The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-05-08
REFORM.

municipalities who differ with Mr.. Charles j..
Bonaparte about the desirability, as expressed by
him. Of partisan responsibility in the administration
of municipal business, might profit by close atten-
ton to the tendency for enlargement of municipal
authority and the concentration of governing power
in the people. This tendency is the most significant
feature of the present good-sovernment movement.
Experts who have investigated the experiments
of European cities in the ownership and management
of public utilities go so far as 10 say that common
sense municipal ownership offers the ultimate pros
pect of abandoning direct taxation. Some of them
believe firmly that sufficient revenue can be OBJ
tanned through complete municipal supervision over
the large public-utility enterprises to maintain the
government without revenue from taxation. The
claim is radical and far-reaching, but it cannot be
sainsaid that European municipalities have demon
strated that there is 4 measure of possibility in such
4 hope.
Not with the object Of realizing profit, but more
particularly for the purpose of afording better &C
commodations 10 the public, Chicago is authorized
by popular vote TO enter into possession of the street
railway systems and either operate them or lease
them TO responsible private corporations and regu-
late the service. The suggestive point about Chi
Cages step is not SO much the growing popularity
OF municipal ownership. but rather the growing
popularity of more popular government. The people
would have the city manage the transportation facil-
tiles and retain to themselves some power over the
public officials.
municipalities have had the authority TO grant
franchises and presumably they have retained the
right Of compelling that rates and service be salts
factory. But the municipalities have lacked au-
thority TO own and manage enterprises of this ma
ture- At this time it seems strange that 4 mu-
~nicipality could delegate rights to n private concern
and not have the power to exercise them itself.
Whether the apparently exaggerated claims of
extreme paternalists are right or wrong, practical or
impractical, it is manifest that the people are ar
IDENTIFY DESTROYS for better system in municipal or
ganization, for augmentation of municipal authority
and for a strengthening of their own power in the
practical conduct of business. st. Louis purchases
a garbagehsuling plant from a private corporation.
terminates the contract and arranges for a municipal
collecting and hauling and disposal system. 1t
builds and operates municipal lighting and railway
plants for the Waterworks. 1t provides for a mu-
nicipal electric generating plant in public buildings
and succeeds in reducing the cost of lighting. 1t
asserts its authority OF supervision over the street
railway service. Several other cities are taking
similar action. |
This sort of reform is universal. And 1t is n type
of reform which may he considered fundamental, IS
it establishes an entirely new, stronger and more
reliable system. Il goes to the bottom of condi-
tons and reconstructs the municipal organization.
The revolution-for it may be called a revolution
does not predict the passing of parties. 1t makes
the need of parties more imperative. In creating n
better system. by which evils may be minimized if
not prohibited, 1t describes responsibility more
definitely and consequently shows how it is possible
to elevate party standards and insure good govern
ment by partisan direction. Party domination is 4
permanent factor in the American method of adj
ministration. and permanent good government must
be realized through the standing organizations.