The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-02-03


prefers direct ownership and control
by the people for more than econom-
ical reasons: He wants municipal
ownership because it insures good
government. With the removal of
public service corporations from pol
itical influence in a city government
most of the inducements toward cor
ruption go with them. We in Duluth
can verify the truth of this assertion
by our experience with the old gas
and water company. Since the ex-
termination of that corporation the
politics of this city have been greatly
purified.
What Home Rule Would Do.
Had We home rule in Duluth we
would not be obliged to submit so
much to the arrogance of the Street
hallway company. We would be in
a position to tell that corporation
| to show respect for the people or get
off the earth.
Outside of the economic side of a
city government. there is the moral
side. Mr.. McEwen's position as an
Alderman on this question has been
~~O'o AOPAOoSA. ASOP1 O0CuC1u8 d
ward containing over As saloons with
mighty political influence he has
taken strong position for the reduc-
tlon OF the number of saloons in his
ward. In so doing he has won the
respect of the best men in the sa-
loon busfiness who are desirous Of
seeing their business made more re-
spectacle, and who want the worst
element ridden out. Mr.. McEwen's 8
vote has always been registered
against the men who could not run
their places decently. He TOOK an ac-
tive part in the campaign. in the
council for the riddance of the Parlor
Theater, a resort which was respon-
sible for the ruin of number
of young men. In all questions in
volving the moral welfare of the city
he has stood with the best men in
the council in an effort to improve
conditions.
Management of City Affairs.
A very important feature of NUM-
c1pal government is It's management.
Mr.. McEwen was early taught the
lesson of extravagant municipal gov
ernment. During the days when his
good old father was striving night
and day to keep his motherless flock
together reckless city administra-
t1on was squandering the city's money
in grading and paving streets and
building sewers most injudiciously.
In one instance street was graded
at heavy cost. To please some
property interests further west it
was then filled in two feet at an ad-
dftional heavy cost. Such a valuable
building as the Clarendon hotel at
Garfield avenue was put two feet be-
low the grade on Michigan street,
and other property in that locality
was ruined. Enraged citizens raised
Ia mighty kick but It was without;
avaH TOT the nint nterested d 81 contrActurs
held the city fathers In the palm Of
his hand. After this@work was done
the street was paved and greatly to
the surprise of the property owners
the sewer was ordered in the next
year. Petitions were not necessary
in those days and the forced assess-
ment against the property was ex-
ceedingly high. Mr. McEwen's faith
er was obliged to put heavy mort
gage upon his property to evade high
penalties for nOn-payment of ASSESS
ments. That mortgage was as
mill stone about the neck Of a strug-
Cling family. The mortgage was too
heavy to bear and the old family
home was sacrificed. The earlw les
son was appreciated by the young
student of municipal government and
from that day he has given the city's
management close study.
Suffering From Past Follies.
We are still suffering from the re-
suit of early extravaganza. 1t was
then when the big bond issues were
made. Assessments were paid on the
Ontario plan of five years, but many
of them remained unpaid, and today
they are being gradually wiped out
BY settlement on the amount of the
assessed valuation of the property.
The losses to the city will aggregate
many thousands of dollars before all
of the old assessments are wiped
out.
Duluth is often called a city of
rental agents and tenants, much of
the property being owned by nom
residents who care but little about the
sanitary arrangements surrounding
their property. 1t then has become
necessary to pass legislation to pro-
tect the health Of the people, 1t was
this condition which prompted Mr..
McEwen to introduce his plumbing
ordinance which has been wrongfully
abused byTso many, and mainly by
representatives Of outside interests
who care nothing for the health of.
the community. An inspection of
plumbing put into a house assures
the occupant of safety against escap-
ing sewer gas because of unsanitary
plumbing.
Vote for Good Government.
The milk ordinance and the inspec-
tion of cows was also health meas
ure which received the support of
Mr.. McEwen, and which is proving to
be of great value to the people,
There are so many questions of
interest to the people relative to
good governments which might be
dwelt upon in this sketch, but time