Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-02-19
NUGGETS OF SOUND SENSE.
Beware Of the Entering Wedge of So
cialism-PubIe Ownership.

cialism--PublIe Ownership.
In recording the defeat of a munich
pal waterworks scheme In Raleigh, n.
c., after an educational campaign OF
several months duration, the Evening
Times of that city gives an analysis OF
municipal ownership which Is well
worth the careful study Of all who
have at heart the welfare Of their
cities. Omittlng references to local
conditions. the editorial reads as fol-
lows:
Municipal ownership is contrary to
the fundamental doctrines Of the DEM
0cratic party, which opposes central
lied parental government and cries out
for the freedom OF individuals. The
function Of the government is TO gov
ern, regulate and execute the laws
made by the people and not to engage
In trading and traficking for specula.
tive gain. The miserable failure which
the state backed by all its power and
public treasury, made In the trading
business while II owned and operated
plank roads. canals and railroads is
blatant warning against municipal
ownership.
"Munlclpal ownership is the first step
In socialism. which strangles Individual
enterprise, deters the investment OF
capital in our city and retards In
dustrlal progress. When once started
there Is no limit TO its scope until there
becomes a large Increase In municipal
debt and taxes and an impairment or
municipal credit. When a city en-
cages in municipal ownership it runs
the risk OF constant suits for damages,
while the state and county are de-
prived Of taxes upon that much prop
erty
"While many towns owning water
works publish rates which appear to be
cheap, they are In many instances de-
ceptlve for the reasons that, In addition
to the rates, taxes are levied upon the
people TO pay interest on bonds, which
when added to the rates make the
consumer pay more than the rates
charged by private plants. Many OF
these municipal plants II examined by
experts according to the business rules
Of examining the affairs Of private cor
poratlons would be proved to be rum
ming at a loss instead Of profit, as
claimed.
"Under municipal ownership the
chance Of the laboring man for en-
ployment depends not upon his merits,
but upon his political influence and
pull, and II he Is not able to use pub
lie water he still has to pay taxes for
the benefit Of the rich man who does.
"There Is no more reason for munich
pal ownership of water than there Is
for butcher shops, bakeries, clothing
stores, drug stores, livery stables, ETC.,
and under the system OF municipal gov
eminent in this country it ia q FERTILE
source of graft, political corruption and
bosssm, a catchy slogan for political
campaign. a slick article with which To
deceive the people and on which 10
ride into office and machine TO per-
netuate the control of the boss. 1t has
been aptly called that vivid saffron
gold brick under whose glltterlng tin
sci turks a deluslon and snare.
municipal ownership is dead! Long
live good common business sense@
It Is a curious fact that the board OF
aldermen which voted unanimously TO
renew the water franchise was elected
on a municipal ownership ticket Facts
beat fancies If they have fair chance