Show I f MUNICIPAL OVVMICSIIIl I 1 I 11 I I I I I 11 j A few davs ago theRepublicans ot I l j Des Molnen lov a renominated Mayor If NI John MacVlcur I on a Platform calling i j rp nr ih V 1 I I for the municipal ownership of v atcr 1 I 4 A voiks lighting I plants still street roll lr I i wills In Mllnnukio the contest for il Iit1 1 I I I tlw lIpuhllan nomination for moor J In progress this meek seems to be nar iV I o t I 1 rowed don to two nn both 01 hom ji I profess to belleve In municipal oiner JI 1 1 shlp but who differ In degree One Tuts I Plroc I vvanu to proceed with the work of i 11 If i munlclpallzatlon as rapidly I as pirslble i j while I the other I vould put his II aaT on I this subject Into effect gradually The 1 1 I fact that the I Republican organizations I 1 11 In two Important I titles of the West I I I I should consider the policy of municipal 4 1 5 ownership so Important Indicates the 1 I h A hold which thin sentiment has upon I the people of American cities JI 14 I The citizens of Massachusetts In 1 i some respects have shown Inoro In 11 I 0 telllgenct In dealing with public ques J tlo than have those ot any other I I 1 I I state In the Union The legislature otto 1 J I 1 I I that commonloalth goes to more palme N to secure precise Information than Is I I fi I 11 ordinarily the case elsewhere At Its I I 1 last I session It created a commission to I I i Investigate thorough the relations of I 1 1 street raJlvvajs to municipalities The 11 l 1 members ut the ommlllion aro Charles 1 111 I 4 Francis Adams exCongressman William I J k i t 14 I Wil-liam W Crapo of New Redford and 4 I 5 exMayor Hllhu O Hayes of Linn 11 Mr Adams the chairman of the commission I 411 1 I com-mission who wrota the report subject a to the approval of the other members I 0 U ucrtt to Europe In search 01 Inlorma I tlon and the other two visited about I I I j twenty cities In the United States and it I Ili V I L l Canada The report as might be ex I A I I il eio I T1191 3ii Million pected Is a valuable contribution on the subject of street rallwajs Th conclusion 01 the commission Is I that municipalities should own the street railway tracks Just M they do the I streets but that they should not attempt to operate the street curs The commlsnon sal tint should lie I left to private corporations as nt present Comllll from men 01 high character after careful Investigation this recommendation recom-mendation will have great weight A Mil has bn prepared for presentation to the legislature embodying this Idea If municipalities l everywhere were to acquire ownership of trackage they could make terms with operating companies com-panies much more favorable to the city and wouWhabl to maintain a much more satisfactory control over the Letasatisfactory streeu and transit facilities In Massachusetts street railway franchises are not granted for definite terms Companies are allowed to con struct roads without any limit ns to time The public authorities have the right however to revoke the franchise tit any time upon making compensation for expenditure upon the plant 1 111 commission thinks the Massachusetts plan better than that In u In American Ameri-can cities elsewhere The definiteterm franchise It ways hits been productive tf dissension poor service scandals and unhealthy political action In falrnew declares the report the i commission found Itself forced to conclude con-clude that the Massachusetts franchise which might perhaps not Improperly be termed a tenure during good behavior be-havior yif In Its practical results bt V The commission recommends that alt Ih1Ilrt lAllroada In 0 riven city hould 1o1lac1 tinder one ownership which 1 should be held to strict ac i cauntaljlllty ns a public agency and the Chicago News cordially endorses this Idea There can be no question that popular sentiment Is I fast crjstal Izlng In support of the doctrine that public utilities should be owned and controlled by the people |