South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-05-08
IN. D. ORATORS WIN
OVER DETROIT IN
. SCHEDULES LAST
Team is Given
Unanimous Decision in De-
bate at Local School.


UNFOLDING he affirmative of the
question or government ownership
and operation Of the coal mines. No
ire Dame received an unanimous de-
cision over Detroit university at
Washington hal Friday night in a
debate which was featured by gem
eral excellence OF delivery by the
representative OF both schools. The
brief OF the Eotre Dame team was
more carefully prepared and was
ihc direct cause OF the local tri-
uwsh.
Vincent EnCels opened the debate
by stating in smooth and couvinc-
ins manner the case OF the affirma-
|. tive. Declaring that the standard
which should determine the final
iecision should be the superiority OF
private or public ownership in fur
thering the greater good TO the gen
erai public welfare. he stated. that
while the affirmative did not favor
:, generalization OF all industries as
general policy. the unique posi-
n wz<ch tho coal industry occu-
Ned in national life made it one
Of those industries which fostered
best under puoHc operation. He af-
firmed this unique position 10 the
coal industry because Of it's basic
importance. its development Of
limited national commodity and its
peculiar labor problems. and alleged
| that private ownership stood in
&dictcd because &c had wasted coal in
RRrge quantities. profitsered consist
emily and had caused unrest by eX-
ploitation Of labor.
Says Supply Doubtful.
Celebrating upon the topic of
waste. ne declared that the motive Of
large and immediate profits had
/ caused private owners 10 waste two
4 tons Of coal TO ore that was pro-
duced. by abandonment Of partially
J worked mines that were no longer
profitable. the mining Of lower veins
which caused sinking OF upper veins
.cyond possibility or reclamation
~ the mining OF the thicker
purses and neglect OF thinner stra-
which were not considered prof
Nple He declared that this crimi-
burcc OF coal supply TO the extent
Ythat the supply for more than $50
/. vars I'm advance wac doubtful
Joseph RhombeTg indicted tho
prohteering Of coal operators which
had existed not only during the pc
riod 81 the war but for . years pre-
Aceding the conflict He cited fig
lures which showed the excessive
profits Of the operators 10 total a
billion and one half dollars i'm one
year and declared that this amount
would moro than cover any loss in
oaiCiency. which might be suffered
under public operation
Raymond Gallagher continued the
affirmative case by "a sketch of the
labor policy OF private ownership
which caused unrest strikes and
Ftcndcncv TO socialism because of in
tcrmittent employment. Declaring
that tho motive of large and immc-
di1tc profits prevented private own
crs from storing coal i'm the slack
pcE5Bds ne offered a plan which he
&fted would keep the mines work
ing - weeks i'm the year. keep
wages ON the mobile plane OF the
cost Of living and prevent unrest 10y
dnE the workers voice i'm the
Judgement of the mines.
Question Ability"
Norman Pohl. Edward Kennedy
and John Monaghan presented the
case of the negative They declared
that the theme Of practically should
I govern the decision on the question
and placed the burden of proof that
public ownership was necessary
upon the affirmative They sketch
cd the difficulties which the govern
mcnt would encounter I'm taking
1 over the mines. cited Instances OF
4 government incfiCiency and vast
age and made a strong plea upon
Tho grounds of public opinion.
which they declared Is bc strou-ly
4 against government ownership in
Many form.
The negative declared that profit
ing had existed only duru- the
eriod OF the war and stated that
4 hlt 81 private ownership were cons
demned upon its record during th3t
4 mc. All government ownership
would bc damned because of tho
r. and shipping board scandals.
4 Thcy questioned the ability ot "a
4 .verument which could not en-
4 force its own laws against proGtcer-
/ ing to ably manage am industry
which private ownership had built
$rhey declared that politics and cNo-
4 nouists did not mix. stated th5t
j tle ilck Of the motive of sclf-iutCr-
,St would dcadcn the industry under
i r.ttf1i. control and affirmed that rhY
remedy consisted IN regulation OF
j speculation and not I'm government
= peration.
- Frank Herring. OF south Bend.
at the debate The Judges
~ bishop John Hazcn White OF
II south Bend Everett Lee Willard az
i chicago and Professor B Phillips
= f Purdue University.