The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-01-05
\ GREAT MUNICIPAL OBJECT LESSON.

\ GREAT MUNICIPAL OBJECT LESSON.
In the current number of Municipal Affairs" Mr.
John Martin gives Il resume of the programme out
lined 10y rrformers for the administration of Mayor
Low in New York.
Much has been accomplished in Il material way
during the past few years. Bridges have been built,
great public works constructed and money spent
laviShly on improvements.
Mr.. Martins programme calls for the establish
ment Of new systems rather than the putting of one
stone above another in the erection of city buildings.
For instance. he shows where New York is backward
in inauguraring public baths for both summer and
winter. There is just one public bath. Its construc-
ton took three years and proved a bonanza for con-
tractors and politicians.
An investigation by the Tenement House Com
mission showed that ont of a population of 25'!o3;
included in the report only SOC had access to bathing
facilities. Fifty-five lodging houses with sleeping
six per cent of the houses Investigated by the com
mission in 1897 had no bathrooms. Boston's Dover
street bath $4,000 persons in 1900.
Chicago can take care of 10000 persons in its four
public baths. London has invested SG.175.OO0 in
providing for the cleanliness of the populace.
New York needs a multiplicity of small parks like
the one that has taken the place Of the disreputable
quarter known as Mulberry Bend. The city already
provides music for the parks during the summer
''h''iS WI AIT tliilihS that u wv h'u'
secure free public concerts in large halls as London
does in its twelve great polytechnicS.
New York's school system is behind the age. Re-
formers hope 10 see free kindergartens established.
manual training schools started and the separation Of
the slow minded. if they may he so called. from the
pupils who are quicker to learn, but who under the
present custom are held back. More high schools are
demanded. Fairgrounds for children, to be used dur
ing the winter evenings. are advocated.
Mr. y,rt; ,l,;nl-. ,l,, ,bo otis, ,r,,Id ,r,t;t lr IL
return TO direct employment and away from the present
contract system. He quotes figures from other cities,
notably in Europe. and in this country Minneapolis.
Denver and even New York. where the White Wings
clean the streets better and more cheaply than was
formerly done by private contract. He argues that
direct employment by the city insures a better quality
of work. standard rates of wages to workmen and in
many cases a reduced cost
Mayor Lows treatment OF the franchise question
is expected to be the supreme test of his administra-
ton. If he lets class feeling warp his Judgment the
people will turn from him as they have from past
officials. Now that New York's franchise law has
been declared constitutional by the State Supreme
Court Mayor Low will have an opportunity to assist
in increasing the public revenues. If he fails to seize
the opportunity he will have condemned himself.
Since the numerous consultations of quasi public
corporations there is much complaint about the quail
ty of the service. Mr.. Martin insists that if Mayor
Low %enforces the laws in dealing with them every
citizen will get better transportation facilities, better
gas and brighter electric lights. If the reform Mayor
secures all the objects which Mr.. Martin enumerates.
New York will be in the forefront of municipal prog
ress. If he does fulfill these expectations. says Mr..
Martin. there is no danger that he will be defeated
for reelection.