The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1919-01-03
NBLC OWNERSHIP MEETS SNACS IN
PLOTS OF WASHINGTON POLITICIANS
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

No nad-EmpIoyes Want Gov
F0S'r "nt as Employer-Strange
tI'n s On Telephone and Telegraphs
fa nar,eson, Advocate and Black
r nD', Of Popular P0sition-Army
Men for Air Mall
8 lexington, D. C.-Backing and
Hs i the order of the day with
1linS ,ce to public ownership issues
..o congress. Definite affirmative
@ ;s nostponed. The public own
p1 s;n advocates are not united, and
a'r nom who want to let things drift
otber words, to leave the rail-
u. tbe wires and the stockyards
W. a. hands of private monopoly
confident that they can get
~ a.,ngb another two years without
admitting, ADM themselves:
hearings upon the Sims bill, which
.nosos government ownership and
4 .,sration of stockyards and stock
u. and cold storage meat ware
s,n,ee as a last resort, but which
4 .,nosps government control through
/ f,,nsing as the first resort, have be
=, The house committee on inter-
4,to commerce is listening to Chair
ION Colver of the federal trade COM
Mission with deep interest, as he eS-
4 ,f,ns the meat packers monopoly,
Il md shows the necessity of breaking
tt,t monopoly by legislation. Colver
srors public ownership. So do Com
nissioners Murdoch and Fort. Their
mort on the packers last July was
q definite and emphatic on that point.
B Thew are now asking congress to
mac the Sims bill for lack of a
81 stronger measure.
s SENATE FOR PACKERS
& Some of the progressive senators
81 we're in conference few days ago or
& plan to introduce a straight public
s anership bill. 1t was to be handled
8 By Senator Kendrick of Wyoming. AT
q latest accounts the senator had weak
3 ned in this idea, and was on the
point Of agreeing with the politicians,
q Who urged that the Sims bill was ''as
4 radical as can be passed"
This stociyards legislation will not
4 be passed during the present SEES
son. The Republicans, who will
control both branches of the next coz.
& gess are divided on the issue o:
& public ownership just as the Demo
Gratis are divided. It is a reasonable
4 appOsition that Commissioner Muir.
8 dock, as a veteran Bull Moose, is now
q trying to convert Theodore Roose.
s ut to the government ownership
Il viewpoint in order that the presiden
i tai campaign Of 1920 may not fine
8 the G. 0. ?. in too reactionary 20
ation. Inasmuch as Roosevelt, wht
now seems to have the nomination il
bis pocket, is sending out coniden
al warnings to Republican leader
that broad concessions must at one
Be made to the organized labo
poVement, it may easily happen tina
y !, R. will take the same precautio1
to secure the support of public own
aShp advocates.
& RAILROAD PROBIEM LAGS
On the railroad problem no rea
work is being done. The senate an
house joint committee which inquire
INTO railroad finances two years ag
Is TO resume its probe on January
and the advice of McAdoo that tn
present. government lease of the prc
8 Ffty be extended five years will b
Ahen up. Nobody has yet drafted
s'od bill calling for government Owl
gSnp and operation. On the othe
aad' nobody seriously expects to Sc
oe roads turned back to privat
aanas Delay Of decision is likely
'e voted; the Republicans may con
'Omse by making the terms of e.
~1son Of the present arrangemer
three years.
q mere viii probably be a nation;
"aerenca Of advocates of immediat
s'eInment ownership and operatie
railroads, some time in Januar
1t IN Washington, called by ii
s0lc Ownership League of Amer
Inc league is a very small CO.
5'n' but if the conference talk
3Ie as now planned there w
,.VOaoly be formed real efecti-
~1Onal organization which will co
~ Propaganda through the pre-
s ,.,. magazines and within all I
4'cal parties, the organized farr
movement and the organized lab
aovement.
L MEN FOR PUBLIC DIVINE