Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-04
TALKS OF HIS TRAVELS
Representative Hepburn Iowa
in London.
STUDYING THE CONDITIONS
Statistics Pertaining to Problems OF
the Hour.
GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP ISSUE
Comparison With Experience in Other
Countries Rail-
road Legislation. 49,.
GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP ISSUE
Special Cablerram to The Star.

Special Cabegram TO The Star
LONDON, August Representative Hep
burn of Iowa, with his wife, daughter and
son-in-law is now in London. After visit
ing Holland they intend to take trips
throughout England and return to the
United States September IA. 1t Is Mr.. Hep
burns first trip to Europe. He says:
Il only intended visiting Holland and Eng
land. These are the most interesting coun-
tries to me, and practically the only ones
which have contributed everything which
America Possesses in the way of laws. in
situations and higher thoughts
Won't you go to Switzerland and see the
working of the initiative and referendum
To this MIR. Hepburn replied:
of course. l am interested in those ideas.
and theoretically Switzerland could teach
me much, but the practical conditions of the
country and the pursuits of the people are
so dissimilar from those obtained In the
United States that the success of ideas in
Switzerland by no means forms a sound
premise for argument that similar ideas
would suit America. The difference in size
and conditions between America and coun-
tries where various governmental expert
ments are being made Is constantly for
gotten. For example, in New Zealand,
where the success of socfalistic ideas Is so
constantly quoted, the statistics show that
the governmentaffy controlled railroads lost
in one year one million and a half dollars.
Well, to the American mind that Is not a
very great deficit. but you must remember
that New Zealand has only 800 miles of
railroad, while America. with over 100000
miles. on the same proportion would have
a deficit of over $500. 900 900 annually If the
government controlled the railroads.
Government Ownership Not Practical.
However. I don't think there is any
likelihood OF the people insisting on govern
NJ 10 ~
United States owned and operated the pub
lie utilities like the railroads and telegraphs
1t would mean that over a million and
half employees would be directly under con-
troll OF one or at most a few minds. A
government starting such an innovation,
with such enormous patronage. would easily
be able to perpetuate itself. The people of
The United States have awakened to the
fact that governmental ownership would
mean practically oligarchy, and won't
have 1t They have dropped the idea like
hot potato"
Speaking Of prospective railroad iegisla-
ton Mr.. Hepburn said that unquestionably
many bills would be introduced during the
was likely that among them would be one
giving the government power to regulate
bond issues. based valuation. What
would be the fate of such q measure he
was not prepared to prophesy. 1t will
depend mainly on the attitude of the
interstate commerce commission. OF course,
the question or the c0nStnuttonality Of such
legislation would be raised, but it seemed
to him that where the railroads do inter-
state business. which most OF them do. the
government could exercise such power over
them
Mr. Hepburn went on to say: IT do not
think that legislation is necessary in order
to secure the much-talked-of appraisement
of railroads, as the interstate commerce
commission already possesses ample power
to secure such Information, in fact, there
Is not any variety Of information concern
merce commission have not now the power
to secure.
No Tariff Revision.
Tariff revision" said Mr.. Hepburn, lis
extremely unlikely. If attempted at the
coming session it will be put off until after
the confusion of the next election has
passed, when the republican party. II In
power. undoubtedly will attempt revision
Since the tariff was instituted a revision
has been made about once in every six or
eight years Undoubtedly the present law
Is defective in many instances. Some
rates are too low. and others too high.
but certainly the general prosperity of the
country was never so great as under the
present law"
What has most impressed Representative
Hepburn in Europe thus far Is the Solidity
buildings.
ITO a man like myself" said Mr.. Hep
burn, these solid old buildings dating
back hundreds Of years are tremendously
interesting. went to Iowa territory sixty
six years ago and dare, say there isn't
. building in that state which has since
been cut out of that territory that is older
nVaolf'