This brings us to the condition of "ownership in conflict".

Whenever two or more persons have an apparent claim of ownership over a given piece or item of property, conflict usually develops.

This is due to the fact that we are unable to tell without debate or struggle of some kind, just who rightfully is to make ultimate decisions concerning the property.

This is plainly the case in every community where so-called "public" property exists.

As an example, consider the case of a city park.

In one published case, the city manager of a midwestern city called the local newspaper to publish a public notice, that the city park was to be reserved on a certain day for the use of visitors from another city.

The newspaper's editor, seeking to make a point regarding the nature of public property, called the city manager back, and inquired as to the identity of the owner of the park.

The city manager assured the editor that the park was "owned" by the city.

"Who is this city?" then asked the editor.

"Why, everyone!" replied the city manager.  "The city is all of us, the taxpayers!"