Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-09-25
towns cannot Fhelp but benefit the
state?"
Hanna on Municipal Ownership.

home rule for cities.
Our constitution said Mr. Hanna
was framed two generations anu q
half ago and was modelled on the con-
situations of eastern states. Whlch EVEN
then had outgrown the needs Oh l'is
commemorative. Constitutions iratieu
a century ago could not anticipate the
great advances in civilization. ana d
constitution framed so long ago Can
not, and does not, today meet the neeas
of the people. Modern inventions
said Mayor Hanna, "have antlquateu
every constitution in the onlteo
States"
CITY governments, he added, nave
been considered failures because the
chief problems falling on cities TO-DAY
We're not provided for in the constltu-
tons"
'"The laws Of the state" he continued.
do not permit Of the expansion or the
cities. and often hamper the accom-
plishment of improvements and SAFETY
measures which are absolutely neces-
Sary.
An Example Of Delay.
In Illustration Of the condition exist
ing. Mr.. Hanna told of the experience
In the city of Des Moines. Ten years
ago. he said, Des Moines was facing
calamity. The river had overlooked
and the property of 1,40O families was
in jeopardy 1t becames necessary Tor
the city to protect its people and to this
end work was ordered on the river
front TO insure against future tnunda-
tons. The work was actually begun
lust thirty days ago. The delay was
the result of the necessity imposed by
the laws of the state that the city COM
ply with red tape rules" which pre-
vented the carrying out of protective
measures. such condition., Sald
Mayor Hanna lis imbecile; it's an out
rage, TO my mind it is almost crimi-
nal
Six years ago" he continued, the
city of Des MoineS needed and desired
TO nuild a market place. There was
no way to levy the tax necessary for
the proposed builGing The city asked
VAS not permitted.
the legislature for permission 10 take
the money necessary out of its own
pocket to pay for the project but this
was not permitted.
Wipe Out restrictions.
Mr.. Hanna continued We should
wipe out every restriction except that
the city could levy no bond except 1or
permanent Improvement.
In connection with this idea NJ.
Hanna believed that the cities Should
come to system of &C mplete munich
pal ownership. He has found tina.
municipal-ow utilities have been Of
great benefit 10 the public wherever the
system is been put into effect.
tpr pi ri
argued. and added: 1T is no business
of any one outside of Des Mones
whether we own our own street cars"
Hoist on Municipal Franchises.
Mayor Hoist. of Boone. spoke on mu-
nicipal franchises and illustrated his
argument with conditions as he found
them in Canada during a recent trip to
the dominion. Mr.. Hoist also argued
fer municipal ownership.
in many Canadian cities" said Mr..
Hoist, the public utilities are controil-
&c by the municipality or the province,
but rarely by individuals or corpora
lions. Many cities in Canada own
their water works. telephone systems.
electric lighting and power plants, and
street railway systems.
AT Port Arthur, where the city
owns most of the utility plants. the
combined receipts from their utilities
last year showed profit of $4,000,
and maximum service was rendered at
minimum cost.
In one Canadian city" he said, the
operation of the utility plants had
shown little or no profit. bu, no profit
mad been sought. When il was found
that there was to be surplus the
ipp
Restrictions on Corporations.
Where utility plants are privately
owned Mr.. Hoist recommended that
certain restrictions be placed on the
company when franchise is granted
He would include in this that the city
should impose franchise tax; impose
license on the property, reserve the
rlght to purchase the utility al the ex-
pirauon Of the franchise. to require
that the grantees expend a specified
sum annually for improvements. spe-
officially what is expected from the COM
pany in the way Of service.
Barney on Pure Food Laws.
Commissioner Barney spoke briefly
on the work of the state dairy and pure
food department Mr.. Barney has to
enforce thirteen dieffren. laws. and is
provided with but twelve inspectors to
do this work Minnesota. on the other
hand, with q smaller population. has
but five or six laws to enforce. and has
provided its commissioner with twenty
one inspectors
Iowa now ranks third as dairy
state" said Mr.. Barney. and it is his
hope. thru educational work to bring
Iowa to the front. AS butter pro-
ducing state Iowa ranks first. but the
OUTPUT and receipts NAV be materially
enlarged. Iowa has 100000 cows.
producing an average Of 40 pounds Of
milk per COW If Iowa cows would pro-
duce in promotion to the COWS Of other
states and foreign countries. they would
produce $40 pounds annually, and this
would mean a gain In receipts Of s37.-
100000" This is one of the things Mr..
Barney hopes to ACCOMPLISH.
DELEGATES Entertained at orpheunn.
Following the evening program the
delegates We're invited to the Orpheum
theater. where a special program was
given. In addition to the regular bill.
r. Nelson Downs appeared to the great
delight Of the city officials.
Blind Boone in st. Louis.
Kunkles Musical Review, st. Louis