Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1897-06-30
GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP.

Inc term, Government ownership,
is great deal broader than is general
ly supposed. 1t does not mean govern
ment ownership of railroads alone, but
it carries with it the ownership, con-
troll and operation of all munopolies.
We say 1t Is term of great breadth. II
includes railroads, telegraphs, tele-
phones. banks, postoffices, coal mines,
oil wells and in fact any branch of in
dustry which is now being used to OPP
press the people. Of these only one
the pOstofice-is under the govern
ment's supervision and 1t is the only one
which does not plumber its patrons.
The reason why government ownership
is not more popular than it is, Is be-
cause the people, general Speaking, do
not understand it. The plutocratic
press and plutOcratic hlrelings in near
ly every walk of life are actively engag-
ed, and have been as far as history
dates back, in decrying and misrepre-
senting its fundamental principles until
they have created prejudice IN the
minds of so many people, which in
numerous instances. it is impossible to
remove. But it will not do to despair.
Every year adds to the number who
have thrown off the yoke of intel
lectual bondage and they will seek for
relief. Government ownership is COM
ing closer each year and unless the
signs are very much at fault the rising
generation will live to see the day when
it is part of the organic law of the
land. Once tried, 1t will always re-
main. When the people begin to reap the
wholesome beLetits it must inevitably
yield, nothing could induce them to get
back into the old rut. Government
ownership does not simply imply that
these establishments will be owned and
operated by the government but it will
furnish goods to the people at actual
cost of production. Instead of prices
being based on fictitious capital, water
ed stock, large dividends and various
other funds which monopolleS inyaria-
bly, figure in when liking them, they
will be based on the one item of cost of
operation which means that prices for
most all necessities of life WILL be re-
duced at least two-thirds. on an aver
age, from those which are now in force.
Who is there among the common peo,
pie who would not gladly hail such a
happy condition of affairs? We dare
say that no one, the millionajres ex-
cepted, would express dissatisfaction
at such a social adjustment. And
| when we say that prices would be re-
duced we do it authOritatively. To
prove our assertions we have only to
cite other countries which have govern
ment ownership in part. and to those
of the cities which have adopted mu-
nicipal ownership which is on precisely
the same principle. Take it in Eng
land where government ownership of
telegraphs prevails, and rates are less
than half what they are here. And 1t
is not exaggerating to say that what
works with success in England, will
work with still greater success in
America. Compare the cities which
own their public Improvements with
those which patronlze corporations.
and you will find that municipal own
ershlp saves enough in short time to
construct the improvements. TIL G
same rule would apply in governments
ownership. Take, for instance. the
profit of John D. Rockefeller alone
which is approximately 500, 15O, 900 an.
nually, to say nothing of his entire in.
come. Here would be saving of that
much money to the people of the Unit.
ed States in one year on oil alone. Fig.
uring proportionately on coal, trans
portation, interest, and 80 on, we can
begin to see how much the people are
suffering under the present arrange
ment.
Government ownership ought to be a
popular issue with the American peo
pie. 1t would fill long felt want in
social life and it is what is needed tt
overcome misery and priyation in mil
lions of instances. But it's adoption
must be preceded by candid studying
and consistent voting. This done. ano
it will be accomplished.