Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-09-20
SECRETARY SHAW MAKES CON-
FEssioN AT MEMPHIS,
EMPLOYEES WON'T WORK
Tells How All Federal improvements
Drag as Compared With Private
observation-disclosures In Ais
Department Neslisent--otfers No
Remedy-clties Examples

Memphis, Tenn, Sept 16.--In the
course of his speech here last night
Secretary Shaw made elaborate an,
swer to the recent utterances OF MIR.
Bryan, especially as TO the ownership
of trunk lines of railroad by the GOV
ernmont. 1t was intended for a com
plete reputation of the ownership the
CRY and certainly covered every point
OF objection. But the most interest.
ing part of the address was his at.
tack on the methods by which public
improvements arc made. In itself,
this is the strongest argument against
public ownership, but coming from a
department head it has much tho
sound OF confession, on this sub
ject he said in part;
Some years ago, while walking
through Lincoln Park. Chicago,
noticed Il group OF 30 or more men
pushing lawn mowers. Stopping TO
make some inquiry of policeman, |
innocently asked why the city did not
use mowers drawn by horsss. | shall
long remember his reply: Il guess
you don't live In Chicago. do your
How long do you think the city ad-
ministration would live II II moved
the park with horses2"
The cornerstone of the city hall In
Philadelphia was laid July 4, 1874,
but the building was not completed
until during the hrst year OF the pres.
ent century, Tho capitol at Albany
was begun in the sixties, II was far
enough advanced TO be the scene of
an inaugural ball during the seven.
ties, and was completed. all save the
tower, for which the foundation was
found insufficient, In 1899. In tho
meantime, the two great political par.
ties alternatod In control, and am
told In ono or more instances four
generations performed work on tho
building.
The appropriation for the public
building In Chicago was signed by
Grover Cleveland, and about 60 days
ago | made final settlement and
signed tho draft for tho last payment.
and was then able to answer public
criticism because the work had pro-
crossed so slowly with record proof
that It had been about as expeditions
ly built as most structures of its
character erected by the government.
Harlem River, extending from tho
Hudson to the East river. eight miles
in length, was dredgod by the govern.
ment to n depth of Is feet In II
years
Now note n few Instances OF private
enterprise, In 1904 the Pennsylvania
railroad began the construction OF
twin tunnels through the mud be-
meath the Hudson river, and four tun.
nels 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 Is miles of 19.foot waterproof tun.
mel will bo completed and In use with
In the contract period of four years.
John d. Mcdonald began work on
the subways OF New York in March,
1900 and had nine miles with double
track and stations in operation In four
years and seven months.
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 n very commonplace expert
ence received a telegram sone
days ago from the cashier OF little
bank In which ! am interested. 1t
read. II am offered $3.50 an acre
for your East Boyer land. What
shall | do?" ! answered, you know
better than I. Do as you think best"
To this he replied: II think the land
Is well sold" These kilograms were
not even preserved. But II had
been acting for the government |
would have had the land advertised
for sale; I would have sent com
mission TO examine and appraise Il;
! would have had not less than two
subordinate officers OF the department
30 through all the papers and submit
their recommendations; would then
have rendered final decision, but I
would have been careful 10 preserve a
complete record OF everything lest on
some unhappy day after my retire
ment and perhaps after my demise. an
investigating committee, appointed
perchance by an adverse congress-.
would make inquiry, and falling TO
find positive proof OF honesty would
make report filed with suggestions
Of doubt and that would be quite
enough 10 brand my name with shame
My subordinates take the same pre-
caution and safeguard their reputa-
tlons with an equal amount OF rel