The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-09-16
Although the New Yorker was Ready
for the Discussion.
BRYAN WILL SPEAK TONIGHT
Cochran Was at His Best ana hls
specch Was Heartily Applauded.
Many Othcr Speeches Made
By Antitrust People In
Which the Octopus Was
Scored.

CHICAGO. Sept. 15-The exciting JOINT
debate looked for tonight between VIII
liam J Bryan and Bourke Cochran on
trusts dd not take place Central Music
Hall was packed with am eager audience
but the people present had 20 content
themselves without the oratory OF the ia-
nous Nebraskan. who, however occupieu
a seat on the platform.
Mr. Bryan reached Central Music nan
early I'm the evening. lie went direct to a
room upstairs. where he was greeted Dy
Chairman Franklin Head. Congressman
Gaines Ralph NJ. Easley and other MEM
bers of the Programme Committee OF the
civic Federation Conference on Trusts.
Mr. Bryan surprised the committee by de-
clfning 20 speak at the night session with
w. BOurke Cochran. Ina accordance with
the programme previously arranged. Nj
Bryan explained that he did not WISH
TO let the impression go out that ne was
10 enter into a debate with Mr.. Cochran
For that reason he said he would not
speak with Mr.. Cochran mt the same
session Mr.. Cochran was sent for and he
and Mr.. Bryan discussed the situation
The committee withdrew TO allow the two
orators 10 settle the dispute among them
selves. Mr. Cochran wanted 90 talk at
the same session with the noted Nebras-
kan. and offered 10 Flip a coin 90 deter
mine who should have the privilege or
delivering the closing address.
Mr.. Bryan would not accept this propo-
stion Mr. Cochran then agreed 20 APP
pear at any time the committee desired.
The programme was then changed TO meet
| Mr.. Bryans wishes. Mr. Bryan said he
was anxious to address the convention.
and he repeated that his only reason for
changing the programme was TO avoid
any indication Of public debate with
Mr.. Cochran
BRYAN TOMORROW.
Mr.. Bryan viii speak at t0-morrow's
session.
Though disappointed in failing TO see
sucn a spectacle as Bryan and Cochran
puted against each other. the audience
nevertheless enjoyed a rare treat, as Mr..
Cochran was at his best and his speech
was puncWafed with frequent and pro-
longed applause.
when MIR Bryan made his appearance
at the entrance it was the signal for tu-
muituous cheering, which lasted until the
Nebraskan had taken his seat ON the
speakers stand. Mr. Fouike. of Indiana,
VINO was I'm the middle Of an address
when the Outburst occurred put ne au-
/
guess you came here tonight 20 near
somebody else speak
Mr.. FOulke was followed by Hon. Ed
ward RoseWater OF Omaha. whose adj
dress received notably close attention
from his hearers
The chair then introduced Hon. W.
Bourke Cochran. Of New York.
At the close of his speech the New
Yorker won the hearts of his listeners ny
paying Mr. Bryan a wclI-chosen compu-
ment which the Democratic leader blush
ingly acknowledged
Mr.. Cochran lkenod Mr.. Bryan % n
monopoly and claimed Dee was Digger
MONOPOLY as the leader of The Democratic
nortv fhan any financial corporation i'm
the world
Mr. cochran spoke for about two hours
and wltn he concluded cries for brNan
came from an over the house. tlnauy
Nr Bryan arose and said that for the
good of the conference AN partisan teeunS
should he eliminated from the gathering
and although he agreed with Mr.. Cochran
in many of his arguments. it was neces-
sary that HIS side Of the controversy
should be given tomorrow.
Mr.. Cochran began his address by com
plimenting the representatives OF orsanll-
ed labor who had spoken on their knOwl-
that some recent events I'm oar history
would have been impossible n both sides
of these labor controversies understood
the economic laws aoverniug the relation
of producers to consumers as well as one
side showed that 10 understood them tus
very day.
PROSPERITY DEFINED.
Continuing. be said: 81 hope to estab-
lish before / get through that there cam
not be abundant production of commOdi-
ties without an extensive distribution OF
them i'm the form of wages in a country
wherein prosperity is based upon freedom.
Npp'ausel.
But whether this distribution IL not
as effective and as complete as we might
wish. we can defer consideration Of that
question for a moment and we can all
agree that there cannot be any distrIbu-
ton IL there IS not production. and there
cannot b. on extensive distribution unless
there is an abundant production We
must have commodities 10 distribute be-
fore we can distribute them I'm the form
Of wages or Of profits III this definition
of prosperity be correct Il is perfectly
plain that there is no reason thy sensi-
Bile man should grow excited either az the
approval Of or resentment az a combi-
nation merely as such A combination
may be good or bad, according 10 It's ef-
feet Any Industrial system which ope-
rates 10 swell the volume Of production
should be commended; anything that ope-
rates TO restrict II should be suppressed.
HOW IT DOMINATES
Taking up the question whether the
combination Of capital hourishes through
government aid or without IT, Mr. Cock
ran said that every industrial enterprise
which dominates the market without aid
from the government must do 20 through
cheapening the product. or as 1t is COM
monty called, by underselling competitors.
An industry which AT one and the same
time reduces prices and swens its own
profits must accomplish that result by in
creasing the volume OF its production
(Applause)
on the other hand, an industry which
dominates TIE market by The favor OF
government direct or indirect. cannot
In the nature of things. be forced 70 cheap
en- prices. because. II It could dominate
the market by underselling competitors
in an omen field without favor. 1t would
not need the government favor. (Ap-
plause)
1rb. Of goVernpnapf