davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13

pies Of our form Of government re-
quire that the members of legislative
bodies and all principal executive Of
ficials be periodically subject to
change; that the number of members
of legislative bodies be large and that
representation be sectional; that leg
islative bodies, by means of laws
passed by them, direct and control in
minute detail the acts of executive
officials; that the discretionary power
of such officials be restricted to the
narrowcst possible limits; that 10
outlaws of public roncvs he made. ex-
cept as expressly authorized by law;
d.
Whereas, By reason of these con-
dltona .noer2raole from our form of
government, governmental operation
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13
hip with constantly shifting admin

ship with constantly shifting admin
istrations.
With this review of the experience
Ct other countries in this field Of
economic experiment we might prop
crly ask what are the contributing
causes to this almost universal rec
ord of failure. Facing this question
for discussion before the joint COM
mttee Of Congress, appointed to in
ouire into the whole problem of
transportation and headed by the
lste Senator Newlands, the Mer-
chants Association Of New York, in
1916, passed the following resolu-
tons:
Whereas, The fundamental princl-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13


Federal, state or municipal, is char
acterized by extreme delay and
inertia, vacillation, hesitancy and in
consistency in matters of policy;
tional demands; insufficient provision
Of funds when needed for necessary
purposes; absence of close and har-
monious cooperation between the leg
islative directorate and the executive
officials; insecurity of tenure in the
higher places and lack of self-inter-
est as an incentive; frequent change
of higher officials and the injection
into Office of new and untried men;
unsuitable methods Of selecting
executive officials whereby such Of
ficials are often not properly quail
fed by expert knowledge, previous
training, experience or proved capac-
ity; hampering conditions imposed
by law upon executives whereby they
are deprived of necessary control of
operation and of their subordinates;
and
Whereas, From these conditions
naturally result imperfect coordina-
ton, lack Of qualified management,
bad operating methods and general
waste and incfficiencv; both the
methods and the results being dia
metrically opposite TO those which
prevail in properly managed business
| undertakings, which latter are gov
erned solely by economic considera-
lions, and require for their success
close and friendly relations between
the directorate and the officials, the
prompt provision Of funds as re-
quircd by the economic needs of the
business, high capacity, long expert
cnce and special training on the part
Of the executive officials, assured
tenure during efficiency, sclfinterest,
and the possession b. such officials
Of very large degree of discretion
as to OUTLAWS and operating details;
now, therefore, be it
Resolved, BY the Merchants Asso-
citation Of New York that government
tai methods in the conduct Of bust
by reason of the Fundamental rcstric-
lions imposed b. our form Of govern
ment; and that governmental meth DDS
are often inefficient and wasteful
and therefore unsuited to the conduct
of business undertakings; and be il
further
Resolved. That the Merchants As.
ISOLATION Of New York is opposed tt
government ownership and operation
Of railroads, telephones, telegraph;
and other public utilities, believing
that such utilities are far more eff
fectively operated under private own
crship, subject to public regulation
than would be possible under gov.
ornamental ownership and operation
and that it would be national calam-
ity to subject these instruments, in
dspensablc to the welfare of the
whole country, to the hampering, in
efficient and wasteful methods in
separable from governmental under
taklngs.
Economics
Not Politics
1t would be difficult to summariz
the arguments against governmel
ownership more clearly than the
have been thus stated. Many il
stances upon which these conclusion
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13
The Postomce
Delusion

One Of the popular arguments adj
vanced by advocates Of government
ownership of railways is the alleged
success of our Postoffice Department,
and that delusion Of success in postal
service rests undisturbed in the pub
lie mind. And yet it has absolutely
no basis in fact. The truth Of the
matter, as the most casual survey of
the situation would reveal, is that
our Postoffice Department has been,
almost throughout its history, a ma
tional liability, wastefully and cx-
travagantly managed and constant
drag on the public treasury.
One need go no further than the
report Of the Postmaster General
himself to Congress last year, in
which he complained of political in
reference, governmental red tape,
restrictive rules and traditions which
bound the operation Of the depart
ment, rendering it wasteful and in
efficient. In 1908 joint Congress
sional commission, after an exhaus-
tive study of the department., sum
married. its findings in this cogent
paragraphs:
For more than one hundred years
the great and stupendous business of
the Postofficc Department has been
operated without being overhauled or
looked into from the point Of crit
cal, expert scrutiny of its business
methods. 1t appears too OBJ
vious to require argument that the
most efficient service can never be
expected as long as the direction of
the business is, as at present, IN
trusted to Postmaster General and
certain assistants selected without
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13
Arguments Against
Government Ownership

