St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1912-02-17
"A GGiERNMENT,OWNED
PEOPLE" THREATENED
ClarIsns WASHINGTON Correspondent Argues
strungIy against government owned Utilities
NO MORE "JIM CROW Law
would Fellow tas Innovation. Other Interest,"
Ing Items from the Seat Of Unitef
states Government.

CONEalu WEEKLY 40 OAOS.A go
possible letter from Washing
ton, b. G., dealing with timely
topics. and particularly Govern
ment ownership of utilities, IN
Guiding the ruinous proposition
of Parcels Post, by whichforeign
mercantile houses would be
placed in position to almost run
out Of business local enterprises
of the same kind. Editor.
Washington, d. G.. Feb. "A, 1912.
Washington Correspondence St.
Landry Clarion.
Representative Oscar w. I'm
derwood, Chairman of the Ways
and Means Committee of the
House, has sounded a warning
] against Congressional extraya-
Qance. It looks now as though
the pork barrel would have to
be set in a corner untapped.
Even expenditures for the Dis
trfct of Columbia are greatly
pared. A contemplated expen-
diture Of SIG, 600, 900 for public
buildings has been shunted in
caucus. Not only House Leader
Underwood but other prominent
Democrats have been taking in
ventory of the situation. Here
are some of the things disclosed:
The ordinary Government reye-
nues for 1911 of $500, 109, 906
were $45, 681, 619 in excess of the
ordinary expenditures.
The Rural Free Delivery News,
published in Washington as
organ of the National Rural
Letter Carriers Association,
says: The much vaunted sur
plus appears to have been due to
the failure Of the Department to
pay its bills and the antiquated
system of bookkeeping. It
says that in reality there is a
deficit in the Postoffice depart
ment this year of about
So, 600, 900.
The total amount expended
upon the Panama Canal to Oct.
81, 1911, was $252, 1872, 1863. Upon
it much more will have to be
spent.
It is estimated that the Sher-
wood Pension bill means an ex-
penditure of nearly $75, 000, 600
yearly. Democratic leaders do
not want such a deficit as was
charged to them in 1894 to con-
front them in the coming cam
paign, especially in view of the
declarations of their platforms
regarding economy in the public
service.
In view of the innovations now
proposed of government owner
ship and operation Of the ex-
press, telegraph, telephone bust
ness, etc, Democratic leaders
are pointing out that the Demo-
cratic platform declare in favor
Of efficient regulations Of such
utilities, but not in favor of
Government ownership and
operation Of the same. The his
toric position Of the Democratic
party, it is recalled, is that pub
lie expenditures shall be limited
to the needs of government
economically administered. Re
publican members of prominence
declare that in this attitude there
is little or no difference between
those who follow the ideals of
Jefferson and those who follow
the principles of Lincoln. Old
line Republicans as we'll as old
line Democrats, not imbued with
Socialistic principles are now
sometimes predicting that, with
in a surprisingly few years, they
will be found shoulder to shoulder
fighting Socialism.
These are saying that the
Governments entrance into the
express-carrying business is sure
to be followed by a terrific effort
upon the part Of all those who
have privately, If not publicly,
accepted the teachings of Social
ism, for the Governments en-
france into ownership aud oper-
ation Of the telegraph systems
md, if into these, why not into
i'll others?
The 6rsf would entail. thew