Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-08-03
MUNICIPAL LEAGUE DISCUSSES TIE:
QUESTION.
PROF. FRANK PARSONS VIEWS
HE HAS PLAN FOR ANNULLING
LIQUOR TRAFFIC EVILS.
Local Option md the Dispensary Sys-
tenn the Chief Features-FrOf.
Bemis ON Municipal Elec-
tric LiGhting-PnrsOns
on Home Rule.

DETROIT. MICH. Aug. 1.-Questions of
policy concerning regulation of saloons de-
veloped an interesting discussion at this
afternoons session of the League OF Amer
lean Municipalities The principal address
on this topic was by Mayor George r.
Perry. OF Grand Rapids. He contended
that it is impossible for a state TO frame
4 measure calculated to govern or regu-
late any offenSe less than crime itself which
public opinion will sustain as applicable
TO city and country alike. Hence he sug
gested efforts toward inducing the state to
concede a wider latitude to municipalities
in the matter of enacting local self-gov
ment measures. The speaker favored per-
mitting saloons only in the business parts
of city. and the taxing and regulation of
clubs and saloons alike.
Mayor F. B. Farnsworth. of New Haven,
Conn. stated that his experience had abso-
lutely convinced him that prohibition never
did prohibit Concerning the agitated ques-
ton of drinking of Yale students, he as
sured the fathers present that a boy who
would go to the devil by way of New Ha-
Ven would probably go anyway.
T. a. Hammond. Jr., of Atlanta. Ga,
told about a two years experiment at pro-
hibition in his city, which he said result
ed badly for all concerned. Afterward the
people and saloonists effected COM
promise, which regulates the business very
strictly and, he claimed, satisfactorily.
Mayor Smythe of Charleston, S. c., out
lined the workings of the dispensary sys-
tenn. He claimed there was more drunken
ness in South Carolina under the system
than formerly.
Professor Frank Parsons, of Boston uni
versity, being one of the Populist lectur-
ers at the Kansas State Agricultural col
| lege at Manhattan. being called upon. gave
| the following a sort of formula for an
nuiling the evils of the liquor traffic with
| out interfering with personal liberty:
First-Education of children along tenn
perance lines.
Second-Industrial reforms to enable all
| men to have comfortable homes.
Third-Local option for cities.
| Fourth-Enact the South Carolina dis
| nensary or some similar law which should
cut out the element of private investment
| and profit in liquor dealing.
Professor Bemis, of the Kasas State Ag-
| ricultural college. made an address on
present progress of municipal electric light
| ing. He gave results of exhaustive in
| quiries on the question of public versus
| private electric light plants. with the re-
| suit that he considered the former UNI
questicnably the cheaper, generally speak
| ing.
The feature of the morning session was
| an address upon self-government for cities
| by Professor Frank Parsons of Boston uni
| yersity. president of the National League
| for promoting public ownership of monopo'
| lies. Professor Parsons held that the prin.
| ciple of safe government, as applied
| through our present law, is deficient in foul
| respects, viz:
| First-In area, because, while the state
| is self-governed. the municipality is tht
| creature of the state enactments, and, con
| sequently. every other city in state l.
Obliged to be consulted about what any
| particular city chooses TO do.
| Seconds to class distinction, since
| women. although part of the peoples, arr
| not yet permitted TO participate in th'
| peoples relief movement.
Third-That the principle of self-govern
| ment IS not applied TO Industrial as it Il
| to political life. Workingmen. he urged
| ought to have Il part in the government
of their own respective groups in industria
| lines.
Fourth-That the self-governinG principl
is not complete as to method. since th'
people are masters only during election
times. while their public servants hol'
the sovereignty for the balance Of thei
terms.
The remedies. according to Professor Par
sons are the initiative and referendum
woman suffrage. cooperative industries in
| ment for cities free from state control.
| The latter point was enlarged upon ant
| illustrated. The professor asserted tina
the present charter of San Francisco is TIL
most notable instance of progress toWar'
| self-government of cities.