The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-21
MUNICIPAL OKNERsBIP.
The Chief Theme at Waterways Session oi
the League OF American Municipalities.

SYRACUSE. Sept 20-Municipal ownership
was the theme of tho day at the convention OF
the League Of American Municipalities, and
papers were read by experts and experienced
city officials bearing on this subject. The
morning session was poorly attended not more
than 100 Of the 300 delegates In town
being present to hear the papers by
Homer Folks. Secretary Of the State Charities
Aid Association. upon Municipal Charity. and
MayorJ. A. johnson OF Fargo. on Assessments
for City Work"
Hr. Folks condemned outdoor relief OF the
poor and urged the concentration OF power and
responsibility in tho hands of one salarisd
official. He advocated the municipal lodging
house as an important factor In the problem OF
caring for the unemployed. and cited New York
as an Illustration. Every large city. he urged
should maintain such an institution. unless 1t
was done by private charity.
Mayor johnson OF Fargo opened the discus
sion upon special assessments. and advocated
the iseuing OF district improyement war
rants" with interest coupons attached. with
the proviso that the city may take them up
After stated period. as the condition OF the
alnking iund warrants. thus saving the pay
Mayor John b. wsabsy Difference. Alabams.
the city should pay one-third and tho property
owners two-thirds OF the cost Of Improvement.
but said no system could be devised which was
Mayor Henry Y, johnson OF Denver broaehed
the topic ofthe day. the first thing in the after.
neon. with his paper on the. general theme OF
Municipal Own rship." He is an advocate Of
city ownership OF water works. lighting plants;
street car lines and TELEPHONE plants, and
acquir ing them in tho order named. He
chased the corporations that furnish these
necessities to cities as modern pirates ana
highway robbers.
Mayors dustaf Tatel Of Cincinnati and ]. r.
Robinson OF Colorado Springs. who were not
present, filed papers in favor OF mum cipal
ownership both maintaining from experience
OF their own cities that Municipalities might
own and operate public utilities with profit to
Director OF Public Works. reviewed his study OF
municipal ownership. and Robert L, Porter
sent paper dwelling. upon his investigations
at homo and abroad upon the subject. he
Opal ownership experiments. the American
taxpayer would simply invite financial catas-
trophe. Tor municipal ownership was but astep
to municipal socialism. and from that to state
socialism.
AT the evening session there was a general
discussion OF the topic of tho day. in which
many delegates took part.
There 10 very little eectioneerinR for office.
Among the names Of those mentioned In con-
nection with the tho Presidency e. the league ,n
9. Flower OF New Orleans and Mayor J. Adger
Gilkison Of New York will probably be re.
elected. Delegates from several cities arc
convention, Atlanta Go; CharestpH, s. O.;
Grand Rapids. Mich: Milwaukee. Wis. and
St Paul, Mimi. all want the convention next
year. Atlanta has tho largest delegation from
the South, and by virtue Of that claims priority
over Charleston. 1t Is urged that the South
OF that section NAV become interested in
municipal improvements.