The weekly herald. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 1906-19??, 1907-03-28

OWNERSHIP
J, W. S, Holman Writes Regard
Ing Government and NUM-.
CipaI Ownership.
Editor Daily Panhandle:

sup OF IdllIQauS you state as leN-
son therefor THAT It Is the only
solution OF the passenger and traffic
regulation troubles, that will sue
cessfully prevent discrimination in
freight rates" That governmental
ownership would prevent these trou-
bles and wrongs, | have yet to learn
OF anyone who denies this PROPOSE
ton; but there are many who say,
and proclaim
First, That the wrongs can be cor
rected and controlled by a commits
sion.
Second, That for the government
to own, operate, manage and conduct
the transportation enterprises would
tend to Capitalization OF power in
the national government, and would
be vlolative Of that Democratic spirit
Of individual rights and freedom Of
enterprise, permeating a Republican
form of government. That for the
government to do so, would be chang
ing this, Republican, to a paternal-
istic form Of government.
Now Mr.. Editor, as there are none
who does or can successfully deny
that governmental ownership, man
agement and control OF the railroads,
would correct the wrongs practiced
by the roads in discrimination OF
frelghts, etc, | take 1t then that up
on that we are agreed. But say
some, these wrongs can be corrected
by the commissioners, elected or APP
pointed for that purpose, Such as
sertions are a pure "petitio primes
PHI" They would supplant an infal-
liable by a theoretical remedy.
/ would make but one amendment
to your article above referred to.
operate, manage and control" all
public service enterprises. lndiyid-
uals should not be permitted, under
sanction of law, to render inefficient
service, collect extortionate rates,
make determinations against cities,
towns and individuals, and exploit
the general public at pleasure.
Paternalsm.
Well, Mr.. Editor, II this is pater-
nalism, what shall we do about the
assertions OF our greatest statesmen?
They all say, that. this is "a govern
ment of the people, by the people and
for the people. If that be true, why
then is the ownership Of all enter
prises Of public utility and intended
for the public benefit and service,
any more "paternalStic" than the
government itself is paternalism,
Away with such sophistry.
ri Capitalization.
AS to the United States mail SER
vice, perhaps there are parties who
would advocate, corporations for that
purpose, but must confess that |
have yet to hear a proposition adj
yanced.
If the general government can
Gown, operate, manage and control
the great volume OF business of the
United States mail, of this great ma
ton, why can 1t not the other pub
lie service enterprises?
DO we have United States mail dis
examinations? United States mail
rebates? Not Much. Then why do
we have so much trouble with the
railroads, telegraph, telephone and
other public service corporations?
They are not owned, operated, man
aged and controlled by the govern
ment.
The supreme court of the state
OF North Carolina, in its decision in
the case of Willie II. Green VS.. the
Western Union Telegraph company,
uses this significant language "a
telegraph company Is quasi public
corporation" private in the owner
ship of its stock but "public in the
nature of its duties" "a telegraph
company is essentially public, in it's
duties" without such public du-
ties, there would be neither reason
for its creation, nor excuse for its
continued existence" In fact, be-
ing the complement OF the postal
service 1t is one Of those great pub
lie agencies, so important in its ma
ture and far reaching in its applica-
ton, that, some of our wlsest states
men have deemed its continued own
ership in private hands, menace
70 public interests" Mr.. Editor, how
about our
WaterwOrks System.
Is It not public service corpora
ton? How long has it been Mr. Edi-
tor, since sou could go to your by
drant and draw water at your pleas