The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-12-10

RAILWAY LINES
LATEST PHASES OF THE DISCUSS
ii
SION IN CANADA.
Variant Opinions from Australia and
Sweden-Undue Political Interference
in Management the Great Stumbling
Block-People Not Ready as Yet for
Government Ownership.
Special to The Journal.

Ottawa, Ont, Dec. 9.--Altho the res
suit Of the recent elections in Canada
would seem to indicate that public opin-
ion is not yet ripe for such a radical
across the country from ocean to ocean,,
yet the question continues to be dis
cussed in the press and on the street.
with unabated interest.
Two interviews which appeared in the
Montreal Witness have attracted a
great deal OF attention. The first was
with Alexander Seymour of Melbourne,
condemnation of government ownership.
Under it, he says, "there is little or nd
initiative, the employees are impudents
and a condition Of stagnation generally
marks the management of the roads,
be a success' He admitted, however,,
that there had been an improvement in
Victoria under Mr.. TAFT IS management.
because that gentleman insisted upon
the elimination Of the political ele.:
ment.'' Now, he added, "the railways
are "a actuay PAY paging; a ntefeS but for
Sort Mr.. Seymour admits that with
the elimination of political interferences
there is no reason to suppose that govx
eminent ownership would prove fails
ure.
The Experience in Sweden.
The other interview was with jour~l
nalist of Stockholm, named Bjornstens
who is entirely in favor Of state-ownedi
railways. "The railways Of Sweden, ~
he explained, "are operated for the,
benefit of the people. They are admins!
istered by honorable men who desire
chiefly the distinction Of giving gooda
charge have no personal object to-!
Thew 9dann9fS raj
Enumeration. They know that if theyI
are faithful they will have the acclamalI
ton of the whole people. And notes
this feature about state-owned railways
that the state, for the benefit Of thei
whole country, will do more in the waYI
of development than the private con-!
pany. The company first and last de@l
sires profits, whereas the governments,
desires development. Of course, I ami
only stranger. All can tell you is5
that state-owned railways in Sweden!
are conducted with conspicuous success
and for the simple reason that politics.
are eliminated from the management. "
Bane Of Political Interference.
Both these interviews very strikinglg
bring out the one real objection to govk
eminent ownership-the difficulty Of
managing them thru the state, without
undue political interference. It was
realization of this diffculty-a realir
cation all the more keen in the light Of
the experience Of the Intercolonial rails
way-that was largely instrumental in
persuading the great mass of Canadians
to vote against state ownership in the
recent elections.
If the conservative opposition had
possessed the courage to come out
frankly for the only type of state
owned railways that would or could be
successful, and that is railways man.
aged by either an independent commits.
sion appointed by the government, such
as the railway commission Of which Mr..
Blair was chairman, or by capable and
experienced manager, such as Mr.. TAFT
in Australia, who would be given a free
hand, and guaranteed against interfer.
| ence on the part of politicians and tha
i appointment Of political employees
the result might have been someWhats
different.
AS things are, however, it is not
probable that the Canadian people will
ever vote for government ownership OF
the railways until they are given prac~
tical demonstration Of the advantages
of the system under proper conditions,
I by the elimination of political control
from Canada s existing national road,
the Intercolonial, and its management,
upon practical business lines, under 81
4 competent and impartial head.