t THE OMINECA MINER, SATURDAY, MAY 19, 1917 7 . The Omineca Miner. PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY AT HAZELTON, THE CENTER OF THE GREAT OMINECA District OF BRITISH COLUMBIA. A. R. Macdonald, Publisher and Proprietor. SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada and British Possessions, Two Dollars a year: Foreign, Three Dollars a year. ADVERTISING RA'TES: Display, $2.50 per inch per month; Reading Notices, 20 cents per line for each insertion. Legal notices inyerted at B. C. Gazette rates, VoL. VI. SATURDAY, May 19, 1917 No. 28 By the report of the royal commission appointed to inquire into the transportation situation in Canada the great problem of the railways has been placed before parliament for solution. A majority recommendation—by Sir Henry Drayton and W. M. Aeworth— favors the nationalization of all systems with the exception of .the Canadian Pacific. A minority recommendation—by A Smith, president of the New York Central—favors reorganization and a continuation of privateadministration. Either of these reports may, be favored by the government or adopted by parliament. Of the two the Financial Post declares in favor of Mr. Smith, in principle if not in detail. It does so confident of the superiority of private administration—under reasonable government regulation—to give .the most efficient and least costly service to the public and the nation, and believing that of the three members of the commission Mr. Smith was in the best position to appreciate from an unbiased standpoint the practical features of the problem, both as to what has been done and what must be done in the future, In its attitude in favor of private operation of. public utilities, | the Post recognizes that the great fundamental, principle of the success of such enterprises is service to the public. This attitude taken is not a popular one, but it is sincere. Public ownership as a theory cannot be discounted, -In practice it is another matter. The Post believes that in a country like Canada, with unsettled conditions and great variety of national issues with their political reflection, and with control by politicians, who in the average are opporLunists rather than‘statesmen, efficient administra- - Tn the long ran tion under state control is practically ‘impossible, the public pays for inefficiency. in administration. Under public ownership. the finances may be juggied in.such a manner.that the people-are falsely enthused by. direct benefits which they. pay |! |tiddress throws off the mask and|i heavily for through general taxation. v To put into effect the recommendations of the majority: report f\ will mean that the government.of Canada will take over-and operate roads which. will constitute what we are told! ‘would be the largest system in the world with the exception of that of Germany.” ‘Phat such a system, covering thousands of miles and endeavoring to serve a multitude of interests—politieal and otherwise—can be efficiently operated by the gavernment is something. which those who understand the intricacies of large administration and the looseness of political service cannot hope for. To increase the difficulties,such a system would have to operate in opposition to the Canadian Pacific, one of the most efficient organizations in the world. Hither one of two things would probably happen: lf the government endeavored to compete on a basis of business equality it would by that laoseness of udministration which features public ownership lose large sums of money which would either show in the reports or be covered. up in the national finances, thus misleading the public, Or in order to.secure a large share of business the goverment system, backed by misguided public opinion, would reduce rates to * guch an extent that the Canadian Pacific could not give that efficient, service which has meant and continues to mean so much to Canada’ $ development. ‘Government losses could either vle hidden ory if shown, made to appear as the public contribution for the boon of low. rates, And just on this point-of Canadian Pacific, service it ‘may ‘be pointed -out that ‘neither report offered the suggestion that this system be taken over by the kovernment also, If“the government can efficiently manage all other: systems‘ which are now more or less crippled, why could it ‘not take over the C.P.R. as well? | The same report which recognizes that private ownership in one system ia perfection recommends government ownership to repair the imperfections ; of others, © ra FRIDAY’S WAR / : DESPATCHES inflicted upon the: German forces ‘ures for controlling the common | ‘| destructive species: and’ ‘also’ for- || Exceptionally heavy. losses