The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-05-10

by ofilce-seckefa. crann with Wild
theories and demagogues with allurIng
sophislries and II we would win the
confidence and esteem Of thinking men
We must adopt such platform Of
principles az viii appeal 70 the millions
who are today seeking for a solution
Of these great questions which con
front us. AZ the forefront OF these
stands the financial question.
Right here want 10 say that one
Of our great mistakes has been in ac-
centuating our demand for the free
coinage Of silver 20 such an extent
that the democratic party took II up
as their battle-cry and thus produced
confusion IN our ranks. when IN fact
and in truth II Is one OF the least OF
the reforms which we seek. Beyond
this IL the broader and greater ques-
ton OF government paper currency is
nled. not through the national banks.
but directly by the government itself.
Let Us plant ourselves firmly upon
this proposition and while not aban-
donlng the cause Of silver, LET US 20
forward 70 The more edyanccd and
more logical position. Another great
question. and one which has been met
by almost every civilized nation OF
the globe except this one. Is the ques-
tion OF government ownership OF rail-
roads.
Under our present system OF rail-
road ownership, trusts are built up
and maintained. II has been demon
strated in other countries that freight
and passenger rates under govern
ment ownership can be reduced more
than one.half and still allow the rail-
roads tn earn profltabie dividends I'm
der government ownership the smallest
shipper In the land receives the benefit
OF the same freight rates as the great
est trust. a great deal is being said
in an academic sort OF way about the
best methods OF controlling and sup
pressing trusts.
But the only remedy suggested %
far by either OF the great parties Ia
unworthy Of schoolboy IN kinder
garten. SO long as we maintain our
present system Of private ownership
Of railways. the trusts VIII flourish.
and when the railways pass into the
control OF the government we will
have delivered trusts one OF the most
effective blows possible. Along with
the government ownership Of rail-
ways should go the government owner
ship Of the telegraph. Every civilized
country in the world today owns its
own telegraph system. Under govern
ment ownership In other countries tele-
graph tolls have been reduced one
half.
The city should own Its street car
lines. it's electric lights, gas and water
works--ln fact all public utilities
should belong to the people instead OF
TO the favored few. II is through the
private ownership OF these private in
situations which have mentioned that
the milIionalres have built up their
colossal fortunes. until today about
one hundred men own practically all
the. wealth OF this country
Another great question which |
have already suggested is the trus,
question. The trust has come to stay
II is the outgrowfh OF our industrial
system. All talk OF controlling the
trusts is mere nonsense. When we at
tempt to leglslate against the trusts
they WIN take the next step in the pro-
cess OF evolution and become monopo-
lies. What Is to be done with the mo-
nopoly? When one man or a few men
control absolutely any given line OF
industry. all competition is crushed
and no individual can hope to ever
enter Into the same line Of business.
As I said. the trust Is the natural out
growth Of our political condition. Cap
ftal has realized what labor has not
yet found out-that competition is not
the life but the death OF business.
Therefore. capital has ceased to com.
pete and is now doing the more wise
and sensible thing of cooperating. I
believe that whenever any line Of in.
dnstry becomes a monopoly there Is
only one solution possible and that Is
for the government control Of the mo.
noDoly and to use and operate Il Tor
the benefit of the peojie.
There ls one other issue which I
win mention. which I consider greater
than all the rest. because II underlies
the other and without this principle
engrafted upon our Fundamental laws.
all reforms will be impossible. refer
to the principle Of direct legislation.
We will never obtain wise financial
system. we will never secure govern
ment aud municipal ownership until
We first arrange system under which
the question will be referred TO the
people for their direct vote.
Il know how completely our legis.
latlve bodies are dominated and con-
(ContInuad -, Iro.,.kt. n.y.