The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-20
BY STOUGHTON COOLEY
In Chicago Herald.

In all countries, save those afflicted
with despotic governments, public
opinion must be nodded to the &C.
ceptance of an idea before that idea
can assume the form of applied leg.
islation. No matter how rational g
proposal may be, few politicians will
take 1t up until a large proportion OF
the voters have already Endorsed it
And as soon as the effective majority
of the representatives constituents i:
evident he is quick to answer their
demand.
Education, therefore, is the frs,
step In securing legislative action
The mass Of the voters must be con.
WINGED that the contemplated action
is wise and desirable. If the question
be of lesser Importance, and of local
interest, the work may be done by
individuals and by agencies already
In the field, but where the matter is
of state or national importance, spe.
cial societies, leagues or political par.
ties are organized for the purpose.
Public ownership of public utilities
has been urged by all these agencies
In various parts of the United States
and the preliminary work of molding
public opinion has reached a point
where a national league that EN-.
braces the scattered forces through.
out the country is due. Just how
much public ownership sentiment
there is, where it is strongest and
what action should be taken first is
not known; hence, the Organization
OF The National Public Ownership
league"
This organization is sponsored by
Jane Adams. Hull House, Chicago;
Amos Pinchot, New York; Louis F.
Post, assistant secretary of labor
Washington; Victor L.. Berger, Mil.
waukee; Frederic: c., Howe, commits
sioner of immigration; Judge Ben B
Lindsey, and a large number of for.
Ward-look king. men, and women whose
sincerity and sanity were, long age
attested by their disinterested public
work. The. secretary lis Carl d
Thompson. 4131- North Keller avenue
chicago. .:>~ r.-
This organization proposes to. as.
semble into one common force the
various influences: working for public
ownership and to direct it against the
most Vulnerable pointsHin the opposi.
ton. Some public utilities, such as
the mails, are Endorsed by: everybody
others, such. as water supply for
cities, have a: few opponents. Gas and
electric service are mainly in private
hands,: street. cars are operated al
most entirely by private capital; while
railroads, mines and water power are
still outside the field of government,
1t is evident. therefore,, that -public
opinion in this country il ;cty&alIizins
in varying degreek RaAps VIAL aacctti;vi-
ties should be taken over: BY the gov
eminent, as we'll as to which should
be taken first: The pastoffice, having
been :o{narafA4,- by TIE Government
FROM the: beginning, Sisi'accepted as a
part of the natural order, and is never
questioned, save by those holding to
the anarchfstict conception of no gov.
ernmeht:at aA1 This made it easy for
the pubic: TO-; accept tie" postal saw
lngs bank, in spite Of the fact that.
strictly speaking, that function is NOT
public utility.
But the transportation of goods.
persons and intelligence is a nublic
function, and should be incornora+ed
with governmental activities as rap
1oly as public opinion and admins
tratlve efficiency will permit Since