Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-11
PARTY GROUP HITS
PUBL|c0WNERSA|P
Railroad Operation by U. S.
Opposed by Republican +
Publicity Association. :
DRIFT CLOSELY WATCHED

Politicians in and out Of Congress
are watching closely for developments
indicating possible capitalization of
party sentiment on government owner.
ship Of rai1Toadsltthss isy1to ssyy 4Sfi'
evidence thai, democrats and, repubis
cans are taking a stand fergor against
which might be Construed as showing
drift toward anything like concerted
party agreement.
It is recognized that authoritative
assumption of party support or oppo-
sition can be had only through the
medium Of the national conventions,
but before they are held. in, the sum-
mer of 1920. it may be that men OF
prominence in the councils of the two
parties will have expressed prophetic
views. ..a->.-.~ ,s.--
Bourne Organizations Statement.
In this connection a statement by
the Republican Publicity Association
through its president, Jonathan
Bourne, jr.. has attracted attention.
This organization is a voluntary as
sociation, supported by individual con-
trfbutions, whose aim is to supply the
press with comment upon public Ques-
tions from a republican viewpoint. Its
only authority to. speak for the party
is by indirection. through the person
ality and standing of the men who
compose the organization.
THE question of government own
ership is not one to be decided ac-
cording to the demands of temporary
emergency said the Bourne state
ment. 'It is doubtful whether there
was any real need for the govern
ment to take over the railroads when
it did. If the railroads had been
granted even a portion of the increase
in rates which Mr.. McAdoo established
soon after he got control the private
managers could have conducted the
roads with as good service as the pub
lie could expect. Neither was there
nor is there any reason for govern
ment operation of the telephone, tele-
graph and cable lines. Experience has
shown and will continue to show that
government operation Is more ex-
pensive and less efficient.
"Creates Wrong Conception"
"But cost in money and character
of service are minor considerations.
The fundamental evil Of government
ownership lies In the effect it has upon
the individual. creating in his mind
a wrong conception Of mis- relation to
government. The gradual extension
of government ownership or operation
carries With>it the necessary assump-
tion that private operation is either
inefficient or dishonest, and that the
citizen must look to the government
for service. Individual Initiative is
discouraged. The marvellous spirit of
enterprise which developed IN this
country a wonderfully efficient sys-
tenn of rail transportation Is rebuked
by the assumption that 1t has failed.
The men who built a network OF tele-
graph and telephone lines throughout
the country are given the brand or
failure by men who never built any
thing In any country. II that Will not
dampen the ardor Of American enter
prise we do not know what will.
what this country needs, and what
every country needs. is-encouragement
Of Individual initiative. We should
induce every man to put forth the best
effort there is in him and assure him
a reasonable reward for success. I'm
der government ownership and ope-
ration the tendency ID to discourage
individual enterprise, for. as we have
seen in the recent past, partisan pre5u-
dice controls advancement except
where an outraged public forces reel
oKnitton Of ability"