Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-09-20

Grover Cleveland, and about sixty days
ago made final settlement and signed
the draft for the last payment, and
was then able to answer public criti-
cism because the work had progressed
SO slowly with record proof that it had
been about as expeditiously built as
most structures of its character erect
ed by the government.
Harlem river, extending from the
Hudson to the East river, eight miles
in length, was dredged by the govern
ment to depth Of fifteen feet in sew
enteen years.
Now note a few instances of private
enterprise. In 1904, the Pennsylvania
railroad began the construction of twin
tunnels through the mud beneath Hud-
son river, anr four tunnels extending
thence under the city Of New York
and beneath East river to Long Island
City, and now at the end of two years
feels confident that It's fifteen miles of
nineteen-foot waterproof tunnel will
be completed and in use within the con-
tract period Of four years and seven
months.
Differences illustrated.
These instances illustrate the natur-
al, the necessary and the inevitable
differences between private enterprise
and government work, and might be
multiplied definitely.
do not know that can explain the
reasons why these differences must
and always will exist better than to
recite very commonplace experience.
I received telegram some days ago
from the cashier of little bank in
which I am interested. 1t read: II am
offered forty-two fifty an acre for your
East Boyer land. What shall | do?"
I answered, you know better than I.
Do as you think best" To this he re-
piled, II think the land Is well sold"
These kilograms were not even pre-
served But If l had been acting for
the government I would have had the
land advertised for sale; I would have
sent commission to examine and ap-
praise It; would have had not less
than two subordinate officers of the
department go through all the papers
and submit their recommendations;
would then have rendered final de-
cision, but I would have been careful
to preserve complete record Of every
thing lest on some unhappy day after
my retirement, and perhaps after my
demise, an investigating committee,
appointed per chance by an adverse
congress would make inquiry, and fail
ing to find positive proof Of honesty
would make a report filled with sugges-
tons Of doubt and that would be quite
enough to brand my name with shame
My subordinates take the same precau-
ton and safeguard their regulations
with an equal amount of red tape
whenever they sell an old horse or
worn-out piece of furniture.
Railroads Pay Per Cent.
For the last ten years the railroads
of the United States have paid on the
average fraction over three per cent.
in interest and dividends on their cap
italiZation, including their bonded in
debtedness This would be about four
and one-half per cent. on what 1t is
estimated it would cost to rebuild the
roads. Government bonds sufficient to
cover the present purchasable value of
the trunk lines of road or to construct
new ones, could not be foated, free Of
the burden Of taxation even, for less
than four and one-half per cent. and
under two per cent. on the cost at
present freight and passenger rates.
Last year the railroads Of the coun-
try paid s54,000,000 in state, county,
township and municipal taxes. Since
government property is not subject to
taxation Of any kind, fancy Colonel
Bryan's scheme will develop some
loca, opposition before the states sur
rende~ revenues averaging over 81 200,
900 for each.
1t Is sometimes said in support of
this proposed new civilization that the
government does transport it's mail
and operate its postof1ices and its sub
treasures. reply that the government
does not transport It's mail. The mail
is carried under contract, and where.
ever practicable contracts are let after
advertising for sealed proposals. AS
tonishment is sometimes expressed at
the cheapness with which the govern
ment carries and delivers it's mails.