The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-12-07
A SIGNIFICANT WARNING.

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A SIGNIFICANT WARNING.
AT a meeting in New York City the other day
| of executives of railroads comprising more than
ninety per cent. OF the rail mileage OF the coun-
| try there was adoped resolution favoring a re-
turn of the roads to private ownership and ex-
pressing the hope that the remaining period Of
federal control would be such as to leave the
properties in the highest state of efficiency.
Government ownership and operations were
characterized as 'snot conducive to the highest
! economic efficiency of the country and it was
suggested that private initiative, enterprise
and responsibility, in creation, extension, i'm
provement and operation should as matter OF
national policy, be fostered and preserved
| And there is another point which engaged
the attention of the railmen. 1t has to do with
the subject matter of a significant warning is
sued by the National Civil Service Reform
League against the possibility of a great body of
men employed by companies now under govern
ment control being subjected to political
manipulation. There was time when Mr..
Wilson stood high in the councils Of the league
whose executive committee has adopted reso.
luton in which it says:
The National Civil Service Reform League,
through its executive committee. desires to call
public attention to the grave danger to popular
institutions existing in the administration OF rail-
telephones
and other industries if carried by tho govern
ment through political agencies by means OF ap-
pointments made on the discretionary authority
of cabinet officer without reference to the civil
service system.
The danger is apparent and real. The league
is not questioning the necessity for government
control of these companies in war time, but it
does well to call attention to the fact that the
spoils system, which has now been in the main
SO happily eliminated from the federal civil
service was due to the same conditions as now
lpreval in these industries; to-wit,> discretion
larry appointments and political control"
With good reason the league sees danger that
a political machine embracing nearly two mil
lion subordinates will be created ''and used for
the purpose of controlling elections and prob
ably for influencing the future status, OF these
industries
The approach to government ownership is
being made openly by certain members OF the
cabinet and many members Of congress, although
the president sidestepped opportunity to place
himself on record in the matter. 1t is high time
to check this socialistic advance on the part OF
those who the public can reach with it's votes
/ at the polls; and word Of warning may en-
able appointed officeholders to see some other
light than that which shines by, the aid of
selfish policy.
1t is said that there is somewhat anxious in
curry from army medical men as to the future.
Many of our physicians gave up large practices
to enter army service. Their pay has only
been sufficient for their needs and in many
cases past savings have been used for current
expenses at home. These physicians are doubt
I full of the immediate recovery Of their home
practices and look for period of economic
stringency On the whole this view seems
needlessly pessimistic There will be every de
sire on the part of our people to serve the in
terests of returning army men. The physicians
who have seen foreign service should come
back better equipped than when they went,
barring any physical strain they have endured.
No new men in great numbers have taken their
places; indeed, we home folk have realized
painfully at times the drain on our medical
forces There should he a hearty welcome to
home service for our doctors when they return
from the battlefelds.
/ One more visible effect Of the workings OF
control of public utilities by government: While
the cables were in the possession OF private
N to alat1y Of