Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1904-07-27
FOR REFORMATION Of
Democratic PARTY
VIM. J. BRYAN IN HIS PROPOSED
PLAN FAV0RS RADICAL
CHANGES.
STATE OWNERSHIP OF
RAILROADS ADVOCATED
Declares for Government Control Of
Telegraphs, Income Tax and Elec-
ton of Federal Judges by the Peo-
ple-Favors Election of Parker.

Lincoln, Neb., July 23.-W. J. Bryan's
plan for the reformation of the democ-
racy has been made public. In it Mr..
Bryan favors radical changes, but adj
vocates the election of Judge Parker for
president as a good beginning. He de-
clares for state ownership of railroads,
government control of telegraphs, abol-
ishment Of private monopoly, favors the
income tax, and election of federal
judges by the people. Mr.. Bryan says
in part:
The Money Question.
'The money question is for the pres
ent in allegiance. The production has
lessened the strain upon the dollar and
while bimetallism is as sound in theory
as it ever was, the necessity for it is not
so apparent. But while the people can
not be brought at this time to consider
the various phases of the money ques-
ton, they can be brought to consider GER
tain other questions with which the
democratic party must deal.
Ownership of Railroads.
II have heretofore refused to take a
position upon the question of govern
men ownership of railroads, first, be-
cause l had not until recently studied
the subject, and second, because the ques-
ton had not been reached. Recent events
have convinced me that the time is now
ripe for the presentation of this question.
Consolidation after consolidation has
taken place until few men now con-
troll the railroad traffic of the country
and defy both the legislative and exc
cutive power of the nation. invite the
democrats, therefore, to consider plan
for the government ownership and ap-
GRAFTON of the railroads.
His Plan.
1.-THE plan usually suggested is for
the purchase of these roads by the fed
eral government. This plan, it seems
to me, is more Objectionable than a
plan which involves the ownership and
operation of these roads by the several
states. To put the railroads in the
hands of the federal government would
mean an enormous Capitalization of
power. 1t would give to the federal
government a largely increased influ-
ence over the citizen and the citizens
affairs, and such Capitalization is not
at all necessary. The several states
can own and operate the railroads
within their borders just as effectively
as 1t can be done by the federal gov
eminent and if it is done by the states,
the objection based upon the fear of
Capitalization is entirely answered. A
board composed of representatives
from the various states could deal with
interstate traffic just as freight and
passenger boards now deal with the
Joint trafic of the various lines. II
the federal government had the rail-
roads to build there would be a con-
slant warning between different Sec
tons to secure fair share of the new
building and development. but where
this is left to the state, the people in
each state can decide what railroads
they desire to build or to buy.
THE contest above outlined must be
made whether the party wins in No.
vember or not. A single election is
but an incident in the life of a party.
For more than a century the demo-
cratic party has stood forth as the rep
resentative of certain great ideas. Jef-
ferson founded it, Jackson defended it
and even Cleveland could not destroy
1t. It Mr.. Parker is elected, his admin
tstration will rid us Of imperialism and
OF the threat of race issue and give
US greater freedom in the taking up of
economic questions"
Chance for Inventors.
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