The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1914-04-10
Coming Government Ownership OF
Utilftles.

The growth of sentiment in favor of
ownership of the great public utilities by
the Federal Government has in the last
few years been simply marvellous. In
spite of all argument to the contrary from
those who do not believe in Federal con-
troll of utilities, in spite OF overwhelming
protest from the corporations who have
SO long been fatteuing on the monopoly
of utilities, the popular demand for 4
complete change in the Management Of
railroads. telephone, telegraph and ex-
press corporations constantly grows. We
recall that when the parcel post fight was
FIRST agitated there was roar of protest
from the express companies that the
Government was incapable of handling
the business. Has this proved to be the
case Does it not seem luiicrous to CON
tend that the Government which could
successfully carry through the Panama
Canal could not manage its own railroads
and telegraph lines Why mott Is not
the Government about to build railroad
in Alaskan Could they possibly make a
worse job of railroad management than
has the New York, New Haven and Hart
ford Will it cost 80 cents to send 10.
word telegram from New York to Wash.
ington (226 milesl when The Government
owns the wiresa Could we possibly have
any more expensive telephone sereice
than we have now, the most extravaeant
in the world1 Congressman Lewis, of
Maryland, has recently contributed a
series of articles to the Baltimore Sun ad.
vocating Federal control of utilities. He
states that our telegraph charges are the
scandal Of Europe. while our postal rates
are the lowest of all countries save one.
Japan. -
In telegraph rates we are the highest.
and our telephone tolls are A.8 times
those of Europe. AS for the unlimited
yearly service. just compare these figures
with the robbery we submit to. at the
hands of ourgiant telephone monopoly,
and then delude ourselves with the idea
that we are getting much better service.
Are WEI That Is question a good many
thoughtful Americans are asking lust
now.
London pays $50 for unlimited teie-I
phone; Paris ST; Berlin $43; Rotterdam
$50; Toxic $34; The Hague $a6,\and'
Stockholm $24 In New York, the me.
tropoiis of the Land of the Free" Won
pay $228 for limited service of s'7ool
calls. For telephone toll charge of ZOO
miles the average European rate is az
cents. The average Bell Telephone rate
Is S.. Why should we 90 on fatteniue
wealthy corporations when the Govern.
ment can give Us just as good service al
far less cost Who needs the money
most, the Western Union or the Ameri-
can workingmanl
The question of strikes and labor
unions will be powerful factor In has.
tening Government ownership. Does II
seem reasonable to suppose that the pres.
ent temper of the American people will
stand for long the spectacle of great
transportation systems tied up while EN-.
ployes adjust their differences with rail-
road ranagersf Does it seem fair that
the innocent travelling public should sui.
fer this hardship VIII il not be less
likely to happen when Uncle Sam takes
charge of the railroad7
Indications show very clearly wh;cI,
way the wind is blowing. and wise nlen
will read the handwriting on the WALL
Real Estate Indicator.