The Fort Peck press., 1934-10-11
PUBLIC OWNERSHIP
ISSUE IN CANPA|CiI
Questions Aspirants for Con-
gress Should Be Asked
to Answer.

ton appear to be developing an issu
with which voters can deal at tn
polls in November, according to wor
that is filtcring into the National cal
ital.
There are throughout the countr.
several dozen Of these experiment
the greatest Of which, Of course, j
the Tennessee Valley Authority. Tha
agency, wholly government owned an,
operated, is developing and distrib
uting electric power on a giganti,
scale. 1t is rapidly driving out al
private enterprise having to do Wit
or built up around the power bust
ness.
Further than th&r the IVA lately an
nounced the organization of a subsi
died corporation which will sell elec.
trio household equipment to whomso.
ever will buy. Sales of washing M
chimes, irons, vacuum cleaners, anrl
other such equipment are being mace
on the installment plan, much to IT,
chagrin OF local dealers handling suca
merchandise.
Vast Sums Expended.
The federal government Is backing
a hundred million dollars or more in
bonds Of the IVA and it is paying the
governing board and its personnel.
The dams in the Tennessee river were
built at government expense.
Public Works Administration funds
are being expended in a score or more
localities in the construction of dams
and hydro-electric plants. Public
Works officials in Washington repeat
eddy have called attention to the vast
supply of electric power to be devel-
oped from these government plants
and all of it will be sold In direct CON-
petition with the products of private
industry.
In addition to the utility phases in
which Public Works Administration
money has been spent-money Dor
rowed by the federal government
funds are being used In the building
of whole towns, such as R%eedsville,
West Virginia, and in numerous other
experiments of a government owner
ship character. Most of these OBJ
viously, are in competition with some
several lines of private industry.
and they are being carried on with
funds provided from the federal treas
ury.
Definite Statements Sought.
With all Of these circumstances con
fronting them, according to the wore
reaching Washington, an increasing
number of voters are reported 10 be
the candidates in their area
how they stand. Some of these candi-
dates, who are seeking reelection.
have let it be known at their Of
fees here that they do not see how
can avoid definite statements very
much longer as to whether they are
'or or against government ownership.
Two questions are reported to be
igitatlng the voters who have become
Interested in the fight against govern
nent ownership. One Of them is
whether, under government ownership,
here can be operation without that
particular function becoming a p0lit-
cal football. The other question con-
.ernS taxes. The voters are said to be
nquiring what the total cost will be If
he government continues to acquire
II construct government owned and
perated economic units. The informa-
ion is that people are becoming con-
erned over the mounting tax burdens
f federal and state and local govern
nents and have fears as to the fu-
ure.
Fear Revenue Loss.
Several members OF congress lately
ave received letters from officials
1 their respective states indicating
larm over the reduction In revenue
T local governments if the federal
continues to expand its
Wnership of what has heretofore
cen private business. The state au-
l~orfties, as we'll as the county and
lunicipal officials, foresee sharp cur
in the receipts upon which
ley depend for payment Of their run
ing expenses and the necessary i'm
royements, such as highways and the
Ike. In one instance, the state Off
al asked point blank what would
appen to the state or local treas
ries if the federal government took
yer the railroads. lie added Il par
graph to the effect that If the eXpan
on of government ownership con
nues there will be nothing left foI
5 to AK except farm lands now be-
y blown away by hot winds"
Among the groups who are muster
g strength in opposition to govern
ownership OF the railroads, the
ord is being sent out to every one
no will listen that the railroads are
lying approximately $~2S0,G00,G00 IN
Xes to the federal, state and county
easuries. They are pointing out that
is revenue will be lost If the gov
nment decides to buy the railroads
d operate them under public own
ship.
In some instances, it has been
own, that the taxes paid by the rail-
ads in a local community amount to
much as forty per cent of the en-
e revenue received by that local
vernment's treasury. If, in addition
IRE should be a publicly owned pow.
,lont or ctroot railway or StOroro