Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1905-03-10
THE DAILY INDEPENDENT
VINO IS THE BORROWERS?

Some observers arc amused and more
are surprised by the sight Ct Mr.. Bryan
and the democrats in the net Of holding
up Mr.. Roosevelt's hands rs no labors
for the enlargement Of the powers OF the
Interstate Commerce Commission and
for government supervision OF railroad
rates. The Hon. John Sharp Williams
and the democratic brethren i'll the
House OF Representatives. rally around
the president with a well stimulated en-.
thusiasm. They will be his shields
against m~onopolistic republicans, il such
there be in congress.
In this lightning change comedy OF
politics hns Mr.. Bryan chopped to Mr..
Roosevelt or has Mr.. Roosevelt %1ilopped'
to Mr.. Bryan? Have the democrats be-
come republicans or the republicans be-
come democrats?
The best way OF answering these
questions is to consult the republican
national plator us and the democratic
national platforms, beginning with 1886,
the first year OF Organization.
What did the republican platform OF
1896 SAY upon this now all.absorbiuR
and supreme subject Of government reg
ulation OF railroad rates?
Nothing.
Turn now to the democratic books.
First the democratic platform OF 1886:
1Ihe absorption OF wealth by the few.
the consolidation OF our leading railroad
systems md tho formation OF trusts and
pools require a s~tricter control by the
Federal government Of these arteries Of
commerce. We demand the enlargement
Of the powers OF the Interstate Com.
MERGE Commission and such restrictions
and guarantees i'll the control OF rail.
roads Us will protect the people from
robbery and oppression"
In 1900 the democrats called for laws
providing for publicity rs to affairs OF
corporations engaged III interstate COM
merce," and requiring these to 4show
before doing business outside OF the
state OF their origin" that their stock is
not wtercd md they are not trying to
~moDopolize. More specifically rs to
railroads:
ave favor such IN enlargement of the
scope OF the Interstate Commerce law as
will enable the commission to protect
indiyidunls and communiti ca from dis.
examinations and the public from unjust
and unfair transportation rates.
The democratic national platform Of
1904 repeats the cry OF 1896 and 1900:
ave demand an enlargement Of the
powers OF the Interstate Commerce
Commission, TO the end that the travel.
ing public md shippers OF this country
may have a prompt and adequate relief
from the abuses to which they are sub.
jected in the matter Of transportation
Three times the democratic party was
beaten. Three times it's platform was
rejected. Three times the republicans
showed by their silence that they did
not want the powers Of the Interstate
Commerce Commission enlarged.
In his message to congress Dec. G,
1901, Mr.. Roosevelt said:
"The government must, in increasing
degree, supervise md regulate the work.
mgs OF the railways engaged in inter
state III and such increased
supervision liz the only alternative to an
increase Of the present evils on the one
hand or n still moro radical policy on
the other. In my judgment, the mos.
important Legislative act now needed as
regards the regulation Of corporations is
this act to confer on the Interstate Com
mcrco Commission the power to revise
rates and regulations, tho revised rate
to go at once into effect. and to stay in
efToct until the court Of review rcycrscs
it,"
Thus Mr.. Roosevelt complied with the
democratic demand for an enlargement
Of the powers Of tho Interstate Com
merce Commission" Naturally tho dem
ocrais, like Moliore, take their "
whore they find it.-Ncw York SIM.