The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-01-27
NEWSPAPERS OPINIONS
GOVERNMENT IN BUSINESS

There is an old saying, which is as true today as
it was in the days of yore, that "a chain is only
as strong as it's weakest link" 1t is also automatic
that business or manufacturing concern is usual
" as strong as the man who guides its destiny. In
government the most efficient executive is the one
under least obligation to his party, and the
who regards his party obligations lightly usually
finds himself on the outside.
With these facts, and they admitted facts
let Us consider for moment the trend towards
government in business. In the first place, the fed
eral government is operating post office system
at big loss Many reasons have been given for
the annual deficits for this branch Of government,
but no effort has been made to correct those de-
fects which produce the deficits all because of the
baneful influence of politics.
The federal government is getting into the bust
ness of producing power. Can we be so optimistic
as to hope that although it is impossible to operate
post office system without taxing the people
heavily to provide adequate quarters and take care
of increasing deficits, the government will be able
to operate power plants in such manner as to
provide cheaper power, less the taxes usually paid
by power companies, without also stacking up det-
cts? Certainly not that optimistic, because
we know that the who are employed in these
plants will sooner or later be chosen by the way
they voted at the last election rather than the
basis of ability.
Last week Governor George H. Earle said that
he would advocate the governments purchase of
coal mines in the state of Pennsylvania, because
coal mining business is in sad plight. How far he
will get with this proposition is not known, but the
trend of the times certainly favorS him.
Time and again during the past two or three
decades we have heard prominent leaders in gov
eminent advocating government operation of the
railroads Are we TO suppose that despite the in
efficient operation of many roads by private cap
tal, the government, hamstrung by politics, will
be able to do as good job as has been done
in the past? No, we know that it is not possible
There are many able men in government serv-
ice, but we have always noticed that the more eff
feient these men become, the sooner some two by
four politician is influential in having his head
chopped off.
Once we had the idea that we should put bust
ness men in responsible governmental posts, but
we soon saw that this would be a mistake. What
we need in governmental offices politicians.
But we need to circumscribe their activities. AS
it is we broadening them, and this is dangerous
to the welfare of the country.
1t has always been foolish to think that govern
ments can be operated as efficiently and economi-
cally as private industry over period of years.
And all this talk of putting government more and
more into business should stifen the Spines of all
citizens to point where it will be possible to start
trend in the other direction.
Long ago some wise man said, "That government
is best which governs least" We need to get that
idea in our hearts and minds and go places with It.
-Stanly News and Press