The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-04-08

much greater satisfaction to the peopi chan can the same utilities be operate, Oy private capitalists. They have learn ed that wherever a city in any portiO of the civilized world has taken Ove the operation of it's waterwOrks, ga: plant, electric light plant or stree, railway system, in every case. wheI- fairly tried, the cost of this utility t. the public has been reduced, the wage of the men who operate them increased the hours reduced and more eficien service rendered.
 ''The only two serious objections raised during the recent struggle iB Chicago against public ownership Of the public utilities are:
 "First-That 1t would tend to build up a great political machine. None of the friends of municipal ownership in Chicago or elsewhere advocate the own ership and operation of any utility by municipalities, unless in connection herewith there is civil service law under which all applicants for posi- tions. irrespective of politics will be treated exactly alike. We have such a law in the city of Chicago, under which, for several years, it has been practical ly impossible for any man to place friend upon the police, fire or water de- partment sorces.
 '"The only other serious objection urg- ed in Chicago was that the municipal ity had no money. There is no force whatever in the objection. The opera tion of these utilities, either by public or private persons, is valuable priv ilege. We propose to raise all the money necessary to purchase an up-to- date street car system upon certificates which are special or limited promises to pay out of the income collected, from the system" " % .4
 The speaker detailed the manner in which the certificates would be secured by the city, by pledges of the receipts, mortgages on the property, etc., and said:
 Private companies in the past have been able to sell stocks and bonds ag- gregating in value $11T, 100000 when their tangible property was worth less than $27,0O0,000. If they could raise four times the value Of the tangible property upon an expiring franchise, can any sensible man for a moment hesitate as to what amuont of money the city of Chicago can raise. upon the security I have mentioned? have no hesitation in predicting that if these street car certificates are offered upon the financial market the financial syndicates of this nation will be tumb- ling over each other to get possession financial powers that be should combine to discredit them, the savings banks depositors of Chicago will be very glad to take their monies from the savings banks, where they are obtaining only 3 per cent, and invest them in street car certificates. As to the legality of these certificates. in my judgment, there is no possible doubt. Some of the
 best lawyers in Chicago have already
 declared in favor of their validity and we can have a test case made which will reach the supreme court of the state inside of three or four months which will forever set at rest the ques- tio nof the legality. ,a s.,, "The operation of public utilities ba municipalities is no untred theory Wherever a municipality has taker over a public utility, as to this utility corruption and bribery cease, There k
 no motive for the corruption of an al
 derman in case of a utility operated by the public" In conclusion Judge Dunne said: l ''If good results have been secured ir the cities of Europe and Australia, why cannot they be secured in the cities O | New York and Chicago and the othel cities of America? The man or party l who charge the citizens of Chicago O
 of New York with being so inefficient l incapable or dishonest as to be unable
 to own and operate their own utilities
 frame an indictment against the citi
 zens of these communities which ou I people will answer at the polls with ; verdict of not guilty The movemen | in favor of municipal ownership of al 1 public utilities has taken deep roo
 among the intelligent people of thi l country. It is no passing sentiment | It is come to stay. Municipal owner
 ship of the railroads, telegraphs ant
 express transportation Is a .practica ] question upon which the people mus
 pass within very short time, and tn,
 politicians and parties who ignore thi
 sentiment must be prepared for shor
 lived career before the people. We ii l Chicago have no fears as to the re
 suits of municipal ownership. We ar
 confident that the will of the peopl can be carried into effect and that, toe
 without the imposition of. single dol lars worth of taxes" ,-z-