The Boise citizen. (Boise, Idaho) 1906-1910, 1909-12-24
SWlTzERLAND'S White COAL.

r, Switzerland though very mountainous has no coal
md OF coal used in that country has imported saws
pland Journal But in Switzerland there many mountain
and waterfalls 1t srvers flow swiftly down steep decvties
b over precpce that in many places the partly
foam and becomes white And waterfalls the
hive milky appearance consequence the grinding into
I'd Of the white rocks by descending glaciers Hence since
an be easily converted into power for manufacturing and
ortaon purposes they called white coal" Because Of
~ e white coal manufacturing has made enormous strides
recent years in Switzerland and hydo-electriciy working an
Industrial revolution in the country
Government ownership has for the sefgoverning
@ Of Switzerland yet only five OF the 25 have so
assumed state ownership control of the powers But
M are becoming careful see that the white coal the
country is not given obtained by private individuals corpor
atoms freely and perpetuty The cantona legislatures free
m federal interference such matters and they
have given concessions private companies but providing for
tn to the accordance with the value of the
concession granted The people of Switzerland encourage private
pse yet jealous of the public good and allow
Industrial monopo1es
Neither can laws public opinion be deed and tred with
switzerland as they have been by monopoc corporations in this
country The people there by general pass reject any
and no power declare law passed by the people
And the law is enforced the letter and knows
no avorites
years ago the Free Soil society," organization of
ers preceived that capitalists had their eyes upon power
sites that would become very valuable and proposed amendment
national constitution, declaring that All waterfalls thero
unused are the property nation and the generation and
mission Of electricity be done by the confederation The Free
like reorners generally ahead of their time for the
people yet apprehend the value of these falling waters but
expert ecna Investigations were ordered with the result that after
years the cantons began the Free Soers suggestion
1905 Prof scha published notable pamphlet The Impor
lance of the Use of Waerpower in the Interests of Society," which
| great influence in aro1sing the people the need OF action
private corporations had already gained large totods Dr
lotto Wetsten editor Democratic paper Zurich issued
for meeting which attended by 100 prominent men, who
amendment the subject with the result l
June 1905 the Federal Congress proposed an amendment similar
that suggested by this body of citizens which was adopted by W
people by Overwhelming majority, and the Federal congress
working out necessary carry out the intent OF
amendment The Swiss people prefer private to public owner
are not inclined to socialism, but if comes to private OF
public monopoly they will have the latter.
George udson King discussing the movement IN switzerland
the Twentieth Century Magazine makes some remarks tnat may
we'll be applied to Oregon
Here have the plain citizens OF nation IN the Plee0e
governmental nacion, assuming the lead at critical time anu u
ung great question with justice to ALL and W1tout ua
mob rule vndictive passion And it is decided Inc cuze
lave spoken they sovereign, and no man would nave e ~
FO seek to undo circumvent that decision
What can be done in small compact republic of comparatively
people be so practicable immense republic OF Vds
widely varied activities and interests yet the principles OF demo
government papy in one case as we'll the other and IN all
possible ways republic should advance toward greater ae
gree Of government Of by and the people In adopting e
initiative referendum and its primary law and direct election OF
Ouled States senator's, Oregon has pioneered long sue
snd leading this desired goal and it must take care u
ground thus gained maintained against all msdlous Sche anu
'nomous assaults