By Jacob C. Maichel
In the 1800s time was very loose to say the least. People could not move faster than the speed of horses so schedules were pretty tentative, which wasn’t a big deal in their relatively slow moving lives. As the United States began to industrialize and develop factories, steamboats, mail, etc time needed to be more uniform inside of towns. Each town decided on its own official town time creating thousands of unique time zones across the United States. Michigan, for example, had 38 different times alone!
With the invention of the railroad everything changed as the country opened up. A trip from New York to Chicago that had taken a month by horse could now be completely in two days on a train. Variations in times was not only a scheduling nightmare but ultimately a safety hazard as trains sometimes hit each other due to timing confusions. The railroad’s solution was to make each train its own traveling “time zone”, so that no matter where it went it was based on the time where the line was based out of.
During this period William F. Allen was the secretary general of the time convention and had no shortage of people reaching out to him pleading to change the outdated time system. By the 1870s trains were common across the country as the United States shifted from a collection of towns to one uniform country. In the 1980s the scientific community struggled with meteorologists not being able to collaborate on anything, such as times of shooting star sightings. Allen decided to take on the task of standardizing time as we know it by splitting the country into zones.
Allen begins by going to the Boston Railroads with the idea. They promptly deny him stating they only set time via the Harvard observatory. Rather than admit defeat Allen simply convinces the Harvard observatory to adopt his plan and soon after the city of Boston follows. Allen next approaches the city of New York arguing time may become known as Boston Time if they reject him, which was all the convincing needed to get New York to agree.
As more cities began to adopt the plan there was push back. One preacher was so against it he was quoted saying “we follow God’s time not railroad time” and then smashed his watch on the pulpit. Another notable objection came from the attorney general who stated that government buildings go off of D.C. time. However, enough States adopted Allen’s plan that his objection was ignored. The plan continued and Allen’s team mapped out 4 different time zones that we are familiar with today.
At 12 noon on November 18, 1883 all time is set to become standardized. They used telegraph lines to notify balls across the country of the exact moment to drop and start counting time. These dropping balls eventually give way to the traditional ball dropping in New York every new year. Though there was still some disagreements in 1918 standardized time was officially adopted by the U.S. Federal Government, and in 1966 they abolished all local times.
References
Helm, Sally, Host. Episode 918 “The Day Of Two Noons”. Planet Money, NPR, 7 June, 2019. https://www.npr.org/2019/06/07/730727038/episode-918-the-day-of-two-noons
Jacob C. Maichel is a Graduate Assistant at the Gwartney Institute and an MBA student at Ottawa University
Showing posts with label market solutions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label market solutions. Show all posts
Monday, July 22, 2019
Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Market Solutions: Transport Safety
By Jacob C. Maichel
Anyone who has flown within the last two decades understands how frustrating the process can be. Arriving hours earlier than takeoff to combat the setbacks that could prevent you from making your flight is frustrating. It seems the security model provided by the government has no alternative, but what if private industry had more freedom to do screenings? Surely companies with an incentive to outperform their rivals would be a more efficient solution than the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Previous to one of the most devastating acts of terrorism, 9/11, the majority of airport security was handled by private companies. The issue with the previous model was that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversaw the private companies. Before 9/11 the majority of the rules set in place by the FAA were to protect against plane malfunctions or natural disasters, as they had little desire to be a law enforcement agency1. After the attacks congress unanimously approved a fully federal screening system which created the TSA in 2001. By 2002 the TSA was based in the Department of Homeland Security and boasted the 4th largest budget in the building. A fully federal system was actually opposed by then president George W. Bush and the House of Representatives, who both pushed for private security with strict federal oversight.
There is a small program called the Screening Partnership Program (SPP) that meets much resistance from the TSA. The SPP program allows for airports to opt in for private screeners rather than the traditional TSA approach and currently 22 airports take advantage of this. One of the largest adopters of this is the San Francisco airport. A study by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee revealed in 2011 that screening inside of San Francisco International was 65% more efficient than federal screening at Los Angeles. Some of the factors that are attributed to this dominance is less employee turnover which leads to better workers, and more flexible staffing measures such as scheduling.
San Francisco really exhibited the benefits of being private during the recent government shutdown. During the shutdown TSA employees calling in sick increased 272%, while none of the 22 privatized airports had any delays. Being private also allows for more focus to be on the security of the consumer. In 2015 there was a test by the inspector general where 67/70 weapons made it past TSA screening points. If this happened to a private service provider the airline could simply switch to new security. For private screeners being effective is the only way to stay in the airports, as where TSA is guaranteed.
One of the most glaring flaws in this structure to me is that the TSA is self regulating. TSA has the task to give themselves their own rules which creates a conflict of interest. The TSA gets to choose what is and is not allowed on airplanes, what technology and screening procedures are used, all while being the same organization who implement the searches! With private screeners we could hold each company accountable, decrease operating costs, and most importantly increase security! While federal oversight is unquestionably important in aviation the security itself could be handled much better by the private sector.
