Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1900-02-07
ADVANTAGE OF PUBLIC OWNERSHIP.


The question Of public ownership of
public utilities is fast absorbing atten-
tlon, and when untrammeled by parti-
sanship or self interest the people are
rapidly reaching the conclusion that it.
affords solution to many problems.
In the first instance, it would be one 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 con-
troll oyer corporations holding such
franchises with power to extend or cur
tail their powers the temptation on the
part OF the corporations seeking such
franchises to buy them or extend privi-
leges by brlbing legislators. or the temp
tation on part of the irresponsible legis-
lators to sandbag corporations, will ex-
list. Also the temptation on the part
of such franchise corporations to con-
troll elections in their own interests will
be prevalent. The temptation also to
corrupt jurles and judges, to avoid pay
ing damages in damage suits, such as
now exist, would be destroyed.
Every thinking person will recognize
that these are the most fruitful sources
of corruption in our political system,
affecting all legislative bodies, from the
insignificant town boards to congress
itself.
Secondly, the principal basis underly-
ing the success of monoply-namely
railway rebates and determinations.
without which but very few monopolies
could exist-would be destroyed. Stand
ard Oil and the coal combines undoubt-
edly owe their existence to discrlmina-
ton in their favor by the railroads and
other transportation lines. The same
is true of others.
The arguments advanced by MIR.
Paul Morton, in his testimony before
The Industrial commission in favor OF
pools, is really an argument for public
ownership. He said that a legalized
system of pooling contracts put
premium on honesty and makes it ex.
pensive for railroads to make any of
the determinations or rebates which
are now the cause of so much COM
plant before the commission He
Stated 4tGn thof
shippers and small towns to an extent
which Is not possible under the
present methods. Undoubtedly this is
true. The weakness, however, lies in
the fact that the public dare not trust
such formidable power in the hands
OF few men who, experience teaches.
would use such a power to benefit the
Few as against the many The public
is perfectly willing to trust itself. and
IL Is safe only to trust such formid-
able power to a peoples government
responsible directly to the people.
Under public ownership it would be
impossible for few big firms in Chica
go TO get together every night as testi.
WIZ commas
sion shows they now do, and fix the
price of grain for the next day. which
can only be done through cooperation
OF the railways. 1t Is true the lnter.
state commerce commission and the
laws are very pronounced against Civ
ing rebates, but the railroads secretly
violate these laws.
II also stands to reason that public
ownership would greatly reducs the
cost OF service. The vast sums which
every railway and other public corpora-
lions now provide for the purpose IF
Influencing elections, maintaining lob
oies and bribipg legislators. also The
salaries OF the many hlgh-priced law.
Sers. many of whom draw salaries
equal to that of the president of the
United States, the waste Of competi-
ton, and especially the uoney which
the roads must now of necessity earn
TO Day dividends on enorm or,s issues ot
watered stock, would be saved to the
publlc.-Western Rural.