The chief arguments against gov
eminent ownership in this country
are inherent in our form Of govern
ment. The single striking instance
Of success in government ownership
achieved by the Prussian autocracy
furnishes no proper argument for a
similar success in this country, or in
any democracy.
Under autocratic power our trans
portation business, like any other
business, might prosper, but auto
cratic power is not consistent with
our democratic ideals for any other
period than the emergency Of war.
1t is certain that no great business,
such as the railroad business, can
prosper without having a single d.
recting mind at its head, with def
initeness and continuity of authority
and policy behind it. This would be
impossible under government owner
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13
Experience Of
Other Countries

No more graphic illusivation Of
the failure of government ownership
to achieve the desired ends Of trans
portation can be given than the eX-
perience Of our neighbor, Canada.
There Wastefulness in construction,
cxtravagant costs, political interfer
ence and nepotism have combined to
disrupt the whole transportation
business of the country and to place
burden upon taxpayers far out of
proportion to the service rendered.
The facts and figures in this situa
ton are easily available and should
not be disregarded by those who seek
solution Of our own problem.
In Austria, Italy and on the state
railways Of France the most deplora-
Bile financial results have followed
government ownership. In Belgium
and Switzerland they have been able,
with relatively inadequate service,
aust about to make ends meet. In
Australia and New Zealand waste:
inefficiency, political control and
heavy tax burdens have ensued.
In several countries like Russia,
Austria and India, where a mixed
system of state and private owner
ship prevails, military reasons have
compelled the state to construct lines
which private enterprise would not
undertake. In these countries, as
we'll as in Holland, the spirit of pri-
. vate operation has been repeatedly
{ recognized, and the whole tendency
: has been in the direction of private
enterprise, at times subsidized and
$ closely controlled by the government
: Our own country's experience
, with it's government-owned lines II
4 Panama and Alaska confirms the ex
r perience of Europe in higher costs
n higher rates and lower efficiency.
: Railway history throughout the
l. world conclusively refutes the idea
: that government ownership either
o promotes railway development OF
serves the public need in better up
n Grafton, sounder finance or more
+ adequate service.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13

special reference to experience and
qualifications and subject to frequent
change. Before the Postmaster Gen
cral and his assistants can become
reasonably familiar with the opera
tons Of the service they are replaced
by others. who, in turn, arc called
upon to resign before they can, in the
nature of things, become qualified by
knowledge and experience to perform
their allotted tasks. Under such
system a large railroad, commercial
or industrial business would in
cvitably go into bankruptcy, and the
Postoffice Department has avcrted
that fate only because the United
States Treasury has been available
to meet deficiencies.
| think it may be fairly stated that
the only years in which the Postoflice
Department has been able to avoid a
deficit arc those when it has been
able to deprive the railroads Of fair
return for the service they have rem
dered in carrying the mails.
Bear in mind that this failure to
show return is in spite of the fact
that no postoflice property pays
taxes, and the governments enor-
nous investment in its "plant" pays
no return upon the money it has cost.
All over the country similar stories
of Encouragement and ineflicicncy
in the ownership Of public utilities
are repeated. Literally, hundreds of
such experiments have proved fail
ures, and, after great loss, have
lapsed back into private ownership.
Municipal lighting plants. water
works and streetcar lines are all in
Guided in this list of disastrous ex-
reriments.
Many causes have contributed
with perhaps one invariable cause
always present: The refusal Of leg
islative bodies to afford appropria-
lions for maintenance and better.
ments until the plants become inefli-
Gent and the cost Of operation toe
nigh. This low physical efficiency is
III fact, a characteristic effect of gov
ornamental industrial activities every
where, together with high costs O.
labor
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13

