Conservation Commission. 21 



and oil fields have likewise been withdrawn from private grant in 

 order to control and regulate the price thereof. 



The State of New York has in many instances engaged in activi- 

 ties in competition with private capital. The establishment of 

 schools for higher education, the construction of highways at 

 public expense, the construction of the Erie canal, and its con- 

 tinued enlargement, the acquisition of salt mines, the purchase 

 and operation of the Saratoga Springs, are all instances where 

 the activities of the State have been employed in competition 

 with private business. 



Likewise the city of New York has entered into business in 

 competition with private interests, by the construction of subways 

 for the transportation of its people, and also by its purchase and 

 operation of ferries, and ownership of the dockage facilities of 

 Manhattan Island. 



The city of Chicago, in connection with its drainage system, 

 is actually engaged in the business of developing electrical energy 

 and distributing the same to municipalities at cost. 



More than 75% of our cities, and over 90% of our urban popu- 

 lation are provided with water by municipalities. There is no 

 distinction between the distribution and sale of water, and the dis- 

 tribution and sale of electric light and energy for municipal and 

 domestic purposes. 



If the conservation plan is socialistic, then all the foregoing 

 national, State and municipal activities must likewise be 

 socialistic. 



It is also charged that the plan of the Conservation Commission 

 is economically unsound, for the reason that the government can 

 do nothing as cheaply and efficiently as can private enterprise. 

 This has not been the experience in this State with respect to the 

 distribution and sale of water by municipalities. Very little, if 

 any, complaint has been made, where such plants exist. Rates are 

 reasonable, and the service satisfactory, as a rule. Official miscon- 

 duct, extravagance, fraud or scandal rarely obtain in these places. 

 Much graver, and more frequent complaint exists against private 

 corporations that furnish light and power to the inhabitants of 

 our cities. 



It is also urged that this class of service should be left to 



