Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-05-30
OPPORTUNITY IN POLITICS
Arthur e. Warner.

In the present period of unrest
social, political and economic-the
Hon Joseph Burlington. United
States district judge in Pennsylvania,
sees unusual and pressing opportuni-
ties for college men to enter the serv-
ice of the city, State and national
governments. In an address before
the Phi Beta Kappa Society. of
Princeton University, he called atten-
ton to existing conditions and said:
"Never before has such opportunity
for service been offered the university
graduate The great social unrest
and unsolved political and economic
problems demand the earnest effort OF
intelligent men. 1t is the solemn duty
of the men who have gained distinc-
ton for intellectual achievement in
college, to exert a salutary influence
by their sound thinking and sound
living in after life" Thus he appeals to
the University men to put forth their
intelligence and influence, not neces-
sarily In moral reforms, but in solving
the other complex municipal problems
that underlie successful administra-
ton. At first thought one might
doubt whether present methods were
not resulting in failures. From New
York, the cry of incompetency, vice.
graft and dishonesty is heard from
one end of the land to the other; in
Chicago the industrial conditions have
been savagely attacked upon the
grounds that the insufficiency of
wages drive the shop and factory
girls into lives of misery and shame,
and the investigation that followed in
New York city revealed similar, or,
perhaps. worse conditions. Philadel-
phia. also. seems to have failed in
many ways, even though Detective
William J. Burns recently declared it
"the best governed city in the coun-
try" So, the cities in which scandals
have occurred in the last year, each
repeat a tale of failure along some
line or other. But does it mean that
the problem of government Is UNI
solved and that methods yet to be dis
covered will bring about the scientific
efficient operation of a municipality
In an article a few weeks ago the
writer called attention to the fact
that the present commission form of
government is but an adaptation used
| in New York during its earliest days
For years it was apparently forgot
ten in this country until the keen
mind of a Detroit man resurrected
and modified the plan, so that it was
adapted TO the needs of that great
city. Each commissioner became the
| responsible head of certain de-
| partment of the city govern
| ment. This Immediately made ii pos
sible to determine official RESPONSE
bility and resulted. not only in more
practical methods, but also in finan-
cial saving. Recently the question OF
more simple methods of government
! and less complex administra-
| tive machinery was brought near
| to New York through the activities
of President John Purroy Mitchell, OF
| the Board of Aldermen, in his efforts
to secure the abolition of the alder
manic board. Should this movement
develop sufficient strength to over.
come the political opposition that i!
always put forward against the aboli-
ton of lucrative offices, it will, a
least, be a most important expert
ment 1t will mean simpler anC
more direct form of government, anC
make it possible to place blame wher,
it belongs On the other hand, thu
fewer men who are placed in contro
of a city the greater the opportunitie.
for personal enrichment at the ex
pense of the public. But to counter
! oft t1ie taodanpv iS tho lfnomladoa n
the incumbents of Office that the at
tention of their constituents is cen.
tired upon Them and that swift ant
severe punishment would follow dis
honest practises.
The existence of these conditions
or possibilities, does not depend upoi
the college education of the citizens
Under the administration of man.
college-breA men there has been dis
honesty, graft, misuse of power ant
other things which bring discredit
So we wonder where new opportuni
ties are shining forth more resplend
ent than the old. Are college mel
more honest than other men? No
not necessarily. But, on the othe
hand, should it be denied that tn
great opportunities now lay befor
the college-bred man? In what wa.
is the opinion of Judge Buffingtol
Justified? Investigation will shoy
that a very small percentage of of
ficeholders in cities are college mer
men who have, or, are supposed t
have. the characteristics necessary 70
leadership. While there are some VIII