The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-04-25

we nave now, the most extravagant in
the world? Congressman Lewis, of
Maryland, has recently contributed "a
series of articles to the Baltimore Sun
advocating federal control of utilities.
lie states that our telephone and tele-
graph charges are the scandal Of Eu-
rope. while our postal rctos arc ths
lowest Of all countries save one. ia
pan. In telegraph rates we are the
highest, and our telephone tolls are
times those of Europe. AS for the
unlimited yearly service, just compare
these figures with the robbery we sub
init to at the hands of our giant tele-
phone monopoly and then delude our
selves with the idea that we are get
ting much better service. Are we?
That Is the question a good many
thoughtful Americans are asking Just
now. London pays $S2 for unlimited
telephones; Paris SIT; Berlin, $43; Rot
terdam $50; Toxic $34; The Hague
$26, and Stockholm $24. In New
York, the metropolis Of the Land of
the Free" you pay $22S for a limited
service of $500 calls For telephone
toll charge of 500 miles the average
European rate is 81 cents. The aver
age Bell Telephone rate is IS. Why
should We go on fattening wealthy
corporations when the government can
give us just as good service at far
less cost? Who needs the money
most, the Western Union or the Amer
lean wOrkingman?
The question of strikes and labor
unions will be a powerful factor in
hastcning government ownership.
Does it seem reasonable to suppose
that the present temper of the Amcri-
can people will stand for long the Spec
taclc OF great transportation systems
tied up while employees adjust their
differences with railroad managers
travelling public should suffer this
hardship? Will it not be less likely to
happen when Uncle Sam takes charge
OF the railroads? Strikers take no
chances with United States regulars
and interfering with railroad traffic
becomes a very serious business when
you are looking down the cold steel
barrel Of Springfield with a United
States soldier behind it.
a friend OF mine. who is q practical
railroad man, an expert locomotive
engineer. writes me an interesting let
ter which gives the viewpoint of the
man inside. He says. Dear MIR. Turn
bull: In my estimation, government
ownership is the proper spirit, which
would be very beneficial to the pub
lie at large and to railroad employees.
AS to wages, l consider them good
enough. What We should have is bet
ter conditions for employees. They are
tho question Of sobriety,
which must exist with men Of my vO-
cation. l would like to suggest a
tour OF inspection to view the disgust
ing and revolving places Of accommo-
dations we are obliged to patronze in
order to eat and sleep while on duty.
Most all these places sell liquor and
offer temptations to men. Here is
held Tor good work to create clean
moral places where men await their
turn for calls. If instead of the vile
low places at railroad terminals, we
could have Young Mems Christian AS
sociation reading rooms, they would
be appreciated and the travelling pub
lie would be in less danger. My views
on strikes are yours exactly. l do not
believe in them."
The above extracts from the letter
of an intelligent American citizen who
has the requisite nerve and skill to
drive one of the mnoster locomotives
OF great railroad system how very
clearly which way the wind is blow
Ing, and wise men will read the hand
writing on the wall.