The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1894-12-27

arguments of those advocating city own
ership of the electric light plant which is
almost fanatic. They seem to have the
Impression that none but themselves
have the interests Of the city at heart
and that any expression of opinion on the
part of tax payers contrary to those en-"
tertained by the self-constituted guar
dams of the city's welfare, is dictated by
frlendliness toward monopoly. Mr.. Stole
Is no exception. His reference to the
mayor is published simply as sample
argument. 1t is as uncalled for as it is
unmerlted. II the mayor by the expen
dlture of an equal sum could secure
benefits to the city as substantial as
those from the other outlay, he might not
receive the gratitude of the people but
he certainly would earn it.
The insane of the county were always
cared for by the public so that no CON-
parlson can be instituted. 1t proves
nothing that management in one case is
leas expensive than the other, both being
managed by the county, except that pub
lie management when most expensive
was faulty. Besides when each coun-
ty has its own asylum, management
will be much more expensive. 1t is less
expensive to harvest with a self-binder
than with reaping hook. The care of
the insane is almost parallel case.
Mr.. Stolze's 3rd proposition while
being unique is characteristic. Every
citizen of Manitowoc has the right to
judge for himself whether it is best for
him to do certain things himself or pay
others for doing them. The tailor makes
money out of his customers. He is there
fore a monopollst and the city should
manage its own tailoring establishment.
Schools are managed by the public SIM
ply because the Individual cannot do
the work himself. The fact remains how
ever, that the parent If he is competent
IS the proper instructor. 1t is also true
that private academies in this sta te have
done much better work than public
schools. 1t is also true that nlne-tenths
OF our schools could be managed much
more economically and would be more
efficient il under the care of individuals
having direct pecuniary interest in them.
Mr.Stolze does not seem to know that gov
ernment is necessary evil. 1t is organ
lied by society and cannot be pri-
vate enterprise. The fact that people
are intelligent enough for self-govern-
ment is no reason why they should in
the capacity of general public demand
control of all industries. II railway
corporation had the management of the
money spent on our roads IN this county
every road In this county would be far
better than it is now.
We hear great deal of small cities
owning their own electric light plants and
making money out of them. These cities
are always long distance off. There
can be no doubt that there is money In
an electric light plant, if properly manag-
ed. But there is no money in any enter
prise unless supervised by person hav-
ing pecun1ary interest In it. The man
who turne his business over to hired
help soon goes out of business. The
fact that plant managed by the public
pays for one year or two years proves
nothing. 1t is sure to result in mis-
management IN time and become ter
rible" expensive enough to suit Mr.
Stolze's idea.
The questions he asked as to why a
plant managed by the city would prove
more expensive than if managed by an
individual are too puerile to receive at
tention, although asked with that air of
suggestive of guardian. Our
State University costs $4,000 per day and
ed 1cates ZOO students. 1t doesn't pay
three times as much for coal" as an in
dividual does, but the cost is away beyond
what it would be If 1T was managed by
private enterprise.
This cry OF monopoly" has reached the
stage of distressing reiteration. Mr..
Stolze might very properly be denoune-
ed as monopolist in the sense of want
ing to have complete control of sugges-
ton as to what it is proper for the pub
lie to do. Any failure to comply with his
wishes is to incur the charge of being a
friend of monopoly. He has managed his
own business so as to acquire some
wealth but seems to think when others
do likewise that their success is inim1cal |
to the public good.