The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-07-23
Let Us Have State Con-
troll of Railroads.
AN INCOME TAX
Besides This, Declares Bryan, OutIin-
ing Changes He Favors, the Time
Has Come When the Government
Should Operate the TeIe-
graph Lines.
graph Lines.
(By the Associated Press.0

Lincoln, Neb., July CIV. J. Bry-
ans plan for the reformation of the
Democracy was given publicity today.
In it Mr.. Bryan favors radical changes
but advocates the election of Judge
Parker for president as a good be-
ginning. He declares for State own
ership of railroads, government con-
troll of telegraph, and adjustment of
private monopoly, and favors the in
come tax and election of Federal
judges by the people. Mr.. Bryan
says in part:
II have heretofore refused to take
position upon the question of gov
eminent ownership of railroads, first,
because l had not until recently
studied the subject and second, be-
cause the question had not been
reached. Recent events have con-
WINGED me that the time is now ripe
for the presentation of this question.
Consolidation after consolidation has
taken place until a few men now con-
troll the railroad traffic of the country
and defy both the legislative and exec
utive power of the nation. l in
vite the Democrats, therefore, to
consider a plan for the government
ownership and operation of railroads
1.-THE plan usually suggested is for
the purchase of these roads by the
Federal government. This plan, 1T
seems to me. is more Objectionable
than a plan which involves the own
ership and operation of these roads
by the several States To put the
railroads in the hands of the Fed
eral government would mean an
enormous Capitalization of power. 1t
ment a largely increased influence
over the citizens 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 effectiely
as it can be done by the Federal gOY-
eminent, and if it is done by the
States, the objection based upon the
fear of Capitalization is entirely am,
swered. A board composed of repre-
sentatives from the various States
could deal with the joint traffic of
the various lines.
while the Democratic party in the
nation is advocating the government
ownership of railroads. the Demo-
cratic party in the cities should upon
the same theory espouse the cause of
municipal ownership of municipal
franchises.
1--WE have also reached time when
the postoffice department should en-
brace a Geographic system as we'll as
mail system.
'"The telegraph lines do not reach
as many people as the railroads do
and while the abuses of private own
ership have not been so oren and
notorious, yet there is no reason why
this nation should not do what other
nations are doing in this respect.
1.-The Democratic party has in two
campaigns stood for an income tax.
The plank was omitted this year be-
cause the men in control of the party
thought it jeopardized success IN the
Eastern States. This objection may
have weight when the appeal is made
to a political sectiSn and the wealthy
men of that section, but il cannot
have weight when the party goes
forth, as it must ultimately do. to APP
peal to the masses.
1.-THE contest above outlined must
be made whether the party wins in
November or not. If Mr.. Parker is
elected his administration will rid us
of imperialism and of the threat of a
race issue and give us greater free
dom in the taking UP of economic
questions"