The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-09-20
MUNICIPAL JOBBERY
Can Only Be Prevented by Pub
lie Ownership of Utilities,
Says DIR. GLADDEN..

Milwaukee. Wis, Sept. 2O.-At today's
session of the National Municipal league
convention the report of the executive
committee of three slight amendments to
the bylaws, the principal one relating to
election by the board of delegates Of
eleven or more members of the executive
committees, instead OF eleven only, was
Charles Richardson, of Philadelphia.
vice president of the National Municipal
league was the speaker on today's pro-
gramme- He read a paper on Does the
Model Charter Confer Dangerous Powers
on the Mayor?'
a paper on THE Influence of Public Serv-s
zee Companies on City government by
bus, Ohio, who is member Of the
Columbus city council. In the course of
his remarks he said:
Some of the relations of public service
companies to city governments are open
and lawful. but it is generally belieyed
Ultimate character are often maintained
between representatives of the city and
representatives of these companies by
which the public is plundered. Such Illicit
relations do not always involve the pay
ment of money by the corporations to the
municipal officers; the money is often
paid to those who control the councilmen,
and other methods of influence are EN-
dates are often paid Along with these
secret methods there is much direct
bribery; many who occupy high positions
in society are connected more less
closely with this nefarious business.
THE greatest danger to American in
stitutions arises from the relation Of pub
lie service corporations to city. govern
mentS. What is the remedy2 Something
might be done by stringent state legisla-
ton. The. state ought to enforce complete
publicity in the accounts of all these COM
panies; to limit the capitalization to the
cost of the plant; and to require fran
But hese measures VIII not probably be
found effeetual Nothing is likely to reach
the case except public ownership of mu-
nicipal monopolies.
I'VE may reason as we will about the
amenfai fact IS that it is REQUIRED by the
elementary principles of democratic gov
eminent. These public service corpora
ton are monopolieS-they all come to that
sooner or later-and a democratic people
cannot permit the existence of private
monopoly; for the essence of monopoly Is
taxation without representation. 1t is
the constant and fragrant violation OF this
primary principle of free government
which has produced the conditions now
What are the reasons urged against
public ownership? They ali reduce to
this: It IS difficult, and perhaps danger
had better do it, and not shir, it nor any
part of it. Public ownership is no pam
acea; 1t will leave us battles to fight and
obstacles to overcome but the line of
least resistance to righteous rule lies
through the resumption by the people of
those functions of Sovereignty which they
have surrendered to private corporations.
The pressure of the traders and the con-
words of Albert Shaw. be incomparably
less than that which is now brought to
bear by the corporations We have now
in all our cities millions of money in the
hands of prominent and influential men
who are financially interested in main
tanning weak or bad government. because
they could not obtain from intelligent and
honest government the kind of franchises
they want That condition is abnormal,
and the only deliverance from 1t is
through the municipal ownership of pub
lie service monopolfes.'
These officers were elected:
President-James G. Carter. New York.
First Vice President-Charles Richard
SON Philadelphia.
Second Vice President-Samuel B. Capen,
Third Vice President = Thomas M.
Strong Portland, Ore.
Secretary-Clinton Rogers Woodruff,
Philadelphia.
Treasurer-George Burnham. jr., Phil
delphia.
Charles ]. Bonaparte, of Baltimore, was
elected chairman of the executive COM
mittee.