Evening star., 1947-02-23

Solutions differ, but most of t
sistence upon the necessity for Sta
municipal ownership of public util-
tties, consolidation of overlapping
governments, more efficient admin
istration are the answer or answers
but in the most part these also re-
quire some form of State authorize
ton.
The reason for this is to be found
in the legal relationships between
States and localities. In brief,
authorities agree it is that Of the
controller and the controlled. The
States are the creators Of the mu-
inequalities; legally they could be the
destroyers-and have been upheld at
all times in any court contests which
categorically have denied that local
tiles possess any inherent right Of
self-government.
With this relationship in mind,
the Council of State Governments
pointed up the necessity for State
action in the revenue picture thusly:
"State-local relations have not
kept pace with the increased re-
Sponsibilities of the States and local
ities, or with the rapid changes in
technology. The States are
superior to localities legally and
stronger than localities financially:
Primary responsibility therefore for
q well-ordered system Of State-local
relations rests with the State gov
ernments."
Municipal Cabinets Urged.
Fulf1llment of this responsibility,
the council continues, "can best be
achieved If the States will (a) grant
greater powers to local units; (b)
subject those powers to flexible ad-
ministrative supervisions; (c) assist
localities to secure stable and ade-
quate revenues, and Cd foster the
enlargement and consolidation of
local governments"
With the same 9bjectives in mind
Carl H. Chatters, controller of the
Port of New York Authority and
considered one of the Nations out
standing municipal authorities, rec
ommends creation of State depart
ments of municipalities with full
cabinet rank.
Mr.. Chatters urges that such de-
partments be granted authority to
conduct research, gather statistics,
prepare municipal laws and serve
as the contact point between State
and municipal officials just as other
departments do in other fields.
80 - Augment this department
with legislative committees or in"
term commissions. The Pennsyl-
vania Local Government Commits
sion has done notable work in elm
mating network of confusing leg
islation and substituting Statewide
laws relating to debt and taxation.
The Moore Commission in New
York brought needed reforms in the
distribution of State aid and State
grants"
Mr.. Chatters added that munic-
ipalities by themselves could act
"in many ways to improve their
ability to support their public serv-
ices" He listed as some ways the
following:
"A consistently balanced budget; !;
avoidance of municipal debt; dis
elimination as to what services
shall be continued, and use of good"
personnel methods.
Freedom Of Local Rule.
For State action Mr.. Chatters
suggested reduction or removal of
tax exemptions; abstention from
laws demanding expensive munic-
ipal services; extension of the home
rule principle; more fair" dis
tribution Of gasoline taxes, and bet
ter laws governing land use.
The Council of State Govern
ments recommends local freedom
Of government so that localities
may meet their day-to-day prob
lens promptly and efficiently with
out running to a State capitol;
codif1cation of state laws relating
to municipalities, and improvement
of State supervision of local affairs,
80 that activities of State wide
concern will be carried out in all
Jurisdictions at high level Of per-
formance"
Steps already have been taken
in many of these directions. Con-
solidation of local governments is
under consideration in Florida,
where Miami city commissioners
have asked the Legislature to take
all necessary steps" to merge Miami
and Dade County governments.
The American Municipal Associa-
ton says that such mergers prob
ably would require State constitu-
tional amendments in most cases
Both Philadelphia and New Orleans
have consolidated with their coun-
ties.
Proponents say the move offers a
good" chance for local govern
ments to improve their revenue
positions through broadening of tax
bases, elimination of overlapping
functions, and in better" efficiency
Of overall operations.
Moore Plan Applauded.
Nonetheless experts maintain that
under terms of legal relationships
the responsibility rests with the
State Legislatures. Localities may
ask, but action is up to the State
New York States Moore plan has
been characterized as "a long ster
forward in State-local relations, at
least on the financial plane"
In brief, this plan replaced COM
plicated system of shared taxes by
q Sir1nle ner caDita grant of $6 IF