New-York tribune., 1902-12-08
MUNICIPAL TRADING.
THE SUBJECT IN BRITAIN
RoyaI Commission to .Study the Ques-
ton Proba6le-I.atest Neses
of London.

rsrecial 20 The New-York Tribune by French Gable,
Copyright: 1902: BY The Tribune Association1
London Dec s. 1 a. NIT is understood that
Premier Balfour will appoint royal commission
70 inquire into the subject Of municipal trading.
The government has long been desirous of Crap
pling with this question, which admittedly
raises an issue of the first Importance. The
s,,coAgg of municipal trading in certain large
municipalities is encouraging smaller bodies to
embark upon undertakings for which they pos
sihly are not qualified. Over a dozen munich
nal1tes have this year applied to Parliament for
mower TO deal not only with the ordinary ad-
ministration Of an electrical system, but also
with those developments and accessories which
hitherto have bean laft III private hands This
condition OF things has led TO d strong demand
for an impartial investigation into the proba-
lili.iss Of the future and into the security that
ought to be exacted behalf of the rate pay
ers The radical members of the House of Com
mons believe that the government is anxious TO
limit the freedom which the municipalities now
enjoy in respect to trading, and they have be
fore nov prevented the appointment of a Par
liamentary committee of inquiry. The estab-
,,shrnent of a royal commission will however,
lift the question Of the net of political con-
froyersy.
The storm recently aroused in both the diPlo-
n,atic and the social world owing TO the pub
ncation of Sir Horace Rumbold's National Re
view article has evidently not yet died away.
Sir Horace Rumbold, who British Ambd5-
sador in Vienna from 1896 to 1900 dealt, il Will
be remembered, somewhat freely with public
men and affairs both at home and abroad
Lord Newton, who was himself in the diplomatic
service several years ago. has intimated his in
tention of putting a question TO the Foreign
Secretary on the matter in the House of Lords
and ord Ian
with interest
The ioint naval demonstration of England and
Germany against Venezuela has now begun in
earnest: consequently, no credence need be at
tached TO reports about a secret Venezuelan
mission to Europe Nothing is known Of it in
Berlin, and Germany would. besides, be just as
little inclined SIS England is TO pay any serious
attention 20 such overtures-
The 5p1cch delivered by the German Emperor
10 deputation Of woTkinSnaen in Breslau
largely occupies the attention of the Berlin pub
,ic and press It seems 10 be taken the
Kaiser'e wish that an imperial Ia bor party shall
Do constituted which viii be true to the tradi5
tions of the monarchy and at the same time rep
resent the interests Of labor. 1t is the opinion
M those who hest know the German working
man that the formation of such a party is an
impossibilty-
CAPTAIN a T. Mahan, u. s. N. has been
elected an honorary member of the Royal United
Service Institution for life, in acknowledgment
of mis- valuable contributions TO the literature Of
the British navy.
Lord Charles Beresford has. it is said, written
q special report on the build and working of the
German Atlantic liners. with particular refer
ence to their engine power, speed and adaDta-
biiity as cruisers. Lord Charles holds the opin-
ion that these vessels furnish lessons which the
British lines might do well TO learn.
N f