The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-12-12
THE THINKERS.
ADVANTAGE OF PUBLIC OWNER
SHIP.

The question of public ownership OF
public utilities is fast absorbing etten-
ton. and when untr8mmeled by partI-
sanship or self-interest the people are
rapidly reaching the conclusion that 1t
affords a solution to many problems,
In the first instance, it would be III OF
the most effective means that could be
adopted for doing away with much OF
the prevalent political corruption, By
removing the most prolific source OF
temptation.
As long as legislatures have power
to grant special privileges IN the way
of valuable public franchises, or have
control over corporations holding such
franchises with power to extend or
curtail their powers, the temptation on
the part Of corporations seeking such
franchises to buy them or extend their
privileges by bribing Legislators, or the
temptation on part OF the irresponsible
Legislators to sRndbag corporations,
will exist. Also the temptation on the
part of such franchise corporations TO
control elections in their own interests
will be prevalent. The temptation also
to corrupt juries and judges, to avoid
paying damages in damage suits, such
as now exists. would be Destroyed.
Every thinking person will recognize
that these are the most fruitful sources
of corruption in u political system,
efecting all legislative bodies, from the
insignificant town boards to congress
itself.
Secondly, the principal basis under
lying the SUCCESS OF monopoly-namely,
rail way rebates and determinations,
without which but very few monop-
oles could exist-would be destroyed.
Standard Oil and the coal combines
undoubtedly owe their existence to
determination in their favor by the
railroads and other transportation
lines. The same is true of others.
The argument advanced by Mr.. Paul
Morton, in his testimony before the in
dustrial commission in favor Of pools,
is really an argument for public own
ership. He said THAT q legalized sys-
tenn Of pooling contracts put a premium
on honesty and makes it expensive for
railroads to make any Of the discrimi
nations or rebates which are now the
cause Of so much complaint before the
commission" He stated also that it
would protect small shippers and small
towns to an extent which is not posi-
bic under the present methods Us
doubtedly this is true. The weakness,
however, lies in the fact that the pub
tic dare not trust such a formidable
power ia the hands of a few men, who,
experience teaches, would use euch a
power to benefit the few as against the
many. The public is perfectly willing
to trust itself, and it is safe only to
trust such a formidable power to a
Peep els government Responsible di-
rectly to the people.
Under public ownership it would be
impossible for a few big firms in Chi
c8go to get together every night, as
testimony before the Industrial COM
mission shows they now do, and FIX
the price of grain for the next day,
which can only be done through Co
operation of the railways. It is true
the interstate commerce commission
and the laws are very pronounced
against giving rebates, but the rail
roads secretly violate these laws.
It also stands to reason that public
ownership would greatly reduce the
cost of service. The vast sums which
every railway and other public cor
.porations now provide for the purpose
OF influencing elections, maintaining
lobbies and bribing Legislators, also the
salaries of the many high. priced law
years, many Of whom draw salaries
equal to that Of the president of the
United States, the waste of compet:-
tion, and especially the money which
the roads must now of necessity earn
to pay dividends on enormous issues of
watered stock, would be saved to the
public. Rural.
HOW CQM8INATIoNsOF CAPITAL
? z ? e rATn rE /