The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1907-03-28
GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP.

aohtI Nilt NhNoAAoiis 10 biiNAN 81
considerable sentiment out here i
favor of government ownership {
railroads."
In asking the quesnion the gentle
man did not refer particularly t
the Socialists who demand that tn
government own and operate prac
tically everything, or to the Popu
list whose original platform was {
demand for the ownership of al
means of communication and trans
portation. What he wanted to
know was whether or not the idea
Of government ownership was making
any advance among the conservative
people Of the West
We have to state frankly that in
our opinion the idea of government
ownCrhip is considered with a good
deal more favor than it was few
years ago. The managers of the
roads are responsible for this in
crease of sentiment.
The reasons that conservative peo-
pie have not heretofore favored the
idea OF government ownership were:
first, that such ownership would put
too much power in the hands of
whatever party might happen to be
in control of the government; sec
ond, that government ownership
would likely be unnecessarily ex-
pensive and probably inefficient, and
third, that there is a general reluct-
ance to have the government go
into lines of business that can or
ought to be better managed by pri-
vate individuals.
To the first OBJ lection the answer
is made that at the present time and
for many years past the railroads
have and do undertake to control
the politics of the country sometimes
in one party and sometimes in the
other and that it would be better to
have the government own the roads
than to be dominated by them. In
answer to the second objection it is
said that at present the railroads de-
mand that they be allowed to charge
such rates as will pay dividends on
stocks and bonds far in excess of the
real cost of the roads and that if the
took the roads at their
real value it could operate them at a
smaller cost to the people than the
present rates amount to Finally, in
answer to the objection that govern
nent management would be not only
,xtravagant but inefficient, the adj
'ocates of government ownership
'oint to the frightful record of rail
Dad accidents of the past year or
wo during which time enough peo-
lie have been killed or wounded to
make great army. They say that
would be impossible for the gov
nment to show a worse record for
deficient management than has
cen shown under private owner
hip.
And so the sentiment in favor of
overnment ownership is steadily
rowing. The greedy management
{ most of the roads is responsible
,r this. The men who are in con-
'ol of at least good many of the
reat lines Of road are only anxious /.
Dparently to show great profits. !.
heir policy seems to be to run the !.
lads just as chea9ly as possible; !.
re cheap help and then work it to :
lie limit of endurance. Boys are i.
aced in positions of responsibility I
,cause boys will work cheaper I.
an experienced men. Collisions +.
ID great loss of life occur rs q re- I.
1t. With more equipment than !
er before the railroads are appar- .
fly entirely unable to handle the .
Isiness of the country. 1t is known I
July substantially how much coal. !
r example, will be required to .
pply certain town No provision, !
weyer. is made during the slack !
'nths to get supply ready for :
at town and when the winter I
mes the town is confronted with :
Al famine and the statement that
IS impossible to get cars to haul =.
e fuel. /.
We cite the coal case merely as a /.
nple. The railroad managers are I
3ponsible for the growing senti- !
mt in favor of government own !
'hip. The people are saying that !.
couldn't be much worse under
ownership than it is now
] that at least all of the people :
uld get an even show in the
tier of freight and passenger