Municipal ownership, with a special survey of municipal gas plants in America and Europe; comprising a view of the general principles of public ownership; its relation to the public welfare: with a special study of gas works in American and European cities under both public and private ownership; a comparison of efficiency, costs, and rates of charge; and the influence of public ownership on general prosperity, good government and democracy

Front matter

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Preface

Because of intimate relations early in life with the railroads, tel^;raph and other public utilities, the conviction came to me that the corporations operating them were not only usurping functions which rightly belonged to the government, but were rapidly becoming so rich and powerful as to be a serious menace to liberty, justice and democracy, in defiance of which, private monopoly ever sought to control the making and administration of law.

Believing it to be the duty of every citizen to contribute from his powers or experiences whatever would best promote the common good, I have for over thirty years made a special study of public utilities under both public and private ownership in our own and in foreign countries. This little book, while giving a brief view of the general principles involved in public ownership, is largely a plain and homely contribution to a discussion of but one of the important necessities of life. The facts and data given have been gathered through many years of personal study and investigation, both in our own and foreign countries, and are supported by the highest official authorities.

As one who turns a hopeful face toward the days of reconstruction ahead of us when the spirit of genuine democracy shall rule the earth, so I now present, as amply expressing my own idea of what should be the future attitude of every citizen, the following high standard of real citizenship so nobly expressed by our honored President, Woodrow Wilson :

"The days of political and economic reconstruction which are ahead of us no man can now definitely assess — ^but we know this, that every program must be shot through and through with utter disinterestedness, that no party must try to serve itself, but every party must try to serve humanity, and that the task is a very practical one, meaning that every program, every measure in every program, must be tested by this question, and this question only: IS IT JUST, IS IT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE AVERAGE MAN, WITHOUT INFLUENCE OR PRIVILEGE ; DOES IT EMBODY IN REAL FACT THE HIGHEST CONCEPTION OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND OF RIGHT DEALING, WITH- OUT RESPECT TO PERSON OR CLASS OR PARTICULAR INTEREST.' "—

If this high ideal of civic consciousness prevail, service not profit, democracy not autocracy will rule the world. What we sow today, we reap tomorrow. As our forefathers gave to us a new nation, so the opportunity is ours to guide the affairs of state so that the priceless heritage of liberty shall not perish from the earth. As penned in the opening chapter of this work, "We look forward to the time, which we hope may be in the very near future, when

IV

through the patriotism of our citizens and the heroism of our soldiers victory shall come to our arms, bringing a peace that shall be wise and just to all mankind as the fruits of the great sacrifices America and her allies are making in this world struggle. Among the fruits of such peace, those who believe in equality of opportunity, civil liberty and democracy, hold as hi^ly essential the public ownership and operation of public utilities and natural resources, for in this way alone can control be 'of the people, by the people and for the people/ "

Albert M. Todd.

Kalamazoo, Michigan, September 1st, 1918.

Explanation of Some Abbreviations and Terms Used in Connection with the Gas Industry

B. T. U.— "British Thermal Unit."

The recognized standard for measuring heat. One B. T. U. is the measure of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound avoirdupois of water one degree Fahrenheit.

C. P.— "Candle Power."

Illuminating power of a standard sperm candle, six of which weigh one pound, and each of which burns 120 grains of sperm one hour.

C. F. or Cu. Ft-— "Cubic Feet."

Rates for selling gas are based on 1,000 cubic feet.

Calorific.

Capable of producing heat. Thermal.

Carbonize.

To convert coal into coke or carbon by distillization, for removal of the gas.

Gorporatioai

The municipal government in British cities is known as a "Corporation," bein^ equivalent to the word "Municipality" in America. Associations of atizens using private capital are known in Great Britain as "Companies," being thereby equivalent to the word "Corporations" as understood in America.

Incandescent.

Made luminous by heat; white or glowing with heat.

Chapter I

The Basic Principles of Public Ownership and a Survey of ITS World Accomplishment 9

Prindpks Underlying Public Ownership. Rapid Spread of Public Ownership. Public Ownership a Natural Governmental Function and Necessary to Secure Democracy. Success of Public Ownership in Europe. Public Ownership Brings Justice to Labor. Public Ownership in Accord with our Constitution.

