Milford chronicle., 1920-03-12
THE BLIGHT OF GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP
(From the Manufacturers)


There are many honest advocates of the principe q
Government ownership, who believe that the conditio,
OF the country would be improved if all public utilities
were IN the hands OF the Government is that there
are great many less of such advocates at the present
me Our experience with Government control and oper
alton has resulted in great deal of enlightenment Rpt
the educational process is yet completed Undoubted-
y agitation will for ownership for some
me and one OF the things which the railroads will have
to tight will be propaganda designed to show how very
much better the railroads operated under Govern
ment control than under private direction
Inc arguments against Government control are in
Vulnerable 1t is doubtful if they have ever been pre-
sented so definitely and plainly in an article in the
Efficiency Magazine of London edited by Herbert N Cas-
SON. The essential points are presented showing vhv
Government ownership is inefficient and destructive and
hey can be read with advantage and interest The article
follows:
Speaking quietly, without rage and prejudice can
any one tell why is that all departments in
all countries. are slow, wasteful and incompetent?
I1ere must be some basic reason for this, the
iuuals IN these departments cannot all be inferior
the individuals in private firms.
Almost invariably an able man becomes disabled
when he is placed in a government department
lie becomes timd, procrastnating, non-committa
eVasWe ana Improbable He becomes chatel of
why is this?
The fact seems to be that man simply cannot be
competent in government job for the following
% There is no payment by results There is no
pocew0rk. There is nrOft-sharing man gets as
much for doing badly as he does for doing we'll
"(2 There is fear Of discharge man NAV be
transferred but long his conduct satisfactory he
cannot be discharged for incompetence. Any sort of
fool can hold job forever in the civil service
(Sl There are no profits to be made. There is no
possibility of bankruptcy. If the department doesn't pay
very we'll The treasury has plenty
20 There is no danger of losing customers. gov
ernment department does not depend upon customers
so that has incentive to be quick courteous and
obliging.
90 The main thing is accuracy not success
government empoye has simply nothing do with sue
cess His one aim is to avoid mistakes. The less
the fewer mistakes.
100 Time is of no consequence. As all government
EMPLOYEES are made INTO clerks they come to have
clerks disregard of time. To clerks, lawyers de-
lay is a relief and comfort; the more the better
20 The work is impersonal. There is very little
responsibility in government Office. The clerks have
arranged system whereby nobody is to blame,
what happens.
"(S) There no competition. A government DEPART
men is always monopoly If it not, it would be
soon thrown aside 1t has competitors to battle with,
and it can take its and do as it pleases
I'D Routine is put ahead OF service. In govern
ment departments all the workers f may the word
are tied with red They all the slaves of sys
tenn of procedure.
100 There is no enthusiasm. If a man stays in a
government job long enough he becomes mumnifed He
loses all the energy and joy of living that necessary
10 efficiency and success.
These few of the reasons why naturalization
always has failed and always will.
Just put yourself in the place of these poor govern
nent automata. No how able you are how could
'ou be efficient you had:
mo hope of profts Z
"No fear of failure;
mo competitors; v
"No customers;
"NO to hurry; and r
mo danger of being found out t
Naturalization is only destroyer of trade and
ommerce It is not only coral reef built the
arbor of prosperity. q
ut worse 1t is far worse It is a destroyer of h
en. 1t takes able and grinds him down until Il
is clerical drudge. n
1T the spirit hardihood of a nation 1t 81
uperzes dulls the mind and benumbs the feelings til
changes lions into rabbits.
What could be worse?"