A BAND TO BEAT THE TOWN. Chicago is ahead in some things, if not in all things. While there are many ways in which the comfort of the people might be improved by a judicious use of taxpayers' money, the good people of this city do not begrudge a reasonable sum for public entertainment. It is discouraging, however, to find those engaged to perform this philanthropic service so mercenary as to resort to dishonest practices to cheat both the public that is being entertained and the taxpayers who foot the bills. The following report will explain a new way of beating the town:

The Lincoln Park Board has had lots of trouble in its time, but this last week it had to contend with something new in its way, i. e., a band for popular concerts, largely made up of "dummy" players. The commissioners have a fine bandstand, that holds 50 players, and they made a contract for 50 musicians to fill it during certain hours of the day throughout the summer. One of the commissioners recently noticed that the 50 men did not produce as much music or sound as they should, and he began an investigation. One man, with a large horn several inches from his lips, was industriously studying a Hawthorne entry card during the most spirited passages. Another, in poor position, was gently dozing and so it went, until about one-third of the band was found to be bogus. The bandmaster had found it cheaper to furnish dummies, and now the commissioners have provided another band.

BENEFIT OF STATISTICS IN PUBLIC
BUSINESS.

In their annual report for December 31, 1899, issued in June, the commisioners of accounts of New York City show in numerous ways the benefits of statistical work in the management of the city's affairs. In referring to the examination of the accounts of the department of highways for 1899, they show that prices have steadily declined, in face of the fact that in general business prices have been on the increase during the last two years. The cost of asphalt paving per square yard is given as follows:

1895, 1896 and 1897, cost $3.18 per square yard. 1898, cost $2.86 per square yard.

1899, cost $2.64 per square yard.

Although this decrease in price, while labor and other costs are increasing is undoubtedly due to monopoly conditions, the commissioners fear the power of the asphalt monopoly, without giving a reason for their fear based on experience. They describe the methods of the managers of the monopoly thus:

"First, to obtain control of all available sources of supply; second, to employ men with knowledge and influence; third, to throw discredit on all those who show a disposition to compete for this business, or to cast suspicion upon their materials, and, fourth, to buy up and absorb all competing concerns."

Omitting their specification, which illustrates the

human nature of competition in business that has been observed and commented upon ever since the days of King Solomon, all of the other methods specified have the sanction of sound economic practice and must be followed if the public are to secure the benefits of price reduced by the application of correct economic principles. If these methods were pursued without a reduction in price it would be evident that the managers of the monopoly were overcome with greed, but, since they make reductions in price, they are giving some share of the advantages gained by their methods to the public.

DANGER APPREHENDED.

Continuing, the commissioners say: "We bring these facts forward simply to point out the direction from which danger is to be apprehended in the future.

"Such a combination, unlike many existing trusts, has to deal with the people, not directly, but through public officials, and the danger lies in the commission of acts by such officials, through ignorance or otherwise, which will result in monopoly's gain and public loss."

This danger can be completely overcome by a scientific system of public accounting, prescribed and audited by the state, made mandatory upon all municipalities in the state, and the publication by the states of annual reports of comparative municipal statistics, showing the exact cost in every municipality

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of every branch of public work and administration. Such a publication would render the "commission of acts by city officials, through ignorance," that are contrary to the public welfare, impossible, as ignorance could not exist. The absence of ignorance would also remove much of the danger from the "otherwise❞ cause of improvident acts by city officials. The public as well as the officials would be informed. by such a publication. The "otherwise" cause is only available when the public is not informed.

Another way in which this danger may be overcome, and the full benefits of monopoly secured for the public, will be found in granting a monopoly contract by the terms of which the price paid shall be only actual cost, plus a stipulated profit. Under the terms of such a contract every economic gain secured by controlling all sources of supply, the employment of capable men having expert knowledge, and the absorbing of competitors, will be shown in a corresponding reduction in price. The only requirement necessary to make such a contract a perfect success is the employment by the public of honest and thoroughly competent accountants, thoroughly sustained in their work by a correctly educated public opinion.

PROVIDENT USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS.

The ordinary expenses of the government of New York City are reported to be nearly $91,000,000. This budget covers only those expenses that are paid out of the annual revenue. It does not include expenditures for public improvements paid for out of the proceeds of bond sales. The sources of this annual revenue are stated as here given: Revenue from city departments'.

Excise fund .....

.$ 3,654,643.77

4,575,000.00

Theatrical and concert license fund..... 93,896.12

Unexpended appropriations

...

Taken from taxpayers' property..

1,531,732.81 80,923,699.77

.$90,778,972.37

Total Stockholders in a business corporation doing a business of this magnitude would require the certificate of an independent auditor to the correctness of the annual reports submitted to them. In no other course is there any security against gross impositions. Taxpayers should have the same security.

Many men have devoted much time and contributed liberally to carry on work designed to devise and inform the people regarding systems of taxation that would cause the financial burden of government to rest more justly upon all sources of revenue. If, by obtaining a just share from all who should justly contribute, the share of anyone is perceptibly decreased, a feeling of deep satisfaction is expressed by

Waterworks, dock rentals, ferry rentals, etc.