As the grandson of a mayor who was a “sewer socialist,” you might think I’m elated over the emergence of a new crop of leaders seemingly carrying forward the tradition of honest and effective government that started here in Milwaukee.
From alderman, state lawmakers and candidates for governor to the mayor of New York City, a term from the past century suddenly has new currency as many seek to return to a time when government was more responsive to the everyday concerns of its residents.
That’s an admirable goal, considering my grandfather, Daniel Hoan, was featured on the cover of Time magazine in 1936 with the magazine proclaiming him as mayor of the best-run city in America. He was one of three socialist mayors of Milwaukee, serving from 1916 to 1940, followed by Frank Zeidler who was the last socialist to hold the position when he left office in 1960.
Milwaukee led the country in so many categories it’s hard to list them, but they include low crime, affordable housing, outstanding public health, a new sewer system that was ahead of its time, excellent schools, and, most importantly, year-after-year of balanced budgets.
Fiscal frugality offers the starkest contrast between “self-proclaimed sewer socialists” versus real ones. Let me give you an example. One alderman who leads the charge is Alex Brower, who has publicly claimed to be carrying the mantle “in the Daniel Hoan tradition.”
Since I grew up with my grandfather, Daniel Hoan, and was given his first name, I wrote Brower during his campaign to tell him, borrowing a line from a presidential debate: “I knew Dan Hoan; Alex, you are no Dan Hoan!”
This is not just a clever phrase but represents a total misunderstanding of what socialism was in its heyday. It’s important to contrast what’s happening today with the real reasons socialists were so successful in the last century. The current crop are heading in the wrong direction and will not solve the major issues confronting our city.
Here are just a few of the differences:
Today’s ‘sewer socialists’ can’t be called fiscally disciplined
First and foremost, Hoan believed in a balanced budget. Real estate taxes were moderate so that citizens could afford them. We still have some of the reusable string that Dan Hoan kept in his tool room at his summer home in Eagle River, Wisconsin!
Many of the current aldermen do not seem to know that legacy, and consequently, in 2024 and 2025, taxes have been increasing, with some homeowners experiencing double-digit increases. That’s despite the fact that the city now also bills separately for water and sewer treatment, and those charges are also increasing.
Key to a well-run city is keeping crime under control
Crime was never a serious issue during the socialist era. Today, despite the mayor’s best efforts, it remains a serious problem. Let’s forget about the murder rate, which ebbs and flows. It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t know a friend who hasn’t had their car either stolen or personal property taken, sometimes at gunpoint.
Yet many of these aldermen want to focus on reducing police funding or reallocating it to such vague solutions as neighborhood services and youth programs. That’s not to say those aren’t important, but criminals are not stupid. Without a rigorous attempt to enforce the laws, crime increases.
Hoan supported labor, but was not beholden to unions
There’s no question that Hoan was a friend of the laboring class. He famously snubbed the visiting king of Belgium, refusing to meet with him, and was quoted in the New York Times as saying: “I mean no disrespect to the king, but I say the hell with kings, I’m for the working man.”
He was also a strong proponent of fair wages for the work the city employees performed. But he did not align himself with the unions. There’s no question that unions are an important part of American history and an equally important contributor to the growth of the middle class. But the socialist mayors did not see it as their role to tip the scales for one side or the other.
In fact, my grandfather, despite his fiery socialist rhetoric, often told me that “the capitalists” appreciated his leadership because he provided them with clean government, great education for citizens, functioning public services, and fiscal discipline.
Sewer socialists were innovators, not ideologues
In addition, Hoan supported innovative efforts to improve the quality of life of for citizens. He pioneered the use of Milorganite, the fertilizer made from human waste that is still sold on the private market today, and produced by the Milwaukee Sewerage District.
By contrast, the Common Council withdrew its support for the mayor’s innovation office and refused to fund additional staffing. This is a tragedy because we all live in a world experiencing almost daily innovations that have dramatically improved our health and longevity.
The current socialists are firmly entrenched in the belief that capitalists are exploiting Americans. This is preposterous on its face. The only way a company can succeed is to deliver quality services or products to customers at prices they can afford.
The Hoan Foundation, which I help oversee to honor my grandfather’s legacy, is currently funding pilots in cooperation with the city government to drive innovation and cut costs, so there’s more money to pay city employees.
Coming next: Here’s how socialists could live up to Daniel Hoan’s legacy
Daniel Steininger is president of the Daniel Hoan Foundation. He is the grandson of former Milwaukee Mayor Daniel Hoan.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: I’m grandson of a ‘sewer socialist.’ Today’s crop miss mark. | Opinion
Reporting by Daniel Steininger, Special to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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