New-York tribune., 1906-08-03
DR.. MALTBIE RETURNS.
PLEASED WITH MISSION.
Tells Of Public Utilities Investigated
Abroad bY Commission.

Dr. Milo r. Maltble. secretary OF the Municipal
Art Commission, who went 20 Europe six months
members or commission on behalf OF the National
Civic Federation the results Of private and nunic-
pal management OF public utilities, has returned.
Dr. Maltbie. who is a franchise expert arrived
yesterday on the Majestic, and az his home. in
West l5lst street. Washington Heights last even
ins. he talked az length regarding the work Of the
commission. The commission, he said. felt that IL
had been greatly aided in ts work by Ambassador
Reid who had rendered invaluable assistance IN
enabling il 70 carry on its Investigations. and by
authoriatvely aecrediting IL had enabled il 20 gain
access 20 the various plants
DR.. Maltbie the first member OF the COM
mission OF fifteen 20 go abroad in early February 70
prepare the ground for others who came later. He
employed several English accountants and engi-
neers. who worked with Others brought from the
United States in the twenty thirty British plants
investigated.
j. w. Sullivan a labor member OF the cournlssioa
reached England early in March. and the entire
British investigation was conducted by DIR. Malt
bic and MIR. Sullivan. In the investigation OF the
results of private and municipal management OF
public utilities. effort was made 20 ascertain
which system has produced the more beneficial re-
siilts and in what directions each Is superior TO
the other. and under what conditions and with
what restrictions each produces the most satlsfac
tory results.
Regarding the Investigation Or. Maltbie said:
The work in England occupied practically six
months, and upon il from 20 thirteen have
Investigated seven gas plants seven street railway
about equally divided between municipality ana prI.
yatesy va " owned plants. in Dublin. Glasgow Newcas-
Norwich. Liverpool and London. where there a
number OF separate and distilet gas. electric and
qustTles has by no means proceeded so far IN
LONDON as in New York ard other American cities.
when we first reached London and undertook 20
arouse the interest OF the Englishmen in the In
veStlgatiOn considerable Indifference and Op-
encountered.
the National Civic Federation repeatedly told
and comprehensive an Investigation as had been
planned Others. assuming that the commission
that had visited England from the Uniedl States
TO co-operlte. but We're inclined TO attach little
Importance 20 the work. But ultimately city off,
Parliament. labor leaders and the officials OF the
ihaltIonaL government, although somewhat slow 70
hearty. approval and cooperation. With but one
10 permit an examnaton df its pants Sooks and
RECORDS 70 be made gave its hearty approval,
selected Wed with the Corporation men In placing
before the experts OF the Civic Federation an the
ments, such as the Right Hon. John Burns. presi-
dent OF the local government board, and LLOYD
their departments az the disposal Of the cOEnnnis-
The many non-poitical bodies interested IN tho
subject, such as the London Chamber OF Commerce.
ciety and the Association OF Municipal officials and
others did what they could 20 make the investiga-
In fact, so far as we have been able TO ascertain
not one association, municipality or newspaper has
had anything but the WarTneSt words OF praise tor
the object. and the fairness and thOroughness with
which the investigation in Great Britain has been
mapped out and conducted.
The undertakings have been investigated, not
only from the general. political and social stand
point but accountants, engineers, economists and
leaders OF standing and experience have investi-
gated in great detail every subject which had been
considered important by any member OF the COM
mission. For six weeks. in June and the early part
of July: the members Of the commission visited all
the undertakings reported upon by the experts ex-
made, and personally investigated the broader
questions of public policy which are bound up in
the question of municipal ownership.
The field work in Great Britain has practically
been completed, but there is q large amount OF
work be done in the nature OF tabulation,
analysis and comparison of the information OBJ
tanned from the various plants.