prior to tho war, for the countries
named. was as follows:
Cents
United States (private owner
ship ....... WIS
Canada (private ownership =. rs
Germany government owner
ship ........... liza
France government owner
ship ............. l.3o
Austria government owner
ship 1890. 1.5O
New South Wales government
ownership .............. 1.59
Southern Australia govern
ment ownership .... LIS
Switzerland government own
ership) ............... 2.63
The average capitalization per
mile of road for the important rail
road countries of the world is as
follows:
United States $6A, 900
Canada $4,000
Germany ............ 'lAO'ooV
Austria $4,000
Switzerland ............. 1923 900
France ......... l4S, OOO
Italy ...... .loo'Ooo
Great Britain. ........ IT'S, 900
The same discrepancy in wages
appears in comparison with other
countries. The average wage of en-
ployes of all classes on the railroads
of the United States, prior to the
war. was over $500 a year, whereas
the average wage in Germany was
S4O9, and that on the government
owned railways of Europe ranged
from $500 to S377. American rail
ways, Furthermore, pay the highest
prices for materials.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13

Economics
Not Politics
1t would be difficult to summarize
the arguments against government
ownership more clearly than they
have been thus stated. Many in.
stances upon which these conclusions
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-08-27
KENT'S HILL

Rev. Albert L Oliver Of Guilford
preached Sunday morning at Read
field Corner. and at the Methodist
church at kent's Hill in the after
noon. Mr.. Oliver was formerly a
teacher in the school here and his
many friends are always glad to hear
him.
Mrs. Burkett Of Union, daughter
Bernice Burkett Payson and little
daughter Barbara were dinner guests
Sunday Of Frank Dow and family
Prof. Walter Russell. Mrs. Russell,
their daughters Helen and Celia and
Miss Gertrude Stone came from, Cor
ham Sunday for a brief visit with
Prof, A. c. Russell and Miss Mildred
Russell.
Misses Maude and Ethel Morrill, of
Boston came Saturday and are being
entertained at the home Of their sis
ter, Mrs. Henry Brown.
Mrs. Hattie Nichols Jack, a former
student, Of Bowdoinham, her husband
and two cn'.1ren were Sunday callers
upon Principal and Mrs. Newton.
Elliot Beale, who recently sold his
house here has rented Mrs. Tinsleys
house and moved in last week. Mrs.
Tingley reserves one room for her
use.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-08-27
YOUTHFUL AGRI-
CULTURISTS HARD
AT WORK IN MAINE

Orono. Me-, Aug. o6.-The follow :
ing was issued today from the office
OF Extension Service, College OF AZ
riculture. University of Maine:
No slackers in the ranks Is the slo-
Gan Of Boys and Girls Club mem
bers for 1918 who are carrying out
Agricultural or Home Economics pro-
jects under the supervision of Agri-
cultural Extension Service OF the
University Of Maine. The minimum
quota is $4,000. the ultimate aim be-
ing 500, 900 worth Of food. This total
makes the amount s37.4eo for 1917
look small. However this amount
appeared large al that time.
Two hundred acres are being Guilt
waited by these young farmers and
patriots. Over 1000 boys and girls
are at work canning to meet the re-
auirement of ct least so pint jars OF
fruits and vegetables. Several hum
d-ed have far passed that mark, IN
fact one girl in York county has put
up over over 500 pints so far this sea-
son. Furthermore. that food which
cannot be put into jars is being con-
served by turning it into pork or
poultry, 1900 members caring for pigs
and 600 looking after their chickens.
These sturdy young agriculturists
are going to put Maine "over the top
in food production and conservation
SO far as it is in their power to do so.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-08-27
MT. VERNON

CASTINGS Dorothy and Eleanor
Chase are visiting their grandparents
at Fryeburg.
Albert Gordon returned Thursday
from Boston. where he had been WIS.,
ting relatives
Irving Harvey and friend, Mr.. Jen-
kins Of Melrose. Mass, are passing a
short vacation at the home Of Mr..
and Mrs. Francis Leighton.
Mrs. E. z. Noyes, Mrs. Harry Russ.
Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Cal Whittier at.
tended Livermore campmeeting on
Thursday and also called on friends
in Fayette and Wayne.
Mrs, Archer Packard and daugh-
tiers Hazel. Eloise and Eleanor Of
Rumford Fass.. returned home Fri
day after passing a few days at the
home Of her uncle and aunt. Mr.. and
Mrs Ernest Pearl
Mr.. and Mrs. Charlie Jacobs Of Bos-
ton and other relatives from Tops
ham have been visiting at the home
Of Hollis p. Jacobs.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-08-27
New Corporations

