Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1898-11-17

that tho government take over the
ownership and control OF railroads, O
subsidized press rises to remark upon
tho dangerous character OF expert
mcnts In SOCIALISM" and other hob
goblins involved In such movement
rs though II we're something quite un.
heard OF that the people should really
own and manage their own affairs.
Hore are some facts and figures used
by Il. d. Rabbit, LII, D., OF New Jer-
soy which are suggestive of the possi-
billtes In such a reform:
"Sixty'eight governments own their
telegraph lines.
"Fifty-four governments own their
railroads In whole or In part, while
only nineteen, the United States
among them, do not.
"In Australia ono can ride 1000
miles (first'claSs) across the country
for $3.50, or six miles for two cents,
and railroad men IRE paid more for
eight hours labor than In the United
States for ten hours, Does this inn
poverlsh tho country In Victoria,
where these rates prevail, the net ln-
come for 1894 was sufficient TO pay the
federal taxes.
"Iu Hungary, where the rohds arc
state.owned, one can ride six miles for
n cent, and since tho government
bought tho roads, wages have doubled,
I'm Belgium, fares and freight ratea
have been cut down oue-hnlf and
wages doubled, But for all that tho
roady pay yearly revenue to the gov.
ornmont OF 81, 900, 900.
"In Germany, the government.own-
ed roads will carry person four miles
for cent while tho wages Of the en-
ployes are 100 per cent higher than
when corporations owned them. Has
such System proved ruinous? No.
During the last ten years the net pro-
iits have increased Al per cent. In
1894 the roads paid the German gov
ernment q net profit OF SEQ, 100000
ut has been estimated that govern
ment ownership Of railroads would
save the people OF the United States
annually 81, 900, 100000 in money and
give better wages to its employees,
100000 Of whom would doubtless then
be needed instead OF 700, 900 as at pres
Ont"
Tho Farmers Voice Is opposed 10 all
private monopoly, believing that as q
matter Of principle, and entirely aside
from any pecuniary advantages which
may result, the people should own and
control all public utilities. But when
we add to tho principle the manifest
gains suggested by Prof, Babbtt, the
proposition Is one which should appeal
to everyone not directly interested In
the profits Of railrosding He shows,
J. that tho governments owning public
utilities make millions through their
operation, which saves the people just
rs much In taxes; 2, that the people
get lower railroad passenger fares (and
freight rates are included) which
saves them n vast amount of money; 3,
that the railway employees get much
larger wages, which adds to their pur.
chasing power and increases general
prosperity 4, that the increased traffic
resulting from lower fares and higher
wages makes necessary the TRIPPING OF
the number OF employees, which, in our
own country, would do much toward
solving tho important out-of-work
problem.
There Is not n wage.earner nor o
producer in tho United States but
would be benefited and at once by gov
ernmcntal ownership and control Of
the railways, street car lines, and all
other public utilities They should &c
about its Rccompli sment. -Farmen
Voice.