The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-03-23
How British Cities
Manage Public Utilities
by Frederick Upham Adams.l

executive ability ana great energy.
He has never been active in politics
He has no political pull. Thousands OF
men work under him, but he wields no
political influence. Millions upon mil
lions of dollars pass through his hands,
but there is not the shadow Of a suspi-
cion that one penny of it sticks to his
fingers. He receives $4,000 year in
salary. No partisan faction or individ-
ual aspires to supersede him. II he
chooses, the position is his for life.
The great municipal enterprises OF
London and other cities in Great Brit
ain are filled by men Of this type.
In the course Of a long interview Mr..
Burgess thus epitomized the work and
plans under his charge:
"At an expense of about $5,600,000
we have demolished thirty-six acres of
and insanitary buildings,
which were occupied by 1855 persons.
In the place of these old structures we
have erected model ones which accom-
modate 1902 persons. Houses and
cottages for 1925 persons have also
been completed at an expense exceed
ing 100000. In addition to this plans
have been prepared and land purchased
for 0,430 new tenements and 699 lOdg-
ing rooms. These will afford accom-
mediation for 71,055 persons, and the
total cost, including the land, is esti-
mated at $16000,000. It will thus be
seen that the London county council
has provided and is providing for 49,
44O tenements and 1,848 lodging house
rooms for 81, 1872 persons at total out
lay of $4,000, $50. These tenements
contain one, two, three, four, five and
six room apartments.
All Of the fragmentary statements
and rumors concerning the extent of
the housing scheme planned by the
London authorities sink into insignifi-
canoe compared with the plain facts
and figures. 1t is not reform; it Is a
revolution.
Closely allied with the task of hous-
ing the working classes of London is
the problem of providing cheap and
rapid transportation for those who
live in these suburban houses built by
] the municipality. English capitalistic
| stupidity well nigh reached it's limit
at the hands of those men who found
themselves the owners of street rail
way franchises and plants.
While private enterprise In the Unit
ed States and in other countries was
eagerly pushing the work of discard
ing horse traction for mechanical and
electrical the sOmnolent owners Of
such properties in Great Britain were
blind and deaf to the splendid progress
attained by inventors and engineers
an awakening from this trance, thu
London county council was not slow il
taking advantage of an act passed BY
parliament in 1870, which provided
that where the owners of a tramway
(street railway in any district are no
the local authority, such local authority
within six months after the expiration
of a period of twenty-one years from
the time when such owners were EN-
powered to construct such tramwa!
and within six months after the ex
piration of every subsequent period O
seven years may, with the approval O
the board of trade, require sucn pro
moters to sell them their undertaking
upon terms of paying the then valu
exclusive of any allowance for past O
future profits of the undertaking. o
the tramway, such value to be in tn
case Of difference determined by
referee appointed by the board of trad
on the application of either party
There were fifteen private street raj
, way companis operating in the count
, of London. The first one which ha
, its franchise expire was promptly not
, fed by the council that its plant woul
, be purchased. The company made
claim for 1900, 000 The county scoffe
at this price. A referee was appointe
and awarded the company $4,000
f The company appealed to the hig
! court, which set aside the award. Tt
E council appealed, and the court of a
4 peals affirmed the referees award, ar
q their decision was confirmed by Il
e house of lords. That settled it. TIL
:. was in 1894.
i, The tramways act did not permit I'll
& local authorities to operate street raj
~r,cc kharoforo v,oooccorv