El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-11-08

n more efficient government been
so keen as at present but the
desire to be productive Of the best
practical results, must be inteUigently
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
18th yearly convention in Richmond,
Va, next week.
Studies Conditions.
Believing that the enlightenment Of
public sentiment is the true means Of
improving existing conditions, the Ma
tional Municipal league proceeds with
thorough inquiry into and study of
conditions and suggested reforms, and,
through its various agencies, dissent
mates the information thus acquired. It
is a clearing house for the interchange
OF Ideas suggestions and propositions.
It's activities are purely educational and
strictly nOnpartisan. Its influence in
the advancement of better things has
been tremendous.
At present its active membership is
near $500, mostly men and women
prominent in affairs in all the leading
cities OF the country all of them TOlun-
tary workers and many of them ac-
knoWIedged experts in some phase Of
the municipal problem. In addition,
there IS an affiliated membership Of
$4,000 represented by the various To-
cal civic associations attached to the
national organization.
The National Municipal league was
the ourgroWth OF a national conference
held in Philadelphia in 1894, when the
question Of better municipal govern
ment and administration was cOnsid-
cred. EXpresident Roosevelt, Carl
IN q n Fa.r Naa
BOnaparte, Richard Watson Glider and
other distinguished men participated In
the preliminary meeting. 1t was then
recognized that, however great the d.
Tersity of opinion as to the precise
methods Of procedure, a sustained ef-
Tort was necessary to success
Work Of the League.
As the yearly conventions were shift
the leagues work increased, and
thoughtful and influential men and
women everywhere gave Endorsement
TO the educational policy OF the organ
tzation. In a general way, its Work
may be thus summed uI&
FirSt-EhrOugh its yearly conventions
it enables workers for better munlci-
pal conditions to meet together ana
discuss their views and experiences
SecOnd-ThrOugh its active commit
tees, each one OF which deals with q
leading phase Of the municipal PROB
lem, the league brings together the
Of the country, and obtains reliable
reports which are the basis for prac-
teal procedure.
Third-Through its executive Off
GERS, the league is in constant touch
with every movement, local and ma
tfOnal, which is concerned with city
building and it thus supplies the need
ed coordination and cooperation De-
tween organizations Of sundry types
and the various communities WORKING
toward higher standards. 1t puts the
experience Of all communities at the
disposal of each, and supplies an ell
cient and helpful relationship
In addition to being the Oldest or
ganizatfOn Of it's kind. the National
Municipal league. probably has the most
widely distributed membership, and It
deals with more phases OF the nuHlCl-
pal question than any similar assOcla-
ton. On questions Of policy, the
leagues entire membership acts in the
yearly convention, but the principal
conduct of affairs rests with the eAecu-
tive committee Of 45. There is also an
advisory committee Of SIS members
which sounds public sentiment in Varl-
Gus communities and makes susges-
lions. A committee or civic seGLg
taries all actually engaged IN civic
work is another adjunct. To Iacll-
tate a proper understanding OF mu-
nicipal questions, exact ana trusL-
worthy information Of the experiences
Of cities Is obtained. This IS commit
tee work. and the reports are or great
HELM to all engaged In the work
Municipal Program.
One OF the best known pieces OF
work Of the league is its municipal pro-
gram. which was adopted at columbus
in 1899. and which has since been the
guide in charter making In more imam
$50 cities. This program comprises q
charter, and a constitutional aluenu
ment defining special legislation, ana
establishing the principle Of nome
rule" The program is emlnenty praC
teal; there is no point lhaI mas ~
been we'll considered, and no provision
u-bfcb has not been a conspicuous sue
cess in some community ,,--
Other committees dealing speclIlcally
with the administrative ana 1lscal Sioe
of municipal government are Cll4
finances and budgets. Of which George
Rurnham. jr. president or the Ftllla-
deInbia CITY club. and treasurer OF the
National Municipal league, Is CHAIRMAN
municipal franchises, with lOosL Z
Traa+ Paine. of Boston, chairman; mu-
nfcfpaI reference Libraries, Dr. horace 7
E. Flack, Of the Baltimore upIdr!,
chairman; taxation Of dement's caused
nv the growth of cities and excess CON
5e-7Datiou Lawson Purdy, president or
the New York board Of assessments
chairman: municipal health ana SANTA
ton. of which Dr. NJ n Baker OF Lle
NTOntclair. N J., board Of health IS
cbafrnan: police. Prof Frank j. Good
now. of Columbia university, elalr-
man; municipal efficiency, DIT W.
WdIoughby, Of president IaIJ coInIlll Z +
tee on economy and efflciency' DIS
chairman.
Work In Schools.
There is also a committee on scnool .
extension, with DIT. Edward ]. Ward
of the university of Wisconsin as cnalt-
man Another committee deals with /
civic education, and one Of p the most
--aefi1e- will he that Of its chairman, I.
Arthur w. Dunn author. Of The Citizen I
and the Community" A committee on 4
electoral reforms. which has accom- I
plished much in behalf of honest elee-
lions. has Horace p. Deming, an emf I
nent New York lawyer, formerly chair {
man of the leagues executive commit
tee as its chairman
TaIIine cognizance Of the relation Of
the liquor traffic to the munlcipal I
problem. the National Municipal league 4
has made systematic inquiry. and one 1
Of the reports to be considesre99 IN ,, inc
e. Kidder. chairman of the committee
on the liquor question. Mr. hidder
formerly was chairman Of the excise
board of Orange. n 7.
Bv way of stimulating interest among
fafnH o.