Evening journal., 1921-08-06
SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 1921
REPUBLICAN PLATFORM VS. GOVERNMENT OWNER
SHIP


rtuiE Republican platform OF 1920 did not evade the
4 issue Of government ownership operation OF rail-
roads, asserts the Republican Publicity Association,
through its president Hon. Jonathan Bourne, Jr Under
the heading Railroads the platform made the follow
ing clearly understandable declarations:
I'VE are opposed to government ownership and opera
ton empoye operation Of the railroads In view OF
the conditions prevailing in this country the experience
OF the last two years, and the conclusions which
fairly be drawn from observation Of the ranspora-
ton service both for the present and the future be
furnished more certainly, economically and efficiently
through private ownership and operation under proper
regulation and control"
This declaration, the association asserts. based
principles the soundness Of which has been demon
straied whenever government ownership has been tried
1t viii be noted that the platform not only opposed
ernment operation. but "empoye operation" we'll This
direct attack upon the Plumb Plan" which would
require the government to borrow money to buy the rail-
roads and then turn them a commission In which
the employees would have a dominating power Under
that plan, the employees would nx their own compensa-
tion and rules OF work Although the plumb Plan" ad-
vocates working quietly than while the Demo-
Gratis in they working the less per-
sistently.
The association adds that II is fair inference that the
who has conducted small business affairs in such
way to accumulate savings which invests in larger
enterprise is best able to conduct that larger II
Is reasonable conclusion for example, that Charles
Markham, who began his railroad career as a section
hand and worked up to the presidency the Illinois
trail competent TO manage that road than any
committee OF 100 railroad workmen who have not risen
materially above their original scale OF employment
This is no criticism OF railroad employees who do not
rise rapidly far Mr. Markham It is altogether
likely that Mr.. Markham had rare native talents and
particular genius for rairoadng But regardless OF his
native ability he could not have risen his chosen
patton without hard work. loyalty persistence and thrift
It would be ridiculous TO assert that all Of his former
associates in the work Of laying rails replacing ties
could have risen as he has done. While their limited
advancement reelection upon them It is clear that
because Of mans demonstrated ability is better
the country that he be retained in control Of railroad
than that control be turned over committee Of men
who have not demonstrated similar fitness
~ The applies to management OF other roads by
other men who have proven their managerial ability
through long years OF experience.
Thus have the issue presented by the Plumb Plar
the hand and the declaration Of the Republican
platform the other The former stands for operation
their qualifications; the latter stands for operation b,
men who have been tried and found worthy and wei
qualified.
1t ought not be difcut for any citizen who is neithe
railroad employe railroad manager to determin
which kind OF operation he prefers. Citizens thus fre
from personal interest constitute the general public
whose welfare is chiefly be considered The danger
that the general public" in Delaware and elsewhere vii
be quescent while the Plumb Plan Leaguers continue
spread propaganda in favor Of empoye control OF tn
railroads It viii be well il the average citizen expresse
his opinion aggessyey the advocates Of govern
ment ownership