The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-03-25

"The weight Of public opinion in
Great. Britain is that municipal owner
ship in the concrete has justified itself
there, and present criticism is largely
resolved into the theoretical one of the
proper functions and powers of govern
lnent. Assuredly, municipal ownership
has not involved an increase Of munich
pal corruption. The instances Of cor
rupt dealings between councilmen and
those dealing with the city are so rare
as; ito be almost nonexistent. Nor is
there any evidence that the increase
in municipal employees has led to their
tyranny over departments or officials.
Municipal employees: are not organized
to promote their own interests, how
ever reasonable it may be to assume
that they would be. Nor is there any
evidence that the personnel of the town
councils has deteriorated, or that they
are incapable Of managing such nitric
ate undertakings as those taken over.
OF all these criticisms the reverse seems
to be true. The interests Of the city
have become so vast that , men of
strength and character are attracted to
the public service. Similar considera-
tions make the public and the press
very alert and awake to municipal bust
ness. The doings Of the town council
are published widely and carefully per-
used. Public spirit is constantly on
the lookout to maintain the character
Of it's representatives in the council.
At the same time sense Of dignity and
self-respect seems to have been bred
by the public service among it's en-
ployees. - s
| There is no considerable sentiment
in favor Of a return to private opera
ton among any portion Of the com
| munity, except the very small class in
terested in private franchises This is
the best test of the success of the
movement. For, after all, even public
| trading is a matter Of politics, and if
| public opinion has come to approve of
a policy after sufficient trial, it is a
better proof of its permanence and it's
success than a favorable balance sheet.
The taking over Of these enterprises is
no longer looked upon as novelty or
an innovation. They have now estab.
! lished themselves as an essential part
Of municipal administration, the same
as the schools, police, fire, health and
other departments. Even parliament,
the personal interest Of many Of whose
members is closely identified with the
big business enterprises, has come to
recognize the general principle that no
private franchise should be granted in
an area where public authority shows
disposition to undertake the enter
prise. -.
Service Of Public Officials.
| ."Even the argument that public Off
Gals, chosen by ballot and subject to
recurring elections, are incompetent to
manage business enterprises, seems un--
| justified. For the committees of the
council are more or less permanent
They are like the board Of directors,
serving without pay. Men are fire.
quently returned to the councils for
ten or fifteen years consecutively, and
efficient service on a big committee is
recognized by the council and the pub
lie. =
"|The same policy governs the coun-
ellis in the treatment Of employees.
Engineers and managers are. paid good
salaries, sufficient to secure high
order of ability. They are re-
tanned for years and are called
| from city to city, much as the
I employees Of private concerns. In the
management of their departments they
are given wide latitude and discretion.
1 The management Of municipal under
takings has become a profession. Socie-
ties exist for the promotion of munich
pal matters, and a keen sense Of friend
ly rivalry exists between different COM
munities. $
+ cit is asserted that the policy gener-
ally adopted ythe cities in the man
agement Of these enterprises is one Of
ultra financial conservatism, and that
the enterprises are permitted to earn
too much money. This seems to be true
Of some Of the tramway and gas under
takings. The depreciation charges, re-
serve and debt, repayments are too
heavy. The present generation is be-
ing taxed for the future. In water I'M
dertakings, however, the repayment of
indebtedness is spread over a longer
period.
Results Of Multiplication.
t'An examination Of the water, gas,
tramway, electricity and telephone un-
dertakings Gin so far as the latter have
been municipalized) shows that the
change from private to public operation
has resulted in
\ First-Marked reduction in rates and
charges to consumers.
Second-Greater economy in opera;
tion thru lower interest charges, and
greater extension Of use.
Third-In many, instances consider
j able relief to the burden Of taxation.
i Fourth-A co-ordinated policy by
which the city and its undertaking.
are made to work together and with
one another. This is true as to health
and cleanliness, in policing and light
ing, in the administration Of the streets
and public places, in the unifcation of
all departments thru the common body
; the town council. Friction is eIimi
mated, and one department is made tc
; serve another and the public.
i Fifth-A comprehensive housing pol
\ icy has been rendered possible, and an
ultimate relief Of the tenement popu
lation.
/ Sixth-The condition Of the very
poor has been relieved thru cheap ano
abundant water, thru cheaper and more
available gas for lighting and heat, and
thru cheaper transit.
{ Seventh-The condition of the EN-
| ployees has been greatly improved