The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-02-26
University Speakers in the In
ter State Debate at Bismarck
Did Good Work.
WOULD Be UNABLE TO
CONDUCT The RAILROADS

VI DuSAucsS DaSSS-Ecuerdl UOveFus
ment Could Not Get Men to Do the
Work on Account of the Manner In
Which Advances Are Made-North.
west Situation Argued as Point
Against Government Ownership.
The victory of North Dakota over
Montana in the debate at Bismarck
last week has been the cause for much
JOY at the institution for the last few
days. The members of the team,
Messrs. Brennan, Husband and Cooper
are receiving the congratulations of
their many admirers, and there is
nothing too good for them. The adj
dresses made by the North Dakota de-
baters are interesting, and were as
follows:
Transportation difficulties in the
United States are much greater than
In any foreign countries. Our poll
teal and business conditions make our
railroad problem vastly more difficult
than that of any older nation of Eu-
rope. Therefore, before we entrust
to a new system the great railroad
industry upon which the very welfare
OF the nation depends, we must not
only know that evils in the present
system is safe and will be successful.
1t must be more than an alluring the
DRY. 1t must be practical, working
remedy for American conditions. It
must successfully meet the two great
problems of America, problem of
development as we'll as of service.
This is the tremendous burden of
proof which the opposition must meet.
II they fail to do this they will have
failed to establish their case for gov
eminent ownership.
Are Factor.
Take the conditions in the United
States. Under the present system We
have proposed and the railroads have
been most important factor in our
prosperity. Our service compares
we'll with that of any foreign nation.
1t Is true we have evils. No system
could develop so rapidly and be free
from evils. The main cause lies in
the fact that until the past year the
government has not exercised it's pow
er OF regulation. But all necessary
power to regulate resides in the gov
eminent. and when that power is
exercised We find abuses remelied.
me American people are going to see
that power exercised. Public opinion
is aroused. With Theodore Roosevelt
leading the fight, backed by men of
all parties, the people feel that the
railroads can be regulated, that abus-
es can be remedied. Once exercise
the full power of control, back it
with the entire strength Of our gov
ernmen and no corporation, railroad
or otherwise, can defy the law. When
the meat business or the adulterated
food business was exposed did the
government attempt ownership? No,
1t applied the power of regulation and
those corporations are now glad to
obey the law. My colleague will take
up government control in detail and
will show how present evils, whether
OF rates or service, can be remedied,
to the end that the American system
OF private enterprise can be pre-
served.
Is Unsuited.
We want no European paternalism.
Our system was found to give free
dom to the private citizen. 1t is not
adapted to carry on the private citi-
zen's business. Our administration is
unwieldy and full Of log rolling and
corporation. Thus, government own
ershtp Is utterly unsuited to the prin-
ciples and purposes of American gov
eminent. Moreover, aside from the
political difficulties of such a step
there are grave business dangers. In
the coming years must come the great
est increase in mileage and equipment
we have ever seen. And, already, the
railroads employ a million and half
OF men. They have fifteen billions of
capital. The railroad is the most i'm
portant industry we have, requiring
the highest ability and strictest econo-
my in its management. 1t must be
run on business principles alone or
unparalleled failure will result.
1naDllCy SHOWN.
In the light of these facts, ladies
and gentlemen, this Is our case against
government ownership. Government
ownership cannot meet the railroad
problem in America because of our
condition. First, because of political
difficulties and second because of bust
ness difficulties. My colleagues will
discuss the question in regard to it's
business side. 1t is my purpose to
deal with it from the political stand
point. First, take the machinery of
our government. Let me contrast it
with that of Germany's legislation is
dictated by her military ruler. In
her railroad improvements. military
expediency is the deciding factor.
Moreover, Germany is confronted by
no problem of building new lines, but
merely of maintaining an old estab-
Mshed system. How different are con-
ditions in the United States. Congress
would have to handle the problem I'M
der government ownership and con-
gress Is dominated by sectional in
fiuences. Appropriations must be
voted by men from all sections of the
HoLLlSIER's
Rocky Mountain Tea nukkeis