The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-04-20
HOW BRITISH
CITIES MANAGE
PUBLIC UTILITIES
BY
Frederick Upham Adams
Seventh Article.)

company controls the gas in Liverpool,
and it will be several years before the
city can acquire possession OF the fran
chise. On the other hand, LOverpOol
operates its tramways, while private
company operates those OF Birming-
ham, leasing them from the city.
1t is rather singular that OF the ten
most popular objects OF municipal own
ership in Great Britain not city has
undertaken the entire list. The ten
have in mind are as follows:
First.-Dwellings for the working
classes.
Second.-Tramways.
Third.-Gas works.
Fourth.-Electric lighting and power
plants.
Fifth.-Markets
Sixth.-Telephones.
Seventh.-Baths and washhouses.
Eighth.-Refuse and sewer disposal.
Ninth
Tenih.-Works department.
All of these, with the exception OF
cemeteries, are reproductive institu-
lions and in Great Britain are tech
nically classed under the head OF 'mu-
nicipal trading" In the above list /
have placed only those utilities which
are practically municipality unknown
in the United States and have not in
cluded waterworks for the reason that
large percentage. If not the majority,
Of cities in this country and Canada
clearly recognize that the water supply
should belong to the city and be ope-
rated by it. Glasgow comes the near
est of any city to complete municipal-
cation, but as yet it maintains no
burial grounds.
I had an interesting talk with Sir
Samuel Johnson on this subject. For
thirty odd years Sir Samuel has been
town clerk of Nottingham, and it
should be understood that the town
clerk is the principal officer in Brit
ish town or city, having vastly more
power and influence than the mayor
or any elective official. He usually
holds his place for life, and most town
clerks.live to a good old agea 1t would
be difficult to find higher type Of the
courtly, old fashioned English gentle
man than Sir Samuel Johnson, and his
official life goes back to the days be-
fore the present scope of public owner
ship was dreamed OF.
"Why is it," asked, "that there is
so little uniformity of action among
your cities in the matter Of municipali-
cation? If public ownership be good
thing, why do your cities omit certain
enterprises and take up others? If it
be practical for Birmingham to own it's
gas works, why is it not equally so for
Liverpool and for all other cities?"
"When our young folks get married
and start housekeeping" said Sir Sam
uel, after a pause, leach couple pro-
ceeds to fit up it's house according to
Tits tastes or means. One may buy a
piano, another begin the collection OF
a library, third may put all Of it's
surplus earnings into land, while 9TH
ers will concentrate their energies on
obtaining possession of various COM
forts and luxuries. But all have in
mind the eventual ownership of every
thing which will conduce to happiness
and prosperity. 1t is the same with
our cities. There are good and suff-
cient reasons why they are compelled
to wait before they dare assume GER
tain responsibilities. Glasgow's proud
position has been attained from the
fact that she started on this work
many years before the other cities did.
In many instances we are hampered
by leases and franchises granted to
private companies and must wait until
these expire or pay extortionate prices
for their surrender. Every city in
Great Britain knows that it should
own it's gas and electric lighting
works, and every one has such owner
ship in contemplation. It is not a
matter of principle, but Of expediency
in other words, OF money. Come
over again." he concluded, with a
smile, as he poured out another cup OF
i tea, "come over again when you are
as old as I am, and our successors will
show you the municipal edifice oil
which we are building the foundation
When Joseph Chamberlain became
mayor of Birmingham in 1873 he set
about to purchase the gas and water
supplies for the city. Several pre-
vious attempts had been made, but the
conservatism Of the taxpayers and the
influence of corporate interests had
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