The times-news., 1937-11-25
NEWSPAPERS OPINIONS
GOVERNMENT IN BUSINESS

Merle Thorpe in The Commentator, lists some
of the fields in which government is competing with
private enterprise.
The government makes arplaneS, awnings, brick,
brooms. bronze castings and forgngs gasoline on
gineS, furniture. garbage cans, glue. hammocks,
inks mattresses, optical glass overallS paints and
varnishes, rope sausage, shoes, yarn.
The government operates cattle ranches, cheese
factories canneres. daires department stores, dry
cleaning establishments hotels, motion picture the
atres ships, railroads savings banks
The government buys and sells coal, copra, cot
ton, eggs. fruits and vegetables, groceries, milk,
ice maets, petroleum. poultry, tobacco, wheat.
1--WE have spent billions of dollars in our effort
to restore business activity, but, in my Judgment.
the governments active competition in more than
200 different kinds of industry and trade has cost
more than that in lost enthusiasm.
This competition has different effects upon diff
ferent individuals. 1t makes some indignant, others
sulen, and still others discouraged, because this
competitor pays no taxes keeps its accounts as 1t
chooses, fixes prices at will. 1t can merge, con-
solidate and monopolize without fear of the heavy
hand of the law, and in some cases under its cX-
press protection.
"And it is interesting to note that the majority
of the numerous new corporations recently set
up by the federal government Incorporated
under the laws of the state of Dclaware-a policy
which the same incorporators so often criticise.'
TIE federal government has invaded many fields
1t has competed unfairly. 1t is competing unfairly
It has been charged that its IVA activities arc
carried forward at loss. This loss is, or Will De
paid by the whole American people. Private power
executives say that if the government would do
for their companies what it has done for the Ten
nessee Valley Authority they could greatly reduce
their rates to their consumers and still show a
profit.
"The interstate commerce commission has sub
sidiary organization through which 1t permits and
encourages mass buying by its employees in the
government building that houses them in the city
of Washington said Rep. Shannon, chairman of
house committee which investigated government
competition Zone day they will buy their eggs by
the carload, and another they will buy a carload
Of butter or a carload Of linen. This, Of course,
cuts out the little dealer in these products"
A shoe manufacturer signed petition with thou
sands of others demanding that federal cxpendi-
lures be cut Not long after he signed he began
to hear from dealers that federal employees were
boycotting his shoes because of his action. In
Middle Western city, Mr.. Thorpe continues, the
manager Of a department store spoke against the
mounting expenditures and "in ten days more
than a hundred accounts closed by families
dependent upon tax payrols."
BureaucratS who are profting from the New
Deals caprices and vagarics tolerate no criticism
of the federal governments waste and extrava-
gance. They tolerate criticism of government
in business. They make conditions unpleasant for
those who come into the open with their adverse
opinions The New Deal cannot stand opposition
Government in business affects even the least Of
Americans, for they suffer in common with the
more prosperous. Government in business goes to
the public treasury for funds wherewith to meet
its losses Government is without magic wand
without Midas touch 1t has only what 1t collects
from the people. When it goes into business, 1t
competes unfairly with axpayers.-Charleston
News and Courier.