The following new corporations.
organized under the laws of Maine,
have had their articles of incorpor-
stlon approved by the Office of the
attorney general:
Chiply Oil Co., organized Aug. 20
at Skowhegan. Capital stock $780,
600; all common; nothing paid in;
par value, SO; shares subscribed. 5;
President, Willard H. CUMMINGS,
Skowhegan; treasurer. Francis w.
Eragg, Skowhegan; clerk, Amos X.
Rutler, Skowhegan; directors, Will
lard H. Cummings, Francis w.
Il; agg, Amos X. Butler, Herbert L..
Swett and Marie G. Fletcher, all of
Skowhegan. Purposes, a general oil
business. Approved Aug. IS.
Farmers Exchange, organized
Aug. 10 at Portland. Capital stock,
$4,000; all common: paid in $4,000:
par value, 800; shares subscribed,
81. President. A Z. Nickerson,
F'rtland; clerk and treasurer. L. W.
Stevens; Portland: directors. A. z.
N,ckerson, L. W. Stevens and A. P.
Nlckerson, all of Portland. Purposes,
general commercial business. APP
proved Aug. IS.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-08-27
WILTON

F. S. Russell, plumber, was badly
injured Saturday night in a motor
boat. Mr.. and Mrs. Russell and little
daughter went up stream and stopped
to pick wild flowers on the bank.
When getting into the boat Mr.. Rus
sell slipped and fell onto a sharp iron.
He vas so badly hurt that Mrs. Rus
sell padded the boat out of the
stream into the lake and Mr.. Russell
crawled to the engine and turned on
the power. They reached the cottage
and two physicians soon arrived. Mr..
Russell was taken to DR.. York's hos
pital when it was found the flesh had
been torn necessitating the taking Of
p stitches. Sunday morning he was
resting comfortably and was taken
t. the Ward cottage where his family
have been passing the summer.
Miss Nellie Clark who has been
passing two weeks with relatives in
Wilton returned to her home in wa.
terville Monday
The Maine State Fruit Growers As-
soclation will hold a field meeting AT
the Bass orchard in Wilton Wednes
Gay Aug. 20. The speakers will be
| W. II. Conant, G. A. Yeaton and w
II. Woodwork Of Berwick, \. S.
Mr. and Mrs. Dellbert Verrill went
to Fairfield Sunday to see Mrs YER
rms brother who is in the sanitari-
um
Mrs. Wardell who has been passing
a month with her brother, Charles
Robbins. has gone to Auburn and
Boston for a visit before returning to
her home in New London, Conn.
Miss Grace Wilder has gone to Hig-
gins Beach, the guest Of Mr.. and
Mrs. Lawless of Auburn at their cot
tage.
Maurice E. Fletcher has accented
the position Of sub master in the
Norway high school
Mrs. J. r. Clifford and son Harold
went to Boothbay Harbor Monday
where they Will pass two weeks.
Mrs. Grace Luce of Livermore Falls
has been visiting Mr.. and Mrs.
Charles Tobin.
Mrs. Q. A. Calden who is i'll at. her
home on Depot street, is being cared
Tor by her daughters. Mrs. j. B. Wood
and Mrs. Frank Knowles.
Miss Lillian Massey Of Augusta
passed the week end with her sister.
Mrs. D, F. Tracy.
Miss Minnie Fitzpatrick has gone to
Stafford Springs. Conn, for a two
weeks vacation
Ivan Pease who has been enjoying
furlough OF two weeks with his
parents. Mr.. and Mrs. Roger Pease
has returned to Portsmouth.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-08-27
Bankrupt's Petition for Discharge.

