The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-09-19
MR. DUNES WORDS
CHEER THE LEAGUE
Great Municipal Ownership Nd
vocate1 Declares That Progress
Is Being Made.
| ------------r-..
CIVIC FEDERATIoN's REPORT.
Findings Of Its Investigation
Committee Favorable to the
Movement.
CIVIC FEDERATI0N's REPORT
Especial to The Tlmes-pispatc h.

Especial to The Time s-Dispatch.1
NORFOLK, VA, September 1S-This
morning the eleventh annual conven-
ton OF the American League OF Munici-
session OF four days. There nrc some-
thing over two hundred delegates in
attendance. many, Of whom ara among
the country's most noted men. There
from Canada whose cities have re-
Gently become members OF the league.
Judge Edward L. Dune. former Mayor
Of Chicago and president OF the league,
Is presiding.
Moines Iowa. was ready with a re-
port recommending provision for the
formation OF comparative and uniform,
reports of all municipalities. designed
to be of far.reachinE effect IN giving
parative reports. The naming OF a
small special executive and larger
advisory committee to formulate diff
ferent plans for the reporting OF
new idea was left to the incoming
president.
Words OF Greeting.
AT the opening session this morning
there was an Invocation bX .,. Kev; III nr.
copnl Church. y. S. Burweil, president
OF the Norfolk Board of Aldermen. Of
the City Council. Introduced Lieutenant
u.
the delegates a hearty welcome to Vir-
ginia.
Governor Ellyson said that having
served as a member OF the Rlchmond
giria capital. he was consequently much
Interested in the work of the American
League OF Municipalities.
Mayor James G. Riddick welcomed
the delegates in behalf of the city,
saying that he was proud to be the
chief executive. OF a city. brought SO
so conspicuously to public attention
through its many associations OF his
toric interest.
President DUNES Report.
President Dunno, In his annual adj
dress, reviewed the report OF the Amer
lean Civic Federat!on's special inves..
LEGATION committee, which he showed
to be encouraging to the advocates Oh
municipal ownership.
The comrnittee sums up its most I'M
portant conclusions as follows:
Public utilities whether in pub
lie or private hands. are best con-
Quoted under system of legaltzed
and regulated monopoly"
public utilities tn which the
sanitary motive largely enters
should be operated by the public
The success OF municipal opera
tion Of public utilities depends
upon the existence in the city of
a high capacity for municipal gov
eminent"
porations should be terminahle
| after fixed period and meanwhile
| subject TO purchase at a fair
| value.
| power 10 enter the field of munich
| pal ownership upon popular vote
under reasonable regulations.
/ private companies operating
| public utilities should be SUBJECT
! to public regulation and eXamina-
ton under a system of UNIFORM
| records and accounts and OF 1ull
| publicity"
with none OF these conclusions can
quarrel" said Mr. Dunno. Many OF
| us would go further than the report
| of the committee and insist that the
| ownership and operation by the cities
of all public utilities is necessary to
ria this country Of the corruption and
| debauchery which has disgraced our
! city councils and State legislatures.
! nearly all of which Originates In the
corruption funds Of private utiiity cor
| porations.
Footc on Taxation.
l An address on Low Rates for Public
Service vs.. Franchise TAXATION Taxation ,,,t ny
| Allen Ripley Foote, of Columbus, ONO
| followed. He said:
| ton. / unhesitatingy affirm that great
or benefits will be derived by the people
| from low rates and no taxation tna ma !.
4 from hlEh rates anu &SoiASSpoAANAAN'E's-
! high taxation.
aThe best possible service at the low
est profitable priceis the ideal condition
| that will yield best results FOR users
1 and for the public.
SIn discussing this subject affirm
that the Legislatures have ADOPTED al AZ.
erroneous policy by taxing the means :,
i by which the needs of munlcipalltte,s
4 are being supplied. thus clrtailinS adj
4 yuntages that are aids to industry, min.
isters to comfort and promoters OF thf
value OF all public and private intra'
1 municipal property.
IF the Industries of q mnnicipalit t.
s l3were dependent upon q limited supply
a OF water power and 1T could add to tht
amount OF effective mechanical power
by exempting the flow of water iron
q taxation, would 1t not do SO? Econom
4 ically considered, the same ERECT may
be secured by removing legal obstruc
8 tions to the most efficient development
. and manag ement of public service cor
porations and eXemptinE their propert.
4 from taxation. Unnecessary obsfcuc
& tions placed upon. and taxes eXacte'
a from such corporations, can have, bu
A one effect, and that is to maintain
II greater de gree of cost to the users Q
i the services theysrender than need be-
The address OF Mayor w. w. Todd
of Jackson. Mich, who was detalne'
by busne IS, was read by Secretar.
EI MacVickar.