The Washington herald., 1907-12-09

The National Civic Federation, which
holds it's annual melting in New York this
week, is an organization which seeks 10
bring about civic millennium. No other
association of men has done so much to
bring the lions and lambs OF the modern
world TO that harmonious understanding
which must precede their lying down to-
gether IN peace The Federation not only
gives It's support to movements looking to
peace between nations. but it endeaVOrs
20 bring about peace within the nations.
II attempts 10 bring capital and labor 10
a common ground that both may have
the point of view Of citizens seeking the
common good. II attempts to temper
the Intolerance OF extremists by causing
an exhaustive study Of both sides Of a
question. The Federation is intensely pO-
litical but il is also pan-partisan. IL
recognizes the honesty and sincerity OF
men Of every shade of belief. and IL af-
fords them a forum where they may talk.
not only TO their own followers, but 70
the leaders Of other bands of followers.
The National Civic Federation had its
origin in domestic industrial strife. 1t
was builded upon foundations laid by the
Chicago Civic Federation. which was an
organization brought about by the great
railroad strike Of 1894 The Chicago or
ganization was formed 10 bring men on
both sides Of that controversy 70 COM
mon meeting place for a fair and tenn
perate exchange Of views. Such an ex-
change cannot be had on the stump in
political campaign. It can rarely be had
in Congress because the partisan poll
ticlan cannot quite forget the effect of
what he may say on the voters al home.
So the National Civic Federation came to
be what Il is-a great and free civic
forum
It's scope is as wide as the interests Of
the country At the meeting this week
the currency question. now uppermost in
the public mind will be discussed. EX-
perts from the banking world will give
their opinions az 10 what should be done
20 remedy currency troubles. Experts
from the Offices of the government will
talk about the establishment Of postal
saving banks Experts from labor unions
will give their views on the inauguration
OF wage earners' Insurance and the re-
latiOn of such insurance TO savings banks
The urban population Of the United
States is becoming more and more inter-
estad each year in the question OF
whether or Foe public service utilities
shall be owned by the municipality The
Civic Federation took up this question
It's method Of treating II may be briefly
reviewed 10 show the manner in which
controversial questions are approached:
not from a nonpartisan, but from a pam
partisan poiE. OF view.
The Federation appointed a committee
Of twenty-one men 70 Investigate munich
pal ownership IN this country and in
Great Britain This committee was head
ed by Melville h Ingalls,, who had just
retired from the presidency Of the Big
Four Railroad. The committee was made
UP OF men from public service corpora
tions Of various kinds. OF representatives
OF labor unions. and OF distinguished citi-
zens representing municipalities and the
thinking public. Il is unlikely that the
railway presidents and labor union lead
ers thought that there would be the
slightest possibility Of an agreement when
the work was begun.
Experts were employ d to make investi-
cations. six for each branch Of the pub
lie service industry. In electric lighting
there were two expert engineers. TWO ex-
pert accountants. and two experts on
labor conditions. The same method was
pursued with regard TO gas. street rail
ways. and water. When the facts had
been collected. and there was never be-
fore such an exhaustive study OF the
facts involved in the question. the mem
bers OF the committee studied them care
fully and reached their conclusions.
Nineteen of the twenty-oEe members
Of the committee signed the whole re-
port. one dissented in part, and another
dissented in toto. The committee had
surprised itself by its approach 70 una
nimity. Extremists in favor OF munich
pal ownership found that the facts i'm
PEELED them TO surrender some convic-
tionS. Extremists opposed 70 municipal
ownership were bound to admit certain
arguments which they had before denied.
Everybody agrees to the obvious fact
that public service corporations must be
treated in one Of three ways: controlled
and regulated by the public. owned and
operated by the public, or left 10 their
own sweet will. The committee agreed
that a mixture of ali three would work
to the best advantage of the people.
For instance, it decided that a public
utility which concerns the health OF the
public water works should not be left
to the control of individuals TO whom the
temptation OF profits might appeal so
strongly as To work disaster TO the pub
lie health The committee also agreed
that municipal ownership should not be
extended to revenue producing industries
which do not affect the public health.
the public safety. the public transporta-
tions, or permanently occupy public
streets and grounds. II also agreed that
the cities should never undertake the
operation of any industry solely for
profit. The converse of these PROPOSE
tiOns. that the cities should control the
public utilities was not recommended.
but the committee did agree that the
States should give the power TO the cities
TO operate these Industries in order that
the people Of the several municipalities
might be on a trading basis with the in
dividually controlled corporations. The
committee made a report and also pub
lished all OF the information It gathered,
so that anyone may have the benefit Of
the facts and draw his own conclusions
This is an Illustration Of the thorough
methods of the National Civic Fedora
tion. Similar Investigations have been
made Of the question OF immigration, well
fare work. Of industrial economics. The
most ambitious work undertaken, how
ever, has been the attempt to bring about
trade agreements which will preserve
industrial peace, and In the event OF
labor trouble to bring about Cancellation.
IL has been said that war has never
settled a question. SO Of labor troubles.
The Sefflement of q strike or lock-out