Municipal Public Works.

Municipal Public Works.

贡献多的问题讨论unicipal vs private management of water and gas-works and electric lighting systems was made recently by Robert J. Finley of Johns Hopkins University, in a lecture at Baltimore. Mr. Finley is a believer in municipal ownership and management. He said in effect:

其中的一个most marked features of the present industrial age is the tendency of population to concentrate into towns and cities. In 1880 about one-fourth of our population lived in cities, in 1840 the ratio was only one-twelfth, and with this crowding of population into industrial centres has gone a relatively greater increase in local expenditure. With the growth of cities there arose a need of better streets, better lighting, larger parks, libraries and better educational facilities. Expensive water-works took the place of the old town pump ; in fact, hand service gave way to complicated systems of public works. During the period from i860 to 1875 the population of our cities increased less than seventy-five |er cent, while taxation increased over 360 per cent. Now, in order that our municipalities may meet these expenditures, increasing taster than population, something must be done, and that right soon. But what? Obviously the source of revenue must be enlarged. The present taxes levied on our real estate and personal property by the local government cannot be raised indefinitely to meet the expanding municipal needs. Even the present rate of taxes is regarded by many as oppressive. A way which I regard as most important is the better utilization on the part of cities of their own resources. I mean those services which, from their peculiar and inseparable connection with cities, derive a monopolistic nature—those services, I say. should be delivered from the hands of private companies entirely. or the privilege of performing these services granted lo private companies only on the payment of the highest possible per cent of the annual gross receipts. These services are the supply of water, light and local transportation lo municipalities.