New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-29
Mr.. COLER AT COLUMBIA.
THE CONTROLLER LECTURES BEFORE
THE ACADEMY OF POLITICAL.
SCIENCE.

Controller Bird s Golfer IN an address delivered
before the Academy of Political Science in the
library of Columbia University last night urged
that business methods should be applied to the
administration CT the affairs Of municipality II
these principles ruled the conduct OF a CITY gov
eminent. Controller commended there wsuld fol-
low the best results for the entire population with
the smallest outlay. In his opinion the first and
most important step toward businesslike manage
ment Of city government was complete horne rule
Cities that were governed in large part hy State
Legislatures invariably badly governed Urban
and suburban interests were constantly in conflict
in such cases. Every city should have the best
charter that craftsmanship could devise, and then
II should be left free manage its local affairs
without the possibility Of Interference by superior
lawmaking power
In support OF this contention, the Controller re-
ferred to the arbitrary rule which limited the
power of cities incur debt without regard 70
local conditions. He FASTENED 20 his hearers
that he did not TO suggest that cities should
be permitted to incur debt with other restriction
limit than the value of the security they could
offer. but he insisted that was not business or
good government to attempt TO munich
pality within the prescribed limits of an organic
law that based upon conditions and theories
a century old. Cities ought 70 have ample power
TO develop to the utmost all public property that
was at once utility and a profitable investment
In order 70 make clearer his meaning the Con-
troler directed attention the millions which had
been expended in constructing waterwOrks the
revenue from which sufficient to pay interest
on the bonds issued 10 build the plant. and to
create sinking fund. which would retire
curtties they fell due. In time the city would
own the waterworks free Of debt and would de-
rive from them large profit Again the city had
spent $50 900 900 building piers and developing
the waterfront. Money for this work borrowed
at 3le per cent interest. while the piers some
cases leased for rentals that paid the city
: per cent upon their cost. II permitted. the city
could with similar advantage expend s5OOOOooo 10
I00,0000o upon the waterfronts. which would yield
a revenue sufficient pay interest the bonds
and retire them in twenty years. The Constitution
al restrictions which prevented this. the Controller
said, not business because 1t held back the
city from making profitable investments on
large scale
The question of labor and employment the Con-
roier said, was the most difficult and ebarras stng
methods 10 c+v gnys-rnnsrq II t5is 49, ne
thought that legislatures should interfere
ess man with the regulation of financial questions
describing nrst the various classes OF labor en-
Ihe greatest proportion was unskilled labor which
was PAID Tor at a higher rate than that OF any
private corporation were adopted in the employment
OF men for public service the city could secure the
technical work regardless of cost. and FOR ulskied
service labor could hired in the open market al
The proper education and training of the children
of the poor, the Controller maintained. should be
ore of the first and important functions OF
city government. Children should be taught that
educaton possessed a market value But how.
asked the Controller, can we impress that idea
yas of ha d y ST macy macy e@cR s sohoo dfr 3
a year, or that growing up IN ignorance and idle
streets or get on the police force and earn $40
that spends 100000 a year for public education
invests very many millions in school property and
then pays the same salary TO the trained teacher
and the ilterate man. 1t is, however fair illus
traton of the inconsistency of governing cities BY
special acts OF state Legislature and attempting
20 regulate local affairs with business methods
- d sreat oanh-ns mouse PAD us Waterman and
the system would not be more unbusinesslike.''