New-York tribune., 1907-09-18
DIR. Carnegie Makes Com parison of
Municipal Governments.

Glasgow, Sept 17.-Andrew Carnegie this a.
ternoon appeared eulogist Of the municipal
government OF New York. compared with the
government of British cities in a speech deiiv-
cred at luncheon after the laying Of the corner
stone Of the Mitchell Library He said:
New York is held up before the world by her
own yellow press as sunk in tnfquity, with
cTedltable whatever. To one who gets away
from New York for half the year and Is able 10
look on her from a distance. there three
four things that comfort him greatly He COM
pares New York with London. and finds thar
upon these matters New York IS IN advance.
Mr.. Carnegie contrasted New Yorks water
supply. which will assure hundred gallons
a head. more than double the usual supply in
Europe for 100000 people with Loudon's
meagre supply. still in the hands Of privats
companies. the purchase Of which would cost
enormous sums. whereas New York's supply
was obtained cheapIy by a commission. through
foresight in purchasing property when its mar
ket value was small He praised NeW Yorks
parks. her wisdom in buying 1000 acres where
there We're many miles Of drives through real
woods and said the Thames Embanknent was
fine work for London. but what It when
compared with the Riverside Drive Of New
York the ike Of which no other city possessed.
and which was being extended seven miles,
Mr.. Carnegie then described New YorSs wide
avenues. It's subways with express trains Of IN
equafled speed. which the city would obtain n
fifty years without cost; its twenty-three miles
OF wharfage. where granite was replacing
wooden piers which were New York's own. and
from which the city would derive enormous
revenue as result OF its thirty years OF effort;
its commission appointed to reduce ths price
Of gas and electricity; its central library, being
erected at a cost of So 100000. with its hundred
iCE- Of yrIf
cepted IN one morning. the largest wholesals
operation ever had in this line"
Mr.. Carnegie added:
These are the important utilities Of the city
water. gas electricity. subways and wharveS.
and last but not least. the public horar1es- l
know of no city which rivals New 1ork ~ n a. al
of these combined. although several may 90 50
in respect to one or more. I venture 10 predict
that forty-five years hence New YORK vii os
the richest city Of the world IN the ownership OF
revenue producing properties. which will haNc
cost her nothing. She has been wisely gov
erned. always keeping her eye upon the rusuI'-
Mr. Carnegie praised the Public Service Gem
mission and suggested a return visit or tns
Glasgow city officials 10 New York. where all
the big cities would find some things worthy
of imitation
Referring to municipal ownership. Mr. Car
negie said cities should preserve the titles IN All
cases and lease franchises only for periods as
short as nracticabIe This had been done In
Neyv York and was becoming the rule Win
all American cities. In conclusion Mr. Carneg1e
remarked
Their. is much to regret and condemn IN city
government in America Taken as wnole. We
are far behind you The character OF tne Zen
tbroughout the United Kingdom VINO oeNoee
themselves to their respective communities IS %
the highest A finer body of men does not eA1t
than those who govern the cities and towns -
Great Britain. and also Ireland, ana II s 5
y,strer of pride to US Scots throughout tne
world that Glasgow ranks among the 1orenlos'
of them all
In the morning Mr.. Carnegie addressed tns
Librarians. Association. He described the
American schools for training hbrerlans. SAVING
that whereas in the past men OF the nisnest
skill were placed in charge OF collections Oh
curios and pictures. Librarians were CHOSEN s.
baphazard Only recently had they been recos-
nizad as members of a profession