Reading Memorial High School - Pioneer Yearbook (Reading, MA)

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The Pioneer Page Twenty-one the other nations would do likewise. 111. A race in armament such as has been shown to result would be absolutely harmful to the United States because: A. It would introduce the spirit of militarism. B. It would withdraw our skilled men from the industries. C. The maintaining of such an armament would be of tre¬ mendous cost. D. It would be injurious to spirit of friendliness now existing between the United States and her neighbors of the north and south. E. It would ultimately bring on war, not peace. F. It would be inconsistent with the ideals of the United States. Conclusion: Therefore, in view of the above mentioned facts, it is evi¬ dent that the United States should not take steps to strenghen its na¬ tional defenses to the degree pro¬ posed by the affirmative. The Stoneham-Reading debate was as follows: — Resolved—That the United States Government should own and operate the railroads. Affirmative Argument. Introduction: I. The railroad problem is a serious and important one. A. Our dependence upon railways has become universal. B. The railway problem is funda¬ mental in its relation to po¬ litical and economic liberty, to legitimate investment, to labor, and to the wise man¬ agement of our natural re¬ sources. II. The railways of the world may be roughly divided into two groups, A. Those owned and administered by private companies. B. Those owned and administered by the state. III. The present system in the United States is that of private own¬ ership and operation, subject to state and federal control. A. Control is effected, 1. By the Interstate Commerce Commission. 2. By the state commissions. IV. The question under discussion is whether government owner¬ ship would be preferable to the present method of con¬ trol. Main Argument: The affirmative is in favor of gov¬ ernment ownership as the solution of our railroad problem, for I. The present system of private ownership and government control has resulted in serious abuses. A. Power and wealth have been concentrated in the hands of a few. 1. The railroad business is a natural monopoly. 2. Large private fortunes have been built up at the expense of the public. B. The roads are greatly over¬ capitalized. 1. Rates must be kept up to pay dividends on watered stock.

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Page Twenty The Pioneer it now because the debates were a tie. No names are printed on the shield until a team wins it. The standing of the league is: Won Lost Reading . 1 1 Wakefield . 1 1 Stoneham . 1 1 The Reading-Wakefield debate was as follows: — Resolved, That in view of the pres¬ ent situation the United States should take immediate steps to strengthen materially its national defenses. Negative. Proposition: In view of the present situation the United States should not strengthen its national defenses, be¬ cause: I. There is no immediate danger of war for the United States with A. with Germany because, 1. If Germany wins the war, she will not dare, with all Europe hostile to her, to withdraw a sufficient number of her men to war effectively against us. 2. Or, if Germany loses the war, she will be too exhausted to war against us, and will more¬ over have to beat France, England and Russia first. B. With England, because 1. If England has not attacked us at times in our national history when we were weak and she strong, she is not likely to do so after the war when she will be weak and we strong. 2. Moreover, England’s purpose for attacking us would be chiefly for colonization, and she has now more colonies than she can care for. C. With Japan, because 1. We are in very friendly rela¬ tions with Japan. 2. Japan’s armament is inferior to ours. 3. Half of Japan’s export trade is with the United States; there¬ fore she cannot afford to break with the United States, laboring as Japan is under a war debt of enormous propor¬ tions. D. Finally, with France, because 1. France’s armament is infer¬ ior to ours, and she will be exhausted at the close of the war. 3. France has always been friendly to us in the past. E. Smaller countries than the above mentioned the United States can easily cope with, with her present armament. II. Not only is there no danger of war for the United States with any sizeable nation, but her armament is adequate and a further effective strength¬ ening would involve the U. S. in a race for armament. A. The Report of the Bureau of Naval Affairs for 1915 shows the armament of the United States to be adequate to our needs. B. To make an increase in the na¬ tional defense of the United States felt, we would have to enter into a race for arma¬ ment, for: 1. In proportion as the United States increased its armament

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Page Twenty-two The Pioneer C. Rates are discriminating and fluctuating. 1. Certain shippers and markets are favored at the expense of the others. 2. Rates change frequently on account of competition and rate wars. D. Politics, the judiciary, and the press are corrupted by rail¬ road influences. E. The railroads have failed to respond to the needs of the people. 1. Transportation facilities are not provided where needed. 2. Little attention is paid to the safety and convenience of passengers. II. Government ownership would be an effective remedy for these abuses. A. All the benefits of monopoly would be secured, with none of its dangers. 1. The post office is administered with justice and success. B. Rates would be stable and uni¬ form. 1. Rates could be reduced. 2. The cause of discrimination and fluctuation would be re¬ moved. C. The evils of poor transportation facilities and service would be remedied. 1. Consolidation of all roads would mean the satisfaction of need of new lines, more frequent service, and the re¬ lief from congestion. 2. The demands of the public in regard to safety devices would be heeded. III. Government ownership has addi¬ tional advantages. A. A great saving in management is possible. B. Employment w r ould be benefited. C. The handicap which railroad capital labors under at pres¬ ent would be removed. D. A great self-supporting national defense w r ould be afforded. IV. Government ownership would be practicable. A. The railroad is properly a function of the government. B. The United States government has the power to purchase and operate railways. 1. It has done so in the case of the Panama railway and the Alaska railway. C. Such purchase can easily be brought about. 1. We suggest that the present railway stocks and bonds be exchanged for 4% government bonds. V. Government ownership has been successful where it has been tried. A. In Switzerland. 1. Conditions of the raiiw T ay em¬ ployees have been improved. 2. Service has been improved, and rates are low and uni¬ form. 3. The statement that they are unsuccessful financially is un¬ true. B. In Prussia it has succeeded. 1. The Prussian railway system is the best in the world.- C. In Australia and New Zealand. 1. New Zealand railways have been conducted primarily to