New-York tribune., 1905-07-26
ANOTHER GLASGOW EXPERT COMING

Governor La Folettes announcement that
smash-up OF the two old political parties is about
due and that municipal ownership is the COM
ing issue Is merely narrowing or the INES
unon which Mr. Bryan thinks the next Presi-
Dental campaign win be fought Mr.. Bryan
would set the State and nation, as well as the
municipality, to work along the path or modl-
fed socialism. Without any attempt at present
to discuss these prophecies and issues-it Is al
WAYS much safer TO leave oraeles TO their own
fulflment or non-fulflment-it is interesting to
learn from a presumably impartial foreigner
that the spirit of prophecy has also descended
upon him as to matters American and munich
nal The announcement is delivered by Mr..
Crawford, Of Glasgow, who purposed to VISIT
Chicago with Mr.. Darymple as municipal ex-
pert but was prevented by Illness. He now de-
signs to go to Chicago of his own accord, and
paving his own expenses, In order to help along
the issue of municipalization of public utilities
in the United States. Mr. Crawford, in let
ter explaining why he plans to make the trip,
gives expression to the opinion that big war
is impending in the United States over the ques-
ton of principles and says: 81 would like to
"strike America at the rising of the wave and
do nv best to send 1t triumphantly forward.
81 have the most absolute confidence In the
power of the American people TO realize
themselves and to rise TO q great effort as soon
'as they see that the thing ought TO be taken
''in hand"
Apparently Mr.. Crawford, like Governor La
Toilette and Mr.. Bryan, is not talking or things
he sees dimly on the horizon of the future. His
letter seems to indicate that he is packing his
trunk and making ready to be in at the start
of things and himself give the wave Of munich
pal reform an impetus. He already sees the
shadow OF coming events; to his vision it falls
across the United States from Chicago, and
hence that city will be the Mecca of Glasgow's
eyangel of municipalization No. 2. Frankly
speaking Of his beliefs and his hopes of their
realization in the United States, Mr.. Crawford,
as quoted in THE Chicago Tribune" says:
So long as the aim of civic government is
clean, the tone high, the ideal lofty, and the OBJ
ject is to foster and create better conditions OF
life from every citizen high or low, rich or poor
apart from all sectional or political interests
then ! hold that the control and extension OF
municipal enterprises of all kinds is a blessing
and always will be successful Toward this end
civic reformers in the States must work.
These sentiments are altruistic, idealistic and
admirable, but that dreadful adjective, practi-
CAL can hardly be added. Mr.. Crawford else
where in his letter says: 81 can see no limit to
''the possible good to be done In this way pro-
''vided that good, capable men are found with
''cvc patriotism enough to serve their fellows
without fee or reward In carrying on these
public services as part of their duty TO the
community in which they live
Precisely here lies the difficulty, or a part Of
it, in the way of municipal ownership and oper
alton of public utilities in America. 1t Increases
our respect for Mr.. Crawford TO learn-frOm
others, not hinself-that in this respect he prac-
tises what he breaches. For years a successful
wholesale merchant In Glasgow, he has held
many Offices in the municipality, and always
without compensation. He is now to carry this
principle still further, and at his own expense
10 propagate at Chicago and elsewhere the prin-
ciples of municipalization in which he believes.
Such an example is inspiring, anu it is to be
hoped it will prove contagious yet we do not
like to think of the shock to Mr.. Crawford's
feelings when he comes TO face facts as to the
government of American cities We hope he
may retain his enthusiasms, but they do not
seem specially adapted TO the state of affairs he
will find in Chicago or in most cities on this
side Of the Atlantic