and trades-union men in Lon
don saved money for the County Council by build
ing schoolhouses for the city at less than the con-
tract prices gain for the best interests OF
the community. and this is what municipal So
cialism would do.
When we look at the question rightly. does not
the true socialist spirit in industrial and eco
monte sense. mean a collective production and an
associated abo-. which tends TO increase the well
fars O. ali the city's population aims TO limit the
excessive gains of individualism through monopo-
lies and trusts. to increase the relative amount
which goes to the laborer OF the combined
OH -hac t,nff. and
and interest he applied more equally for the BEN
eft OF all? Now. has been proved in Glasgow.
Berlin and several of the English cities, the own
ershp by the municipality Of railroads tramways,
waterworks and gas manufactures, the telegraph,
baths. laundries slaughter-hous Industrial edu-
by Increasing the revenues decreasing the taxes
and promoting the comfort and health OF the peo-
The popularity enjoyed by Joseph Chamberlain
among the people Of England is largely due 10 his
the extent OF State or municpa! annuities OF pen
sion funds to provide for sickness and AGAINST ,i
done great things. and Denmark pays pension
to ssy h S r ot OF an the
methods OF the modern and up-to-date socialists
ticay tested under the direction of trades-unons
and labor organizations; working in this collective
built al a saving of thousands of dollars to the
as 10 wnat tne M
However we may feel disposed personally toward
the subject OF this message Of the new socialism.
municipal or industrial. TO modern society II IS
eviden. it is already potent factor and has come
10 stay; and hardly refuse TO give II
fat. hearing. OF the many disorderly notions and
the gross literary productions that have been put
forth under the name Of socialism. can only speak
in words Of severe condem lation for II Is all OF
the philosophy Of dirt ard but disguised form
Of the fou'est indivdualism; But believe these
things will be suppressed all in due time by the
better principle that inequality. though bound TO
exist does not Justify industrial slavery or hateful
antagonlsms and that each part socially and IN
dustrially. has Its own special function and Is ao-
soutely necessary 10 the successfu WORDING OF the
whole. JOSIAH I. PJMfELLi.