The Marshall republican., 1908-01-10
MUN|C|PALUNACY.
D, JOHN KENDRicK BANGS.

Judging from the reports that reach
- from various parts OF the country as
10 the condition OF civic lighting com
panies and wilted water plants. we
shall soon be relieved OF the stigma
placed upon US by the British visitor
to this country who declared that we
had no Impressive ruins TO attract the
traveller. Would II not be q good plan
for some muni6cent millionaire to buy
M q few OF these, transfer them to
the banks Of the Hudson and thus put
that beautiful waterway into the run.
ming 10 the matter Of legendary inter.
est with the Rhlne7 A few moss and
IVY covered ruins Of this kind would
add much to the scenic beauty Of the
picturesque river and doubtless inspire
our ilteratl with CHASTITY legendary
lore that will make those old stories Of
the Rhine look like q mark and . half.
Here Indeed Is Q chance for Mr.. A.
drew Carnegie to DO something to beau.
tify his adopted native land and to gu
the shelves Of his many libraries -
well with good reading at one fell
swoop.
The Increase Of the public debt a
Birmingham. England. from 100000
In the early seventies Of the last cen.
fury 10 s75.000.O00. according to the
last available figures. shows how com.
plctely municipal ownership wipes out
a debt Of that kind. Alongside OF SIS.
100000. a poltry sun OF 100000 10
not only wiped out, but actually an
INFLATED.
The police Of Chicago were assessed
In the last elections TO pay the ex.
penses OF the municipal ownership
campaign. This IL another point in
favor OF O comprehensive system OF
public ownership. After awhile. with
the motormen. conductors. wntermep.
easman. ditch dlggers. linemep, cleo.
tricians. and 30 on. TO assess for sim.
liar purposes. the public will doubt.
less enjoy free elections. One might
almost hope that such q fund m this
would wax so great that after elections
are over there would be . balance left
10 declare q municipal dividend with.
The by~products Of the municipal own.
ership Idea grow daily more and more
Interesting. not to say allurIng.
q
II In nonsense TO shy that municipal
ownership breeds socialism. On the
contrary. II Is driving people back to
indlviduallsm. In some European
cities people who used 10 patronize the
trolleys now walk because they wish
TO get where they nre going nlons
lines OF least Official resistance. And
In Valley City. n. D.. the quality Of the
service Of the public gas plant has
driven q number OF business men 10
Install gasoline lighting systems Of
their own on their premises.
Muncie, Ind, has abandoned her
lighting plant. but consoles herself
with the thought that her bonds re-
main. As the poet said. or would have
sail II he had thought OF Il:
Old ties are hard TO sever.
Other ties endure forever.
n
The city fathers OF Brunswick. Mo,
ave Just done n good stroke OF bust.
Tess IN selling its lighting plant for 81
cnts OF the dollar. taking pay In
l;ht and water II Is fortunate II
rasn't q municipal bakery. II would
be hard &c pay for that by sending
large drafts OF rhubarb pie and cream
cakes TO the city treasury. 10 say moth
ing Of the risk Brunswick would incur
u a sudden attack OF civic indigestion
running into chronic appendicitis from
overindulgence In doughnuts. Opera
lions upon the body polite are danger.
Gus things. since the patient Is apt to
oxnnrIanCa ~ nHHanla (com laElnn naa