Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-07
FAVORS PUBLIC OWNERSHIP
Prof, Frank Parsons Of Boston Lectures
Before Economic League.
ADVANTAGES OF CHANGE IN SYSTEM
Private Monopoly Mensces Morality
Destroys Individual Rights and
Create Conditions of 1ne-
quality in Society.

Prof. Frank Parsons Of Boston, Mass,
president Of the National Public Owner
ship league. delivered q lecture last even
ing in Library hall on the subject OF pub
lie Ownership Of Private Monopolies." The
lecture was one Of the series given before
the Economic league of Omaha. Prof. Par
sons is professor Of political science and
history and lecturer on law and economies
in the University Of Boston.
Prof. Parsons began by saying that COM
petition is neither wise or practical as a
permanent business policy. Il involves a
waste Of both capital and labor. He quoted
the late Commodore Vanderbilt as having
said that wherever combination lie possible
competition is impractical The tendency
Of affairs in the business world today is 10
combine, and the lecturer believes that
competition, 20 often referred to as being
the life Of trade, will become extinct az q
principle. Competition is losing ground as
fast as the people understand the value OF
combination. He did not propose to dis
cuss at this time. however, competition and
cooperation as features Of the business
policy Of the times. but rather the ques-
ton whether we shall continue to have pri-
vste monopolies or public ownership Of pub
lie utilities.
The best test to apply in the considera-
ton Of private monopolies is their purpose
and aim. He illustrated this by the an.
swers given by Coun Won wettach Of Aus
tria and Chauncey Depew, when the latter
was a railroad president, to the question Of
what is the chief aim Of railway manage
ment Count Won Wettach said the chile
aim and fundamental purpose Of railway
management IN Austria, where government
ownership very generally prevails, is to gel
/ the best service at the least reasonable
cost. MI. Depew said the American policy
is to get the most trafic in order to gair
the greatest profits. Bismarck was quoted
as having said that railways are exploited
for the private interests Of the pockets o.
the few.
Effects of Government Ownership.
Prof. Parsons rapidly reviewed the poll
eies, methods and results Obtained wher,
public ownership had succeeded private
monopolies. In New Zealand construction
Of railroads is carried on in winter to az
ford work for the people. and low rates ar,
made to encourage agriculture. In Europe
he said, the same tendency can be seen
For II cents q week laborers are able Il
travel a distance Of from seven to tel
miles to and from Berlin. Low rates ar
given on fertilizers. school excursions, ii
the development and encouragement OF in
dustries n in aid Of education. In thi
country, he said, the object Of the railway
is to get all the money possible out OF tn
people and to give the advantages OF lov
rates to the big organizations which do no
need them. The question Is one OF publ
service against private profit.
He inquired what justification is Their
for private ownership Of public functions
He considered municipal and other monopo
lies as public functions operated for privat
profit.
Prof. Parsons first considered thA nnan
cial aspect, citing results obtained in vafi
Gus cities where public or ~co-operativ
ownership had succeeded private monopo
lies. In the matter Of water supply publ
ownership has uniformly resulted In larg
economies, and in one instance, he SAID
the profits arising from the public owner
ship Of the water works In Seattle. Wash
practically saved that city from bankrupte
in 1894. The cost Of gas In many cities ha