The Fort Peck press., 1936-01-02
PUBLIC OWNER
ISSUE IN CAMPAIGN
Questions Aspirants for Con-
gress Should Be Asked
to Answer.

ton appear to be developing an issue
with which voters can deal at the
polls In November, according to word
that Is flterlng into the National cap
ital.
There are throughout the country
several dozen of these experiments
the greatest of which, of course, II
the Tennessee Valley Authority. That
agency, wholly government owned and
operated. is developing and distrib-
utlng electric power on a gigantic
scale. 1t Is rapidly driving out all
private enterprise having to do with
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 cleo,
trio household equipment to whomso.
ever will buy. Sales Of washing ma
chimes, Irons, u cleaners, and
other such equipment are being made
on the installment plan, much to the
merchandise.
Vast Sums Expended.
The federal government Is backing
q hundred million dollars or more In
bonds Of the IVA and 1t is paying the
governing board and It's 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-electrlc 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 1t 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 Reedsyllle,
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 con-
<uopftno fhnn, Qnnnr1tn0 RI tho word
reaching Washington, an increasing
number Of voters are reported to be
asking the candidates In their areas
how they stand. Some Of these candi-
dates, who are seeking reelection,
let 1t be known at their Of
fees here that they do not see how
they can avoid definite statements very
much longer as to whether they are
for or against government ownership.
Two questions are reported to be
agitating the voters who have become
In the fight against govern
ownership. One of them Is
whether, under government ownership,
there can be operation without that
particular function becoming a polit-
ical football. The other question con-
Germs taxes. The voters are said to be
Inquiring what the total cost will be II
the government continues to acquire
Or construct government owned and
,perated economic units. The lnforma-
ton Is that people are becoming con-
:erned over the mounting tax burdens
Of federal and state and local govern
Iuents and have fears as to the fu-
ture.
Fear Revenue Loss.
Several members Of congress lately
nave received letters from officials
their respective states indicating
Harm over the reduction In revenue
local governments II the federal
government continues to expand Its
ownership Of what nas heretofore
)een private business. The state au-
.horities, as well as the county and
municipal officials, fOresee sharp cur
ailment In the receipts upon which
hey depend for payment OF their run
ling expenses and the necessary i'm
,rovements, such as highways and the
Ike. In one instance, the state off,
asked point blank what would
lappen to the state or local treas
lries If the federal government took
,ver the railroads. He added a par
graph to the effect that If the expan-
lion Of government ownership on
there will be nothing left for
IS to AK except farm lands now be-
ne blown away by hot Winds"
Among the groups who are muster
ng strength In opposition to govern
nent ownership of the railroads, the
vord is being sent out to every one
Who will listen that the railroads are
aging approximately $2S0,000,0O0 in
axes to the federal, state and county
reasuries. They are pointing out that
his e will be lost If the gov
decides to buy the railroads
nd operate them under public own
rship.
In some instances, 1t has been
hown, that the taxes paid by the rail
Dads In a local community amount to
8 much as forty per cent Of the en-.
ire revenue received by that local
oyernment's treasury. If, in addition.
here should be a publicly owned pow.
r plant or street railway or storage