The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-06-11

LEAVE BUSINESS 40 IrsELF.

LEAVE BUSINESS 40 IrsELF.
We have commented more than once
upon the way that Senator German I'M
dortook to Kill the governments gun
foundry at the Washington navy-yard.
This was an establishment that had
grown up by slow processes during the
past ten or twelve years under the imme-
date eye and control of the Secretary
Of the Navy. Having the good of the
service only in view, the Secretary had
appointed none but the most skilled and
efficient workmen in the shops, and in
this way and with abundant appropria-
tons he had built Up one Of The finest
gun foundries in the world. But its mis-
fortune was that it employed between
three and four thousand very high-priced
workmen. They were nigh priced bexause
they We're skilled men and could do the
very finest work Senator German could
not endure the idea that there should be
a government workshop right at his
door furnishing high salaries TO three
or four thousand men, and that he should
have no finger in that pie. True, he
would not have appointed skilled gum
makers, but he would have appointed
skilled packers of ward meetings, and
% the guns they turned out burst at the
first fire and killed all the Americans
around. instead Of some of the enemy.
that would be righteous retribution for
his country engaging in war. German
tried very hard to get the Navy De-
partment 10 change It's regulations 50 az
to allow him To have a voice in naming
the appointees i'm this establishment. but
finding the department obdurae he deter
mined to kill the establishment itself.
During the last session, therefore, he
used al his influence as n member Of
the Senate's Committee on Appropriations
TO defeat the appropriation for the gun
foundry, and he succeeded. it was ex~
pected that the existing appropriation
would carry the work on until August
ist only, when these shops would have to
close. Bat it is-now announced that The
Administration has succeeded in ferretng
ont an overlooked provision OF law which
will enable it TO keep the shops going
until the next Congress meets. when it
is supposed sufficient provision will be
made for them.
we feel very little interest IN this gun
foundry. The government has no bust
ness TO have this or any other public
work, that can be dispensed with. We
have dwelt on this case only 10 illus
trate that fact. 1t serves to show that
IL is not possible for the government
to conduct business enterprises upon bust
ness principles The politician will. with
absolute certainty. seize on the paid PAGES
IN the business for his heelers and sat-
elites and parasites. and the business will
then be conducted necessarily. by inn
complement men. who produce the
worst possible results az the largest pos
sibie outlay. This is the serious and un-
answerable argument against all the
propositions OF the Socialists and the
Populists for the government becoming
proprietor of the railroads, telegraphs,
ere.
The argument made for this thar II
is TO prevent monopoly is one that the
experience Of the world answers more
ard more satisfactorily each day OF its
existence ne monopolies established
and fostered by legislation. such as
those that have grown up under ire
tariH laws. are an offence and an in
jury to all mon. except those benefited
They mako a case where the whole power
of society is exercised TO take from the.
overwhelming majority what belongs to
them TO confer it upon a few favorites But
the monopoly which grows UP as the re-
suit of mans industry. sohriety. econo-
my and thrift, receiving no aid whatever
from the laws. except security from ma
RAIDERS is healthy. and for the best in
terests Of society. Aid for this founda-
ton reason. The proprietor of the bust
ness wishes to make as much money as
he can. Money is made by many trans
actions at small profits. rather than by
few transactions III great PROFITS. IL is.
therefore, the interest of "A great busi-
ness TO enlarge the business as much as
possible and the business is enlarged as
the prices charged are reduced. 1t is,
therefore. the interchangeable law OF the
case that great businesses reduce prices.
Every man can ind Illustrations of it in
his own experience. Railroad travel is
not one-third as high to-day as il was
thirty years ago. and is infinitely improv-
ed in convenience and comfort
Kerosene oil has gone down In price. as
II by magic In addition, all such BUSH !
nesses give regular and steady employ !
ment 10 their employees with good wages
and nobody ever hears OF discomfort
amongst their employees until tbs walk (
ing delegates. the politicians of labor, |
come amongst them 20 create trouble. |
Much Of the advance OF the world is !
due 10 great combinations In business
thai 1~a~irA no protection from ths law. ]