The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-08-30
Made Up Of Contradictions and
Excuses That Do Not
Excuse Anything.
CAREFUL EVASION THROUGHOUT.
Bryan's Style of Orthodoxy and His
Lack of Wild-Byed" Oppose
ton to Railroads.

1t is hardly possible that when Pope
wrote of 1.-The windy satisfaction OF the
tongue" his prophetic eye had pierced the
curtain of the future and beheld w. II.
Mills OF the Southern Pacific debating
Jewels of thought 10 a typewriter. Nor
could Ralph Waldo Emerson well have
had a glimpse of that gentleman. Yet
Emerson wrote:
Go put your creed into your deed
Nor speak with double tongue.
AS a letter writer Mr.. Mills is profuse
With the privilege assumed by the su
perior mind, be scars aloft unhampereo
by facts and undismayed that some mind
confessediy superior, may project some
solid truth into the situation aud mar the
effect Two of the Mills letters were pub
lished in HE CALL esterday-remarkable
products and worth analysis. They are
intended to convey an impression thai
William Jennings Bryan, in riding on a
Southern Pacific pass, did only what was
to be expected of journalist and gen
tleman. The impression they do convey
is that Mr.. Bryan made bad breaK-the
term being the most explicit availa BILE
and that what he particularly needs now
is city OF refuge whittier to fee from fool
friends franticaIly engaged in calling at
tention TO the fix he rode into on that
same pass.
In the first letter to Mr.. Dodson Mr..
Mills frankly admits that Mr.. Bryan used
an advertising ticket" issued on account
OF the WorldHerald. This point hal
o. 10
adds that Mr.. Bryan had been journalist
nearly ali his life, an allegation that will
surprise the Nebraskan if he happens TO
hear of it, for nobody knows SO well that
it isn't so. He says that Mr.. Bryan had
authority TO ask for the transportation
that his right 10 do so was unquestioned
and the condition not different from that
of mem bers of the California Press Asso-
citation. Will Mr.. Mills permit an excep-
ton to be taken That right is being
questioned at this instant.
Members of the California Press Asso-
citation who ride on passes do something
to earn them. There is a supposition,
often advanced by Mr.. Mills himself, that
existing relations are governed by con-
tract and the issuing of pass strictly a
matter of business. The California papers
are apt at least to print time-ta bles. 1t is
not unprecedented that some of them
had printed editorials concerning which
MIR. Mills had in advance all an author s
knowledge. And an editor remaining
neutral would not be cordially received at
the Office of Mr.. Mills. Not member of
the California Press Association goes about
the country seeking what railroads he
may devour; not a member stands upon a
pedestal to win the tribute OF applause.
A Woodworking journalist does not &C.
cupy plane with Mr.. Bryan, and jour
nal st OF this character has rights to which
Bryan can present no claim.
Such is the exception. Mr.. Mills is at
liberty to use 1t as grounds for appealing
this case.
Mr.. Mills declares Bryan, in this mat
ter, is above criticism, "at least at the
hands of fellow ourn alists, who, unlike
himself, get most of their transportation
without any charge whatever" Journal
lists holding TRANSPORTATION like this are
scarce. They are practically unknown in
Southern Pacific territory. Cannot Mills
see that his giving Mr.. BRYAN this trans
portation virtually for nothing simply
places Bryan in the position it is sheer
ingiy intimaIed should not be occupied by
newspaper men? He should write letter
to Bryan explaining that this slap was in
tended for the fraternity and not for dis
tinguished Individual.
The letter goes on 10 decry the custom
Of giving passes to anybody. Why give
them If you feel this way? The law has
tired to stop this custom. Newspapers
could well afford 10 have it stopped.
Rich men do not need passes. Bryan
doesn't need passes. Nevertheless MIR.
Mills, by his own confession, is building
up the privileged classes" He has
added Bryan. The letter speaks of meg
alive friendship" as the ordinary pay for
newspaper transportation. This term
lacks definition. II must mean a sort of
friendship that while not rebuking rail
road rascaliiy providing such a thing
exists would refrain from exposing it.
Upon the value Of such friendship Mills
IS perhaps compeient judge
the yearning OF Mr. Mills heart over
the 'com mon people" may be passed by
for the sake Of reaching a bit of real
value. Speaking Of the desirabiiity OF
transacting advertising and Transports
ton on a cash basis Mills says:
Then the man who withheld criticism OF
the conduct Of a railroad simply because be
hoped Tor free transportation would have to
ask the railroad 10 pay him for his silence
and the true relation would be unmistakable
In other words the gentleman whose
negative friendship" Is now purchased
by free ride could thereafter be bongh
only for cash. Does this idea spring from
a proper conception of honor? Would
Mills like to approach an editor and say
1.-The Southern Pac fic is about to steal a
street or two in your town. WHAT'S your
rate for saying nothing?" And would
the editor be apt to kick him7
The letter claims that railroads are
dong the best they can for the country,
an unconscious confession of incompe.
tency. They have problems to solve
(Which the public does not see." Oil