Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-01-21
NATIONAL MUNICIPAL LEAGUE.

The secretary OF the Natl0nal Munlcl-
pal League Mr. Clinton Roger Wood"
ruff, has Just issued statement con
corning the plans and labors of that or
ganlzaton
From this statement II Is gathered
that the League as national associa-
ton, dates from January, 1894 when
largely attended conference, called by
the municipal league Of Philadelphia,
was held IN that city. on that occasion
committee was appointed to take the
necessary steps to form national
league, and another conference was
held In New York. when the organlza-
ton was formally completed.
The objects OF the league are stated
az follows;
"First-To multiply the numbers, har-
monlze the methods aud combine the
forces Of all who realize that II Is only
by united action and Organization that
good citizens can secure the adoption
of good laws and the selection % men
Of trained ability and proved lntcsrl-
~ for all municipal positions or pre-
vent the success OF incompetent or cor
rupt candidates for public office.
"Second--To promote the thorough
Investigation and discussion Of the CON
ditlons and details of civic ndminlstra-
ton, and Of the methods for selecting
and appointing officials IN American
cities. and OF laws and ordinances relat-
ing to such objects
"Thlrd.-To provide for such meetings
and conferences and for the prepare
ton ana circulation Of such addresses
and other literature az may seem likcly
to advance the cause OF good city
government"
Annual meetings have been held since
then. The members have made II
point to study the municipal situation
of the leading cities Of the country, and
the results have been embodied in the
proceedings OF the annual meetings.
IN 1897 a suggestion was made that
the league adopt a definite program
aud committee was appointed TO re-
port on the feasibility OF such a pro-
grant This committee worked for two
years and finally presented "a Munich
pal Program, which was adopted 1t
suggests certain constitutional amend
ments, ana O municipal corporation act
which Is said TO have been fayoraby
considered By the general public
Later the league turned us attention
to the question Of instruction IN mum.
cipa government In American schools
and uniform accounting and statistics.
It is claimed that, az result, within
the next five or ten years courses In
municipal government VIII have be.
come an established part of the currl-
culum Of practically all OF our educa-
tlonai institutions, both higher and sec
ondary The efforts for uniform ac-
counting and statistics are also said to
have met with much encouragement
among city auditors, controllers and
accountants,
The chief work OF the league, how
ever, IS It's propaganda In behalf Of
higher municipal standards Large
quantities Of Leaflets and pamphlets
have been published and syndicate ar
tlcles distributed The regular and
occasional publications the former
amounting TO seven volumes, have been
given very general distribution
throughout all sections Of the couu-
try
There can be no doubt that the work
Of an organization Of this kind will
have a beneficial influence upon city
government II strengthens the sent-
nyht FOR high standards, and points
out the ways and means Of obtaining
them. It's publications are valuable
for the data furnished, and the sug-
gestlons made are generally founded
on an intimate knowledge Of the prob
lens. such as eau be obtained only by
| close study and observation