The record-union., 1899-09-16

CHICAGO, Sept. 15-The exciting
joint debate looked for tonight be-
tween William J. Bryan and Bourke
Cochran on trusts did not take place.
Central Music Hall was packed with
an eager audience, but the people pres
ent had to content themselves without
the oratory of the famous Nebraskan,
who, however, occupied a seat on the
platform.
Mr.. Bryan reached Central Music
Hall early in the evening. He went
direct to a room upstairs, where he
was greeted bx Chairman Franklin
Read, Congressman Gaines Ralph Nj.
Easily and other members of the Pro-
gram Committee of the Civic Fedora
tion Conference of Trusts. Mr.. Bryan
surprised the committee by declining
to speak at the night session with
Bourke Cochran. in accordance with
the program previously arranged. Mr..
Bryan explained that he did not wish
to let the impression go out that he
was to enter into debate with Mr.
Cochran. For that reason he said he
would not speak with Mr.. Cochran at
the same session.
7.
Mr.. Bryan discussed the situation. The
committee withdrew to allow the two
orators to settle the dispute among
themselves. Mr.. Bryan asserted that
he never said he would follow Mr..
Cochran with an address on the same
evening. If the committee got that
impression from the conversation he
had with them over the long distance
telephone Thursday, he said they mis-
understood him.
Mr.. Cochran wanted to talk at the
same session with the noted Nebras-
kan, and offered to flip a coin to de-
ternine who should have the privilege
of. delivering the closing address. Mr..
Bryan would not accept this PROPOSE
ton Mr.. Cochran then agreed to ap-
pear at any time the committee de-
sired.
The program was tonight changed
to meet Mr. Bryan's wishes. Mr. Bry-
an said he was anxious to address eIEe
conference, and repeated that his only
reason for hanging the program was
to avoid any indication Of a public de-
bate with Mr.. Cochran. Mr.. Bryan
viii speak at to-morrow's session.
Though disappointed in falling to see
such spectacle as Bryan and Coch-
ran pitted against each other, the aud
ience enjoyed a rare treat, as Mr..
Cochran was at his best, and his speech
was punctuated with frequent and pro-
longed applause.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SESSION.
CHICAGO, Sept. 15.-Workingmen.
tax theories and students of political
trust adherents, advocates of single
economy were heard to-day at the third
days session of the trust conference
held here. Some of the speakers spoke
in vigorous terms against industrial,
financial and transportation combines
The problems in it's relations to the
workingmen was discussed. The long
list of prominent speakers announced
for the day served to draw the largest
crowd Of the conference.
The Committee on Resolutions named
by the conference yesterday held its
first meeting at $50 o'clock this morn
ing and organized by electing ex-Gov-
ernor Luce of Michigan Chairman and
Ralph NJ Easley Secretary.
More than an hour was spent in dis
cussing plans for the work.
w. w Howe of Louisiana moved the
appointment of a subcommittee of five
TO receive and consider resolutions and
report to- a general committee.
The motion was carried and Chair
man Luce was authorized to name the
subcommittee. He said it would be
announced later in the day.
The committee adjourned to meet
again at : p. m.
The events on the program for the
days sessions We're overshadowed by
the announcement that in the evening
Colonel William Jennings Bryan OF
Nebraska and w. Bourlxe Cochran, the
eloquent head of the New York delega-
ton, Will speak from the same plat
form. The prominence Of the speakers
gave rise to a general impression that
the night session would be of more po-
litical than economic interest.
An address by Louis Post, the New
York advocate of the single tax, was
enthusiastically cheered.
Thomas J. Morgan spoke on "The
Trust From the Socialist Point OF
View"
He was followed by Henry White,
Secretary of the United Garment
Workers of America, who said in con,
clusion:
'The trust managers have magnifi>
cent opportunities. VIII they aVall
themselves of them? Will they show
the necessary large mindedness? Judg,
ing by our knowledge of human nature,
which we know has not changed per-
ceDtibly for a thousand years under
varying conditions we have cause for
grave doubts as to whether they will
But the American people have never
failed to successfully meet great is
sue when once they grappled with it
The mere fact of such a gathering an
this gives US hope that the age of rea,
son is dawning-and when men reason
everything is possible"
M. NJ Garland, billed to speak on an
iron and steel workers view of the
combinations and E. T.. Clark, Grand
Chief Railroad Conductor. on the pro.
gram for an address. were not present
when Chairman Howe called their
names, and John W. Hayes, Secretary
of the knights Of Labor. was requested
to deliver his address.
In part he said: II maintain that
these great combinations are an as.