The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1921-04-23
MnAr NECESSITY prMNNps.


Before the sheer weight OF necessity prccon-
c'iycd notions. academic theories and even tho
wlsost philosophy must eventual, bow. when
the practcalItIcs Of human existence oall for
certain accomplishment that accomplishment
must he had despite creed and dogma ritual
prejudice.
The experience OF tn, last decade In the CON
duct OF public works has ba2ed tho way 20 a
necessity that is forcing recognition at the
hands Of ever increasing number Of think
ing men-contrary. too, to their prcconcciyed
notions contrary to their predictions and In
spite OF existing prejudIccs. THAT necessity Is
for government IN It's every capacity to take di.
rect charge Of public construction and thus
stop the terrific ana appalling and constantly
growing profligacy and graft.
II Is one thing so cavl against government
ownership Of certain utilities against govern.
ment conduct OF business that has hitherto been
conducted by private enterprise. Hut II is most
distinctly another thing to face tho intolcrable
waste and wanton crimlnality employed In every
phase Of the public construction work, inelud.
ing the erection OF government buildings road
construction and street paving, and devise an
adequate remedy short OF abolishIns the private
contractor altogether
II In utter folly TO pretend that prevailing
prices for road and street improvements aro
justified existing costs plus a decent. defensi-
hlo profit; TO defend tho class of work given
The public In most cases In exchange for the ex-
cessive costs imposed the public.
Tho whole world knows what the cost plus
system, adopted by the government during tho
period resulted in, An orgy OF conspiracy,
profllgacy and pure unadulteratod graft that
fairly shreks for punishment OF those who in
augurated It well as those who became It's
beneficiaries. Tho nation Is nauseated with
swollen fortunes procured In that manner and
suffering intense agony from the psychological
results thereof.
Possibly the public IL not yet ready to accept
municipal paving plants or direct state construc.
tion OF roads but It is AZ inevitable TINT 1t will
eventually reach that point. unless remedial leg
is,atlon il otherwise devised as It ls that winter
win follow summer. Because unlesa such a re.
form is had bankruptcy will follow an era Of
road building ard street improving that s i'm
pcratively necessary.
II will be urged, Of course that graf, and
profligacy will result from government under.
taking this work, Let the fact be admitted
The cupidity Of man will not go further In that
direction under direct government construction
work than It has under the impulson of private
greed. And there will be this difference: The
people will have direct access to and certain
authority for prosecuting and Furnishing the
mslotactors,
Municipal paving has been practiced in varl.
towns and cities with the most amazing
results. Costs have amounted to not more than
80 or 60 per cent OF costs for Identical work
under the private contract system Tulsa has
been paying indefcusbc prices for its paving
securing work In most eases of a decidedly in
fcrior quality and made tho cats paw Of the
various paving concerns which work when they
get ready where they get ready and as they sro
~ al iu utter disregard of existing contracts
n municipal conduct Of water systems garb-
age. police and fire can bc justified, then mu.
nicipa' Improvement ia such matters as herein
suggested - imp.ratlycv necessary. Otherwise
such o. thing es local autonomy becomes a RI.
ta'd, ehas,ly Joke.