The record-union., 1899-09-17


sions OF Bryan.
CHICAGO, Sept 16.-The conference
on the uses and abuses of trusts closed
its session here to-day in a blaze of
oratory, in which Colonel William J..
Bryan and w. Bourke Cochran We're
the central figures. Mr.. Cochran fol-
lowed the noted Nebraskan, but dis
claimed any intention of debating the
conclusions of his immediate prede-
cessor, and declaring his complete con-
currence in much that Mr.. Bryan had
said
The Westerner had delivered the
speech of the day during the forenoon,
amid frequent Interruptions of tumult-
uous applause Mr.. Foulke of Indiana,
commenting on the speech, made assec-
tions which Mr.. Bryan desired further
to discuss. He was requested to take
the stage, and complied for the second
time, facing wildly enthusiastic
house.
At the conclusion, Mr.. Cochran arose
and observed: Just a few words. +"
The spectators wanted more, and re-
fused to subside until he had taken the
platform. He agreed with Mr.. Bryan,
he said, but he wanted information.
The crowd which greeted Colonel
Bryan when the doors were thrown
open amounted almost to mob. Cen
trail Music Hall was jammed from pit
to gallery with admirers of the Ne
braskan. When he had concluded his
speech, a majority of the audience de-
parted, leaving a few struggling spec
tators to listen to the remaining speak
ers and the report of the Committee on
Resolutions.
Ex-Governor Luce of Michigan was
Chairman of this committee, and he
rigidly adhered to the resolutions
passed yesterday, in which it was re-
solved that no resolutions giving the
sentiment of the conference on the
trust problem should be presented or
considered.
Mr.. Keasley of New Jersey a mem
Der of the committee, declared that he
had spoken with Colonel Bryan. and
that the latter had given it as his opin-
ion that the nature of the conference
made resolutions expressive of senti-
ment on the problem out of place He
proposed that to the original resolu-
tions be added something to the effect
that the conference had been Of benefit
to the delegates, had cleared their minds
of many doubts and enlightened their
understanding. These suggestions were
not considered.
The decision of the committee as
submitted in Chairman Luce's report
was unanimously adopted. as was a
motion put before the house thanking
the Civic Federation for its entertain
ment of the delegates
Other speakers during the day We're
]. II. Raymond, G. W. Northrup, Jr.,
Professor David Kinley, T. 3. Walker,
W. w. Howe ex-senator Blair of New
Hampshire. Attorney General T. S.
Smith of Texas, ]. B. Dill, A Cope
land, w. d. Foulke while many others
took part in the discussion which closed
the conference
1t was decided that those who had
prepared speeches, but had not been
allowed, owing to the limitation of the
program, TO read them, should deliver
them into the hands of the Secretary 10
be published in book fora. together
with those which had beer delivered
from the stage.
At the adjournment many of the anti
trust delegates met in the Sherman
House to formulate resolutions express
sive of their views.
DOINGS At Yesterdays SESSION
OF CONVENTION.
CHICAGO, Sept. 16.-The Civic Fed
Grafton trust conference at Central
Music Hall was addressed to-day by
Colonel w. j. Bryan. The hall was
packed in anticipation of Colonel Bry-
ms reply TO w. Bourke Cochran on
the trust question. 1t was reported
that Colonel Bryan had set of reso-
lutions to present, presumably antag-
onistic to trusts, as they now exist. He
however, denied this, saying:
'I have none prepared, and am not
sure whether l shall prepare any for
presentation"
The speaker was introduced by Gov
ernor Stanley, of Kansas, who acted
as Chairman of the opening session.
BRYAN'S ADDRESS.
Colonel Bryan spoke in part as fol-
lows:
THE trust question has grown in i'm
portance. Within the past two years
more trusts have been organized, when
we come to consider the capitalization
and magnitude of the interests in
volved, than were organized in all the
previous history of the country, and
the people now come face to face with
this question: Is the trust a blessing
or a cursor If a curse what remedy
can be applied to the curse? I want to
start with the declaration that monop-
oily in private hands is indefensible
from any standpoint, and intolerable.
one trust may be less harmful than
another. One trust magnate may be
more benevolent than another, but
there is no good monopoly in private
hands and I do not believe 1t is safe
for society TO permit any man or group
of men to monopolize any article of
merchandise or any branch of busi-
ness.
THE defense of the monopoly is al
ways placed on the ground that if you
will allow people to control the mar
ket. and fix the price. they viii be
good to the people who purchase of
them. The entire defense Of the trusts
rests upon a money argument. If the
trust will sell to a man an article for
a dollar less than the article will cost