The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-09-13

eraI ownership of trunk lines and State ownerships of local lines, not only preserves the State and even strengthens It's position. but 1t per- mits the gradual adoption of govern ment ownership as the people of dif- ferent sections are ready to adopt It. q have been slow in reaching this position and I can. therefore, be pa- tient with those who now stand where I stood for years, urging strict regula- tion and hoping that that would be found feasible. I still advocate strict regulation and shall rejoice if experi- ence proves that that regulation can be made effective.
 T will go farther than that and say that believe we can have more efficfent regulation under Demo- cratic administration with a Democrat ic Senate andSouse than we are likely to have under a Republican adminis- 1 tration with a Republican Senate and House, and yet would not be honest with you if I did not frankly admit that observation has convinced me that no such efficient regulation is pos sible and that government ownership can be undertaken on the plan outiin- ed with less danger to the country than is involved in private ownership as we have had it. or as we are
 
 Is Ultimate Remedy.
 q have been brought to regard pup. lie ownership as the ultimate remedy by railroad history which ia as famil- | far to you as to me. Among the req sons that have led be to believe that we must in the end look to Government ownership for relief. I shall mention two or three First and foremost Is the corrupting influence of the railroad in politics. There Is not a state in the | Union that has not felt this influence | to A greater or less extent. The rati- roads have insisted upon controlling Legislatures; they have insisted upon
 naming executives; trey have insisted upon controlling the nomination and appointment of judges.
 | "They have erdeavored to put their representatives on tax boards that they
 might escape just taxation; they nave | watered their stock. raised their rates | and enjoined the States whenever they
 have attempted to regulate rates; they have obstructed legislation when hos | tile to them and advanced, by secret means, Legislation, favorable to them
 Let me give you an illustration; The | Interstate commerce law was enacted nineteen years ago. After about nine l years this was practically nullified by 1 the Supreme Court, and for ten years the railroad influence has been adfb- | eient in the Senate ana House to pfS- i vent an amendment asked for time and
 again by the Interstate Commerce Com mission. That railroad influence has
 been strong enough to keep the Repub- | lican party from adopting any platform
 declaring in favor of rate legislation.
 ROoseveIt's Strenuous Fight.
 ''When the President, following the Democratic platform. insisted upon
 regulation. he was met with the oppo- sition of the railroads and every 'oint
 gained in favor of the people was gain- | cd after a strenuous fight The bul was improved by an amendment pro- rosed by Senator Stone of Missouri, re- storing the criminal penalty which had
 been taken out of the interstate conn | merce law by the Elkins law. This same amendment had been presenteu in substance in the House by Congress man James of Kentucky and had been defeated by Republican votes
 "The bill was further improved by an amendment proposed by Senator Cul-
 person of Texas forbiddlng the use ol
 passes, and it would have been still further improved by the amendment proposed by Senator Bailey Of Texas limiting the court review, but the rail-
 road influence was strong enough to | defeat this amendment.
 T have no idea that the railroads are going to permit regulation with
 out a struggle, aud fear that tneli