The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-09-16
COCHRAN ONTRUSTS
He Does Not Condemn Combinations
Because They Are Such.
SIMPLE STATUTE OF PUBLICITY
Is His Recommendation to Prevent In.
Jury to the Public.
Mr.. BRYAN DECLINED TO SPEAK.
If He Had Done So the Matter Would Have
Appeared Controversial.
VIGOROUS TERMS AGAINST COMBINATIONS
Were Used ny Many of the Speakers
Who Discussed the Relations OF
WorISingmnn To the Trusts.

Chicago, September 1.-THE joint de-
bate, Booked for tonight between w. J.
Bryan and w. Bourke Cochran on trusts
did not take place. Central Music hall
was pReked with an eager audience but
the people present had to content them
selves without the oratory OF the famous
NebrasKaHsly however, occupied a seat
on the platform
Mr.. Bryan reached Central Music hall
early in the evening. He went direct to
a room up stairs, where he was greeted
by Chairman Franklin Head Congressman
Gaines, Ralph NJ. Easley and other mem
bers Of programme committee of the Civic
Federation conference on trusts. MIR.
Bryan surprised the committee by declin-
ing TO speak at the night session with w.
Bourke Cochran. in accordance with the
programme previously arranged Mr.
Bryan explained that he did not wish TO
let the impression 90 out that he was to
enter into i debate with Mr.. COCHRAN ut
the same session. Mr. Cochran was sent
for and he ana Mr.. Bryan discussed the
situation. The commission withdrew 10
allow the two orators to settle the mater
bstween themselves.
he would follow Mr.. Cochran at an ad-
dress on the same evening. If the COM
n.ttee got that impression from the con-
versation he had with them over the long
distance telephone Thursday, he said they
misunderstood him. Mr.. Cochran wanted
TO talk at the same session with the noted
Nebraskan and offered to Hip coin 10
determine who would have the privilege
OF delivering the closing address. Mr..
Mr.. Bryan would not accept this PROPOSE
tion Mr. Cochran then agreed to appear
at any time the committee desired. The
programme was then changed to meet
Mr.. Bryan's wishes. Mr.. Bryan said he
was anxious TO address the conference
and repeated that his only reason for
changing the programme was to avoid any
indication OF a public debate with Mr..
Cockran- Mr., Bryan Will speak at m
morrow's session.
Though disappointed in failing to see
Bryan and Cochran ptted against ench
other, the audience nevertheless enjoyed
a rare treat as Mir. Cochran was at his
best and his speech was punctured with
frequent and prolonged applause. When
Nr. Bryan made his appearance IL was the
signal for tumultuous cheering, when
lasted until the Nebraskan had taken his
seat on the speakers stand.
Mr.. Cochran said in part: There is no
reason why sensible man should grow
excited, either in approval or resentment
OF combination, merely as such. a COM
b.nation may be good or bad, according
TO its effect For instance. a commission
Tor prayer is combine All good men
to the success of it. Q-anghter,)
combination for burglary is conspiracy.
All good men would call out the police
10 prevent 1t. Qaughter.) ANY industrial
system which operates TO swell the volume
of production should be commended any
thing that operates to restrict 1t should
be. suppressed.
Now whether these great combinations
OF capital or these combinations OF labor
operate to raAe prices or to reduce them
is subject S5out which there has been
a wide diversity OF opinion. Some con-
tend that the tendency of these combna-
lions Of capital is TO cheaper the product.
Others say 1t is To raise the price OF
product. Now, while / am fully conscious
that the movement of prices depends on
many forces-or to rather perhaps | should
say on every force--on the boundary OF
the earth. ON the sun that quickens tho
the rivers that wash the soil in which 1t |
is embedded ana fructifying as well as |
upon the industry of man, yet / venture |
10 say that neither side of this contro-
yersy Is wholly right or wholly wrong.
There are some combinations which oper- |
ate TO appreciate them. Now, II / accept |
either should offend against that other. |
Of which complain,
1t will be idle TO say that some improve, |
that some raise prices and some deprerInte |
them. II We did not prescribe some test |
by which we could distinguish between |
The two. Now, ladies and gentlemen. |
-hink 1t is simple one, perfectly clear.
The test is to ascertain whether the CONF
bnation OF capital fourishes through gov |
aid or without. for my friends. |
you must see that any industrial enter
prise which dominates the market without
aid from the government, must do so
through cheapening the products. or as
Il is comonly called. by underselling COM
oetltors.
"An industry, to profit. must accomplish
that result by Increasing the volume nj
II production. On the other hand an in
iustry wIich dominates the market by tho
favor OF government, direct or indirect,
can not in the nature OF things be forced