An irrational organization

The Official Journal of August 31 published a decree that sets the conditions for the exploitation of the potash mines of Alsace acquired by the French State. These conditions deserve to be examined, because they reflect a mentality that is widespread in current governmental circles, but which is no better for that.

These mines will be headed by a director appointed by the Minister of Public Works and acting under his authority. In addition, for the management of these mines, the Minister will take advice from a council composed as follows: 3 members representing the public works administration, 2 members appointed on the proposal of the Minister of Finance, 2 members appointed on the proposal of the Minister of Agriculture, 1 member appointed on the proposal of the Minister of Labor, 2 representatives of agricultural associations, 1 representative of the Chambers of Commerce, 1 technician from the mining industry. This unfortunate technician was narrowly avoided being forgotten; we thought at the last moment to add him to the list and, really, we wonder what he will be able to do in an environment of such diverse and contradictory interests.

It is quite obvious that the representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, of the agricultural associations, of the Chambers of Commerce will defend the interests of the consumers of potash who wish to have the product at the best possible price. The representative of the Minister of Labor will only make onerous proposals, not inspired in any way by the conditions of competition. The representatives of the Minister of Finance will only consider, we believe, the largest possible yield from a fiscal point of view.

In this council, some will pull in different directions, while others will pull in different directions and, to sort out these advocates of such opposing interests, what do we find? The Minister of Public Works! We have had an example, in recent days, by what happened to the State railways, of his way of serving the general interest. The solution that will triumph will be the one that is supported by the most influential group electorally.

The organization that we have just described should last only until the promulgation of the law that will set the conditions for the exploitation of potash mines; but, although temporary, it is no less dangerous, because it is a formula that is fashionable and whose applications are multiplied. This formula ultimately amounts to this:

to have businesses for which the State assumes all the risks managed by people who have an interest in them being in deficit.

The truly economic solution is the management of productive services by financial companies interested in developing their income and not by groups that are interested in reducing the revenue and increasing the expenditure; this last solution is irrational; it is the one that has all the favors of our governments, but public finances will be the victim.