Public Utilities.—­Besides the administrative departments already mentioned, we have in large cities those which control the supply of water, light, and transportation facilities.  The industries furnishing these necessities may belong to the city, but in most cases they are owned by individuals and corporations.[5] Even then they should be subject to strict regulation by the city, for several reasons:  (1) These industries make use of public streets.  The right to do this is granted by the council in a franchise. (2) The product that is supplied being in each case a necessity, it is the duty of the city government to protect the citizens from any abuse or inconvenience that may arise in connection with it. (3) In nearly every case the industries in question are monopolies; i.e., competition between rival plants is not possible.  For this reason the public may suffer either from high rates or from imperfect service.

[Footnote 5:  On this topic see “Government in State and Nation,” pp. 33-36.]

The Question of Municipal Ownership.—­The opinion is gaining ground that no amount of municipal control will cure the evils of private ownership in these industries.  Since they are “natural monopolies,” it is argued they should be operated by the city government.  This opinion is seen to have great weight when we consider the corruption and the lack of attention to the public welfare that accompany the granting of franchises to corporations.  The bribery of aldermen and the granting of valuable privileges without compensation are frequent occurrences.  On the other hand, the facts that bad officers are sometimes elected in our cities, and that they ignore public interests, raise a very serious question whether they should be intrusted with the management of great industries, such as water and lighting plants and street-car systems.

Reasons for Poor City Government.—­Other arguments may be made on both sides of this question of municipal ownership; but there are fundamental reasons why the cities of the United States are, on the whole, poorly governed, which must receive consideration before this question can be settled.  The conditions accounting for the evils of municipal government may be briefly stated as follows:  (1) City governments are necessarily complex, and, in their administrative departments especially, a multitude of details must receive attention.  Citizens find it difficult to understand these transactions and even more difficult to follow them closely. (2) City governments must spend vast sums of money, and this fact is a standing temptation to dishonest men both in and out of office. (3) The rapidity with which cities have grown has increased the difficulty of their problems. (4) Individuals and corporations have found it necessary to secure franchises from cities for the operation of important industries; this has opened many opportunities for corruption in city affairs. (5) The presence of large numbers of foreigners who are ignorant of governmental affairs has enabled corrupt politicians to exert great influence upon the voters in city elections.