Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-13
LOCAL DEBATERS WIN
George Washington University
Bests North Carolina Team.
LARGE AUDIENCE PRESENT
Government Ownership of Railways
the Question Under Discussion
DECISION WAS NOT UNANIMOUS
Visitors Support Affirmative of the
Proposition-Arguments Advanced
For and Against.
DECISION WAS NOT UNANIMOUS

opeldtlOH Ol Interstate TdiWdyS, Tie
debate team of the George Washington
University defeated their rivals from the
University of North Carolina in the first
debate between the two universities held
yesterday afternoon in the Belasco Thea
ter. The debate was well contested, and
the fact that the judges were divided in
dictated how close it was. A far-s!Zed
audience greeted the speakers and showed
appreciation of the efforts of the speakers.
The winning speakers for the George
Washington University were Albert C.
Hindman of Pennsylvania and Fayette D.
Couden of Massachusetts. The visiting
team was composed of r. C. Day ana ".
p Stacy, both of North Carolina. The
debate along the broad lines of gov
ernmental ownership of the railroads. The
proposition was stated as follows:
Resolved, That the ownership and op-
Grafton of interstate railways by the ma
tional government would subserve the best
interests Of the people of the United
States" The visitors supported the affirm
alive and the local team spoke on the
negative side.
The decision was left to Gen. John G.
Black president of the United States civil
service commission; Mr.. John Barrett, d.
rector of the bureau of American repub-
lies, and Prof. Simon Nelson Patten of the
University of Pennsylvania. AT the con-
clusion of the debate each of the judges
wrote his decision a slip of paper and
sealed it in an envelope. These We're then
opened by Commissioner of Labor c. p.
NeiIl, the presiding officer, and the ma
jority decision was announced by him.
The Arguments.
Mr.. Day of the University of North
Carolina opened the debate, following the
announcement of the order of speaking by
Commissioner Neil. He devoted his time
to showing that the character of the rail-
differed n fro, Of
other elements of industry that they
should properly be owned and operated by
the government. First, he began by show
ing that a democracy, like this country.
has to deal with two interests of the peo-
pie of which it is the unit-first, with indi-
vidual interests, and secondly with COM
mon social interests. In the first case he
stated, the function of the government
rights of free agents in carrying out their
individual activities. In the second place.
the government must step in where the
interests become common interests and
where they have a common influence
Many such interests, he argued, are recog-
nized, as illustrated by the government
control of the highways, the navigable
waterways, irrigation, etc.
AS to distinguishing as to the industries
which should be owned and operated by
the government he divided the elements
tie factory, the store and transportation
lines. The first three, 1t was maintained
were not interdependent, and therefore
not properly to be operated by the govern
ment but the fourth, upon which all Of
the others depend, Is a common interest
and therefore proper for government con-
troll The railways are the highways Of
commerce, and they have the right of
eminent domain. he pointed out.
In the Affirmative.
In opening for George Washington, Mr.
Hindman Immediately pointed out the bur-
proposition He said that the opponents
must prove, first, that. as the proposition
effects vast business interests and means
a radical change, there are thorough and
serious evils in the present system Of pri-
vate ownership; secondly, that the evils
are due to private ownership and operation
and to no other causes; thirdly, that the
evils admit Of cure; fourth. that public
ownership will work a cure; fifth, that
their remedy Is feasible; sixth, that gov
eminent ownership is the only remedy that
will cure the evils; seventh, that the pro-
posed system will not bring greater evils
in its tram.
railroads, he pointed out that their value
was about S15,O0O,0 OO, 600 and that they paid
$50, 900 to the government in taxes in
a year. He said If the United States bought
the lines. it would not only lose this amount
in taxes. but also would pay interest on
the bonds issued to buy the roads, and
TINS WOulu prODdDiy go 10 present rail-
road magnates. who, he declared, wouI.
gobble up all the bonds. Turning to the
operative side. he asked If the United States
was enough of business man to operate
United States Is the easiest Jake to be
cheated in the union he remarked.
Taking examples from the postal service
of the government he showed that it cost
the United States $3175 to carry a ton of
merchandise from New York to Buffalo,
and it costs the express companies $3.50
He also pointed out that the men who de-
veloped the railroads were required to
operate them and that such men could not
be transferred to the government service
In conclusion he maintained that the func-
ton of government was only to transact
business that cannot be transacted privately
and that the railroads are not in that class.
Discusses Probability.
Mr.. Stacy. the second speaker for the Wis
itors. took up the practicability of govern
ment ownership. AS to the ability of the
government to buy the railroads. he point
ed out that they were valued at $4,000, OOO,-
OOO and that the United States backing
amounted to Sis. 900. 10000 AS to the
management of the railroads under govern
mental control. he stated that there could
be established one central bureau and sew
eral local bureaus over the United States
For the heads Of these bureaus, only men
of an experience of ten years in railroad
work would be chosen, and they would be
appointed, about one each year, by the
President with the consent of the Senate
By having only go out of office each
year, political change at the White House
could not effect a radical change in the
control of the railroads. AS to the rate
making power he said there could be no
objection urged against that part of the
plan as in case of contested rates now
the final decision is made by the govern
ment, represented by the interstate COM
merce commission. The employees of the
government lines would be promoted by
civil service.
Three evils. now a feature of the present
railroad system. which he said would be
obviated by the proposed system, are the
building of unnecessary parallel lines
watering stock and manipulation of the
stock market The evils of rate discrimina-
lions and secret rebates would be wiped
out; the preference shown in the supply of
cars would be done away with, argued the