The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1914-02-28

Many people are beginning to make an analysis OF
commission form of government after ghty more
than ten trial in Duluth Possibly it is yet too
early to conclusions although must confess up
to there is little to boast Of We have oeen
hoping the baby would learn to walk without
being supported this writing there is little to
give encouragement
Strict and Puritanica1 enforcement of laws relating
vices and habits of people is not the full function
Of any government There other equally important
things to do and fear they will never be done until
get cured of saloon hysteria. We have clean city,
the public safety department headed by Com
missioner Hicken. All that is necessary to do to keep
it clean Mr.. Hicken and his police department to
keep up their vigilance.
We have plenty of law to properly regulate the sale
intoxicating liquors From on 1T should be pure
ly an administrative matter. Every time new ordin-
introduced to hit at the liquor traffic or to strike
people employed in the liquor business it monopolizes
public attention. and serves to detract 1t from other
things that have to do with the and happiness OF
the people, This the first time the law enforce
has to submerge questions that strike
at the vitals of Privilege
We interested in the municipal ownership ques-
people have had their minds set acquiring
the plant the Duluth-Edison Electric 1t
true that experts at work apprasing the value of
the plant but with the public mind in it's present state
there little for the people to vote
purchase the plant at cost. There is public
confidence in the commission Its autocratc, publlc-be-
attitude all matters coming before it, it's star
chamber sessions, and it's oneman power policy in the
administration separate divisions of the city gov
eminent, the people fearful of the commits
sion.
And this state of the public mind be traced di-
rectly back the first days of the commission form of
when the spirit Of the city charter ig
nored and each commissioner given author
ity in his division That is where the trouble started
and it will only end when the commissioners body
decide and determine upon the policy and in
of all the general matters
When the commission met to revise rates. with
the exception of Commissioner Merritt, there
member thereof who knew any about the water
question than the average the They
better equipped to legislate the matter than
the sixteen aldermen who preceded them Indeed,
water and light committee in the old council
been conversant and better informed on water
than the commissioners whose entire time is
given to the city.
Had the commission sat from the beginning as a
water and light board contemplated by the char
ter and frequently the old board DONE when
the time to revise the water every commits
sioner would be in position to defend his position
which he not do, for the reason, he does
not know anything about the question Surely
experience ought to convince the commissioners of the
in their course
The fate of the commission plan of government hangs
in the balance It's life is uncertain. The commissions
ers themselves it; it is not yet They
must win public confidence and to win it they must
merit it, by forthwith accepting and following spirit
of the charter and to keep nearly democratic
sble form of government naturally autocratic in it's
tendencies.