IN the matter OF
Emma NJ. Eldridge I'm Bankruptcy.
To the Hon. Clarence Hale. Judge of the
District Court of the United States for
the District of Maine.
Emma NJ Eldridge of Waterville in
the County of kennebec, and State Of
Maine, in said District, respectfully rep
resents. that on the Sd day of Novem-
Der. last past. she was duly adjudged
bankrupt under the Acts OF Congress
relating to bankruptcy; that she has du-
ly surrendered all her property and
piled with all the requirements of said
Acts and of the orders of Court touch
ing her bankruptcy.
Wherefore she prays. That she may be
decreed by the Court to have a full dis
charge from all debts provo Bile against
her estate under said bankruptcy Acts
except such debts as are excepted by
law from such discharge
Dated this oath day of August, A D.
1918.
EMMA NJ, ELDRIDGE,
ORDER OF NOTICE THEREON.
District Of Maine. IS.
On this oath day OF August A. D 1915
on reading the foregoing petition. it is
Ordered BY the Court. That hearing
October, A. D. 1918, before said Court at
Portland, in said District. at ten o'clock
in the forenoon; and that notice there
Of be published in Daily Kennebec
journal, a newspaper printed in said
District, and that all known creditors,
and other persons in interest may ap-
pear at the said time and place. and
show cause if any they have. why the
PRAYER Of said petitioner should not be
granted
That the Clerk shall send by mail to all
known creditors copies of said petition
and this order. addressed 70 them at
their places of residence as stated.
Witness the Honorable Clarence Hale.
Judge of the said Court and the seal
thereof. at Portland. in said District. on
the oath day of August. A d. 1918
RI. 81 FRANK FELLOWS, Clerk.
a true copy Of petition and order
AT Attest: FRANK FELLOWS. Clerk.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-08-27

the best lot Of apples consistinS Of
| three standard barrels and three
| standard boxes. This offer is unlirn :
| tied and Is open to any subordinate
Grange. Apples entered for these
prizes will be eligible to enter the
| Sweepstake class. in which the first
prize is $50 for the best barrel OF ap-
/ pies: $40 for the second best barrel;
$50 for the best box; and $50 for the
second best box. The barrel and box
! winning the Sweepstake prize will
each receive very handsome trophy
from the New England Fruit Show
/ This association is offering other at
tractive prizes.
The list Of premiums Is bei-g print
ed and may be had a little later Of
E. L. White, Bowdoinham, secretary
of the Maine Pathological Society. or
the Department of Agriculture, Au-
gusta
Remember that the New England
Fruit Show will hold its annual exhi-
bition this year in the city Of Port
land, during the week Of Nov. 1873
The Maine State Pomological Society
will at the same time hold its an
nual exhibition and meeting. The
State Dairymen's Association will
hold its annual conference and exhi-
bltion. The Seed Improvement Asso-
citation will hold its annual meeting
ard exhibition. The State Livestock
Breeders Association will hold it's an
nuAl session and in connection there
with, various county associations and
the State Sheep Breeders Associa-
ton. The Maine State Boys and
Girls Clubs will make a exhibition
Of their years work. Demonstra-
tons and lectures, touching matters
OF supreme interest to the farm and
the home will be given.
These various organizations are
holding their annual meetings to-
gether, partly as matter of econo-
MY, thereby saving in overhead
charges. Patrons Of each association
may attend all the meetings a, the
expense of only one trip.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-08-27

court room in the matter Of the pc
t.tion of the Boston & Maine Railroad
fer alteration in a bridge and eros
sing in Berwick; at 1890 A. NJ. in
Tic same place, regarding the alter
alton of the crossing at Iron bridge
on the Boston e. Maine.
The commission at 1890 this
(Tuesday) morning will at its of
fee at the State House give a hearing
or the petition of the Central Maine
Power Co. for approval of its pro
posed increase of gas rates in the
city of Augusta.
The commission has two hearings
scheduled for Wednesday. Aug. %, at
$50 A. NJ. in the grand jury room in
the county court house at Portland
on the case Of the Municipal Light
K Power Co. regarding an increase
III gas rates: and the case of the
Nestbrook Gas Co. in a similar case.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-08-27
ALBION

The date Of the union picnic of the
Sunday school and Odd Fellows will
be held at Lovejoy Pond on Wednes-
DAY. August %, instead of Thursday,
August %. as published in Satur-
days Journal Everyone whether a
member Of the lodge or Sunday
school or not. is cordially invited TO
attend.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-08-27
PRIZES FOR THE
N. E. FRUIT SHOW

John A. Roberts Names commits
sloner of agriculture is calling the
attention of Patrons of Husbandry
to the premiums offered by the New
Oranges throughout Maine and in
fact all New England. Prizes of $50
and $50 are offered to the subordinate
Grange in New England displaying