Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-09-27
COVER NOR TALKS
ON TIE ISSUES
OUTLINES HIS POSITION ON THE
TARIFF AND AFFAIRS OF
STATE OF IOWA.
Says He Does Not Take Back Any Of
His Assaults on the DlngIey Law
Gives Considerable Attention to Re-
plies to Senator Porter.

Gives Considerable Attention to Re-
plies to Senator Porter.
Continued From Page ~
people, and the rights of the railways
maintained?
Eighteen years ago. the republican
party gave to the state of lowe law
regulating railways, which is acknowl-
edged to be as perfect as the wit of
man has yet devised. 1t was matured
In the wisdom and zeal of man who
has done as much to protect the peo-
pie from the aggressions Of corporate
power as any man In America-Goy-
ernor William Larrabee. 1t will, l
think, be admitted that the republican
party in this state Is therefore EMIT
led to the trust of the people in It's
leadership upon this most important
phase of public affairs.
In 1887, the republican party gave to
the nation a law which seemed to pro-
vide for the exigencies Of that time.
The ingenuity Of railway management,
the conplexity Of the subject itself,
and new conditions in the business,
rendered the law inadequate for the
protection Of the public. and recent
years have Witnessed one of the most
interesting, instructive and vital
occurred i'll the war Of reform. Fortu-
nately for US, we had at Washington
O president whose head was clear,
whose heart was pure, and whose
courage was unfaltering. He led the
fight with unsurpassed skill and re-
lentless energy, and before the last
congress adjourned the law was 50
strengthened that 1t will do much to
remedy the abuses which have aroused
the Indignation Of the people. Again
the republican party INDICATED its
title to leadership in American affairs.
1t may be true-it probably is true
that the law will need some further
change and that still other stringent
regulations must be added, and that
additional powers must be granted to
the interstate commerce commission.
We, however are dealing with the
question in a way that will allow the
railways to earn revenue amply suf-
fcient for their maintenance, operation
and the reward of capital. and will at
the same time secure to travellers and
shippers their inherent rights over our
public highways. 1t is strange that
the democratic candidate for governor
does not pause long enough In the
ceaseless flow Of his criticism Of my
doings and sayings to tell you what
plan the democratic party proposes for
The regulation of transportation. He
says that he follows unreservedly his
distinguished commander. William
Jennings Bryan. 1 have high regard
for Mr. Bryan. I believe him to be
sincere. and all the world knows him
to be strong and courageous. Mr.. Bry-
an proposes government ownership as
the solution Of the problem, in the
event of complete or even partial fail
ure of the effort to regulate our rail-
ways. l am not able to agree to this
remedy for either the Ills we suffer OF
any that we may suffer. 1 regret ex-
ceedingly that it Is even proposed. for
it is obvious that if the democratic
party, under such platform. were in
power-that is to say, with this alter
native proposition; regulation first
md if it fails, government ownership
regulation would Inevitably fail. l an
not willing to concede the possibility
of a failure of the government to bring
into subsection either the railways OF
any other form Of corporate power.
know that there is intelligence enough
and virtue enough in the American
people to command justice at thu
hands of transportation 1t would be
interesting to hear from Mr.. Porter
upon this subject. I am sure yol
would like to know whether, If he be-
comes governors of this state, he viii
begin his crusade for the change IL
the constitution and in the laws neceS.
sary to enable Iowa to buy the rail-.
ways which, under this scheme, the
state is to own and operate. 1t In.
wolves, as ! understand it, the owner.
ship of some railways by the genera
government, and Of others by thu
state. ] am curious for Information az
to which of the railways within ou'
borders Mr.. Porter thinks the tsat'
would buy and operate, and which thu
United States would buy and operate
Whether he Is willing to eXpound hi
views or not, l say unhesitatingiy tina
am for the republican plan of stric
and increasing regulation and super
vision to the end that every railwa.
shall furnish its facilities at fair rates
to shippers in the same community y.
the same rates, and to shippers In diff
ferent communities at relative rates.
! believe that in this state the tim
has come for a. reduction in passengs
fares, and also for a reduction in tn
freight rates upon commodities tina
will give producers and manufacturer
an even chance with their competitor
elsewhere
Passing from transportation to so
called industrial corporations, we NEE
a problem NOT less vexatious. not les
difficult than that which attends tn
moving of our products. There is, an
has been for years, a manifest tenden
cy toward combinations IN Yariou