Bisbee daily review., 1911-09-09
GONERNM ENT oW ZINE RSHIP.

O"GREnoTiH.
 The Reviews correspondent at Washington, NIT. Victor Elliott, be, lieves that there is a rising tide of sentiment in this country in favor of government ownership. but in support of his impression he adduces only the activities of Messrs. La Toilette, Nor ris and Poindexter who are also active opponents of other theories which we believe are not supported by a major ity of the country's sentiment
 The thing Mir. Elliott finds that tends to popularize government own ership is the Alaskan situation, which, the insurgents mentioned propose to relieve by legislation. authorizing or directing the government to take con trol of the transportation business of the territory and to operate it's rich coal mines
 Attention is called to a recent article by Col. Roosevelt advocating such ac- ton. We may dismiss the recommen- dations Of the colonel, on the ground that those who have followed his gyra- tions for some years, are not sure that the next issue of the Outlook will not advise an entirely different coursS with respect to Alaska.
 The only man, so far as We know, who has given expression on this sub 5ect after careful study and personal inspection Of conditions in Alaska, is Secretary Fisher of the interor depart ment, who. the @progressiyes' and the radicals Of all parties, must concede approached the subject with an open mind. Mr. Fisher has for years been an ardent conservationist, a friend of Pinchot and a claimed companioD-at- arms of the "progressiyes."
 Mir. Fisher, recently. after visit to Controller Bay, the storm-center, stated that, while he had not decided as to the recommendations he would make concerning Alaskan legislation, he did not believe that government operation Of transportation and the the coal mines vas practicable. He favored, rather, a leasing system Zhich would, at the same time, be protective of the public interests and attractive to investors.
 The strongest opposition to the pro jects of the insurgents will not come from the so-caiied privileged inter- ests" which are accused Of a purpose to plunder Alaska, for it has become evident to those who have made ez- tensive Investments in the territory that thcir opportunities there arc ccr. tain, in any event, 10 be so restricted by nnw legislation, that those invest ments will not be profitable in tra measure expected, if at all. Not long ago the head of one of the companies the heaviest investor in Alaska said that his company would be pleased tC sell it's holdings to the government al cost. At the same time he agree, with Messrs Roosevelt, La FolIett, and the others. that the government alone could develop Alaska
 But all this is rather aside from tho broad statement of NIT. Elliott tha the sentiment in favor Of government ownership of all public utilities is 2 rising tide. There are no indicationi that the sentiment Is stronger thar 1t was on the night of August 30, 19O' when Mir Bryan at Madison Squar' Garden. on his return from a tour O the world, the idol of his party, an' the pride of the waoIe country, teste' it's popularity.
 The result was astounding. Demo cratic political leaders were paralyze' and the next day Mr Bryan's chance for the presidency which the day be fore had seemed to be in the ascend ant were trampled to tatters unde popular disspproyaL