Arizona republican., 1920-02-19
Mir. Hoover On Government Ownership

Mir. Hoover in his address before the American Institute of Mining Engineers Tuesday night went to the root of the matter when he declared that mo scheme of political appointment has ever yet been devised that will displace competition in its selection of ability character" This hits at the foundation of government ownership and government manage ment of all instrumentalities by which the people served.
 There a time when government ownership in smaller of water works, light plants etc. the only antidote to corporate greed and exac- tion when public service corporations either boldly and baldly charged all that the traffic would bear else when they manipulated their affairs that apparently fair return their investments left charges extortionate. better way deal with corporations this character than by entering into wasteful competitor with them for gov ernment management has always been and always will be wasteful.
 Now such corporations dealt with in another and better way We fix their charges and we regu- late their stock and bond issues Theoretically we allow them only just return on their investments It may be that in many do not reduce this theory practice but it is much easier bring about such reduction than is to change the nature of politicians and the methods of parties in
 It has seldom happened in the appointment of office that merit is recognized political service At the top of our scheme of govern 1nent conspicuously put place if is considered all. It is almost universal rule presidents choosing their advisers select them parties 10 which they themselves belong. And then they do not select the strongest and most efficient but those who have more conspicu ousy served the party the faction of the party to which the president happens belong. This rule broken in by President Cleveland by President Roosevelt
 It is down the line through state, county, .. town and precinct governments. It is urged and we supposed true that parties be held together by following the rule. If that is and if parties the functions government exercise requiring appointments the better it will be for the people.
 We may take postoffices. We not complaining for the first time of inefficiency and rottenness of service. That characteristic postoffices under all administrations postmasers have been chosen for political Employees of postoffices previous the introduction of the civil service chosen generally for civil service itself only establish pale level of mediocrity If a civil service employe fortunately happens above the level he is usually drafted into munerative private employment by that competition in the selection of ability and character which speaks.
 For sentimental reasons would oppose putting the postoffces into private hands; it would open confession of the ineffciency of government. the time have slightest doubt that a powerful private corporation properly regu- lated by the government would give a cheaper and a far efficient management of postoffices.
 We would have still stronger sentimental objec- putting the government either the nation the into private hands. believe powerful corporation properly controlled if it could be. would administer legislative and executive departments infinitely infinitely greater efficiency than is done under present system, and if allowed a reasonable profit would make money for itself while doing it.