The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-05-13


putably proven that the public owner
ship of public utilities is an economic
success. when aproperly and carefully
managed. Why talk about public own
ership' today? II for no other reason
to show: the people what they are mis-
sing, and what q, constant struggle it
is to compel private companies to give
any consideration. to the actual wants
of a people. The public ownership of
street railways is feasible today. Start
the work now, and create and keep up
a public sentiment on this question.
Get ready for the practical work. When
election time comes around choose men
for the Legislature, who are something
more than good mixers, and who will
pledge themselves to give the best they
possess to obtain the right for this
people to: go into the street railway
business. Make municipal ownership
the issue. Take up the fight as it
was done in Chicago. What care we
if this companyEhas a long time fran
chise or perpetual life? There
are some streets that it does not occu-
py. and when we have a street railway
line once in motion, the economy in
management resulting from the alb
sence Of .dividend-craving stockholders,
and the low interest charge for bond
ed Indebtedness not exceeding the
actual value of the system, it will not
take long. to drive the present compa-
ny out of business or compel them to
sell to the: city at a reasonable figure.
M T;na, for Tinaid;+v
Why be timid on this question? It
is this timidity. on the part Of the
people that encourages the street rail-
way company I'M its present Indifferent
attitude. Long experience in fighting
for our rights. Against selfish public
service corporations ought to have
taught us that q. faint hearted public
policy makes few accomplishments.
These interests are so strongly en-
trenched that nothing but strong and
determined fight. will put them to rout.
A gradual concession. such as. few
double truck: cars or better car SER
vice will not suffice. 1t only means
an additional fight later on. Nothing
short of public ownership will stop this
constant demand for a proper consider
alton Of the rights Of the people, In
Chicago the people have been banking
on false promiseS Tor many years. just
as we in Duluth have been doing.
There they tried every inducement
known to mar. Goa king, pleading,
reasoning. law suits and threats were
resorted tp. but fhese srepeated petit
s1al ttons only b D sagpe
fhe
people of Chicago went to the HLegisIa-
ture. Here they met with frightful op-
position, but public sentiment was so
worked up that the state law making
body was forced to grant relief. The
little red ballot was given. and after
two bitterly fought elections the city
officials were given authority to take
steps towards getting control Of the
street railway facilities Of the city.
The way has been paved for public
ownership in Chicago. The movement
is marching on with irresistible force
Little Obstracle may appear from time
to time, but in the end the people will
have the street railways. What is
true in Chicago must also be true in
Duluth. The street railway problem
will never be solved until the people
own the street railway system. The
people will never own the street rail-
way until they shall have passed
through a bitter and determined battle
1t is no childs task, but If it Is taken
up in earnest by sincere and self
conscious people it will only be mat
ter Of time. when success shall crown
their efforts.
West Duluth and Woodland,
The local street railway company is
operating in Duluth under a franchise
granted by the state legislature, and
in West Duluth by a franchise from
the West Duluth village concil. The