TAMMANY BEWARE

The convention of the National Municipal League, which has just concluded a two-day session at the Harvard Union, draws attention to America's most vital problem in government. As Lord Bryce pointed out, municipal government is the weakest link in the American system. To promote efficient and democratic local control is the purpose of the League.

The apathy of intelligent people to municipal affairs is always the chief foe of good city government. In consequence there is hardly an American city which has not a Tweed or a "Hinky-Dink" in its rogues' gallery, and a "Red Mike" in its mayor's chair. By arousing ciyic interest the National Municipal League has done much to overcome this evil.

Technical matters of administration, moreover, are often antiquated and bound in red tape. The League serves as a central clearing house where methods operating in different cities are compared, and where the city administrators come in contact with the highest academic thought upon their problems.

Its functioning is unique in the annals of government. Entirely an extra-constitutional organization, served by voluntary membership, the National Municipal League supplements the work of government and combats the conditions which Lord Bryce censured.