The Irish standard., 1905-08-19

P"So' SAPAeSo companies ana utlll-
ties OF like character in the hands of
the federal government and place
street cars, gas, interurban telephones
and light companies ia the hands of
the municipal authorities, and three.
quarters of the incentive to graft and
corruption in this country will be abol.
ished.
"The operation and management of
such utilities in public or private hands
is necessarily a monopoly. In private
hands 1t becomes a private monopoly.
and private monopoly is never bene.
VIOLENT. The aim of private monopoly
is to make money, and as long as hu.
man nature remains as it is, the desire
to make money has no limitations. A
private monopoly will give the cheap.
est possible service at the greatest pos.
sible price. The cheaper the service
and the greater the price, the more
profit in the enterprise
IA public monopoly, on the other
hand, has different aims and objects
1t being carried on for the interests
of the public generally, without dis.
elimination in favor of any individual.
It's sole aim is to satisfy the commun-
ity, and the community is best satisfied
by the highest efficiency of service at
the least possible cost. 1t follows as
necessary consequence that the
prosecution of such utilities in private
hands always becomes extortionate
and oppressive. While in the public
hands the cost to the public is always
reduced, the service becomes more ex-
cellent. Therefore, commend to your
thoughtful consideration, whatever be
your political affiliations-and l care
, not what they are-the study of the
question as to whether all public utill-
ties should not be in public hands
Wherever public utilities have been
placed in public hands 1t has invaria.
bly, resulted in reducing the cost OF
the utility to the public and giving as
efficient, If not more efficient, service
than has been given by the private
companies. Every civilized country in
the world, except three-Costa Rica,
Honduras and the United States
owns and operates it's own telegraph
system. AS result, l think you will
find that the cost for telegraph serv-
!, ice in the United States is the highest
in the world.
"One hundred and forty-two great
cities in Great Britain operate their
own street car systems, and in none
of them is the average fare paid to
exceed 2h cents. The same is true
| of public control and management Ia
many great cities in Germany, Austro.
Hungary, Switzerland, Italy and Aus.
tralia. Why should it not be so in the
United States?"
In the part of his address devoted
to the order under the auspices Of
which the picnic was held and to the
eulogy of the Irish race Mayor Dunno
said: ~>~ g: =.
ut is a race of which we are both
proud-proud of it's past and hopeful
OF Its present 1t is race that has
ever produced brave men and virtuous
women. 1t is race proud of it's liter.
ature, it's music, and it's ancient ira.
ditions. 1t is race that has with.
stood invasion, insurrection and disin.
tegration. 1t is race which was one
of the earliest in western Europe to
embrace the teachings of Christianity.
and a race which has preserved the
teachings of that religion down
through all the centuries unimpaired.
1t is a race which through the dark
ages established schools and universi.
ties, the ruins of which excite the
wonder OF the traveller of today. 1t is
a race which sent it's missionaries and
teachers throughout Europe to spread
the light of Christianity in the black.
est night of the dark ages; a race
which has been beaten, but never &C.
knowledged itself conquered. 1t is a
race which has been without a flag. q