MILES CANNON
22
jurisdiction of the public utilities commission of the state of Idaho and the public service commission of the state of Oregon,
and that
it operates without competition. should conclude, therefore, that the Snake river has passed into the control of a monopoly, owned by individuals and operated for a profit, under exclusive rights conferred by the
I
If
state.
my
conclusions are well founded
we have
revived the
policy of granting monopolies which has always been opposed by the English common law as far back as the beginning of the
seventeenth century, and, likewise, a policy which never has been in good repute in the United States. Unless the people of our country accept these conditions as permanent, on the grounds of public policy, the problem is yet In its solution there are, as far as I know, but to be solved. two theories to be considered. First a state monopoly owned and operated for the benefit of all the people. Second the
abolishment of monopolies by opening the power possibilities all citizens alike under the jurisdiction of the state which
to
should oppose
forms of special privileges.
all
The
condition represents the theory of imperialism the first represents the theory of German socialism the second
present
remedy remedy
the usually accepted American plan, inasmuch as the government, according to this theory, is employed in the highest development of the power and efficiency of the individual. is
its several forms, is now a greater menace has been before in our history. The entire philosophy of Socialism is of German origin and is contained in a book known as "Das Kapital" written by Karl Marx. It is the bible
Socialism, under
than
it
of Socialism no matter in what country or under what name. It is
based upon five elementary principles which are, 1 class 2 abolition of national boundaries 3 abolition of the
hatred
abolition of religion; and 5 abolition of These are the five great rocks upon which
family relations; A
property rights.
our constitution was conceived, and they are the five elementary features of government that have made us, in a short period of 142 years, the most powerful and progressive people in the world.
