The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1907-06-11
PUBLIC OWNERSHIP or NECESSTIES

President Roosevets recommendation In his speech to
the National Editorial association yesterday that what
mains Of the coal oil and ranch lands in the public domain be
retained BY the government for the good Of the
pie natural result Of the oppressive conditions which
have been forced the people by the coal oil and beef
trusts
Private ownership of necessities of life has been tried
and found wanting.
Private ownership of the necessities Of life means
monopoly and eNtortion.
Private ownership OF the necessities public prya
ton and private gain.
These facts have been tho people Of the
United States by the eNaeon and extofon Of the coal o
and beef trusts in recent years The patient public has been
literally held up and robbed by these combinations OF mil
lions money besides being made suffer from the insult
heeney OF the supplies their money can buy.
Yet the public has been remarkably patient
The people OF the United States to have
alzed they being daily robbed OF their birth
right; that the basis OF the monopoe Of the coal oil and
beef consisted Of rights given them by the government
which according the American definition the people
that wealthy beneeacs OF the governments generosity
using their privileges often raadasntly obtained to
rob and Cypress the people.
Not until the exastions OF the have become
hurdsnsome make life problem 10 the wage eatner
the people walked up II took eSorton and dsprva
ton bring them TO realization OF their own rights The
trusts are proving their undong
President Roosevelt but voiced the trend OF popular
OPINION when he declared that the government should protect
ne people from the trusts by retaining what IS left OF the
a oil and ranch lands There but competitor strong
enough to compete with OF today and that
pcttor government Individuals have tried aud have
failed IL for the government to try its hand
The effect Of the government competition IN furnishing
the people necessities Of life be imagined by
supposng the government the present owned hall
dozen coal mines in the vicinity OF Seattle
Would the Pacific Coast company then be IN position
to raise the price Of coal at wiil
Could the company hope maintain the eSorhitant
price Of last winter nothing OF the reeen, advanced
What would government competition in the mining OF
coal do Tor Seattle'
The presence OF few government mines here would
do away with coal shortage talk The government coal mined
Seattle would be apportoned the people reasonable
price instead Of being diverted Alaska San Francisco
other points.
The presence Of government mines here would break
the power Of the Pacific Coast company fix the price OF
coal and regulate the supply IFS advantage II does
present Il would break the power maintain prices and
choke competition II would the people OF this
thousands Of dollars annually which going into
the pockets OF wealthy increased dividends
And il would break the Pacific Coast company
That corporation would 60 mining coal for the OF its
steamships and railroads and would continue sell It's
Plus TO the people The only effect would be that there
would plenty and tho people would retain the
obiant margin Of profits which goes into the pockets
OF Pacific Coast company stockholders.
Government ownership and operation OF coal oil and
ranch lands which have passed OF its possession
would soon bring the trusts to their knees
There IS nothing prevent the government from taking
such steps and such would receive tho approval Of
the people the speedily take notice and reduce
prices a basis which viii allow the people to
live IN comfort.