, 1921-08-01
PARTY DOCTRINE ON GOVERNMENT


The latest platform of the Republican party to
speak or the question, and therefore the authoritative
utterance on the subject of government ownership was
the Chicago platform of 1920. It SAYS:
w are opposed to government ownership and OPP
GRAFTON or employee operation of the railroads. In view
OF the conditions prevailing in this country, the ex,
perlence of the last two years, and the conclusions
which may fairly be drawn from an observation of
the transportation systems of other countries, it is
clear that adequate transportation service both for
the present ana the future can be furnished more
certainly, economically and efficiently through pri-
waite ownership and operation under proper regulation
and control"
soundness of which has been demonstrated whenever
government ownership has been tried. The platform
not only opposes government operation but employe
operation as well. This was a direct attack upon the
Plumb plan, which contemplates operation by en-
ployes.
1t is a fair inference that the man who has conduct
ca small business affairs in such a way as to accumu-
late savings which he invests in a larger ENTERPRISE.
Is pest able to conduct the larger concern. 1t is a rea-
sonable conclusion, for example, that Charles H.
MARKHAM, who began his railroad career as a section
hand and worked up to the presidency of the Illinois
central Is more competent to manage that road than
is any committee of 100 railroad workmen who have
not risen paterlally above their original scale of EN-.
ployment| This is no criticism of railroad employees
who do not rise as rapidly or as far as Mr.. Markham,
1t is altogether likely that Mr.. Markham had rare ma
tive talents and a particular genius for railroading.
But, regardless of his native ability, could not have
risen IN his chosen occupation without hard work, low
atty, persistence and thrift. 1t would be ridiculous tn
assert that all of his former associates in WORK Of
laying rails and replacing ties could have risen as he
has done. While their limited advancement is no re-
tlection upon them, it is clear that because of one
mans demonstrated ability it is better for the country
that he be retained in control of a railroad than that
control be turned over to a committee of men Who
nave not demonstrated similar fitness. The same ap-
pines to management of other roads by other men who
nave proven their managerial ability through long
years of experience.
inus we have the issue clearly presented, the Plumb
plan on the one hand and railroad operation by trained
executives on the other. The former stands for op-
Grafton under the control of men who have not dem
onstrated their qualifications; the latter stands for
operation by men who have been tried and found we'll
qualified. u y"
1t is plain to any citizen who is neither a railroad
empioye nor a railroad manager to determine which
klno OF operation he prefers. The general public
Ifee from personal interest constitute the interest
that is to be the most largely consulted. The general
pubic must be just as expressive in expressing opin-
ION as those favoring government ownership or any
other plan of visionary railroad control.