CHAPTER II Early History and Development of the Gas Industry 16

First Practical Use, 1792. Experimental lightinfif, 1726. First Commercial Patent, 1802. First Public Street Lighting, 1807. Improvements in Methods and Equipment Evolution of Gas Burners. Candle Power and Heat Value. Advent of the Gas Engine. Gas Applied to Motor Vehicles. A Boon to Civilization. Water Gas. Natural Gas.

CHAPTER III The Present Scope of the Gas Industry 21

Extracts from U. S. Bureau of the Census on "Manufacture of Gas," Printed 1917. The Situation Since 1914. Growth of Municipal Ownership of Gas Plants in the United States. Data Summarized from "Brown's Directory of American Gas Companies, 1917." List of Municipal Gas Plants by City and State, in the United States and Canada, Giving Population of City and of District Supplied, Compiled from "Brown's Directory, 1917."

CHAPTER IV How Gas Is Made — ^A Brief Summary 26

Carbonizing or Coal Gas. Carburetted Water Gas. Relation of Candle Power and British Thermal Units to the Quality and Usefulness of Gas. Products from a Ton of Coal.

CHAPTER V "FiNANaNG"' A Ton of Coal, and Profits on Gas 30

Financing a Ton of Coal. Profits on Gas— Extract from Edward W. Bemis, Ph. D. in "Municipal Monopolies." Cost and Profit Boston Consolidated Gas Company Files Sdiedule of Manufacturing Costs. Cost of Making Carburetted Water Gas — ^"Gas Record.*^ Cost of Making Coal Gas— -"Gas Record." The Gas > Situation in Philadelphia. 65 Cent Gas to the Consumer a Possibility by a Fair Deal. Extracts from the 1915 Report of the Bureau of Gas of the City of Philadelphia, Judson C. Dickerman, Chief, Giving Cost

VI

of Producing Gas in Various Cities of the United States. Gas Facts as Presented by the Bureau of Gas of Philadelphia. "Consolidation of Gas Companies Forces up Gas Rates" — Quotation from Edmund J. James, Ph. D. "Effects of Public Control of Private Management in England" — Quotation from Edward W. Bemis in "Municipal Monopolies." Other Sources of Information on "Cost" and "Profit" in this Work.

CHAPTER VI Municipal Gas Works in Virginia 43

Richmond Municipal Gas Works. A Record of Achievement. $271,869 Profit on 80 Cent Gas in 1916. Extracts from 1916 Report of Richmond, Va. "Early History of Richmond Municipal Gas Works," by Edmund J. James, Ph. D. "Labor and Wages in the Richmond Municipal Gas Plant," Report by National Civic Federation. Rates per 1,000 Cubic Feet Charged by Municipal and Private Gas Plants in Virginia. Beneficial Effect of Municipal Rates on Private Rates.

CHAPTER VII Municipal Gas Works in Minnesota 50

Municipal Ownership of Gas in Duluth, Minn. Extracts from 1917 Official Report. Rates Per 1,000 Cubic Feet Charged by Municipal and by Private Gas Plants in Minnesota.

. CHAPTER VIII

Citizens Gas Company of Indianapolis 53

A Model Franchise of a Model American Gas Company Which is Paving the Way for Municipal Ownership. Gas at 55 Cents per 1,000 Cubic Feet the Lowest Price in the United States. Provision for Municipal Ownership. 60 Cent Gas of 600 British Thermal Units. Accounts to be Made Public. Stock to be Sold at Public Auction. A By-Product Plant. Extracts from Report of Citizens Gas Company for Year Ending December 31, 1917, Giving: Public Service, Operating Results, Comparative Statistics, Enlargements, Revenue Statement for Twelve Months Ending December 31, 1917, Dividends Paid and Declared. Extracts from Franchise of Citizens Gas Company of Indianapolis, Giving: Capital Stock, Publicity of Reports, Trustees, Removal of Trustees, Disposal of Earnings, Transfer of Property to City, Bond of Indemnity, Materials, Quality* Quality of Gas, Price of Gas, Extension of Lines — Forfeiture, Test of Meters.