Jacob C. Maichel is a Graduate Assistant at the Gwartney Institute and an MBA student at Ottawa University
Anyone who has flown within the last two decades understands how frustrating the process can be. Arriving hours earlier than takeoff to combat the setbacks that could prevent you from making your flight is frustrating. It seems the security model provided by the government has no alternative, but what if private industry had more freedom to do screenings? Surely companies with an incentive to outperform their rivals would be a more efficient solution than the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Previous to one of the most devastating acts of terrorism, 9/11, the majority of airport security was handled by private companies. The issue with the previous model was that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversaw the private companies. Before 9/11 the majority of the rules set in place by the FAA were to protect against plane malfunctions or natural disasters, as they had little desire to be a law enforcement agency1. After the attacks congress unanimously approved a fully federal screening system which created the TSA in 2001. By 2002 the TSA was based in the Department of Homeland Security and boasted the 4th largest budget in the building. A fully federal system was actually opposed by then president George W. Bush and the House of Representatives, who both pushed for private security with strict federal oversight.
There is a small program called the Screening Partnership Program (SPP) that meets much resistance from the TSA. The SPP program allows for airports to opt in for private screeners rather than the traditional TSA approach and currently 22 airports take advantage of this. One of the largest adopters of this is the San Francisco airport. A study by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee revealed in 2011 that screening inside of San Francisco International was 65% more efficient than federal screening at Los Angeles. Some of the factors that are attributed to this dominance is less employee turnover which leads to better workers, and more flexible staffing measures such as scheduling.
San Francisco really exhibited the benefits of being private during the recent government shutdown. During the shutdown TSA employees calling in sick increased 272%, while none of the 22 privatized airports had any delays. Being private also allows for more focus to be on the security of the consumer. In 2015 there was a test by the inspector general where 67/70 weapons made it past TSA screening points. If this happened to a private service provider the airline could simply switch to new security. For private screeners being effective is the only way to stay in the airports, as where TSA is guaranteed.
One of the most glaring flaws in this structure to me is that the TSA is self regulating. TSA has the task to give themselves their own rules which creates a conflict of interest. The TSA gets to choose what is and is not allowed on airplanes, what technology and screening procedures are used, all while being the same organization who implement the searches! With private screeners we could hold each company accountable, decrease operating costs, and most importantly increase security! While federal oversight is unquestionably important in aviation the security itself could be handled much better by the private sector.
Jacob C. Maichel is a Graduate Assistant at the Gwartney Institute and an MBA student at Ottawa University
Monday, April 29, 2019
Market Solutions - Disaster Response
By Jacob C. Maichel
Economists such as Adam Smith, Friedrich Hayek, and Milton Friedman have proclaimed the pitfalls of central planning, but their message has not been heard with regard to disaster management. One of the most glaring shortcomings can be seen in The Federal Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA is the government organization tasked with coordinating and leading disaster relief efforts. While this sounds good, the relief programs operated by the government are often disasters themselves. We have seen time and time again where the private sector responds more effectively than the government.
One of the first things to point out is the significant waste both monetarily and in relief supplies. After Katrina, we saw case after case of fraud that resulted in over $2 billion in taxpayer money being wasted in false claims. Examples such as a Texas hotel owner collecting $232,000 in bills for phantom victims or 1,100 prisoners receiving more than $10 million in rental and disaster relief highlight taxpayer money being taken from those who needed it. In 2018 we witnessed extreme mismanagement of aid that was intended for the victims of hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. It was revealed there were government parking lots with food rotting in the boxes, which themselves were covered with rat feces. FEMA 91,000 tons of ice intended for disaster victims to the wrong state! The situation became so hopeless that Puerto Rican officials asked for aid to be exclusively in the form of money and personnel.
Most importantly the free market provides care for victims significantly better than the government does. Louisiana understands this better than most. In 2005 over 1,500 residents tragically perished in hurricane Katrina, many waiting on government alleviation from the flood waters or needed supplies. In 2016 when floods threatened Louisiana it’s people responded much different. Local efforts saved lives far before any government assistance ever arrived. Facebook groups sprang up to coordinate supply deliveries and rescue efforts. The “Cajun Navy” was created by people using private boats to rescue those in their communities. Phone applications with walkie talkie and GPS functions were utilized to help those who were in need.
Not only has FEMA been considerably less successful than private efforts, the organization significantly hampers non government relief assistance. During disasters it is commonplace to see miles of retail truck convoys carrying precious life-saving supplies stopped by FEMA as to not interfere with their government strategies. During Katrina buses belonging to private businesses who were relocating displaced victims were requisitioned and instead used to deliver people to the New Orleans Convention Centre. Many more deaths were caused by this as the convention center lacked many basic needs yet people were continually placed there by FEMA efforts. When left unhindered local businesses actions have been significantly more successful in getting much needed supplies into communities. When hurricane Sandy struck it hit 295 Walmart stores, 250 were open the next day. Local churches and charities are always the first ones of the ground to help the victims of catastrophe and support their communities.
