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Newspaper
Ackley World
Location
Ackley, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Mar 27, 1907
Page
8
A quirky column parodies municipal leadership by naming Byron Scribble as head of Higgsville gas works while lampooning bond-financed ferry costs in Staten Island. It riffs on Glasgow gas losses, Chicago streetcars, Lakewood electric costs, and New York garbage powered lighting, warning citizens against private capture of civic services.
The Philadelphia Inquirer condemns Glasgow’s municipal telephone system sale to the British post office. It argues residents move from bad service to worse and suggests private enterprise, properly regulated, usually serves the public better than municipal ownership.
George W. Dithridge opines in the New York Sun that even optimistic conservatives fear municipal experimentation with eradicating issues or reform, arguing that past municipal employment problems warn against opening Pandora’s box of new ills that may defy restraint.
In 1003 Frankfort N Y a municipal electric light plant cost $6.60 per inhabitant to install. Trustees approve a five year contract with Utica Gas and Electric Co as price is lower than the municipal plant's operating cost.
Not Good Business argues that government ownership whether municipal or national is wrong from a businessman's view. Jerome Jones contends taxes are paid by those who live in or use taxed property.
An Evening Times editorial from Nalebzh CG argues municipal ownership of water works harms cities. It warns it leads to debt and higher taxes, reduces private enterprise, invites graft, and risks labor influence. the piece notes the aldermen who renewed the water franchise were elected on a municipal ownership ticket.
In an editorial note from Terre Haute Star, officials warn that public ownership invites corrupt local power. Strong municipal departments could influence erections and services, paralyzing officials who must placate large employee bodies. Bargains with heavy interests could sway votes for candidates or measures, replacing patriotic motives with self interest.
In Duluth Minnesota a city council meeting approved a resolution to authorize the water board to contract with Great Northern Power Company to supply electricity for the pumping station. The cap price is 6.50 dollars per million gallons, versus last year’s 8.90 dollars per million gallons not counting depreciation.
A recent English discussion suggests redeeming municipal bonds with noninterest bearing notes to curb debt from public services. The plan, not yet approved by financiers or statesmen, may offer a glimmer of relief for towns burdened by interest payments.
The Lynchburg Virginia board of aldermen defeated a plan to create a municipal electric light plant following a special committee inquiry. In Natchez Mississippi, residents voted against a similar proposal.
A Brooklyn Eagle piece recalls Dingendiefer the clarinetist turned critic who urged reestablishing trolley night service to cross the Brooklyn Bridge. He argues municipal ownership would reduce tolls and private profit, noting public fear of private monopolies and political indifference.
United States marshal seized Park Ridge New Jersey electric light plant to satisfy a $6,051.90 judgment awarded by the United States circuit court to the installing engineering firm. The plant was to run on water power but failed to succeed, the builders attributing the failure to inadequate power rather than installation. The borough, small in size, faces a serious situation as operation requires a large additional expenditure.
A Philadelphia Item excerpt argues that checks on private enterprise and government ownership of public utilities suppress ordinary human rights and individual effort, labeling socialism as a root evil and oppression. The piece contends government control blocks private initiative and hints at broader political critique.
A Cleveland News item notes that proponents of municipal ownership must base arguments on absolute morality in political act, arguing honesty in advocacy is essential since what is done by officials, not what they could do, shapes public faith in their theories.
A brief dialogue contrasts views on serving as alderman. One man says public life broadens horizons, while the other quips it broadens his equator. The exchange highlights civic service and humor about city conditions.
In a critique of semi municipal ownership, the author argues private lighting proposals harm city control. He warns such schemes resemble roadlike bargains, comparing them unfavorably with established municipal lighting and highlighting risks of hidden depreciation and hidden costs to the public treasury.
The piece argues that municipal ownership would reduce but not eliminate bribery among officials. It warns that unless a city owns all input sources like engines and streetcars, suppliers and manufacturers can still be swayed by bribes. It notes school book contracts and other trades show bribes persist with public officials.
A Wilkes-Barre dispatch reports the municipal electric plant crisis in Hasson, Pa., leaving the city briefly in darkness. It states there is no graft alleged and blames political appointee management for lack of expertise, causing waste and inefficiency typical of a poorly run public plant.
Tomer J. Stewart recalls examining municipal ownership when Warren Ohio debated electric rights. He argues that in cases where municipal lighting cost fell below independent contractors, higher general taxes followed, and notes that in many places the city built and used the lights and water plants.
A brief editorial argues government ownership of railroads and telegraphs and municipal ownership of public utilities may come, but never without harm to public welfare unless management is placed under a nonpartisan merit system and strict business principles. Manyfeld (0.) News.
An editorial questions the aim of modern infrastructure projects like railroads telegraphs street cars water and gas works and electric plants and asks if we should retain the same type of government we have had for many hundreds of years, urging careful consideration of governance.
A New York Run editorial cautions that municipal ownership is an experiment not lightly undertaken, driven by politicians seeking office rather than prudent policy. It argues against hasty public ownership moves urged at election time.
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