Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-11-10

At no time has the desire lor hiOiS Ca
scient government been so keen as at
present, but the desire. TO be productive
of the best practical results. must be in
tenigently guided This work is being
carried on by various organizations, one
OF the most effective of which is the
National Municipal league. which VIII
hold its nth yearly convention in Rich
mond. va, next week.
Believing that the enlightenment of pub
lie sentiment is the true means of inn
proving existing conditions, the National
Municipal League proceeds with thor
ough inquiry into and study of conditions
and suggested reforms, and, through
its various agencies. disseminates the in
formation thus acquired 1t is clearing
house for the interchange of ideas, sug-
gestions and propositions. It's activities
are purely educational and strictly nom
partisan. Its influence in the II years
IL has been a factor for the Advancement
OF better things has been tremendous
At present. its active membership is
near 1850. mostly men and women promi-
nent In affairs In all the leading cities
of the country. all of them voluntary
workers and many of them acknowledged
experts In some phase OF the municipal
problem. In addition, there is an at
filiated membership OF $4,000. represented
by the various local civic associations
attached to the national organization
The National Municipal league was the
outgrowth OF a national conference held
IN Philadelphia in 1894, when the ques-
ton OF better municipal government, and
was considered. Ex-Presi-
dent Roosevelt, Carl Schurz, ex-Attor-
ney Gen. Charles ]. Bonaparte, Richard
Watson Glider and other distinguished
men participated in the preliminary
meeting. 1t was then recognized that
however great the diversity Of opinion
as to the precise methods of procedure
a sustained effort was necessary 70
success.
As the yearly conventions were snii Iea
from city to city, public interest in the
leagues work increased, and thoughtful
and influential men and women every
where gave Endorsement to the educa-
tionaI policy of the organization. In
general way, its work may be thus sum-
med Up:
First. through it's yearly conventions 1t
enables workers for better municipai
conditions TO meet together and discuss
their views and experiences
Second. through its active committees
each one of which deals with leading
phase OF the municipal problem the
league brings together the most pLollii-
nent experts and publicists of the coun-
Try and obtains reliable reports which
are the basis for practical procedure
Third. through its executive officers
the league is IN constant touch with
every movement, local and natiohal'
which Is concerned with cry building
ana A thus supplies the needed co-orol-
nation and cooperation between organi-
cations of sundry types and the various
communities working toward mehe ne,
standards. IL puts the experience Oh a.,
communities at the disposal OF eacn' any
supplies an efficient and heipiul reia-
tionship. eaHf7
Tn addition TO being the oldest organ
station OF its kind, the National NUM-
cipal league PROBABLY has the most woe
Nv distributed membership, and II oeais
with more phases of the municipal aues-
zion than any similar association on
Questions OF policy. the leagues entire
membership acts In the yearly conven-
ton. but the principal conduct OF al
fairs rests with the executive commit
tee of &. There is also an advisory
committee Of Sc members. which SOUNDS
public sentiment in various commun-
ties and makes suggestions. commit
tee OF civic secretaries. all actually en-
gagged in civic work. is another ad-
funct. To facilitate a proper under
standing of municipal questions. exact
and Trustworthy Information Of the ex-
periences Of cities is obtained. This Is
COMMITTEES work, and the reports arc
of great help TO all engaged in the
work
One Of the best known pieces of work
Of the league is its municipal program
which was adopted at Columbus In 1879
and which has since been the guide 20
charter making In more than $50 cities.
This program comprises charter, and
a constitutional amendment defining spe-
cial legislation. and establishing the
principle OF ''home rule" The program
is eminentiy practical; there is no point