The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1920-09-01
cox STANDS FOR
GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP.

Washington, Aug. 81. That Gov
eminent ownership of public utilities
has Cox's sanction is asserted by the
Republican Publicity Association,
through its President Hon, Jonathan
Bourne, Jr., In the following statement
issued today:
LET the Government do it Is not
one of the policies of Warren G. Hard
ing, the Republican nominee for the
presidency In that respect he differs
from the gentlemen who have been in
control of the Democratic party.
I'm his speech of acceptance Senator
Harding declared his opposition to
Government ownership of railways.
Discussing economic problems he de-
clared that, When competition = nat
ural, fair, impelling competition is
suppressed whether by law, compact,
or conspiracy, we halt the march of
progress, silence the voice of inspira-
ton, and paralyze the will for achieve
ment, thus indicating his confidence in
individual effort as the secret of pro-
gress.
Speaking of profiteering he assert
ed the Republican purpose to present
unreasonable profits and to challenge
profiteering with all the moral force
and the legal powers of the Govern
ment.' But he reminded the people of
the country that law is not the sole
corrective of our economic ills. Said
he.
Let us call to all the people for
thrift and economy, for denial and sac
rifice, If need be, for nation wide
drive against extravaganza and luxury,
to recommittal to simplicity of liv-
ing, to that prudent and normal plan
of life which is the health of the Re-
public
THE Harding policy is one of CIV
ing the individual citizen the widest
possible opportunity for accomplish
ment, wit hthe encouragement rather
than the interference of the Govern
ment, except so far as necessary to
protect the rights of all against the
selfishness of few. He recognizes the
fact that increased production must be
the result of individual effort and not
of governmental activity
In the platform on which the DEM
ocratic party came into power in 1913
there was declaration in favor of the
full exercise by the states of their re-
serve sovereign powers and denounc-
ing the enlargement by indirection OF
the powers of the Federal Government
But from the very day the Wilson adj
ministration began, there was constant
endeavor to increase the powers of the
Federal Government over every branch
of industry and enterprise, until to.
day scarcely any man in the United
States engaged in any undertaking car
feel fire. from the restraiing and menac
ing hand of some Federal officia
agent Let the Government do it. has
been the Wilson policy, and wisconsin
has been endorsed by the Democratic
National Convention in platform up
in which Mr.. Cox declared he SQUARED!
stands. The perpetuation of Demo
cratic policies through the election o
Mr.. Cox, will mean the continued ex
tension of the policy of Federal inter
ference with the jurisdiction of tn,
states and Federal limitation of indi
vidual enterprise and activity.
1T will be remembered that Mr.. Co,
has expressly declared his advocac,
of Government ownership of all publ
utilities except agriculture. While |
will be the effort of his campaign man
ayers to ignore or deprecate this as
sertion of policy, yet it will be appar
ent to the voters of the country tina
such is the Cox conception of tn
proper prerogatives Of the Govern
ment, and that, so far as it lies in nj
power. he will extend the authority Q
the Federal Government with its al
tendant increased cost of operation
decreased efficiency, and discourage
ment of individual enterprise. Mr.. Co
would entangle in the endless maze