Los Angeles herald., 1910-04-20
SOCIALISTS NOW
RULE MILWAUKEE
Mayor SeideI and His Associates
Take Charge of Munich
pal Government
IAssociated Press1

MILWAUKEE,, wis, April 19-The
government of the city of Milwaukee,
which, for more than a decade, with
the exception of two years under Re-
publican rule, has been controlled by
the Democratic party, passed today
into the hands of the Social Democrats,
with Mayor Emil Seidel as their leader.
Mayor Seidel will have back of him
twenty-one members of his party, to
enact into law all the measures not In
conflict with the city charter, which he
may advocate during the next two
years. The minority consists of ten
Democrats and four Republicans.
Alderman Edmund 7. Melms was
elected to the presidency of the coun-
ell.
Following these elections, Mayor Sell
del was escorted to the chamber and
delivered his inaugural message. He
said, in part:
''T'he eyes of stricken cities are today
directed towards our Milwaukee ano
millions of good wishes and God
bless you are on the four winds to the
stern shore of Lake Michigan.
II cannot too strongly impress upon
you the seriousness of the trust upon
you. All your efforts must be bent to-
wards the execution of the task be-
fore you. Many obstacles will be
placed in your way. Disappointments
and heartaches will not be spared you.
"In your policy the promises con-
tanned in our platform should nave a
prominent part. Such measures as can
be carried out under the provisions of
our present charter should be taken up
at once. Where the charter interteres,
proper bills should at once be drafted
to be presented to the next legislature.
Before all things, home rule, the
right of self government should be Sc
cured for the city Of Milwaukee.
1.-THE workers of our city are its
most Valuable asset. Your attention
should be directed to the passage of
such measures as will promote the
we'll being of this class of citizens, safe
guard health, check any tendency to
encroach upon such few rights as the
workers still enjoy, and wherever pos
sible extend to them the opportunities
of life.
URGES SANITARY WORKSHOPS
''In this direction a number of steps
can be taken. The administration
should constantly watch over the con-
ditions prevailing in factories, work
shops and places of employment, with
regard to sanitation. There should be
at all times full and hearty CO.
in the enforcement of measures provid-
ing for industrial hygiene.
I'm contracts to be let by the city
the specifications should provide for
hours of labor that are not exhauSting,
that leave a margin of time for rest
and development. Such specifications
should also provide for sufficiency OF
light and ventilation; they should pro-
hibit child labor and properly protect
| imnO-
sition upon workers of degrading con-
ditions."
Under the subject of Sound econo-
miles," the mayor said:
"Proper action looking toward the
establishment of bureau of municipal
research should Immediately be taken.
An expert should be called in to advise
with you on this subject. The first OBJ
iect of this bureau should be to make
a municipal survey, to secure adequate
knowledge of social and industrial
economic conditions leading to specific
and practicable plans for city better
ment.
"rhus a complete cost-keeping sys-
tenn for every municipal department
should be established, distinct from an
accounting system. Such system
would enable anyone to discover the
losses, whenever such existed.
sThe survey should extend to other
subjects. Your action being directed
to such, are of immediate Importance,
and calling for first attention. This
will enable you in a short time to place
the finances of our city on a sound
and sane basis, fix more nearly equit-
able basis of taxation and arrive at
basic cost units that will be of great
service"
Mayor Seidel then pointed to the
''incompetency with which public work
has been done in the city," and said
steps should be taken to reorganize
the board of public works on the basis
of efficiency and economy. Cleaning of
street cars to prevent the spread of
contagious diseases was suggested and
he urged that the state railroad COM
mission be appealed to to compel the
installation OF air brakes. lifting jacks
and other apparatus essential to the
life saving and an increased number
of cars during busy hours.
The city hall "house cleaning" of Of
flee holders began with the entrance
of the new administration. Mayor
Seidel announced long list of appoint
Harry B. briggs, an instructor in