The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1905-06-06
VII.
VII,
N BIRMINGHAM owns its gas plant

~ and has operated it successful
" for more than a third of
century. A private company
controls the gas in Liverpool, and it
will be several years before the city
can acquire possession Of the fran
chise. On the other hand, Liverpool
operates its tramways, while private
company operates those Of Birming
ham, leasing them from the city.
1t is rather singular that Of the ten
most popular objects Of municipal own
ership in Great Britain not city has
undertaken the entire list. The ten
have in mind are as follows:
First. Dwellings for the working
classes.
Second. -Tramways
Third. Gas works.
Fourth. Electric lighting and power
plants.
Fifth Markets.
Sixth.-Telephone
Seyenth.-Baths and washhouses.
Eighth. Refuse and sewer disposal.
I Ninth.-Ce Cemeteries.
Ie0LH.--W OrkS department..
All of these, with the exception Of
cemeteries, are reproductive institu-
tions and in Great Britain are tech
nically classed under the head of "mu-
nicipal trading" In the above list
have placed only those utilities which
are practically municipality unknown
in the United States and have not In
cIuded waterworks for the reason that
a large percentage, If not the majority,
Of cities in this country and Canada
clearly recognize that the water supply
should belong to the city and be operat-
ed by it. Glasgow comes the nearest
of any city to complete municipalities
ton, but as yet it maintains no burial
grounds
Samuel Johnson on this subject For
thirty odd years Sir Samuel has been
town clerk Of Nottingham, and it
should be understood that the town
clerk is the principal officer in a British
town or city, having vastly more pow
er and influence than the mayor or any
elective official He usually holds his
place for life, and most town clerks
Gve to good old age 1t would be diff
cult to find higher type of the court
", old fashioned English gentleman
than Sir Samuel Johnson, and his off,
eial life goes back to the days before
the present scope Of public ownership
Was dreamed of.
why is it, asked, shat there is SO
little uniformity Of action among your
cities in the matter Of municipalities
ton? If public ownership be a good
thing, why do your cities omit certain
enterprises and take up others? If it
be practical for Birmingham to own its
gas works, why is it not equally so for
Liverpool and for all other cities?"
\ when our young folks get married
and start housekeeping, said Sir Sam
1el, after a pause, leach couple pro-
ceeds to fit up its house according to its
tastes or means. One may buy a piano,
another begin the collection Of libra
ry, third may put all Of its surplus
earnings into land, while others will
concentrate their energies on obtaining
possession OF various comforts and lux
uries. But all have In mind the eventu-
al ownership Of everything which will
conduce to happiness and prosperity.
1t is the same with our cities. There
are good and sufficient reasons why
they are compelled to wait before they
dare assume certain responsibilities.
Glasgow's proud position has been at
tanned from the fact that she started
on this work many years before the
other cities did In many instances we
are hampered by leases and franchises
granted to private companies and must
wait until these expire or pay extor-
tionate prices for their surrender. Ev-
cry city in Great Britain knows that it
should own its gas and electric light
Ing works, and every one has such
ownership in contemplation. 1t is not
a matter Of principle, but of expediency
lin other words, Of money. Come over
again." he concluded, with a smile, as
he poured out another cup Of tea, come
over again when you are as old as
am, and our successors will show you
the municipal edifice Of which we are
building the foundation"
When Joseph Chamberlain became
mayor Of Birmingham in 1873 he set
about to purchase the gas and water
supplies for the city. Several pre-
vious attempts bad been made, but the
conservatism % tne taxpayers and the
influence 81 corporate interests had
been sufficient TO defeat his less ener-
getic and resourceful predecessors. Mr..
Chamberlain made an exhaustive study
of the subject and presented 1t SO ia
Forably to the council that the measure
passed by vote Of 81 to 2. The pur-
chase price was In the neighborhood Of
S10,000,O00. The city Immediately reduc-
ed the price of gas from 70 to 20 cents
thousand cubic feet, and the wisdom
of Mr.. Chamberlain's policy was shown
In profits Of $4,000 for the first year
Since then the rates have steadily been
reduced until they now stand at 80
cents, and at this low rate last years
profits exceeded $2S0.0O0 after setting
aside large sum for sinking fund and
depreciation.
The tangible result Of the public
ownership Of gas works In Birmingham
is best shown by the fact that since
their purchase there has been turned
into the city treasury from gas rev.
enues the sum OF 100000, with an
extra $S.500,000 paid to the sinking
f47na and Ata 4,,,.&1,<,.. en.A a.. .a....,-- !.