New-York tribune., 1902-10-22
DEBATE on SOCIALISM.
MEMBERS OF POLITICAL STUDY so
CIETY EXPRESS THEMSELVES on
MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP.

There was a lively debate on socialism yester-
day afternoon al the Society for Political study
which was p-eolpiJated by Mrs. Leroy Sunderland
Smiths advocacy OF the public ownership OF street
cars. electric plants and gas houses In the course
of her paper Mrs Smith said:
Common sense declares that 1t Is the right
course for modern cities TO pursue 10 assume
tro o. their gas water. heating and transportation
utilities and perform for the people collectively
what they cannot do for themselves Individually.
Socialists are a misunderstood class. II is Just
essential that people living In a city where cold
winters are the rule be provided with the means
n keeping warm as il is for them to have public
parks maintained Tor their recreation and comfort
.u the summer months Il is lust logical and
iust IS firmly q principle Of good government that
the people should have their homes lighted by
sud other lluminants furnished the least possi-
bic cost by the municipality il Is for them to
he taxed 10 Eight the streets"
Miss America Phillips said she differed from the
reader of the paper. There were some things pri-
vate companies could do better than the govern
ment. Il the municipality should undertake 10
administer public utilities aTairs would eventually
drift into the hands of the politicians
Private corporations viii spenD thousands of
dollars" said she. trying 70 find out the best
methods but a municipal government couldn't
spend the voters money like that. A monarchical
government can do what republic can't The
Gar Of Russia can command a new railroad. but
II our President Is so helpless all that" said
Mrs sarzarak y pity him. ] did pity him when
thai Mr.. Baer snubhed him So II q private cor
poraton had the MANAGEMENT of the postal systs m
oo you suppose could send letter 20 San Fran
cisco for only two cents. that ] could get p
great sheaf of papers from COnstantiuople with
only cents TCstage on ity'
No IN the world could stop socialism
whether they're opposed % 10 or not Dut iu MS
lille DevereuE Blake we have two enormous
soc2hstic institutions in the public schools and
ne QOStof7ce"
7 hved IN Glasgow ten years" said Ms. Helen
Clark the ures!dert The municipality owns the
railways there and finds them paving invest
ment- ] believe Carnegie has right 10 every
penny he has made, but believe the city should
manage the utilities"
Margaret Bates Holmes said she had been sur
pused 70 hear the private corpora tons were squa =
aerng 50 much money seeking for the comfort OF
ne people II made her feel Ike paying oouole
fares
That aroused Miss Phillips. who denied she bad
ever said the companies were dislnterested- She
hao said distinctly that they considered the com
tort of the public IN order TO make money ] hen
Miss Stevens iusta need the management or BROOK
gn Bridge example Of the better admlasi a. a.
uon o. The city. 50 soon as the city otl-lals
sae put their shoulders 70 tho wheel and not be
fore. something had been done 20 relieve the con-
sestion ~ the bridge. she declared -,
AT next weeks meeting Mrs. Thomas Slack VIII
give parliamentary dril The society has oe,
eoeo 20 icin IN the federation festival and VIII
have charge Of a booth of bags and baskets.