Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-07-29
BRYAN TELLS OF The PLAN.

BRYAN TELLS OF THE PLAN.
Outlines His Method for Reforming the
Democracy of the Country.
Lincoln, Neb., July 21.-W. j. Bry-
ans plan for the reformation of de-
mocracy was given publicity to day.
In it Mr.. Bryan favors radical changes
and a departure from conservative
lines, but advocates the election of
Judge Parker for president as good
beginning. He declares for state own
ership of railroads, government coz
troll of telegraphs, adjustment Of the
private monopoly, favors the income
tax and cleo tion of federal judges by
the people. Mr.. Bryan says in part:
"My selection as standard bearer of
the democratic party in 1895 and again
in 1900 made me the nominal leader Of
that party, and as such 1 did not feel
at liberty to engraft new doctrines up
on the party creed. I contented my
self with the defense of those princi-
pies and policies which were embod-
led in the platform.
s.Now that the leadership devolves
upon another and I bear only the re-
sponsibility that each citizen must
bear, namely, responsibility for my
own opinions, my utterances and my
conduct. I am free to undertake a
work which until now have avoided,
namely; the work of organizing the
radical and progressive element of the
democratic party.
s'The money question is for the pres
emit in allegiance. The increased pro-
duction of gold has lessened the strain
upon the dollar and. while bimeta.-
ism is as sound in theory as it ever
was. the necessity for it is not so APP
parent.
THINGS TO CONSIDER.
ssBut while the people cannot be
brought at this time to consider the
various phases of the money question
they can be brought to consider GER
tain other questions with which the
democratic party must deal. l have
heretofore refused so take position
upon the question Of the government
ownership of railroads; first, because
had not until recently studied the
subject, and second, because the ques-
tion 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 the place I'M
til few men now control the rail-
road traffic of the nation. invite
the democrats, therefore, to consider
plan for the government ownership
of the railroads.
s'The plan usually suggested is for
the purchase of these roads by the
federal government This plan, it
seems to me, is more Objectionable
than plan which involves the owner.
ship and operation of these roads by
the several states. To put the rail
roads in the hands Of the federal gov.
eminent would mean an enormous
Capitalization of power. 1t would give
to the federal government largely
increased influence over the citizen
and the citizens affairs, and such cen
tralization is not at all necessary.
THE several states can own and
operate the railroads within their Dor
ders just as effectively as it can be
done by the federal government, ant
II it is done by the states, the objec
tion based upon the fear of centraliz
alton Is entirely answered. A board
composed of representatives from thu
various states could deal with inter
state traffic just as freight and pas
senger boards now deal with the join
,traffics of the various lines. II tn,
federal government had the railroads
to build there would be a constan
warning between different sections tx
secure fair share of the new build
ing and development, but where THU
is left to the state the people in eacf
state can decide what railroads the.
desire to build or to buy.
FOR PUBLIC OWNERSHIP.
While the democratic party in thu
nation is advocating the government
ownership Of railroads, the democratic
party in the cities should upon thu
same theory, espouse the cause of mu
nicipal ownership of municipal fran
chiSes.
"We have also reached time wher
the pos toff1ce department. should EN-
brace telegraph system as we'll {
mail system. While the telegraph
lines do not reach as many people a,
the railroads, and while the abuses tt
private ownership have not been 81
open and notorious, yet, there is nj
reason why this nation should not d.
what other nations are doing in thi
respect.
"The private monopoly must be de
stroyed. The democratic platform
adopted at Kansas City declared the
private monopoly to be indefensible
and intolerable.
"Ths democratic party has In two