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.