The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-12-21
ELKINS HAS A .PIE" RILL--MR
BRYAN'S VIEWS.

Read the plan Of Senator Ellkins for
| a lot of new courts to regulate rail-
road rates and prevent discrimina-
lions. Is there anything in 1t but fat
job for railroad lawyers who will be
appointed judges? The only elgisla-
ton needed is to give the same power
to the Interstate Commerce Com
mission that North Carolina has given
tc the Corporation Commission. Work
ing together, on both Interstate rates
and intra-State rates, the shippers and
consumers could get the necessary re-
| lief.
The people ask for relief, not lot
of new offices for railroad lawyers as
contemplated in the Elkins bill.
Discussing the tendency toward
TRANSPORTATION monopoly, in his great
article in the outlook, Mr.. William j.
Bryan wrote with Wisdom and COM
mon sense as follows:
1.-THE consolidation of the great lines
Of railroad shall be controlled by the
public i'm their own interest, or con-
trolled by the railroad magnates for
the exploitation of the people. No
one at all familiar with public affairs
can doubt that the private ownership
eli railroads will cease as soon as the
monopolistiC plans of the railroad
roonopolists are realized, and yet the
Republican party is DONG nothing TO
prevent the watering of stock, the
creation of fictitious capitalization ana
the consolidation of the railroads. II
the Merger case is cited as an evidence
Of the intention of the Republican
party to prevent the consolidation OF
railroads, il must be remembered that
the case was decided, by majority of
one and that the justice VINO cast the
deciding vote rested his decision upon
arguments that may not apply 10 the
next case; and it must also be remem-
bered that the leading Republican pa
pers have advocated such an amend
1uent to the Sherman Antitrust Law
as will legaize the very thing which
the Merger decision has temporarily
restrained. The Justice appointed by
President Roosevelt dissented from
the opinion rendered by the majority.
1.-The trusts which have been given
uubridled license, are much more dam
gerous than the railroad merger. The
people have it in their power to reg
ulate railroad rates. although their ef-
forts have several times been nulll1ed
by the Supreme Court; but the indus
trial combinations are subject to no
regulation whatever, and arc violating
the Antitrust Law with impunity
I. Touching the question Of govern
r.ent ownership Of railroads, which is
sure to come unless the people can enc.
railroad ownership of government,
Mr.. BRYAN in a late issue OF the Out
look, says:
There IS undoubtedly q growing
sentiment in favor of the government
ownership of railroads, not only
among Democrats, but among Repuo-
licans, and this growth is due TO tho
manner in which the railroads have
disregarded their duty and combined
for the exploitation OF the public. 1t
requires no prophet 10 ioreSee the day
when the people VIII prefer 70 fisk
whatever dangers may be involved In
government ownership to a continue.
ton of private ownership under pre-
yajling conditions. Whether the ex-
pertinent viii! be tried through tne
Federal government or through the
State governments Is the question open
to discussion. The government own
ership of railroads, while endorsed by
the Socialists, does not involve the
les the Socialist propaganda. Demo-
Gratis who advocate the government
ownership of railroads do it on the
ground that competition is Impossible,
or at least Sc costly and so difficult
to secure as to make 1t inexpedlent Tor
the public to rely upon it. The gov
eminent ownership of railroads can
be defended rnuch upon the same
ground as the municipal ownership or
lighting plants and water plants is to
be defended. 1t does not involve the
question of "the government owner
ship and operation of all means OF
production and distribution which
is the ultimate aim of the radical So
cialist. The railroads in Germany are
owned by the State governments, ana
vet the German government Is very
m ych opposed to Socialism. Socialism,
does not control France, and Yet tt
railroads of France are, according to
the terms of the charters. to become
The property of the government in
about twenty-five years. England is
not socialistic. and yet England does
many things that the Republicans de-
pc,,rca aa sOcialiStiC when suggested