Chapter IX

The Fight for Municipal Gas in Kalamazoo With an Investigation of Costs and Profits 62

History of the Kalamazoo Gas Fight. Report of William Newbigging on "The Gas Supply of the City of Kalamazoo, and on the Proposal to Establish a Municipal Plant." This Report Covers the Following : Physical Value ; Receipts and Expenditures ; Gross Earnings; Gross Earnings Less Operating Expenses; Net Cost of Gas in Holder; Distribution; Utilization and Commercial Expense; General and Miscellaneous Expenses; Capital Charges — ^Assets; Liabilities ; Rate at Which Company Should oupply Gas Under New Franchise, If Sudi be Granted; Proposed Municipal Plant.

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CHAPTER X Municipal Ownership of Gas Works in Great Britain 74

"Social and Financial Benefits of Municipal Ownership in En;;- land." — Quotation from Arthur Silverthome. Municii^ Gas in Great Britain, a Lesson in Efficiency, Justice and Democracy. The Municipal Gas Works of Widnes, England, A Triumph of Municipal Ownership. Best Quality Gas Costing 16 Cents per 1,000 Cubic Feet Supplied to Consumers during 1915 at 22 Cents to 24 Cents for Lighting and 16 Cents for Power Purposes, Yielding Large Profit to the City. Municipal Gas Works of Birmingham, England. Municipal Ownership of Gas in Manchester, England — Data Given for 1913, 1914 and 1916.

Chapter XI ^

Municipal Ownership in Great Britain (Continued). Com- PARATVE Results in Efficiency and Social Justice 81

Statistics from "Field's Analysis of the Principal Gas Undertakings in England, Scotland and Ireland, 1913." Comparison of Accounts, 1913 and 1916, of Both Municipal and Private Plants in English Provincial Towns. Summary of Receipts and Expenses of Municipal and Private Plants in English Provincial Towns, 1913 and 1916, per 1,000 Cubic Feet Sold. Conclusions Respecting the Comparative Efficiency and Charges for Gas Under Public and Private Ownership. Higher Efficiency of Municipal Ownership : Better Quality of Gas ; Cheaper Selling Price ; Higher Wages Paid ; More Gas and Coke Obtained from a Ton of Coal; Less Gas Unaccounted for; Lower Charges for Coke; Low Meter Rents; More Extensive Service; Attitude toward Profit; More Substantial Plants; More Adequate Lighting of Public Places; Universal Satisfaction.

Municipal Ownership in New Zealand.

CHAPTER XIII Opinions Respecting Public Ownership by Eminent Authorities 92

"Corporate Plots to Strangle Public Opinion" — Hon. Newton D.

Baker.

"The Way Out — Municipal Ownership" — Hon. Frederic C. Howe.

"The Relation of Public Service Corporations to the Public" —

Delos F. Wilcox, Ph. D.

'The Profits of Private Monopoly"— Frank Parsons, B. C. E., Ph. D.

"Conclusions Reached" — Edmund J. James, Ph. D.

Appendix

I

Continued Success of Municipal Ownership in Great Britain in 1918 101

II Public Service Profiteers in War Time 102

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III Profligacy of American Railway Management under Private Ownership 103

IV Belfontaine's New Municipal Gas Plant 106

V

Model Provisions Respecting Franchises and Public Utilities IN THE New Charter of the City of Kalamazoo. . .111

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Brief : Resolved That Public Utilities Shoued Be Publicly Owned and Operated 117

VII Constitution of the Public Ownership League of America. 119

Chapter I. The Basic Principles Op Public Ownership And A Survey

OF ITS WORLD ACCOMPLISHMENT.

"This country and all that is within it belongs to the people who inhabit it." — Abraham Lincoln,

"Real public ownership is the very essence of Democracy. Instead of debasing human nature by conflict and corruption, and dividing men into masters and mastered, it brings men together in a union of interest, accords to all a share in the development arising from the exercise of judgment and discretion in the control of business affairs, and affords the cooperative conditions necessary for the highest traits of conscience and character." — Prof. Frank Parsons, Boston Law School, in "The City for the People."

The principles underl)ring public ownership may be divided into two classes. One is connected with ideal government in its relation to civil liberty, democracy, and equality of opportunity. This we call "political justice." The other relates to providing those material things and services necessary to our welfare and happiness which we call "economic justice." Both are closely interwoven, and together they form the sum of human justice which we know as "social justice," a term inclusive of all the relations of mankind in an ideal commonwealth.

