The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-09-13
Reaflrns Statements Made in His New York Speech on
 Railroad Ownership
HAS WARM WELCOME IN
 LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY
Readers of Democracy From All Sec tions Greet the Leader of the Party-Watterson and
 carmack Speak.

Louisville. September 12-On the occa- sion of his entry Into the south where his recent declaration as to government ownership of railroads has aroused the most opposition, William J. Bryan to- night made a more explicit statement as to his position in the matter. In dead silence he read lengthy statement elab- orating his position. but declared that the making of platforms rests with the voters of the whole party, and, T never have and never will attempt to force my opinions or those of any few men on the people,
 While thus indicating that the doctrine of government ownership is in the hands of the voters MT. Bryan's speech indi- cated plainly that nothing has as yet occurred to shake his belief in the ultl- mate efficacy and necessity of it. He de- clared that he would gladly make any sacrifice in exchange for the assurance that regulation instead of government ownership would answer the needs of the people He expressed grave doubts as to whether regulation would ever suffice.
 He also took pains to present argu- ments to convince his hearers that gov ernment ownership of trunk lines and state ownership of state line mot only preserve the rights of the state. but will permit the people of each to adopt govern ment ownership when they are ready for it."
 A tremendous yell arose when at the finish of the statement MT. Bryan, with all the einptasis~ 1he --cpllld muster, re- called to his hearers that. Whenever saw danger threatening the people I have spoken out without asking any body's permission, or querrying what the effect might be on me-
 The forepart of MT. Bryan's general address followed the lines of last nights address at St. Louis. MT. Bryan paid tribute to President Roosevelt's settle ment of the coal strike, and for his promotion of the Portsmouth treaty. He attacked the system which permits a strike to run until it has cost $990OO,OO0 and compels men to starve' their wives to get justice. He also commended the President for his efforts to regulate rail roads, but declared that in this as in the coal strike, and the other economic moves, the President had gotten his au- thority from the democratic platform, and his help from democratic members of Con gress.
 Passing to the tariff and the trusts, MT, Bryan traced connection between a protective tariff and unlawful and preda- tory combinations of wealth. Here also he declared President Roosevelt had to go to the democrats for help in his ef-
  the trusts would never be successfully restrained until the tariff had been re- vised
 The latter part of MT. Bryans speech was devoted to an emphatic condemnation of imperialism and the policy of the re- publican administration in holding on to the Philippines.
 Arrival In City.
 MT. Bryan's arrival in the city pro- voked a great outburst of acclamations from thousands of marchers, and yet more thousands on the streets. His reception at the armory tonight, where he addressed crowd of 120OO people, was nothing less than volcanic eruption of enthusiasm.
 The mass meeting at the armory consti- tuted Kentucky's greeting on behalf of the south, and although the attendance of notables was smaller than at first ex- pected on account of MT Bryan's re- cent acceptances of numerous invitations from other southern cities, still it was a representative southern gathering. graced by the Kentucky leaders of democracy, a number of prominent democrats from oth- CT southern states and a great mass of citizens from Kentucky and Indiana.
 MT. Bryan was welcomed to Kentucky by his whilom opponent. Henry Watter- son, who presided over the audience The speakers preceding MT Bryan were Sena- tor Carmack of Tennessee, representing the south, and Senator w. J. Stone of Missouri, who introduced the guest of honor.
 When Bryan entered the hall leaning on the arm of MT. Watterson, there was a demonstration which lasted ten minutes, thousands of flags being waved in unison with the surges of cheers that swept over the throng.
 As soon as the noise had subsided. MT. Watterson began his address of welcome.
 Watterson Speaks.
 MT. Watterson spoke in part as fol- lows
 There is but one paramount issue for the next presidential battle and that is the rescue of the government from the hands of those that have misused and de- bauched 1t and its restoration to the cus- tody of the plain but sovereign people. The parties to 1t on the one hand are the standing army of trained politicians, held together not alone by the cohesive power nf ha nat munity of interest unyieldng as 1t is minimizing, richly comparisoned in all the panoply of successful war: and upon the other hand the mass and body of those who hew the wood and draw the water and pay the taxes-undrlller un- skilled and widely separated-often grop- ing in the dark; sometimes misdirected by divided counsels, always lacking the rosources by which results are reached