Unfortunately FEMA even negatively impacts local efforts by disincentivizing charitable giving and creating free trade zones. Public aid creates the illusion that there is a diminished need to give to charities who act during disasters. The organizations that provide the most benefit are the same ones that FEMA hurts. Impact on local business should also be considered as well. FEMA creates free trade zones where normal market conditions vanish. Licenses and taxes which protect sellers and buyers are suspended and businesses have less motivation to provide needed goods and services. Business' motivation for helping may involve profit but being able to survive is priceless.
When FEMA leaves an area after a disaster, business’ drive for profit and free markets are largely responsible for rebuilding. Companies will sell raw materials to others begin to rebuild. Private businesses will repair homes and infrastructure while taking payment for this all while hiring displaced workers for these projects. It was in fact for profit app developers and Facebook that created the tools the Cajun Navy used in saving their own communities. Government responsibility in disaster should be to reopen infrastructure that supports trade and to continue securing property rights rather than be the hero that saves us. Historically we have been let down time and time again by FEMA’s efforts whereas the free market left to its own devices has helped communities come together and rise out of devastating situations.
Jacob C. Maichel is a Graduate Assistant at the Gwartney Institute and an MBA student at Ottawa University
Economists such as Adam Smith, Friedrich Hayek, and Milton Friedman have proclaimed the pitfalls of central planning, but their message has not been heard with regard to disaster management. One of the most glaring shortcomings can be seen in The Federal Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA is the government organization tasked with coordinating and leading disaster relief efforts. While this sounds good, the relief programs operated by the government are often disasters themselves. We have seen time and time again where the private sector responds more effectively than the government.
One of the first things to point out is the significant waste both monetarily and in relief supplies. After Katrina, we saw case after case of fraud that resulted in over $2 billion in taxpayer money being wasted in false claims. Examples such as a Texas hotel owner collecting $232,000 in bills for phantom victims or 1,100 prisoners receiving more than $10 million in rental and disaster relief highlight taxpayer money being taken from those who needed it. In 2018 we witnessed extreme mismanagement of aid that was intended for the victims of hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. It was revealed there were government parking lots with food rotting in the boxes, which themselves were covered with rat feces. FEMA 91,000 tons of ice intended for disaster victims to the wrong state! The situation became so hopeless that Puerto Rican officials asked for aid to be exclusively in the form of money and personnel.
Most importantly the free market provides care for victims significantly better than the government does. Louisiana understands this better than most. In 2005 over 1,500 residents tragically perished in hurricane Katrina, many waiting on government alleviation from the flood waters or needed supplies. In 2016 when floods threatened Louisiana it’s people responded much different. Local efforts saved lives far before any government assistance ever arrived. Facebook groups sprang up to coordinate supply deliveries and rescue efforts. The “Cajun Navy” was created by people using private boats to rescue those in their communities. Phone applications with walkie talkie and GPS functions were utilized to help those who were in need.
Not only has FEMA been considerably less successful than private efforts, the organization significantly hampers non government relief assistance. During disasters it is commonplace to see miles of retail truck convoys carrying precious life-saving supplies stopped by FEMA as to not interfere with their government strategies. During Katrina buses belonging to private businesses who were relocating displaced victims were requisitioned and instead used to deliver people to the New Orleans Convention Centre. Many more deaths were caused by this as the convention center lacked many basic needs yet people were continually placed there by FEMA efforts. When left unhindered local businesses actions have been significantly more successful in getting much needed supplies into communities. When hurricane Sandy struck it hit 295 Walmart stores, 250 were open the next day. Local churches and charities are always the first ones of the ground to help the victims of catastrophe and support their communities.
Unfortunately FEMA even negatively impacts local efforts by disincentivizing charitable giving and creating free trade zones. Public aid creates the illusion that there is a diminished need to give to charities who act during disasters. The organizations that provide the most benefit are the same ones that FEMA hurts. Impact on local business should also be considered as well. FEMA creates free trade zones where normal market conditions vanish. Licenses and taxes which protect sellers and buyers are suspended and businesses have less motivation to provide needed goods and services. Business' motivation for helping may involve profit but being able to survive is priceless.
When FEMA leaves an area after a disaster, business’ drive for profit and free markets are largely responsible for rebuilding. Companies will sell raw materials to others begin to rebuild. Private businesses will repair homes and infrastructure while taking payment for this all while hiring displaced workers for these projects. It was in fact for profit app developers and Facebook that created the tools the Cajun Navy used in saving their own communities. Government responsibility in disaster should be to reopen infrastructure that supports trade and to continue securing property rights rather than be the hero that saves us. Historically we have been let down time and time again by FEMA’s efforts whereas the free market left to its own devices has helped communities come together and rise out of devastating situations.
Jacob C. Maichel is a Graduate Assistant at the Gwartney Institute and an MBA student at Ottawa University
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