Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-08-29

would generously give the people %
Free music, Of course, IS By no means
unique and the present municipal ex-
penditure in Boston is less Ian III
either New York or Chicago but the
large amount given for the small sum
appropriated is an interesting iilustra-
ton Of the excellent business manage
ment that characterizes this form OF
municipal socialism in the bay state
city.
While the Boston fathers have
been building baths and gymnasia,
laying out parks and running a band
they have also made some excursions
into the realm of ordinary business
enterprise, but it is noticeable IN. /
when the city has attempted to do
things which are ordinarily left 10
private enterprise it has met with dis
nal failure. Boston has been IN thu
ferry business between the city proper
and Noodle Island, otherwise known
as East Boston, since late in the ffties
but only one in a year has the line es-
capped deficit: and that remarkable
escape, according TO one Of the former
mayors, Thomas y. Hart, was appar-
emily due to non-payment of bill In
contrast with this financial exnIUlt IS
the showing made by the ferry line
Oldest service Of its kind in the coun-
try, which has been a success under
private control ever since its cst6O-
lishment by the pioneer Puritans, 275
years ago. Since the opening of the
East Boston tunnel, which accommo-
dates the fast trolley lines of the Ele-
waited road, the city ferry has been
more improbable than ever, earning
barely enough to pay the $500 sal
airy of its deputy superintendent, not
to mention the interest on can
invested and the bills due to receipt
ion of equipment.
Still another example of Boston's
failure to make a success of business
enterprises is the municipal printing
plant, established about a decade ago
during Mayor Quincy's administration
From the beginning it has been the
object of public suspicion. First came
the discovery that the presses for
which the city paid thousands of dol
lars were no better than junk Then,
later, it was found that tie politici-
ans were using the plant as a sort OF
asylum for poor relations and super
animated wardheelers. But the climax
to the series of exposures came not
long ago when the clerk of the Suffolk
County Courts refused to have the
court printing done at the municipal
plant. This had been the custom ever
since the shop was opened, but he de-
clined to follow it on the ground that
the work could be done more promptly
and economically by any well-equippcd
private plant.
On the other hand, private capital
has provided a railway system which
excited the admiration of James Dal-
rymple, the Scotch expert invited by
Mayor Dunno of Chicago to this coun-
try. And little complaint is Heard Of
the service given by the other public
service corporations operating in the
city under the restraint imposed by
laws enacted for their regulation. The
problem which is being worked out
here is one of interest TO all American
1t directs municipal
endeavor into useful channels which
are not appropriate to private enter
prise and. at the same time, /. pc
vides for suitable control and regula-
ton of ublic service corporations
backed by pirate capital.