The Fort Peck press., 1934-10-04
PUBLIC OWNERSHIP
ISSUE IN CANPA|CII
Questions Aspirants for Ccn-
gress Should Be Asked
to Answer.

polls In November, according to wor
that is altering into the National ca,
ital.
There are throughout the countr
several dozen Of these experiment;
the greatest of which, Of course, /
the Tennessee Valley Authority. Thu
agency, wholly government owned al,
operated, is developing and distri,l
uting electric power on a giganti
scale. 1t is rapidly driving cut a.
private enterprise having TO do witt
or built up around the power bust
ness.
Further than that the IVA lately an
nounced the organization of a subsi
died corporation which will sell elec
tric household equipment to whomsa
ever will buy. Sales of washing mi
chimes, irons, vacuum cleaners, ara
other such equipment are being mas
on the installment plan, much to til
ehagrln of local dealers handling suvil
merchandise.
Vast Sums Expended
The federal government is backing
a hundred million dollars or more III
bonds of the IVA and 1t 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 h~ydro-electrlc plants. Public
Works officials In Washington repeat
eddy have called attention to the vast
supply Of electric power to be deveI-
oped from these government plants
and all of it will be sold in direct COM
petition with the products Of private
industry.
In addition to the utility phases In
which Public Works Administration
money has been spent-money bor-
rowed by the federal government
funds are being used In the building
Of whole towns, such as Reedsville.
West Virginia, and in numerous other
experiments Of a government owner
ship character. Most of these OBJ
viously, are in competition with some
or 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 o n
fronting them, according to the wofl
reaching Washington, an i~ncreasing
number Of voters are reported to b.
asking the candidates in their area
how they stand. Some Of these canGi-
dates, who are seeking reelection.
have let 1t be known at their Of
fees here that they do not see hoA
they can avoid definite statements yer,
much longer as to whether they are
or against government ownership.
Two questions are reported to be
agltating the voters who have become
interested In the fight against govern
whether, under government ownership,
there a be operation without that
particular function becoming a pollt-
Ical football. The other question on
Germs taxes. The voters are said to be
Inquiring what the total cost will be If
government continues to acquire
Dr. construct government owned and
operated economic units. The Informal
ion is that people are becoming con-
:erned over the mounting tax burdens
IF federal and state and local govern
nents and have fears as to the flu
.ure.
Fear Revenue Loss.
Several members Of congress lately
received letters from officials
"A their respective states indicating
.larm over the reduction in revenue
II local governments If the federal
government continues to expand its
.WnerShip of what a heretofore
zen private business. The state au-
horities, as well as the county and
municipal officials, fOresee sharp cur
lilment III the receipts upon which
hey 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 0fi-
ial asked point blank what would
aplen to the state or local treas
ries II the federal government took
yer the railroads. He added 4 par
graph to the effect that II the expan-
of government ownership cor
nues there will be nothing left 70
5 to tax except farm lands now BIZ
lg blown away by hot winds"
Among the groups who are muster
e strength in opposition to govern.
ownership Of the railroads, the
ord is being sent out to every one
will listen that the railroads are
lying approximately $3.50, 100000 in
.Xes to the federal, state and county
easuries. They are pointing out tina,
is event will be lost II the GOV
nment decides to buy the railroads
III operate them under public W
ship.
In some instances, it has peer
own, that the taxes paid by the rail
ads in a local community amount to
much as forty per cent Of the en-
e evenue received By that loca
vernment's treasury. If, in addition
ere should be a publicly owned pow
plant or street railway or sto9ag
lrehouse taken off of the local Ia,