The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-02
American Munic palitiea.

The League of American Municipah-
ties have issued a number of reasons in
support of their ideas of progressive
and enlightened city government. They
follow:
1. The league represents the first and
only united effort on the part of city
officials in all departments to study
the various and complex questions in
Volved in municipal administration with
a view to giving their constituents the
very best public service by the most
approved methods and at the lowest
cost to the taxpayers.
2. The league furnishes the organiza-
ton necessary for the proper protection
Of municipalities against the encroach-
mentS of private contractors and cor
fair dealing between municipal ana
private corporations may be secured,
with proper protection of the interests
and rights of both
3. The league provides for mayors
and council members, most of whom
have but a limited time to devote to
their official work, a ready and conVen-
lent means for securing reliable infor-
nation pertaining to questions upon
which they must act for their munich
palitieS.
f. The league provides for the heads
of all municipal departments an eco
nomical and prompt method for the in
terchange of their experiences and
ideas. Methods of securing improved
public service are communicated from
the departments of one municipality to
the corresponding departments of 9TH
erS.
5. The league is composed exclusively
of city officials, who are in a position
to study and discuss municipal prob
lens from a practical standpoint Real
municipal reform must come through
| the efforts of men whose experience as
| city officials gives them a correct view
! of the conditions and obstacles that
/ ha OF nd b1nS Thorn fn n
| ulate practical instead of theoretical
plans.
| 6. 1t is fact that the best municipal
reform so far realized in this country
! plished by the officials themselves;
| therefore, any organization that has
| for it's objects the mutual study of
municipal government by municipal
| officials promises good results and de-
| serves encouragement.
| Z. The league is not a. social organic
| alton, nord oes it exist for the selfish
| purpose of advancing the business or
| professional interests of individuals;
| it's work is exclusively to advance pub
| lie interests; to improve the conditions
| of urban life.
g. Memberships are held In the name
| of the municipality, justly at the ex-
| pense of the municipality, and in this
| way permanency of organization is as
| sured. Every individual official of a
membership city is entitled to the priv
( ilegeS of membership. The annual dues
| are exceedingly low, and the league
| gives to the officials of every member
| ship city a service unquestionably
| worth many times the membership fee
9. The league works not only during
| the few days of its annual convention
| but every day throughout the year. II
! maintains a permanent bureau of in
| formation, which is at the service of al
members at all times This bureau
| furnished reliable replies to all inquiries
on municipal subjects sent to it by the
| officials of membership cities.
10. At the annual conventions of the
league carefully prepared papers on the
| most important municipal subjects are
presented and discussed. The papers
and discussions, which are afterwards
printed in book form, bring out many
original ideas and valuable suggestions
for the general improvement of munich
| nal service