"Justice is the rightful sovereign of the world," said Pindar several centuries before Christ. And Aristotle, writing in the same era, held justice to be the "practice of virtue toward others." In later times when Rome swayed the world, the Emperor Justinian, in the beginning of his "Institutes of Roman Law," defined justice as "the eternal and unchanging desire to give to every man his due."

In modem ethics, liberty and equality are essential principles of justice as determined by social inheritance. But to conceive rightly the trend of social relations, a broad comprehension of economic conditions is necessary. It was this desire to study questions of justice and civil liberty which led the author many years ago to seek information concerning the great public utilities and their relation to national life and public welfare.

Constant and intimate relations for a number of years with the railway, telegraph, telephone, express and various other public utilities had brought valuable experience to the writer in his business relations as manufacturer and shipper. Investigations carried on while a member of the National House of Representatives added to this experience facts of an official nature which but increased the determination to prove or disprove certain conclusions which were forced upon him. Repeated visits abroad gave opportunity to investigate personally the conditions under which public utilities were being operated in foreign lands under both public and private

• •.• .. . .

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ownership. The last visit occupied fourteen months in the years 1912-1913, during which time fourteen countries were visited. These, together with those investigated during other trips, included Austria, Bavaria, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, England, France, Greece, Holland, Italy, Norway, Prussia, Saxony, Scotland, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Rapid Spread of Public Ownership.

All of these countries, sixteen in number, publicly own and operate their telephone and telegraph systems as parts of the postal service; ten publicly own and operate their entire railway systems, four own them in part, while only two (England and Scotland) have been operating their railroads entirely under private ownership. Since the outbreak of the present war, the government of these two countries has taken possession of the railroads also, and without doubt will assume actual and permanent government ownership in the near future. Russia, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand also publicly own and operate their entire railroad systems, while China, Mexico, and the countries of South America own theirs in whole or in part. All of these own their telephone and telegraph systems as well, and many countries own the majority of their municipal utilities. The United States of America is the only nation in the world which does not publicly own and operate its telephone and telegraph systems as government functions, and will have the unenviable distinction of being the only civilised country controlled by special privilege should she alone decide to continue this intolerable system of "invisible government."

It may have been this tendency to be ruled by private monopoly which led Ambassador Bryce to declare in his "American Commonwealth," "In England, we have the form of a monarchy with the spirit of democracy; while in America there exists the form of a democracy with the spirit of monarchy." This statement is unfortunately too true; and it is due to the fact that in England as well as in all the other countries of Europe, public utilities are largely owned and operated by the people, their operation being considered necessary and natural governmental functions. Those few minor undertakings which are allowed to be privately owned in those countries are considered as public trusts which are required to give impartial service and make full accounting to the people.

Public Ownership a Natural Government Function and Necessary to

Secure Democracy.

In America, on the other hand, the private monopolies which own and control the great public utilities have practically become the financial and political masters of the people, for, by means of unjust rates made possible by fictitious capitalization, dishonest financing and illegal practices, they have amassed great wealth and have grown so powerful as largely to control law and government. By secret rates and rebates they have crushed out competition and obtained monopoly. By interlocking directorates and combination of capital they have controlled or defied law and evaded regulation. Through control of much of the press and of universities, they have influenced public opinion, largely controlling nominations and elections to public office, ultimately directing the making and administration of law.

When a few men thus control the great functions of government, that equality of opportunity which is fundamental to democracy cannot exist. There can be no function of government more natural and necessary to the promotion of general prosperity and happiness than the public ownership and operation of all those agencies which contribute to the public good and which by their nature are monopolies. And these include not only the public utilities devised by man, but those vast resources of nature which the Almighty placed above and below the earth for the service of all his creatures.

Since our National Constitution was written a century and a quarter ago, human genius has harnessed nearly all the forces of nature in so many ways that there is scarcely a function in our daily life that is not performed by them, nor a condition of life which they have not revolutionized. Then, we could speak only within the radius of our voices; now, we speak from ocean to ocean. Then, courier, stage or slow sailing boat carried our written messages; now, a few seconds suffice to encircle the globe. Then, our persons and the products of our farms and factories traveled on land at the rate of twenty miles a day; now, our fastest trains exceed a thousand.

