The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-30
MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP.

Some hope is held out. after all that the garbage
disposal plant proposed by Mayor Wells will he con
structcd and operated ny the city. Delegate kinney,
who was thought to he opposed TO Il municipal plant.
now states specifically that he is willing Withdraw
his amendment and that he will urge that the House re-
main in session until the bill be passed
The sentiment which should actuatc every member
of the Municipal Assembly expressed by Mr. Kin
ney in interview in which he said: They talk
ing about adioUrnng for the summer. That matter
should be settled before we do so. l. for one. want
to something done. so that there Will he plenty
of time to get the right kind of plant. if the city
wants municipal ownership. If the concluding SIX
words of this statement. If the CRY wants municipal
ownership. had been omitted MIR. kidneys attitude
would be entirely correct
However. Mr.. Kinney must not he criticised un-
justly for he has exhibited an inclination. in the
face of bitter condemnation, do his best for the
city His submission of amendment TO the bill.
apparently to bring the Health Commissioner into
the investigating commission, viewed as ohstruc-
tion for the that the Health Commissioner has
legal authority to arrange for the disposal of gar
hage. while the Board of Pubic improvements and
the Municipal Assembly have. Since Mr.. Kinney
has promised to withdraw the amendment. which
promise he may be expected to fulfill, 1t may be as
sumed that he offered the amendment in good faith
under n mistake about the law.
The bill, originally introduced and passed by
the City Council should be reported the House ut
once by tie Committee on Sanitary Affairs and be
passed by unanimous vote. Public opinion should not
be misconsrued. The citizens tired Of the private
contract system and they desire municipal garbage
disposal plant and garbase-collection system. The
Assembly should not delay in satisfying the popular
wish
Time is an important factor in the solution of this
prohlpm mo S in n rpcpiyp
for building and installing plant. Time is needed
in order TO get necessary information to the rel
tive cost of installation and operation by various reduc
ton processes. Time is needed in order to insure
competition among contractors for building the plant
Time is needed to do the work, and time is needed TO
put the plant in working order well for select
ing a site. The city was left in predicament two
years ago because the Assembly failed 10 act until
the last minute Similar omission of duty would
probably have serious results.
Mayor Wells and President Phillips of the Board
of Public Improvements appreciate the value of time
and the advantage of procuring competition. They
have already solicited information and unofficial pro-
posals and they have already demonstrated that the
city money by making change. One COM
pany has made two proposals to the city. In one 1t
mentions terms for constructing garbage disposal
plant In the other it offers dispose of the garbage
without expense TO the CITY, deriving its revenue from
the sale of by-products. By the latter arrangement
the city would large amount every year.
No doubt the citizens would prefer tla, munic-
ipal garbagedisposal plant be built and that, when
the present collecting contract expires, the city do the
collecting ITSELF thus creating complete municipal
garbagedisposal system. Should the city own cars,
wagons and plant Mayor Wells has suggested, It
will also be able to take better Of the streets and
get rid of the street refuse. There many urgent
rpaS therefore w fhe hill n municDal plln
should be passed Immediately.