To the Editors of the Crimson:

The cry for efficient and honest municipal government which has arisen as a result of the Cocoanut Grove fire, will be futile until the American public realizes that it is itself responsible for inefficient and dishonest city government. This particular idea has been recounted time and again, but with the glaring example of this horrible fire before the people it should be drummed into them that efficient city government can only be had with efficient and honest governing bodies. The people must come to the realization that higher salaries must be paid to city officials so that: (1) men with greater ability and higher moral integrity will be attracted to politics, and (2) the men in office will not find the need to succumb to the ever-present temptation of graft, and (3) there will be enough able men with honest and responsible inclinations in government positions so that lack of ability or dishonesty will not be tolerated either by the officials or the public.

The American public must forget the fallacious idea that dishonesty and graft must inevitably go hand in hand with municipal government. But, to have efficient and honest government the officials must be paid in accordance with their abilities, and the people must prepare to pay them. Otherwise, they will continue to pay as did the 494 victims of the Grove fire. Alexander L. Jackson '44.