As the Creator of the Universe gave to all mankind from the foundation of the world to the end of time, the air, the water, the sunlight, the heat, the treasures of the earth with all their powers and possibilities ; so it devolves upon the city, the state and the nation to preserve inviolate to its citizens the widest and freest use of these gifts for the common welfare. This cannot be done where private monopoly exists, for one man or a group of men usurp those rights which belong to all.

Success of Public Ownership in Europe.

When traveling in France in 1875, I first observed over the entrance of all the churches and other public buildings the motto of the French Revolution, "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity." These constitute the essence of "political justice." Evidences of "social justice" were likewise apparent here as well as elsewhere, for, under the reign of public ownership of putlic utilities, one was deeply impressed with the excellence of the service, the low rate of charge, the efficiency and interest displayed by the managers and wage earners, all of which exerted an influence for good upon citizenship and government.

In order to secure indisputable evidence of the success of public ownership with which to disprove misstatements continually being made in the press and in pamphlets issued at the instigation of private companies in America, I procured a large and vduable collection of official reports and data of an absolutely authoritative nature, besides personally taking over 500 photographs of the various utilities in operation in many countries. To this collection I added several hundred photographs taken by official photographers.

This interesting collection contains street railway tickets from many cities and countries of Europe, with fares of but one cent for moderate distances, and averaging hut one and five-eighths cents for all distances. These gave superior service from the receipts of which each city made a large profit applied for reducing taxation or swelling the fund of the "Common Good."

In England the very highest quality of coal gas was being supplied under municipal ownership, in some instances, at rates as low as 24 cents per 1,000 cubic feet. And even at this rate, a profit was made, owing to honest and efficient administration.

Electricity was ever)rwhere supplied at rates lower than those charged by private companies in America, notwithstanding the fact that in most of these countries there is but little water-power.

Local telephone calls were two cents, and 'phones in homes and offices cost less than half the American rate.

Checking of baggage or parcels at the railway station was only two cents, as against ten cents in the United States. And all these public utilities were efficiently administered and gave a profit to the government.

Triumphs of Public Ownership in Switzerland.

The republic of Switzerland well illustrates the beneficent results of public ownership which prevail in the various countries mentioned. Traveling through this "Mountain Republic," one is immediately impressed with the industry, dignity, and the liberty-loving spirit of the people, evidenced by their every act and word. The locomotive engineers, the conductors, the firemen, the brakemen and the men who construct and maintain the tracks know that they are not mercenary employees, but are part owners of the railways and of the other public works, and as such, they take a just pride and interest in their duties and labors.

Under this system, strikes and lockouts are unknown, for each employee realizes that in rendering his best service he is rendering a service to the State, and as a citizen of the State, to himself. It will thus be readily seen how with each employee giving his best possible endeavor and each setting an example to those operating the utilities (in all of which each "citizen-employer" has a personal interest), the State secures much higher efficiency and service with proportionate decrease in cost to the public, and relative increase in wages. As the fictitious salaries paid in America to presidents of the public service corporations with the intent of absorbing the earnings of the utility find no counterpart in Switzerland^ and as all officers and employees are co-workers under civil service rules, ''soldiers for die common good/' private graft and plunder are impossible and unknown.

Illustrating the results under this system, I purchased a ticket for 42 days continuous or intermittent rides in Switzerland at the pleasure of the holder, over any or all of the railways and steamboats, for the equivalent of $27, or at the rate of about 67 cents a day. Tickets are also issued for three, six, and twelve months at still lower rates; and yet, though these roads, in some places tunneled through giant mountains, skirting precipitous cliffs, and spanning wild canyons at dizzy heights, cost a million dollars per mile to construct in places, and averaging over five times the actual cost of the American railways, the results are so highly satisfactory that the Republic is constantly building extensions as rapidly as possible.

Results in efficiency and economy equally marvelous as compared with our corporate-owned systems prevail in the telegraph, telephone, express and street railways. In comparison with this, one wonders how the American people, in the face of the reckless speculating and plundering of the public utilities by so-called "high financiers," can be induced to permit the functions of their life to be thus controlled and abused. It seems incredible that intelligent men engaged in manufacturing and other legitimate lines of business should not join the farmers and wage earners in the demand for public ownership. Under the present corporate system the rule of the railroads is to charge "all the commodity will bear," thus limiting both the profits of the producers and the power of the consumers to pay, while they levy the largest tax possible without entirely killing the industry.

