The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-06-16
THINK DALRYMPLE
HAS WRONG IDEA
ALDERMEN LAUD MUNICIPAL
OWNERSHIP SCHEME.
Say the Scotman Wasn't in America
Long Enough to Learn How Much
the People Can Do When They Want
To-City Fathers Opinions on the
Situation Here.

Minneapolis aldermen do not unani-
| mously indorse James Dalrymple, the
Scotch municipal ownership expert, In
lis belief that municipal ownership is
not possible or practicable in America.
Scotch expert arrived at his conclu
sions rather hastily. Again, it is con-
! tended that he does not know the prac-
| tical omnipotence of the American peo-
pie, and, therefore, is in no position to
say what they can or cannot do. His
idea that the municipal ownership and
| operation of public utilities would tend
to build up an impregna!ble political
machine in every large city does not
meet wit hthe approval of some of the
aldermen.
There is also difference of opinion
among the aldermen regarding the sit
uation in Minneapolis. Most Of them
will admit that public ownership is an
ideal which may be realized some time.
Nearly all who were interviewed ven
tured the statement that the publicall:y
controlled water system Of Minneapolis
is as satisfactory as any in the country,
and at less cost to the consumer. There
is also a general sentiment to the effect
that the gas and electric lighting utIll-
ties will be the next to come under
4 municipal control in the logical devel-
i opment of the ideal locally.
Few would advise any Immediate at,
tempt at municipal control Of the street
railway system, even tho 1T could be
made to pay from the start. The out,
side extensions now under way would
be practically impossible with strict
municipal control. The municipality
could not 90 outside Of it's own terri
tory in the conduct of the business.
Public control of the private manage
ment of utilities is advised as the first
What Aldermen Say.
| President A. E. Merrill of the council
said: "While Mr.. Dalrymple may be
right in general way, will not admit
defeat and complete surrender to prl
vate control This must be worked
out by degrees and logically, BEGINNING
with public control Of the water system
and taking the lighting privilege next
Alderman Duryea believes that Mr.
Dalrymple, in the length of time III
spent here, could not possibly have GOV
cred the situation completely. -!
think said he "that Minneapolis
could own and control it's own streetca'
system and that it could be done with
out creating any political mac9ln'
which would dominate eveTythmg
!
lieyed that the Scotchman was right
owe had better go slow on any sucl
proposition, - said he. 81 believe wit
Mr.. Dalrymple that it would help buil'
;, nm machine. Public employees ex
pect a snap and the city could no
. hope to run the business as economical
ly as a private concern =
Alderman Chatfield also be1eve
that in a general way Mr.. Dalrympl
! was right. emo corporation or bust
ness association" said he. "could o
would conduct it's affairs in the man
. ner necessary to conduct public bus!
ness. While the plan may be idea
its practicability is another matter
Minneapolis has so far been most fol
! tunate in it's city departments especia
ly those in charge of improvement
!. never attempted anything that az
!. proaches total municipal ownership
A Machine Would Wear Out.
. Alderman Westphal has an abidin
. foreigner is wrong,' said he. "H
: cannot appreciate the fact that tn
American people sooner or later wi
. have their own way and that the fol
n asnp on machine is mpo SSH
against the will of the people. I al
: a democrat, but believe that thi
|. should be done by degrees. It can b
. done, tho. Minneapolis could own an
!: control and manage all the public uti
: tiles successfully. I am in favor of
. gradual working to this end
. Alderman G. B. Holmes also believe
: that Minneapolis can, if necessary, az
= sumo control Of all public utilities, bu
$ would not by any means advise S
;, radical a step at present.
: "The city can do much that it woul
= be better to wait for,' said he. ~
:. change of this sort is on the way, an
> when it is demanded by the people,
:, will come. I do not take any stock i
$ the machine bugaboo in this countr
5 for this reason: every time an aide
+ man gives one job he disappoints an,
where from ten to fifty others, VIII
(. were after the same job. You can
e suit everybody. I also take exceptio
t to the visitors statement that elite
t, should give short leases. It would /
a better to make longer term, but r.
<. tain for the city the right to buy an
: take over the property at certain pc
e iods during the life Of the franchis
: Better equipment and service will I
d given when the company or corpor
y tion knows that they will be treate
II fairly. Chicago is demanding
If change to municipal control because {
n the poor equipment of the streetc:
IS system. The trouble is in the sho
d term. The company does not kno
s., that it can renew its lease, and Their
d fore, will not put good money into il
le provements of equipment