The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1905-03-11
PUBLIC OWNERSHIP.


There is scarcely city ia the land in which the
subject OF municipal ownership of public utilities
is not at the present time absorbing question.
The usual practice of the granting of franchises
has been very aptly characterized as being equva-
lent to owning valuable horse, and letting him out
to another the plea that his does not know
how to drive him, and then paying exorbitant
price for his services
The general resessness under private cor
porate exploitation of municipal utilities is largely
brought about by the surprisingly good results
which have followed the management and control
of public works by the cities of England
The experience Of Birmingham, Manchester, and
other places has stirred up desire and determine
ton throughout the United States to emulate and
profit by the example, and everywhere the mani
fest disadvantage of granting valuable concessions
to franchise exploiters is agtatng public thought
Chicago is the latest of the great cities declare
independence and take active steps for municipal
freedom.
The platform on which the democratic nominee
for mayor bases his campaign the interests of the
citizens as against Wall street syndicate in the
ownership and control of the citys streets for trac
ton purposes and demands the immediate and per-
petua ownership and control of all gas plants,
electric light plants and telephone systems
The agitation has come nearer home The Mem
phs News-Scimtar says:
The New Charter OF Memphis, which now awaits
the signature of the governor to become law,
requires that the question of granting quasi-publc
franchises shall be submitted to the people.
This provision was enacted by the representa-
tiveS OF the people of Shelby county and the other
members OF the legislature, in response to the de-
pands OF an awakening regard gard
to the reckless giving away of valuable concessions.
The people Of Memphis are tired of being sacri-
feed the greed OF the franchise seeker. They
satisfied with the disposition hitherto made
of public property to corporations, and they realize
that through favoritism unnecessary burdens have
been placed upon them in order to swell the prof
its of quasi public corporations
The unwillingness of the Vicksburg city board
to grant the II. K Johnson franchise, whether the
action wise not, is another indication that
southern communities, with all their well-knowr
conservatism. falling into line with movement
which fast becoming universal.
Grecnville in considering the street lighting ques
ton and the conduct OF its other public utilities
should carefully consider the experience of Other
and the effect of similar action its own interests
Rates paid for water, lights simply tax
whether paid to the city to private corporation
but which tax the city is as much interested il
reducng the corporation is interested in increas
ing
In Chicago the of the street lighting has beer
reduced more than half since the plant was owne,
and operated by the city. An equally great reduc
ton is looked for in other items of expense shout
the present agitation for public control be success
full
There is no question before boards OF city govern
ment worthy of study and intelligent actio
than that of municipal control of public utilities