The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-05
EDMONTON BOOSTERS
PRAISE MODEL CITY
Mayor Here to Tell About Town
in Canada That Owns
It's Utilities.

Mayor william Mcnamara and
George y Smith OF Edmonton, Province
OF Alberta, Canada, cane 10 town last
week prepared 70 convince any man or set
OF men that Edmonton Is one OF the great
est l;ttle elites In the world and is bound
TO become not only the great gateway TO a
new land IN the Canadian Northwest but
also the model FOR all cities that want
the bes; government at tho lowest price
70 the citizen.
They say that Edmonton IL just about
right now but there are stlll a few loose
ends TO 10 caught up and that Is why
Mayor Mcnamara IL going back TO rec
ofnmend TO his Guy Council that the
New York Bureau Of Municipal Research
be asked 20 send out some Investigators
who will tell Edmonton Just what TO do
in order to get 100 per cent, efficiency
out OF every city department.
Edmonton IL now q city ~ 1000 in
habitants, Eight years ago the popula-
zion was only 1000 In It's vicinity ale
coal mines OF unlimited supply. IL - the
centre of what they call an ideal mix ed
farming province and that's why they
think there can he no doubt " Its future
growth and prosperity.
Evidently there are others who feel
the same way about IL, because Mayor
Mcnamara, Withholding from r tight mar
kct the Cttys deoentuFes until a more
favorable opportunity presents itself has
just disposed OF s300O,O0O OF short time
loans. London bankers taking them At
a.. per cent. The proceeds are 10 b.
used BY the city until next February.
| when Mayor Mcnamara hopes that the
general market will have improved lie
said New York bankers had congratulated
/ him on his success IN getting so much
money SO oheaply at this time
! Edmonton Is II the business OF owning
and operating every public utility at It's
! disposal and some other things II owns
street railways, electric light and power
! plants. sewers. water system. hospitals
and the AGRICULTURAL grounds and build
| ings, where fairs OF all Sorts are held. In
| addition to that, the city owns public
| baths and public golf courses, where any
one can 60 and enjoy n game for nothing.
| The telephone system II owned by the
| city and one gets unlimited local service
there for s2s year. For electric light.
| ing the citizens pay from , to cents
/ per kiiowatt The Mayor says that by
/ next year the city hopes to dispense water
free 10 everybody for all purposes
But Edmonton is particularly proud
| Of It's system of raising revenues. they
| have a single tax In that city and Il Is
laid on land. Every piece of land IN IN,
city, whether improved or unimproved. 4,
taxed at Its market value. The tax rat,
Is Is mills on a dollar. and Mayor Nc
Namaru and Mr.. Smith say the revenue,
are ample
"The system dscouraees the holding o
vacant land for speculative purposes
said Mr.. Smith This single tax system
prevails throughout the entire province o
Alberta. Individual towns can do ne tho
like IN the matter OF taxation. II hap
pens that Edmonton has decided upon III
single tax system ms municipality
imposes no fine on industry and progress
this system, but II does lay "A burden OF
the man who merely owns property an,
makes no effort 10 improve It for tn
good OF the city, In the province tn
system Is that OF taxing the unearne
increment OF land There We take pc
cent Oh all increased values OF land W
believe II is the best system ever and W
hope to induce your city officials here I
try IT,"
Mayor Mcnamara aud Mr. Smith VIII
is a member OF Parliament from Camros'
Alberta, explained the system In dcta
Ia the members OF tho city Tax Roar
and also to the members Of the commits
sion recently appointed bv Mayor Mtch'
to make study OF the problem of taxa
tlon In this city,
Mr. smith said that New York banker
have shown a great interest In ltdmOnto
ana believe thoroughly In It's future, II
said that Spencer TrasS CO., hay
taken S6OOO00 of Alberta bonds sine
the FIRST Of the year. Mr.. Trask enter
tanned the two Canadians az luncheo
while they were in the city.