The San Francisco call., 1896-01-24
OWNERSHIP OF RAILROADS
A Mass-Meeting Adopts ReSolu-
tions in Favor of Govern
ment Control.
Congressman Mcguire Asked to Under.
take the Task Of Accomplishing
This Object.

In response to the call for mass
meeting of all in favor of Government
ownership of railroads, couple of hun
dred people gathered at Metropolitan Hall
last night.
Rev. J. E. Scott, in calling the meeting
TO order, said:
The only protection from private monopoly
is Government ownership. The railroad mo-
nopoly IS the head center, out OF which all
other monopoly oppression flows. There is nc
class that does not contribute to the reVenue
of this monopoly, and every man pays tax to
the railroad monopoies that no king on earth
would be allowed to impose. And the Gen.
tral Pacific Railroad is one OF the most oppres-
siYe OF these monopolies.
J. NJ. Reynolds spoke on the subject OF
Government Ownership and Operation of
Railroads. He said it had been reported
that the agitation for Government owner
ship had been suggested by the railroad
people in order 10 secure votes for the
funoing bill. Continuing he said:
These rich monopolists are the real anarch-
lists of this country. This is the only class that
has the means to corrupt our Legislators
though knew that men under the influence
OF the railroad had called this meeting, l yet
felt 1t my duty to come here and express nv
convictions in favor of Government ownership
of railroads.
There is a remedy for not only the railroad
monopoly but all similar monopolies. 1t lies
in the people, who should jointly undertake
the work OF production, manufacture and dis
tribution. This would do away with the pres
ent methods of business, which are largely OF
the nature OF gambling.
He then introduced the following reso-
lutions:
The people of California have repeatedly de-
manded by petition, resolutions and through
their Representatives in Congress. that the
Pacific railroads, which have become i'll
debted to the Nation and been given ample
time TO provide for the full payment, should
be compelled TO pay the debt now due the Gov
WHEREAS, We, as citizens of the United
States who Will De most yitally affected by
the final settlement OF the Central and Union
Pacific railroads debt, deem it proper to i'm
press upon Congress as strongly as possible
our views concerning this important matter;
whereas, our representative from this district,
the Hon. James q. Mcguire, we believe to be
fully informed 10 the almost unanimous
sentiment existing in this State against the
Tefunding OF the debts of the Pacific railroads
and in favor of the foreclosure of the Govern
ments mortgage on these railroads, and in
favor of their being placed under the direct
control of the Government and operated by it
in the interests OF the people of the whole
Nation; therefore, be it
Resolred That we confide to the Hon. James
G. Magulre especially the specific duty to draft
a bill providing for the foreclosure of the lien
now held by the United States against the
Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroad for
the acquiring of said railroads by the Govern
ment and the perpetual operation OF them as
public highway.
Resolved further, that copy of these resolu-
tions be forwarded to the Hon. James G. Ma
gulre with our request that he comply with
these instructions, and that copy be sent ais O
to each member of Congress.
Dennis Kearney then asked permission
to speak to the resolution. In introducing
him the chairman stated that he believed
that Kearney was the man referred to by
the last speaker as being under the influ-
ence of the railroad, and that the audience
would no doubt be pleased to hear from
him on this point as well as the advisable
lty of Government ownership.
Kearney after denying connection with
the railroad corporation denounced Hunt
ington and Mayor Sutro-the former as be-
ing a despoiler of the people and the other
for having, as claimed by the speaker, gone
back on pledge to advocate Government
ownership of railroads.
Morrison l. Swift. a socialist from Chi
cago, stated that the people of the east do
not any longer believe In millionaires
that they looked upon them all as no more
than convicts out of Jail. He said that all
millionaires should be abolished and pol
icy Of naturalization adopted.
After r. e. Shannon had spoken in favor
of Government ownership of all public
functions the resolutions were adopted
and the meeting adjourned.