The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-09-11
GOVERNOR IS WITH
DUNNE FOR M. o.
State Executive Comes Out for Public Ownership Of
Public Utlities-Dunnes six Reasons for M. o."

Governor John A. johnson came out
squarely last evening in favor of NUM-
cipal ownership Of public utilities. His
rum, where Mayor Edward F. Dunno
OF Chicago was the speaker of the even
ing On the subject of municipal owner
ship, under the management Of the
municipal Ownership league Of Mime
apolis The rain shortly before the
meeting opened kept many, people away
5Se nsR the snsr'sss began sst sSs
was the first speaker, and introduced
James A. Peterson as chairman. Mr.
Stockwell spoke of the aims Of the
Municipal Ownership league, asserting
that it is non-partizan and simply work
ing in the interests of the city as q
whole VIII, e. +. He favored IN, municipal owner.
system and Of the lighting plants. -
THE corporations of our city, said
James A. Peterson, after few prelimi
nary remarks, "have been circulating
literature all thru the city trying to
convince the people that the city can.
not run gas thru iron pipes. It is not
so much a question Of dollars and cents
there are corrupt municipal officers, if
you look you will find it is the public
service corporations which have cor
rupted them. If the street railway COM
pany runs its cars only, it would not; DO
SO bad, but it undertakes to write edito-
rials IN our morning papers, and to
III exc csa from t aHsn f thu goV
ernor who is here tonight
j.. w. Benton declared that the NUM-
cipal gas plant at Duluth is success.
"For $1,5O0,000,' concluded Mr..
Benton, & Minneapolis can get a mod
ern gas plant Of the capacity of the
present private plant, and this money
rate Of but So per cent?
Governor johnson. ri bel believe here is
a governor,' said Mr.. Peterson, "who
can t be bought, coaxed or driven to do
anything he shouldn't as public Off
cial; and tho we don't stand on the
same political platform, believe him
state has ever had.'
Governor, johnson was given great
applause. Many in the little audience
standing on their feet and cheering.
The Governors Address.
"Ladies and gentlemen said the
governor, II am sure after such an ova-
tion and introduction it is not necessary
for me to, say that I am glad to be
here; and that am proud to sit on the
platform with the man who has become
one Of the greatest champions of human
liberty and the rights Of the common
y people-Mayor Dunno of Chicago.'
Then the governor continued:
! This question Of public ownership has been
exercising the minds of the People as few ques-
lions have. am one Of those who believe that
the people Of America have the right to govern
America; that the people Of Minnesota have the
right to govern Minnesota; and that the people
Of this or any other municipality have the right
to govern that municipality which they COM
prise.
My observations on municipal ownership have
been largely confined to my home state and
my home town. Some years ago the residents
OF st. Peter took up this subject. At the
first meeting were fewer present in proportion
to the population of the town than there are
t here tonight in proportion to the population Of
| Minneapolis, but before the climax was reached
1t was impossible to find hall large enough to
| accommodate the crowds. st. Peter is now bet
ter lighted than any other town that does not
own its plant. Ny own home was more brilliant
than it is now, and my bill never exceeded $50
per annum. The same is true Of score Of
other towns in Minnesota. d. , .. .
I Business Proposition. =, '.
/ The question is purely a business proposition
and In the consideration Of these important
questions this evening it is proper and well
that me basis OF discussion and consideration
should be purely and absolutely onpartizan.
Ny experience and information along this line
is limited largely to the observation Of the con-
ditions IN my home city, where the people for
many years have owned and operated their own
lighting and water plants to the complete sat.
1sfaction Of every taxpayer Of the community.
The service has always been ideal and has been
realized to the community at the cost of pro-
duct1on. ..>.., ..:.t
Conditions vary In different communities, but
In every community the taxpayer and the people
generally have the right to the best possible
service at the cost Of the production. This n
not parttzan question. and its ultimate solu.
ton will come best and most quickly thru the
united desire and effort Of the people.
That this is largely SO in our state is fortu.
nately illustrated by the fact that republican
and democratic county conventions Of this coun.
ty have unequivocally declared for this principle
1t Is not a question of what will benefit indi.
viduals, but 1t is question Of the right of the
public to conduct their business. The peo
pie of a city, the people of state and the peo
pie OF nation have the unquestioned right tt
conduct their own affairs.
Right Of Ownership.