Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1907-05-09
NUGGETS OF SOUND SENSE.
Beware of the Entering Wedge Of So
cialism-Publ,c Ownership.

6eWare OF the Entering Wedge OF So
cialism-Publ,c Ownership.
In recording the defeat of a munich
pal waterworlis scheme in Raleigh, N.
G., after an educational campaign Of
several months duration. the Evening
Times of that city gives an analysis of
municipal ownership which is we'll
worth the careful study of all who
have at heart the welfare of their
cities. Omitting references to local
conditions, the editorial reads as fol
lows:
Municipal ownership is contrary to
the fundamental doctrines of the Dem
ocratic party, which opposes central
lied parental government and cries out
for the freedom of individuals The
function of the government is to gov
crn. regulate and execute the laws
| made by the people and not to engage
In trading and trafficking for specula-
tive gain. The miserable failure which
the state, backed by all it's power and
public treasury, made In the trading
business while 1t owned and operated
plank roads, canals and railroads is n
blatant warning against municipal
| ownership.
Municipal ownership is the first step
in socialism. which strangles individual
enterprise. deters the Investment of
! capital in our city and retards in
tlustrial progress. When once started
there is no limit to its scope until there
becomes u large increase in municipal
debt and taxes and an Impairment of
| municipal credit When city en-
cages in municipal ownership it runs
| the risk of constant suits for damages,
while the state and county are de
prived of taxes upon that much prop.
erty.
while many towns owning water
works publish rates which appear to be
cheap. they are in many instances de
ceptivc for the reasons that, in addition
to the rates, taxes are levied upon the
people to pay interest OH bonds, which
when added to the rates make the
consumer pay more than the rates
charged by private plants. Many OF
these municipal plants IL examined by
experts according to the business rules
of examining the affairs of private COR
polations would be proved to be run
ming at a loss instead of profit, as
claimed.
"Undcr municipal ownership the
chance of the laboring man for EN-
| ployment depends not upon his merits
but upon his political influence an(
pull, and if he is not able to use pub
lie water he still has to pay taxes fol
the benefit of the rich man who does.
There is no more reason for munich
pal ownership of water than there Il
i for butcher shops, bakeries, clothin,
stores, drug stores, livery stables, etc.
and under the system of municipal gov
eminent in this country 1t is fertil,
source of graft, political corruption ant
bossisnl a catchy slogan for politica
campaign, IL slick article with which Il
deceive the people and on which tc
ride into office and machine to per
pctuate the control of the boss. 1t has
been nptly called that vivid saffron
| gold brick under whose glittering tin
sci turks a delusion and snare.
Municipal ownership is dead! Long
| live good common business sense!"
1t is Il curious fact that the board OF
aldermen which voted unanimously t.
renew the water franchise was elected
| ON municipal ownership ticket. Facts
beat fancies il they have fair chance