Omaha daily bee., 1905-12-29
lIClPAL OWNERSHIP TALK
ssue in Local Politics Discussed
by American Economic
Association.

b. lore. Dec S.-The joint session
OF Il onomic and Political Science ses-
sions resumed today. the subject OF
munio "a. ownership being the chief sub
ject considered. The discussion was opened
by Mr. Frederick G. Howe Of Cleveland,
who said:
Municipal ownership is becoming the most
insistent issue in local politics. The spon-
taneity of the issue indicates the deep-seated
dissatisfaction with private monopoly. The
elections in New York, Cleveland and Chi
cago are but political cross sections of the
country at large. The conviction has be-
come well nigh universal, that the fran
chise interests are responsible for most of
for franchises, whose values run into fabu-
lous figures, that explains not only the
positive corruption. nut the Indifference Of
the better-to-do classes, and the heavy
burden of reform. These franchises have
been appraised at Sl5U OOD 600 in New York
City; in other large cities they -un into
upon no labor except the labor incident to
a control of the council They are created
by grant from the city. And they can only
exist through performance of this con-
troll This explains the activity, as well
as the corruption in local politics. These
conditions will be corrected through muni-
cipal ownership. When the city owns its
own franchises all classes will demand good
government and efficient service. Popula-
tion can be distributed in the countryside.
Cheaper light, water and heat will relieve
the poor OF their most serious burdens,
while the incidental savings to the commun-
ity will be tremendous.
During a separate meeting of the Eco
nomlc association. II. W. Farnam Of Yale
and Charles p. Neill, United States COM
missioner of labor discussed the labor
movement. and Thomas S. Adams Of the
University Of Wisconsin made an address
on Violence in Strikes"
Also in separate meeting. the Political
I Science aeSOsiafipD discussed 'ppliticz In
Various Phases"
The historical association members lis
, tened to a paper on The Colonial Projects
of George Calvert" by Bernard c. Steiner
of the Maryland Historical society, anC
afterward elected Simeon +. Baldwin presi
dent.
The Herbert Baxter prize was awarded
to David ). Muzzey of the New York Eth
cal Culture school for an essay on The
Spiritual Franciscans."
! new body, to be known as the American
Sociological association. has been formed
/ its purpose being the encouragement of SO
! Geological research and discussion. Prof
Lester T. Ward, Smithsonian institute. wa
I elected president.
The Bibliographic;u society reelected al
/ the old officers
The members of the Econogtc associa
ton tonight held a banquet at the Mer
chants club and there elected the follow
ing officers: President Prof. j. w. jerks
Cornell university; first vice president
Charles S. Fairchild Of New York. ex
secretary OF the treasury; second vice pres
ident, S. y. ID. North, director of tn
census Washington, d. c.; third vic
president, Prof. Carl c. Plehn. Cniversi:
OF California, secretary and treasurer
Prof. William Daniels, Princeton; eXecu
tive committee, f. A. F'ettGr. Cornell
b. II. Meyer, Wisconsin; John II. Gray
Northwestern university; II. c. Emery
Yale; H. r. Seager, Columbia; F. Il
Dixon, Dartmouth.