New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-28


A very notable and timely work is that OF
Professor Munro. The enormous expansion OF
cities, their growth IN population. wealth and
power is one OF the marked phenomena OF our
age but we DO not need 10 be reminded how
slight in this country has been the progress IN
reducing their government 10 a scientific basis
II awakens painful reflections 10 compare the
conduct OF our municipal administration win
the conduct OF the steel cement or shoe indus
tries. Contrast the management Of the Penn
sylvania Railroad efficient economical, demo-
cratic. with that OF Philadelphia. incompetent.
corrupt boss ridden. and yet what lies nearer
10 the health, comfort and welfare OF the people
than the agency that determines their taxes re-
presses disorder and provides the utilities OF the
town? II they order these things better in
France or elsewhere, let profit by their ex-
perience initiate their successes and avoid their
pitfalls The work in hand is not a political
tract. but a dispassionate survey Of the struct-
ure ans functions OF city government In France,
Prussia and England compared with the struct-
ure and functions of city government in the
United States. The authors aim has been TO
describe who the city authorities are. how they
sre chosen, what they do and how they do il,
but not 10 examine in detail the physical opera
ton Of services the minute Of administra-
ton The relations OF civic and state authori-
ties in these countries have also engaged the
writer's attention, but the extent Of the field
has prevented his dealing exhsustvely with
any aspect Of the subject. II is rather an intro
duction 10 the study OF European city govern
ments that he aims TO supply. and those who
desire TO pursue the subject more deeply will
ind that he has blazed the way and furnished a
list OF authorities. together with hints and sug
gestions for a completer study.
Modern municipal administration in France
begins with the revolution and the Napoleonc
Law Of 1900 has persisted In essentials down TO
our time while its influence upon local gov
eminent in other nations hardly be meas
ured. Twenty-Five years ago the French par
lament adopted a revived municipal code dis
tingushed by its hrevity. comprehensiveness
and simplicity. This the work Of commits
sion and so we'll was it done that only slight
notifications have been needed. In every coun-
try the problem is necessarily different, France
for example being more predominantly rural
than England. Germany the United States
In this country a voter must he enrolled at HIS
legal residence" but in France he NAV elect
70 be enrolled either where he pays his taxes
or where he resides. AS 10 the relative charac-
ter OF those charged with local responsibilities
IN the two countries il is the authors opinion
that the French councillors conpare~ve very IA
Vorahly In respect Of business ability admins
rative experience or general reputation for in
tegrity and public spirit with the common ooun-
cillors OF American municipalities A peculiar
feature Of French procedure is the custom of
continuing in session day after day as legislat-
ures do, whereas in Germany England or tho
United States the city council meets at freouent
intervals for short session. The.French Mavor
occupies dual position. He is the adminisrra
i've mead OF his commune, with mower Of an
pointment and dismissal. with control Of the
oooeet ana jurisdiction over the management OF
cOhlfhuhsi property. and he has also the power
OF Issuing ordinances which would not he lef,
IN American cities TO the discretion OF anv ad-
iillllisufauNe ofnciaL The government of Paris
differs from that Of other French cities an Az
presence OF two important colleagues. the pre-
.eel OF the Seine and the Project of Police bo,b
Deils appointees OF the President and holdine
bosi'i0"s OF great power and consequence
me rapid Industrial and commercial $50,
- - germany since 1871 has been accompanied
" vast increase in urban popula,top .,s
s'apsueal table shows that the rate % incraaso
l4ls Oeeh almost uniformly greater IN c.er,,,a,,
S'ies ul4h IN American cities Of the same ,,,na
-r e." III u population be merit Hamburg
-Auhlch' Dresden, Cologne and Franl,for, 80
iNOn cause TO look down upon BOSTON phi
more New Orleans, Cincinnati and F,i,tsb-o :
lhuch sWifter has been the de,elorr,. -,
turner The Prussian city is a cornors,,, =,
al inc rights and privileges ordinarily belo,,i,.
y such body-the right 10 sue mai. ~
n9OIs holo property and so on-and in .a5i
uoh considerable range OF rovvers no. -.
nee oy statute. For in general il ma, - -,
Nhat whereas with us city NAV do opl,, -.
!" Is expressly or tacitly empowered 10 A. -.
seatute or by common law, a Prussian ,ci,,, -
90 anything which il is not prohibited f,a.,
1's either os law or by veto Of the higher
powers This frees their cities from, 81, -
frequent application TO the state lapisI.+,,ros
Whlch american cities suffer from As ~ ,to
NahChse' the qualifications for voting IN ,bo
cities OF Prussia are not exactinp II ,oo- -
enrolled voters Of Berlin were Is nor ,o, . -
POpuiauon; IN New York the same wear ,Lo -
Aoieo vote was Is per cent Voters IN Prpssiar
ol1ies are divided into three classes with 80
liOn 70 the amount Of taxes borne by Them 7,
Deiiih less IMAM ten thousand voters form, s-lass
ana eiect one-third OF the Municipal coupcu.
Nlitty Thousand form Glass and elect -.t,rs
of me council, and upward Of three hundred thou
hano compose Class 3, which elects the ROLE.
OF me council. The Prussian svs,er, ,s t..oa
upon the representation Of interests rather ,ba,
numbers and the thrifty municipal housekeanin,,
= oue 10 the fact that the expenditure OF nuhrc
i0hos Is controlled almost absolutely bv that
sna'i proportion OF voters whose interest il is 20
keep expenses down ~
IN regard 10 the kind OF men drawn into ,be
Frussian service we may give the authors o,rn
words: O"h
men - , ne seneral character and standing Of The
mel el.ctea 10 the Prussian municipal co,1nciis
under tins system there Is ana can be - SO1ic.ls
N,srios allons me Local elective organs OF me
various countries OF Europe and Aroerlcs ny, ny
have been more successful than the PrIsis, none ,
Integrity and general prestise ID Is men a % ssby
I,S5ll 70 say mat IN a city like Berlin the conn
zens OF the capital: that they form Tor tbs ,,
sjor,si r,ercstS, 20 siiie drawn from the profess