The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-16
COCHRAN ON THE TRUSTS.
DELIGHTS 4 GREAT AUDIENCE ~
TIE CHICAGO CoNFEREyoE

4
Plays in tho characterization That
Are Good and That Are Bsd-ousstions
ofProduction and Distribution Iuvolved--
Opposes Monopolics Fostored by the
Government Other Speeches Made--
Col. Bryan to Mako an Address To-day.
CHICAGO. Sept 15.-Central Music Hall was
throneed In every part long before to- nights
session OF the Trust Conference began. II
was expected that there would be an
interesting debate between William Jennings
Bryan and w. Bourke Cochran on the
ndvisabllity Of making trusts an issue in the
presidential campaign Of 1000. Mt. Bryan ID
the avowed enemy OF trusts. Mr.. Cook rams
policy. az given out by political friends.
Is to placate. so far as possible.
those radically opposed to trusts and
to convince them that no anti-truss
plank should have place In the Democratic
platform OF 1900. The crowd which Assem- blsd
| 10 hear the two orators OF national repute wns
disappointed In not hearing speech By Mr.,
Bryan. but 1t was well repaid by the mastery
effort Of Mr. Cochran.
Mr.. Bryan arrived In Chicago this aftern DON.
| He went to the Sherman House, where he was
soon Joined by number OF leading Democrats
who are attending the conference. among
| them being Congressman Sutherland, ex.Ciov.
OF Tennessee. A. b. Davidson aud Dudley
Wooten OF Texas. besldes prominent local
Democrats who called to escort him to Central
Music Hall. In one OF the offices OF the builds
| Ing no met Mr.. Cochran with whom he talked
over the order OF speaking at the conference.
The original plan was to have Mr.. Cochran
speak tonight and for Mr.. Bryan to follow,
but some OF Mr.. Bryan's friends objected to
this arrangement. on the ground that 40
didate. 1t weuld be unseemly for him
to engage in joint debate ut thia
time with Mr.. Cochran on Question which
Is likely to be one OF the issues Of tho political
campaign OF next year. 1t was finally agreed
that Mr. Cochran should deliver his address
tonight and that Mr. Bryan should speak to.
morrow morning. Mr.. Bryan's address will
consist mainly Of an exploitation Of his plan
or system OF regulating trusts by national
licensing
Fully $500 persons were crowded tonight
into the hall that comfortably seats but 1900.
and more than 5000 were turned away because
they could not get inside. The crowd listened
patiently to the addresses OF the speakers who
preceded Mr.. Cochran.
His address. which was delivered In his bss6
style. was frequently Interrupted by snthusls
astio applause. and the many telling pointA
which he made were oheered to the echo.
MR.. CoCKRAN's ADDRESS
Mr.. Cochran said: There 10 no person who
could have latened to the papers which have
been read from this platform during the
last three days and doubt for q momsnt
that the object Of this gathering was
an honest search for truth. tApplause.I
think the country 10 to be congratulated upon
some Of the papsIs which were contributed to
this discussion. notably those that came from
an FAT VA fror h. Ioka
lions and from the National Grange.
lAppause.l Indeed. as / listened to tho
conceptions OF economic law which marked
every address delivered by representa-
tivss OF organized labor. became con.
WINGED that the laborers who spoke to us
understood those laws much bstter than
their employers: indeed. believe that some
recent events In our history would have
been impossible II both sides OF these labor
controversies understood the economic laws
governing the relation Of producers to consume
ers as we'll as one side showed that it underS
stood II this very day.
Now 1 believe that the pursuit Of truth Id
not hopeless or even a difficult task am
one OF those who believe that in any assems
blage OF men honestly endeavorlng I'd
discover the truth. she alwaya appears-S
not necessarily toward the adoption Of the
OF any one-mors often through
the partial rejection OF all suggestions somss
how or other she always energies. and when
she discloses herself her excellence Is so trans
,cendent and conspicuous that all recognize
her. acknowledge her and proclaim her
Now. the precise question VIII oh We have
been called TO consider Is the effect upon tho
general prosperity OF the community OF oombi.
nations. whether OF capital or OF labor One Of
he great difficulties In a philosop hical
inquiry is tho use OF vague. sonoS
Gus and misleading phrases. which
nise clouds OF passionate defamation
bout the difficulty Of the problem, obs
curing its outlines and even maRnifyin6
is Dimensions There have been certain
words which have figured much In the
that have arisen over this quess
ion that find great difficulty in discussing
he facts which confront us. on account OF core
ain words which excite us. Laughter and
pplause.l shall endeavor. for the purpose OF
an Intelligent basis OF discussion.
o somewhat avoid these terms over which men
ave become moved to passionate declama tions
shall define prosperity as an abundance OF
fairly distributed among thosd
rho produce them"
Now. this Is not staten emit OF true condiA
ions. separate and distinct. but rathe1
statement OF two aspects OF one diffOrS
nee. For. my friends. l hope to estab.
sh. before | get through that there
annot BIO abundant production Of COM
oddities without an extensive distribution Of
lem in the form OF wages LApplausel Bus
neither this distribution is not as effective
nd complete az we might wish We can defer
'nsideration OF that question for a moment.
nd We can all agree that there cannot be
ny distribution II there is not production.
nd that there cannot be an extensive distribute
on unless there is an abundant production.
% must have commodities to distribute be.
re we can distribute them In tho form Of
ages or OF profits
II this definition Of prosperity be correct tits
'r!ectly plain that there 10 no reason why a
nsible man should grow ex cited either In ap.
oval OF. or resentment at. combination
sreiy as such
combination may be good or bad according
It's effect; for instance. a combination for
aver in church. All good men would sub.
ribe to the au"cess OF it. laughter A com.
nation for burglary 10 conspiracy. All good
en- would cG'i out the police 10 prevent IL
industrial oy.,a,, ,.ki.L