Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-20
Council Bluffs
TALKS ON GREAT PROBLEMS
B. 7. Winchell Discusses Railroads
and Ex-Mayor Dunno Utilities.
BANQUET OF COMMERCIAL CLUB
Telegram of Felicitation IL Sent to
Last Years Guest of Honor and
Speaker, President Will
liam H. Taft.

liam H. Taft.
One year ago the Commercial club of
| Council Bluffs had the honor of entertain
ing at its annual banquet William II. Taft,
and last night, at the sixth annual ban
quet. the club had as it's guests the
head of one of the greatest railroad
systems and the former chief executive of
one of the greatest cities Of this country
B. L. Winchell. president of the Rock
Island Railway company, and Edward f.,
Dunno, former mayor of the city of Chi
cago.
Emmett FINLEY presided as In
his Introductory remarks Mr.. FINLEY re-
ferred to the fact that one year ago the
club had as its guest William II. Taft, sec
rotary of war, since elected president Of
this great country. At Mr.. Tinley's request
General Grenville NJ. Dodge read the fol
lowing telegram, which was sent to Presi-
dent Taft:
The Commercial club of Council Bluffs, at
its annual banquet, remembers that one
year ago it's distinguished guest was the
secretary of war, who entertained II with
q very able and interesting address on the
| Philippines. and tonight extends TO him
as the president of our great nation it's
heartfelt wishes for his good health, long
life and for a successful and prosperous
administration OF his great Office.
Former Mayor Edward r. Dunno Is a
strong advocate of municipal ownership
! OF public utilities and he took as the sub
ject of his address, 1.-The Drift Toward
Public Ownership" Mr.. dunno said in the
course OF his talk:
What is to be the ultimate outcome Of
! tha mOyament towards Dublic OWnprRhiD in
| American
Where short time franchises are expir-
ing public ownership Is inevitable sooner or
later in the near future. Why7 All the
private companies are over-capitalized.
When the franchise expires the principal
element that gives value TO the stock, the
franchise, is gone. The personal property,
the only other asset at the time Is junk.
When a franchise expires there are only
two bidders for the privilege of furnishing
perpetual franchise worth $40, but who
reed some personal property worth in
comparison 81 and the old company with
personal property worth 81, who need a
franchise worth in comparison SO, The
bidders are not on level terms. The people
II hey want the business and the recent
history of the world shows they do. will
When perpetual franchises exist the out
come is not so certain. The result
depends upon the efficiency of man
agement, moderation In charges and the
deccncy OF the treatment accorded to the
public. The public will not agitate for or
favor the taking over of a public utility.
which has a perpetual franchise by CON
demnation,f III the public cannot give moro
efficient and economical service to the
public.
WineheII on Railroad Problem.
Mr.. Winchell took as the subject of his
address, (which Shall 1t Be?" saying in
part:
Shall what we call politics be
L the nvincipal aim of our national life and
I the principal reason for our existence, OF
shall we henceforth devote more thought
to BUSINESS necessity and the material de-
veloment OF our magnificent resources?
shall we devote more time and thought
to the question of what shall serve the
people in public office, or TO the some
what Of late overlooked problems of how
TO turn the wheels Of Industry more rap
idly, so that deserving workinsmen may
kcOmfOrtably care for their families; 80
that our states and cities may flourish and
fulfill their magnificent destinies; 30 that
those who have money available TO be
spent in development Of work may loosen
their purle springs.
am confident that you are thinking, II
you do not say II, that business also is
selfish, and that many business methods
are bad, and In this you are right. Is II
not a conclusion easy to reach hat politics
must some day go to the big, broad prin-
ciples OF science of government for the
benefit and best good of all interests7 and
that business must come to be conducted
everywhere on a broad and fair basis
open To the light of day and able to looh
the honest citizen directly in the eye; but
also conducted on a basis which will
yield profits large enough to tempt tn,
owners OF money TO invest Il in things
which the nation needs2
One OF the questions which the nation
must soon solve 10 that OF responsible,
for railroad success or failure. SAT-
Mr.. Wtnchsll.
Under existing conditions that reeponsi
bihty has certainly been taken away from
the owners, They are not IN fun contro
either OF the rates or expenditures. Doe.