The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-06-25
A SYSTEM THAT WON'T GO HERE.
Municipal Ownership Condemned by it
 INfacinle,a WORda.

Municipal Ownership Condemned by tes
 Disciples Words.
 Being truly a street railroad expert and also an honest man, candid and clear sighted, James Dalryr3ple, mana ger of the much-touted street railway system of Glasgow. Scotland, which Is owned and operated by the city govern ment ia nrovinR by no heans the sort of witness to the beauties of municipal ownership which he was expected to when invited to the United States by Mayor Dunne, of Chicago, says Ine Cleveland Leader. On the contrary, MT, Dalrymple has made statements here and in Chicago, regarding the street railroad question, as 1t exists Tn Amer lea, which can never be explained away or neutralized.
 The Scotch expert admits that wages are nearly twice as high on the street railways of Cleveland as they are m his own city of Glasgow. He expresses the belief that 1t is not feasible for the street railroad company in Cleveland to give universal transfers and operate It's lines for a general cash fare lower than five cents, maintaining the present rate of wages to its employees and giv- ing reasonably good service. What IS most important of all Is his positive as- sertion that there Is no taint of politics In the street railroad business conduct ed by the municipal government Of Glasgow, and his emphatic declaration that party strife for the control and use of city employees is incompatible with the efficient and economical op- eration of municipal street railways. or any other form of municipal business. What voter in Cleveland so blind that he cannot see the clear meaning of such statements by an acknowledged expert in street railroad affairs who is thor oughly convinced of the wisdom and propriety of municipal control of street railways where and when city business is put and kept on strictly business basis. as 1t is in Glasgow? All that MT. Dalrymple says confirms the belief of conservative Americans that there must be thorough going reform of city gov ernment in the United States before it's functions can be extended without grave loss and danger to the highest interests of American municipalities To add to the numerous city employees already constituting great partisian machines, thousands of street railroad motormen and conductors, all holding their places by the favor of party boss es, would be to accentuate the evils of city government and tend powerfully to encourage extravaganza and ineffi- ciency in the operation of the street | railroads.
 Therefore, municipal ownership of street railways Is condemned by the Scotch expert brought to the United States to encourage and promote it, Mir. DaIrymple finds conditions here so ut terIy different from those existing in his own city and country. that he does not dare, as an honest man. to recom- mend for American municipalities what he heartily approves in Scotland. He perceives that city government must be elevated before 1t can safely be extend ed in the United States. Cities like Cleveland must learn to make theil public servants faithful fin the large and varied activities now open to then ambition before committing wider ana greater interests to their care.