Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 3.djvu/851

 A NEW PLAN FOR THE CONTROL OF QUASI-PUBLIC

WORKS.

THE problem of controlling in the interest of the whole community the quasi-public works upon which the very life of a large municipal group depends is unquestionably one of the most pressing practical problems now before the American public. The individual is wholly dependent upon a system whether managed by the municipality or by a private corporation over which he has no direct control, for the supply of water, lights, transportation, and communication ; and yet life is hardly worth living unless his demand for these goods is fairly well met. Nor is the welfare of the community secured unless these goods are put at the disposal of practically the whole population. But the experience of American municipalities in securing the means for the supply of these imperative individual and social wants has not been gratifying. The recent examples of the granting and extending of street-railway franchises in Chicago and of the virtual gift of the Phila- delphia gas-works to a private corporation serve to bring the difficulties to public attention ; but these are simply two glaringly bad illustra- tions of a system which is everywhere thoroughly bad.

The solution usually proposed by thoughtful persons has been public ownership ; but many objections have been raised to this pro- position. The objection that it is a socialistic measure does not, of course, require serious attention. But the objection that our corrupt political system renders such a method impracticable is one that cannot be so easily dismissed. It has been well said in reply to this objection that the railways, gas-works, etc., are in politics anyhow ; and that experience with water-works under municipal ownership has not been as unsatisfactory as experience with gas-works, electric-light works, and street railways under the control of private corporations which are ever ready to corrupt councils, and which corrupt councils are ever ready to 11 hold up." It is true that, in spite of our spoils system, the water supply, sewerage systems, and streets of our large cities have been about as well cared for as would have been the case under private con- trol, and probably at much less cost to the people. But there is a dif- ference between these and other public works. The streets and sewers

837