Public Ownership Brings Justice Co L4ibor.

The rule prevailing in both municipal and national utilities in coimtries where public ownership exists, is that labor shall be paid not less than the full wages accorded by private companies for like service, nor less than the amount fixed by labor unions. In many countries a minimum wage law exists in reference to government employees upon the railroads, telegraph, telephone systems, etc., and this rule exists in principle under municipal ownership in nearly all cities.

In Great Britain wages paid municipal employees on the tramways, gas and electric utilities were about $1.75 per day, skilled labor being higher. And these wages have, of course, risen rapidly since the war. When it is remembered that the families of employees get their street car tickets, gas and other services at about one-third the cost in American cities, their wages, when measured in public service to their families, will be seen to be more than double those paid in America. For instance, a motorman or other workman can buy one hundred rides of the average length as in the United States, or one hundred and seventy-five rides of nearly two miles each, for one day's wage, whereas the American employee will receive but fifty rides for the same money. One day's wage in England and Scotland will buy on the average over 4,000 cubic feet of gas of the best quality, double the amount derived in America for the same work, although the wages are higher as measured in money.

Strikes and labor trouble of any kind are so extremely rare as to be almost unknown under public ownership, for the public has no interest nor desire to treat its own "citizen employees" otherwise than with generosity and justice. It desires to receive the best service and is glad to give a full equivalent. The sole consideration under public ownership is to secure to everyone perfect service under just conditions, while under private ownership as practiced in America, the sole motive is to obtain private profit ; and even where good service is given the motive remains the same.

Under public ownership, laws and agreements are entered into providing for conciliation, arbitration, etc., by which all questions are usually settled quickly and amicably. Employees being partners in the business and enjoying the public service for themselves and their families have no motive to destroy that which tends to their own welfare. The facts already given would seem sufficient to show that a degree of social justice greater than is known elsewhere prevails where public ownership exists, for the public as consumers secure the necessities of life upon terms far more just than could be otherwise possible, while the employees receive better wages and better treatment as well.

Public Ownership in Accord With Our Constitution.

The greatest statesman and constitutional lawyers of every democratic country agree in the view that it is not only the right but the duty of government, national, state and municipal to perform every function which is necessary to protect and extend the rights, opportunities and happiness of its citizens. In fact, this was 9ie supreme purpose of the founders of our Republic, and in order to secure and protect these rights, they placed at the head of our National Constitution the following preamble :

"We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and to our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

It must be noted that they sought to provide and secure to posterity — the people of today — all the blessings which accompany civil

IS

liberty. Should our present lawmaking power refuse in this great crisis to provide, in letter as well as in spirit, progressive l^slation necessary to carry out the fundamental principles of the Constitution, there is left an appeal to the citizenship which our martyred president, Abraham Lincoln, stated in the following words :

"This country and all its institutions belong to the people who inhabit it; and whenever they shall tire of their existing government they have the Constitutional right to amend it, or the revolutionary right to overthrow it."

If, then, this principle that the will of the people should rule, found its advocates among makers of laws and constitutions through the centuries when the conditions of society were more simple than now, and when nations owned and operated their own highways, post offices, etc., is it not much more natural, necessary and just that these same principles of public ownership should be extended under the present more complicated conditions of society, when the various forces of nature are imperatively called upon to render service? Justice replies, "Yes!"

We are living in an era of evolution and revolution. Democracy must triumph over greed. That "invisible government" of monopoly which sets at nought the will of the people through the combined power of the railways, telegraph, telephone, gas, electricity, street railways and other public utilities must be done away with in the name of liberty.

We who believe that the public ownership and operation of all public utilities which by their nature are necessary to the welfare and happiness of the people are natural government functions, believe that the time is ripe for action. The rightful solution of the question is not based upon the exigencies of tiie hour alone. Government operation of the railroads and of other national utilities should not end with the close of the war. We look forward to the time, which we hope may be in the very near future, when through the patriotism of our citizens and the heroism of our soldiers victory shall come to our arms, bringing a peace that shall be wise and just to all mankind as the fruits of the great sacrifices America and her allies are making in this world struggle. Among the fruits of such peace, those who believe in equality of opportunity, civil liberty and democracy, hold as highly essential the public ownership and operation of public utilities and natural resources, for in this way alone can control be "of the people, by the people and for the people."