The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-12-24

II ONDON.-''A curious blight APP
pears to set upon any under
taking I'm Great Britain when il
has passed from private 20 public
- management over here the bloom
has faded from the municipal
ownership peach. and 1 believe. the re-
action has set in"
This is the reply ] received from Robert
T. Porter. eN-Commissioucr of tho Tenth
United States Census. In response 10 the
question. do you regard municipal own
ership IN Great Brit9in an Improvement
over private Ownership under municipal
States?'
AS director Of the United States census
Alr. Porter was I'm position TO gain expert
the United States. During the last four
years he has resided In London, and has
been engaged In financial and industrial
enterprises closely allied with the gov
crnment OF the empire.
At tho present time he is editing the
financial supplement of the London
Times and he is recognized as one OF
We first authorities ON finance I'm Great
Britain
Judging by the waiting limo Of callers
lu the anterOOm OF his offices on Norfolk
Street just off the Strand by the NUM-
her of clerks and stenOgraphers by whom
he was surrounded. and by the hum OF
activity I'm the air I should say that NJ.
Porter is the busiest man 1 have met ia
London.
Without wasting any prcliminories 1
told HIM that / was in search of Amer
can expert opinion on municipal socialism
in Great Britain
well, wen. I suppose this means That
the Socialists have invaded California and
have run amuck. But this is too big a
subject for us 90 tackle during business
hours. Come around 20 luncheon with
me and Wen talk &c over
And IL was at luncheon that drew Mir
Porter out TO some length on the subject
of municipal socialism.
Replying TO a query in regard 70 existing
conditions Mr.. Porter said.
AZ present the spectre Of SoCialStic
legislation ovcrhangs The British CONNER
cial world Gilt-cdgod securities. especial
ly railways. are az figure far below the
level they should reach under trade ac-
uvity everywhere.
To the Taxpayer who IS tempted 20
approve general public ownership without
nu1rooiat'ng the dangerous paths TO which
II leads, the troubles it has cast upon the
and Australia should prove much food
Tor reflection.
zone OF the first and worst effects has
been the deterioration of the personnel
Of the councils OF English cities. Ten or
fifteen years ago the members Of the cily
councils comprised the men OF highest
standing in the community. men OF proved
commercial integrity. Municipal social
ism has Crept in and el0Owed them out.
To-day their places in many OF tho muui-
opal councils are hl.d by labor leaders.
During the last ten years the dcteriora-
ton has been marked and distinct. And
the deterioration I'm the management of
Dee affairs of the municipalities las been
II see that Scotch member OF Pariia-
nent is quoted as saving recently tnat
the progress OF our English cities in NUM-
clpai trading has been rake s progress
] think that was well put The TAX rates
nave gone Ing or. the municipal deut
has almost doubled. progress and deNel-
orment are at standsull and I fan 90
see that the rate-payers have reapcd "a
lronortonatc benefit"
We have been told I'm Los Angeles" 7
Nentured that the rates for gas and
electricity and street-car fares arc lower
and the service IS hottor than il was
under private ownership"
shall leave YOU TO judge that for
yours H. he replied Have YOU found
tile service on the Councils tram cars
superior to that of the underground sys-
lem which Is operated 10y private capt
tai or the fares Innerr.,