Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from Municipal Monopolies and Their Management
The earlier portion of Mr. Sinclair's Essay is occupied with a statement of the conditions affecting the industries in question, and a discussion of the various considerations which have to be taken into account in the determination of muni cipal policy. Herein he is, to a large extent, traversing ground already examined by others; and such usefulness as the Essay will possess will be derived from its comparative completeness and its systematic arrangement. The later part of the Essay, however, is, in my opinion, of higher value; for it is, as far as I know, the first impartial attempt that has yet been made to compare the financial position of public with that of private undertakings. This comparison ought to do somewhat to moderate the ardour of extremists on either side.
Into the detail of Mr. Sinclair's argument it is not desirable to enter in this note. But there are two aspects of the subject' which he has not touched, and upon which some observations may not be out of place.
An enlargement of municipal' action in relation to monopolistic industries has been very widely supported, especially in the United States, in the belief, which has been freely expressed, that it would be a step in the direction of Socialism, or Nationalism. Such advocacy can scarcely be regarded as altogether wise. In the first place, it implies that we can formulate a much more definite conception of the future organization of society than is permitted by an intelligent belief in social evolution. In the second place, it arouses the Opposi tion of men who would otherwise be ready to assist in a practical reform and allows those who are struggling to retain in their own hands the advantages of monopoly to shelter themselves behind the principle of industrial freedom It would be at once more scientific and more expedient, if the advocates of muni cipal action would allow that, as the world is now constituted, individual enter. Prise has obvious advantages, and then go on to point out that in the case of certain city industries these advantages cannot be obtained, since, from the nature of the case, competition is there impossible. What the common sense citizen has to understand is this, that to try to maintain individual enter prise ih a field where it cannot be allowed with advantage, is to discredit individual enterprise even in fields where it is desirable.
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