The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1902-02-01
PUBLIC OWNERSHIP
McEWEN is A sTAUNCH ADVOCATE
OF MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP.
Has Been q Careful Student for
Years-Declares That 1t Is q Labor
QuestfOn-His Difference between
Private and Public Ovvncrship-ls
Not q Radical and Will Move
Slowly and Cautiously.

Mr.. McEwen has long been a strong
advocate of municipal ownership.
In the early days, before the ac-
quirement Of the Gas & Water plant
was strongly advocated, he was
student of the question. His labor
organization had declared for the
municipal ownership of all public util-
tiles, and he has always taken the
idea was pronouncedly a labor ques-
ton. The following article from a re-
cent edition Of his paper will perhaps
explain his attitude far better than
anything that this committee might
say:
Trades unionism has long favored
municipal ownership of the means Of
distribution of water, light and trans
portation, the latter of course including
both freight and intelligence. While
political economists have contended
solely for the quantitive increase of
wealth, the trades union has and is
contending for a higher social ideal
"the attainment Of the greatest quan-
tity, the highest quality and the most
just distribution of wealth. In the
distribution of these public necessities
there are found two general methods.
l. Monopoly method, in which the dis
tribution is made by private agencies,
usually by corporations legalized by
legislative enactments, the business
being managed solely with the object
Of profit The charges for the services
rendered being the the highest price
that can be exacted from the users,
k1~o fhof hn
community will stand for. 2. Num-
cipal ownership method, by which the
ownership Of means and management
Of distribution is done by the govern
ment established by the people them
selves. The officials in the manage
ment are held to accountability by the
people who place them in position Of
trust, and are looked to for sufficient
quantity, the highest quality and a
Just distribution, and for remunera-
ton under one Of the following three
principles. 1. The revenue principle
by which the government aims at CIV
ing the best services at a remuneration
sufficient to cover all cost Of service
and depreciation, and In addition a
profit which is covered into the gov
ernmental treasury with a view of de-
Efraying other expenses Of government,
tfssl!AanetAesatells<.-l eesenine taxes-- an
Eother forms Of property. 2. The cost
principle Under which the services are
rendered at actual cost of operation
and depreciation, the user being ex-
pected to simply remunerate in accord
with the actual benefits derived from
| usage; and 4. The principle of gratu-
ity, by which every citizen is furnished
a sufficient service for his need, free
of charge, the expense Of service be-
ing betrayed by general tax levied
| on properties.
"Between the two general methods Of
distribution Of water, light and trans
| portation the union movement has long
cast it's influence with the municipal
method, but as to the most perfect of
the three principles under which num-
! cipal ownership Is conducted there is
some division Of opinions, which, how
ever, are not of a magnitude to retard
either the municipal ownership move
| ment nor the unanimity Of the labor
forces in it's advocacy"
Mr. McEwen will work INCREASINGLY
for the requirement of all public util-
tiles, and yet he will not permit his
enthusiasm to get the better Of his
judgment on this matter, for he fully
| realizes that the city should act
cautiously, moving only as fast
| as healthy progress will permit.