The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-05-04
MAY 4. 1905

NAY 4, 1SU0
to the council Itself. The analogy, therefore.
is of a manager Of private corporation the
tramways committee representing the execu-
tive committee, the council the board or d1-
rectors and the people themselves being
stockholders. The most important heads OF
departments are suggested by me when va
cancies arise, but Of course they are appoint
ed by the council through the committee. In
the selection of workmen, motormen, conduc
tors mechanics, and laborerS have aDsO
Iutely free hand. The council holds me re-
sponsible for the general management OF the
road and l hold my subordinates equally re.
sponsible. Men who make application Tor
positions are subjected to cursory examlna-
ton which weeds out those who are at nrsr
glance manifesty unfit for work. Those VINO
seem likely to prove available are
subjected to a rigid medical examina-
ton Every member of the staff, believe,
must pass an average life insurance examl-
nation without notice. Those who pass the
surgeons are questioned at length as to their
experience Meanwhile look up their former
EMPLOYERS and their personal history de-
tailed schedule of which fill out when the
men first apply. If the men pass the pnysl-
cal and technical examination they are ap-
pointed to positions as last as vacancies
OCCUR
1What is the tenure OF work."
SOLELY good behavior"
"Can you dismiss summarily without
trial?"
Undoubtedly. If man does wrong he
goes and he knows it. The CHIEF cause q
dismissal is not apt to be drink, because the
rules are exceedingly strict. Any employe
going into public house in uniform IS DIS
missed"
.What class Of men do you draw your
employees from?" asked
aFrom all classes but prefer men with
out trades Experience shows that when
times are particularly prosperous man with
trade will quit the service to follow It.
There are outlined here three conditions OF
successful public ownership, which are largely
wanting In the public administration OF the same
kind Of business in this country, namely: rigldly
careful selection Of public employees, absolute
power of removal by the responsible head OF the
business and no political interference These
will be hard lessons to learn here, and indeed
there IS much expression Of leading opinion that
the public Of this country is too needless and
too corrupt to learn or apply them. But mani
testify the public can not afford to lie down on
this humiliating plea or confession.
Chicago paper makes the following inter-
esting statement:
.Judge Grosscup, of the United States
circuit court is the fortunate owner OF the
circuit court is the fortunate owner OF the
NATION street railway, the lnterurDan INES
between Nation and Charleston, the electric
light plant. the gas plant and the heat and
power plant Consolidated under one eco
nomical management as they are, they con-
stitute most desirable property, which under
skillful management Will IN time become dn
extremely valuable one"
But why should the people OF Nation have
an absentee owner and ruler over their most i'm
portant public institutions, excepting their public
schools? They would treat with disdain prop
osition from Judge Grosscup or any other indlvid-
ual absentee or citizen, to own and operate their
public school system; but it would be no more
absurd or unreasonable to farm out our public
schools to individual capitalists than to leave
these other public utilities in their hands. Fri
vate ownership of these institutions, in the face
Of successful public ownership and operation OF
postoffces and public schools, is simply one OF
habit. and very pernicious habit it is The
aaptalists of the great cities are grabbing those