Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-09-15
Al.eeld on Government Ownership.

Altgcld on Government Ownership.
ut Is my belief" said the ex-goven-
or, "that II the convention were held
within thirty days 1t would almost
unanimously adopt a tentative plank
declaring for governmental ownership
Of railroads. An unequivccal declara-
tlon would be a step so far beyond
the existing Limitation Of public
thought that the convention might hes
itate about adopting it. The people are
beginning to appreciate that the rail-
roads are largely If not altogether re-
sponsible for the existence Of the
great industrial combinations known
as trusts. Without continuous assist
ance from the railroads the trusts
could not survive year. II they had
to transact business on the same
terms as their competitors which do
not belong to trusts they would quick
ly disintegrate and go to pieces and
the trust problem, which is now agi-
tating the public mind, would be
solved to the satisfaction of every one,
except the promoters.
"The railroads built up the Standard
Oil trust, which is nothing more or
less than a criminal conspiracy. With
out railway corporations that octopus
could not have survived to assume the
proportions which 1t has reached. The
original organization of the trust in
cluded railway men, the Rockefellers
and some of their friends. The rail-
way men bound their corporations to
the trust by the contracts which ena-
bled 1t to stifle competition in every oil
field in the country. 1t was not alone
given the benefit Of system Of re-
bates, but one-half of the excess
charges that were levied against its
competitors. 1t was stupendous con-
spiracy, and is being carried on to this
day. All trusts that have followed the
Standard Oil are organized on pretty
near the same lines. The same scheme
of rebates for themselves and excess
charges for their competitors is in
operation, and that being the case, it
can truthfully be charged that the
railroads are really the promoters OF
trusts. To make war on the trusts
without also attacking the railroads
under the circumstances, would be
ridiculous, but how far he assault
will be carried is at this time matter
of speculation.
"These great questions can not be
solved in a day or a year. Political
leaders can bring them before the bar
Of public opinion, discuss them from
every standpoint and endeavor to force
action by congress and legislatures,
but until the public mind has been
fully aroused, and there is wide
spread demand for reform. nothing
can be accomplished If the DISPOSE
ton of the issue were left to Chicago
it would be settled satisfactorily and
in the interest Of the public within the
next two years. But Chicago i s far
ahead of the rest of the country in
these matters. 1t is easily the thought
center of the republic, not the center
OF literary dilettanteism, but of good,
strong masculine thought that has a
bearing upon human affairs.
an outlining the probable course Of
action of the next national conven-
tion," the ex-governor went on, Il do
not mean to say that it is actually 60
ing to take up these subjects. l only
surmse that it will do so. They con-
stitute the greatest issues that the Am
erican public have to deal with All
men are beginning to study them. For
my own part regard this as the most
fascinating and interesting period Of
my life. | believe we have reached
that status of national existence when
the most stupendous questions of
governmental policy that the world
has ever known will formulate one
after another and force themselves on
the attention Of the people. The ma
tional conventions next year will deal
with some of them. Others will re-
main in allegiance for a few years, but
conditions will bring them out into
the light, where their merits and de-
merits can be discussed. The trust
problem is under discussion now. We
will hear more of it during the next
twelve months.