The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1904-09-24
WHY NOT EXTEND MUNICIPAL
-. oWNERsHIP? -.

puOAAsASu OH dItIC4e from tiAc Peu ~
Judsen Grenell who has been making
a tour through Industrial Europe. and
who has given us a revelation on the
question of the municipal ownership
Of street railway lines in British and
Scottish cities. ="
Mr.. Grenell visited twenty-five cities
street railways, and the following are
some OF his conclusions
Il have failed to find in a single
city, where municipal ownership fol-:
lowed private ownership, even re-
spectacle minority of citizens favor
ing the private monopoly of city
tramways.
Hundreds Of thousands of dollars
have been turned into the treasures
Of municipalities by the cities tram
way officials: cars run oftener: IS
per cent of the passengers are provided
with seats, and employees are more
solicitious to give satisfaction than
they. were when in the employ of pri-
waite street car companies.
1.-Two years Of public ownership in
Manchester, England. has worked inn
mense improvements in the street rail-
way systems. Last year after reduc-
ing the hours of labor from 20 to 81
per week, increasing the wages Of its
employees, and putting on more cars
with more rapid speed, the officials
were enabled to turn $4,000 In net
receipts into the treasury of the city.
The unit Of fares in British cities
having public street railway systems
is one penny. The charge for fares is
based more nearly on the services REM
dered, and these charges are lower un-
der municipal than under private con-
troll.
Municipal tramways with low fares
has had marked effect in increasing
land values"
The conclusions Of Mr.. Grenell seem
to answer every argument used against
the acquiring Of public utilities by
American cities. In Duluth we. can
relate the same story Of Improvement
by the public ownership Of our gas
and water plant. Its, success has. con-
vinced the. most skeptical citizen that
pubic. s ownership: under proper: mans
asernerrt is no. lonser: a theory t. he
| feared, but Is most necessary as,s* a
means OF developing our city. .: =
Why stop with the ownership Of the
gas and water plant? Why not acquire
the electric lighting plants, street rail-
ways and telephone systems? If the
public ownership Of the water and
light plant is. a good thing then the
public ownership Of the other public
utilities would be better. Immediately
! after the requirement of our water
and light plant selfish interests con-
trolling other public utilities set out
! to entrench themselves. They went
before the state Legislature and secured
the enactment Of laws which in ef-
feet prohibit any municipality from
acquiring public utilities without the
consent Of the legislature.
The thing now to do is to elect men
to the state legislature who will stand
for home rule, and the right of the
people to run their own cities. We
can not understand the force Of any
argument in favor of permitting coun-
try members of the legislature to de-
| eide whether or not we are capable OF
acquiring our public utilities.
A sentiment seems to be ripening in
this city for the public ownership and
control Of our street railway system
Before anything can be done in this
direction legislative relief must be Sc
cured. A movement should be started
now to secure the election of only such
men who stand for municipal owner
ship in the state Legislature. -,
When this Is done public ownership
should again be made local issue. II
is our opinion tn at the next candidate
for mayor who stands on a platform
for public ownership can sweep the
entire city at the next election. Let tn.
advocates of public ownership get to.
gether now. There is an excellent op.
portunity to put independent candi;
dates in the field against the oppo.
nents of public ownership who ar,
candidates Tor: the;s1ek islature. In on,
district at least there Is a: good chanc'
for election. WHO will be the first t,
/ >----4------.=. .----- =. :.
A: new order is; being promoted ii
this: city. Its mystic initials are o. f
F." O., which being interpreted means
Once Run For Office" It has. an1on