The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1924-11-14
OPPOSESFE FEDERAL
RAIL OWNERSHIP
Government Operation Would
Mean Increased Taxation for
General Public, Says Rail Head.

General PUBLIC, Says kaIl Head.
Opposition TO Government owner
ship OF the railroads, not because OF
the interests OF the present owners
but rather because OF the burdens and
disadvantages the change would i'm
pose upon the people as a whole. was
expressed by c. II. Markham. presi-
dent OF the Illinois Central Railroad.
In an address before the recent con
vention of the American Bankers AS
ISOLATION.
We have never favored Govern
ment ownership as national policy"
Mr.. Markham said. If the railroads
are taken over by the Government.
We must face the fact that the big
step In reversing our old and settled
policy Will be taken. II there is no
particular reason why the Govern
ment should not own and run the
railroads. is there any reason why it
should not take over also the banks,
the stores. the factories. the farms.
until all of us are Government en-
ployees and the ideal OF the soviet Ia
attained? The railroads are the first
line OF defense against those who
would make this country q second
Russia
THE railroads have about 1000 900
employees. approximately as many
employees as there are In all the Gov
eminent services - Federal. State,
county and municipal-put together.
II the railroads are taken over by the
Government. there will be one Gov
eminent employee out Of every ten
wage earners In the country instead 1
Of one out of every twenty. as at
present.
Doubling Taxation
Then, too. there Is the matter OF
taxation. The railroads, under pri-
lest taxpayers. Last year they paid
taxes amounting to SO for every man.
woman and child In the country. In
some counties. particularly in the Mid
die West. the railroads pay from 10
per cent to nearly so per cent OF the
taxes collected. Under Government
the railroads would be no
moye subject to taxation than the
post Offices now are. In some way
the Government would have to make
up the difference of So a head for
svery person in the country. In many
the taxes on the re- ,
property would have to be
,early doubled. The result would be
IN unbearable burden that might
orce many Of our local governments
o stop payments on their bonds and
20 into bankruptcy. The tax prob
EN- would be a great deal more vexa-
ious than 1t IL today.
Then. too. the acquisition of the n
ailroads would add more than twenty
illion dollars to our national debt.
Government railroads In this coun- :
y were no more successful than =
ley arc elsewhere today In the '
orld. the interest on that twenty bill o
ons Of purchase price would be the II
luse for additional burdens on the m
Ixpayers left to carry IL As the tax Y
arden developed. It would not be
uprising to see other industries vel
'ming Government ownership for
emselves. They would gain i'm
unity from taxation In turn, and
cir owners probably would be pro- OF
cted from loss. The Constitution I
events the confiscation OF private il.
operty. and Government ownership II
q be complished only by paying . :;
Ir price for the properties taken n,
~.
Bad for Public .-
Il do not oppose Government own
ship Of the railroads on behalf Of /.
. present owners of the railroads.
my Of whom would obtain safety In
vernment bonds In return for sc. ~
rites which have not paid a re- 90
n In years. | oppose Government pr
Of the railroads because wa
ieve that It would be bad for our sa
,ple as a whole. 1t would open the err.
y to Government ownership OF mr.
srything. and at the same time II -.
uld certainly lead to the wrecking -
our highly essential railway ser. No
Q. II the lessons OF experience Of dt
I'd by other nations mean anything
! II RI M