Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-09-01
MAYORS TALK
MODEL CITY
& SCHEMES
INTERESTING PAPERS READ
IN THE MUNICIPAL C0NVEN-
TON IN GRAND RAPIDS AT
THE MORNING SESSION.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich, Aug. 2S.-But
one session of the League of American
Municipalities was held today, the BUSH
ness Of the afternoon session being
crowded into the morning session. the
convention then adjourning at noon for
an afternoons outing and pleasure trips
that had been arranged by the committee
on entertainment.
The league heard an able address by
Jacob A. Canter president og Manhattan
Borough. His subject was: How Mod
ern Municipalities Should. be Governed"
He argued in favor of adjusting the gov
eminent of each municipality to meet the
exact local conditions; he favored home
rule as opposed to legislative interference.
He favored the classification of cities ac-
cording to population, and that they be
chartered accordingly in a uniform man.
ner: he opposed board government wheth-
er bipartisan or non-partisan, and ia
vored the one head Of department propo-
sition and single responsibility. He was
opposed TO state legislation on the sub
ject of excise laws, except as that legis-
lation was the sentiment of the particu-
lar community to be affected.
Other speakers were Former Comptroll-
er j. McCardy. Of st. Paul, Mimi; Comp
troller James II. Smith, of Baltimore, and
Ignatius A. Sullivan, the dry goods clerk
mayor of Hare ford. Conn.
This afternoon was devoted entirely to
entertainment.
The feature of yesterdays session of
the League of American Municipalities
was the address of Golden Rule" Jones,
mayor of Toledo. His subject was: What
is Crime, and Who Are the Criminals?"
He argued that what is commonly call
ed crime is the effect, and not the cause,
of disorder; that the real criminal is so
ciety, where crime develops and the real
crime is the social injustice and inequality
of the community in a majority of cases
the criminal is called such because of his
inability TO pay his fine, that crime is an
other word for poverty.
Crime" he says, Us the scab on the
sore, and the machinery of the law is set
I'm motion to treat the scab and IT over
looks the systematic disorder that pro-
duces the scab.'
Following the close Of last nights ses-
sion the league was entertained by the
Elks in a hospitable manner The Elks
hsGl is asserted to be the finest lodge room
in the United States. which claim is prob
ably true.
Grand Rapids is city that would make
the heart of our mayor glad. 1t is the
most cleanly city in the United States.
Cleanliness is worth to these people more
than art. It is a science reduced early to
perfection, but 1t is a finished city. No
new development or growth is apparent.
is sustained principally by its furniture
factories, and the hardwood Of Michigan
Is nearly exhausted. They admit that they
buy 70 per cent Of their hardwood now
from the south. 1t is a fact that on GER
tain lines they cannot compete with the
prices that the furniture companies, such
as the National Furniture company, and
others of Atlanta, and the factories OF
other southern cities.
JOLIET WANTS MAYORS
FOR THE NEXT SESSION
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich, Aug. 29.-The
League Of American Municipalities was
given over yesterday afternoon and even
ing to the hospitality of the city of Grand
Rapids. The delegates were given trolley
ride of the city, an excursion to Ottawa
Beach, a boat ride on Lake Michigan and
last night were banquetted at Ottawa
Beach hotel.
AIichiganders have more nearly the
characteristics of southern people than
any norterners or westerners have met.
They are extremely courteous. affable
and solicitous for the pleasure and COM
fort Of strangers among them. They over
whelm you with kindness and attention.
The convention is voted a success by
those who know
The delegates in the main are students
of municipal problems and the papers read
are hte result of close and scholarly study.
A keen but friendly contest is on between
Joliet and Milwaukee for the next conven-
ton. Large delegations are present from
both places to advocate their respective
claims.
Indications favor Joliet as between these
two. The paper of Mr.. Sullivan, the union
labor mayor OF Hartford, attracted con-
siderable attention. He is a strong man
and his paper characteristic.