were! reference the insect$are-grouped. Petrograd: Russian troops have resumed hostilities, an offensive against the Teuton hordes being | in progress along practically the . entire northern front, ‘Praterniz- ing of troopa ceased very sudden- ly when a regiment whieh resisted the Hun blandighmeits was pas sed and shelled., 7 sent against our line between Gavrelle and the Sear pe river, - is - Bothin Mesopotamia and Mace: donia British armies have made . important, captures, In the Lake|: Doivan district we captured 5000 yards of enemy trenches and inthe, Struma, river sector s000 yards, | _ Bowlin: Tn. the face a of trong | they infest. >this ~ publication a; mod useful’ x sive night the enemy threw vio-}: lent attacking waves against the Frengh positions north of Moulin land Laffraux: They were repuls- }. ed, as_were’attacks elsewhere, London: Good results are look- ed for from Lord Cecil’ sclarifying ‘- speech on the Allies’ aims. Brief. ly, all previous: statements of the Entente purposes.stand.. The Allies favor Russia’ s plan for annexationssand. no indemnities, on the understanding that’ while there shal] be'neither annexations | | nor indemnities for political ag- grandizement, ‘Both may: ‘be nec- essary to assure the freedom oft pebplés held in bondage by the , central powers and to atone for| : ‘sueh acts ds the i invasion, of Bel-" glum, | Franee, Servia,and Poland. It is believed Cecil’s speech will ptove an. effective answer to the ; angling of Hollwex. Lloyd George’, “has submitted +f offering Fl ‘Home -Rule= _proposuls. exclusion for the six Ulster coun- ties. or ‘the alternative of a con-| vention to’ ‘arrange a scheme of | J self-government. ———— Copenhagen: eampaign is i.tuse to fool thely Allies. . The chan cellor’s shows the Teutons are bent. on war and conquest, .. » Reports of internal dissensions. are; ‘part of alli aero a i Vice: Presidénts S. AL Hoskins; ‘Mrs. BE, R. Cox; WwW. IL. Carr well -— considered: ‘propaganda, ‘Holl weg’ is-as strong as ever, ‘dis- : satisfactionof r adieals. bein gover-|j whelmed by general’ ‘optimism. Se omaemar Control of: ‘Garden I Insects. The entoniological branch’ of the| j Dominion departrnent: ‘of agricul-|/f ture has issued Circular’. Nod, on[q * “Common. ‘Garden's Insects’ and | their Control. mM This puLlization includes’ ‘an. ‘account of the. more important insect pests of the 4] sivegétable and Hower garden, It ‘has. -been, ‘prepated. for wide dis: tribution at this tine when every-|[f ‘T where throughout € 1 ar 2: ‘being. earnestl: foods,” ete, in backyards, vacant lots, and. other’ areas near cities|(f. and toivns. : The remedial meas- mulz'for.the making of the chief , inseaticides are giver, For easy. ee ‘Germany’s peace |B latest Lif : Large or, Small, Contributions will be Gratefully. Received a | nada efforts | made to in- | crease the production of vegetable i co - operation : : with ‘the ‘Provincial IF YOU CANT. F IGHT ran YOU CAN AT LEAST i STAND BEHIND THE | ~ MAN WHO FIGHTS | if FOR YOU! — +f wile THE CANADIAN PATRIOTIC FUND. Which ‘assists the. wives and families. of Canada’s. gallant’ soldiers, requires millions of dollars to keep the soldiers” ; home fires burning. - District Treasurer: Stephen A. Hoskins, Government Agent _ Hazelton Committee: of od. iE Kirby, R. 2 One ~ Allen, and-J. 6. Powell. J. K Frost, ‘J. R. Barker, Monthly Subscriptions « are Solicited efforts to assist i in the noble work of this giteat humanitarian ql THE CANADIAN RED CROSS a The Hazelton Branch ‘requests the. ‘support of all in its: ° ; organization. . : e Honovary E Presidents: Mrs, (Rev, ) John Field; Mrs, Ror) ~ -_ W. Hogan os av, Chairman: Dr“H, 6. Weineh’: Mo terete el ; :» Honorary Secretary: Miss J..C. Grant | Honorary Treasurer: H. H. Little, Manager Union Bank =f en ae ; .- Executive Committee: - — : “Mrs! H.C. Whineh, Mrs. R. G. Moseley, ‘Mrs, ‘Chas. Reid, - Miss Hogan, Rev. John I Field, Rev. M. Pike, H.-H: Phillips ; oot! SOLDIERS AD & EMPLOYMENT | ~ COMMITTEE — | ~ Endeavors to. ‘supply soldiers from Hazelton district ‘witk © “such comforts and necessities as earinot: be readily caine at the’ front, and will assist them’ to re-establish themselves” _in civil lif when they’ return. i: ‘The Committeei ‘is acting, in, “Returned © Soldiers’ 3 - Commission and: the Military Hospitals. Commission ok “Contribations to the Soldiers” ‘Aid Tobacco I Fund. are Weleome\. oY ‘Chaieman: A. R. ‘Macdonald « ; x lohorary, Secistary Treasurer: J. K. Frost, under the crop or flowering plants . Gardeners, will find means for solving | many: ‘troubles eo that, will arise... ‘Application for this ‘entomological/ elreular No. 9 ii ‘should be made to the publications I + 4 A a i i ”