The log cabin Democrat., 1907-01-31

nine, and eighty dollars. Another reason why these statistics are un- reliable, is to be found in the de- sire of the city officials, who report them, to hold their easy jobs. They report the cost far too low, and thus create false impression.
 Even if statistics were reliable, the affirmative can establish no rule by their isolated instances of success. England is often cited as country where municipal owner ship is successful. But, according to John s. Hodgson, the Birming ham Chamber of Commerce, in it's September review of the financial position of the country, says: Municipal trading operations have not been instrumental in re- ducing local rates. On the con trary, a closer inspection of the figures would reveal the disquiet- ing fact that the extension of mu nicipal trading has been accom- panied by an accelerated increase in local rates and government con- tributions towards the cost of local administration. Let us first give examples nearer home. In 1900, Hope, Arkansas, needing improve ments and lacking the necessary funds, sold its waterworks and light-plant, and granted twenty five years franchise. The "Elec- trical World" states that the mu- nicipal light and water plant of Si loam Springs, Arkansas, after hav- ing been operated only eight years, has been leased at a rental rate that will pay only two-ffths of the interest on the investment. Simi- lar instances might be multiplied, but this is needless. Let us ex anime few of the causes, which, in practice, operate to bring about failure.
 One of the chief causes of failure is the difficulty of regulating cost. This difficulty arises from the con- hicting interests of taxpayers and consumers. It would be largely obviated if every taxpayer were a consumer, and every consumer taxpayer. But this is by no means the existing condition of affairs. There are many property owners who, either on account of their To- cation or of their inclination, would not patronize waterworks; but they would have to pay taxes to buy and support municipal waterworks. Hence, if the price to consumers is low, the resulting deficit must be met by taxation and this is. unjust to taxpayers, since the resulting advance in the value of real estate would be the same with private ownership. On the other hand, a great many consumers of public water are not taxpayers. Hence, if the price be made high for the benefit of taxpayers, this class must suffer, since it has no interest in municipal property. It is inn possible to regulate the cost to the consumers, under municipal own- ership of waterworks, so that there will not be gross injustice to some large and important class of citi- ZenS.
 Another cause for the failure of municipal ownership, arising part ly from the lack of self-interest mentioned above, is the almost un- iversal wastefulness of a munich pal administration. Senator Loud, chairman of the Commission on Postoffices, says: Tt is an incon- testible fact that the government can not conduct any line of busi- ness as economically as all indi- vidual or corporation can." Po- litical favoritism secures the ap-. pointment of inefficient and poorly equipped men to important and lucretive positions, and creates superhuous offices for those who are its objects. Leading authori- ties recognize that politics, not sound business principle, regulates municipal affairs. Experience teaches that the practice of politi- cal favoritism is almost universal, and increases with municipal own- ership.
 Again, needless or worthless supplies are often purchased. The officials who have such matters in charge do not exercise the proper judgment in buying materials and in letting contracts. This phase of the question is well covered by John w. Hill, previously quoted, when he says: Tn securing bids f