Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 11.djvu/837

 MUNICIPAL ACTIVITY IN BRITAIN 821

place his collection in the hands of a board of his own selection, or retain it in his own hands, in order that it might be properly cared for, and really serviceable to the public. In the light of these considerations, many of the differences between apparently op- posite policies may be found to disappear. The promoters of municipal ownership should make it clear that they are after the substance rather than the legal shadow of it; and, in reply to examples of municipal corruption, should answer that these result, not from public ownership, but from the failure of the public to own that to which it had a legal right. Miss Octavia Hill has shown what a "private" landlord may do in London, if entirely devoted to the interests of the tenants. Superficially, her results might be held to constitute an argument for the private ownership of tenements; but, as a matter of fact, she has acted as a very honest and efficient public servant. No doubt even the socialist state could not do better than retain the services of such "landlords," actuated by such motives!

The problem of municipal housing is naturally one of the most pressing in the large cities. The London County Council has been and is active in this matter, and no doubt intends to proceed until there is not a slum within its jurisdiction. I w r as much pleased to find stately municipal buildings overlooking the former site of Millbank Prison, while the large open space be- tween the buildings and the river was occupied by a beautiful flower-garden and a picture-gallery. That garden is one of many such recently established in London, and is typical of the aims of the reformers. When I met Mr. John Burns later, he asked me if I had seen that garden, and showed by his manner that he thought it not one of the least useful things he had helped into being. It struck me as highly significant that even in the sordid city so much emphasis should be placed on the aesthetic side of things.

It must not be supposed that the building operations of the London County Council have gone forward without opposition : nor can it be said that all the objections raised are meaningless. The very buildings just referred to are objected to on two grounds: they are too tall, and otherwise criticisable in respect to