Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-13
BRYAN'S VIEWS NOT
CHANGED BY cLAM0R
He Reiterates the Opinions Ex-
pressed in Gotham.
NOT ONE WHIT ALTERED
No Desire to Force Them in the Demo-
cratic Platform.
TINE Is NOT YET oPPoRTUNE
Henry watterson in His Address Rec
ognizes Bryan as the Party Chief
) tain in the Coming Conflict.


William ]. Bryan addressed 10000 people
in the armory at Louisville. KY, last even
Ing amid the widest enthusiasm. He re-
iterated his views on the government own
ership proposition, but said he had no de-
sire to dictate terms to the democratic
party which made it imperative to put 1t
In the platform. In part Mr. Bryan said:
I'm my speech at the New York recep-
tion." said Mr.. Bryan, II made some re-
marks concerning the government owner
ship Of railways. and thought I had ex
pressed myself SO clearly that my position
could not be misconstrued. even by those
who desired to misconstrue it. The New
York speech was prepared in advance. 1t
was not only written. but it was carefully
revised. 1t stated exactly what it wanted
to state. and I have nothing to withdraw
or modify in the statement therein made.
What 1 say tonight is rather in the nature
of an elaboration of the1deas therein pre-
scented.
After quoting from the democratic plat
form of 1900 that "a private monopoly is
indefensible and intolerable,' and after lay
ing it down as principle that public own
ership should begin where competition ends
and that the people should have the benefit
of any monopoly that might be found nee
essary. stated that had reached the con-
clusion that railroads partake so much OF
the nature of a monopoly that they must
ultimately become public property and be
managed by public officials in the interest
of the whole community
II added: I do not know that the coun-
try is ready for this legislation. LIDO not
know that the majority of my own party
favors 1t, but believe an increasing l. Inn
Der of the members of all parties see in
public ownership sure remedy for dis
elimination between persons and places
and for the extortionate rates for the car
rEysy1c Of frn fyhf a ID INC
System of Public Ownership.
81 then proceeded to outline system Of
public ownership whereby the advantages
of public ownership might be secured to
the people without the dangers of central
ization. This system contemplates federal
ownership of the trunk lines only. and the
ownership of local lines by the several
states.
Il further expressed 1t as my opinion
that the railroads themselves were respon-
sible for the growth of the sentiment in
favor of public ownership and said that,
while I believed the rate bill recently en-
acted should be given fair trial. we might
expect to see the railroads still more ac-
tive in politics unless our experience with
them differed from the experience we had
had with franchise holding corporations.
This statement of my views has been
assailed by some as an attempt to force
these views upon the democratic party and
d
ton to insist upon the Incorporation of
these views in the next democratic ma
tional platform.
Answers Two Charges.
LET me answer these two charges.
have tried to make it clear that expressed
my own opinion and l have never sought
to compel the acceptance of my opinion by
any one else. Reserving the right to do
my thinking, 1 respect the right of every
one else to do his thinking
'If you ask me whether the question of
government ownership will be an issue in
the campaign of 1908. I answer I do not
know If you ask me whether 1t ought to
be in the platform. reply, cannot tell
until / know what the democratic voters
think upon the subject II the democrats
believe the next platform should contain
plank in favor of government ownership.
then that plank ought to be included. If
the democrats think it ought not to contain
such plank, then Such O prank ought not
to be included.
ut rests with the party to make the
platform and individuals can only advise.
have spoken for myself and for myself
only and did not know how the sugges-
ton would be received. am now prepared
to confess to you that it has been received
more favorably than I expected.
There is this however. I do expect.
namely, that these democrats who oppose
public ownership will accompany their dec
laYation against 1t with the assertion that
they will favor government ownership
whenever they are convinced the country
must choose between government owner
ship Of the roads and railroad ownership
of the government
Mr.. Bryan's arrival in Louisville provoked
a great outburst of reclamation from thou
sands of marchers and other thousands in
the streets His reception last night in the
armory was wildly enthusiastic. The mass
meeting constituted Kentucky's greeting on
behalf of the south.
Welcomed by Watterson.
Mr.. Bryan was welcomed to Kentucky
by his whilom opponent, Henry Watterson,
who presided at last nights meeting. The
other speakers were Senator Carmack Of
Tennessee and Senator w. J. Stone Of
Missouri. who introduced Mr.. Bryan.
When Mr.. Bryan entered the hall on the
arm of Mr.. Watterson there was a demon
stration that lasted ten minutes, thousands
of flags waving with the surges of cheers
that swept over the throng.
"I still advocate strict regulation and
shall rejoice If experience proves that that
regulation can be made effective. I will
go further than that and say I believe we
can have more efficient regulation under
democratic administration. with a demo-
cratic Senate and House, than we are likely
to have under republican administration
with republican Senate and House. and
yet I would not be honest II II did not
frankly admit that observation has con-
WINGED me no such efficient regulation is
possible and that governpaeut ownership
can be undertaken on the plan outlined
with less danger to the country than Is in
volved in private ownership as we have it
or as we are likely to have 1t.
Among the reasons that have led me 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. When the President, following
the democratic platform. insisted upon
regulation he was met with the opposition
of the railroads, and every point gained In
favor of the people was gained after
strenuous fight.
IT have no idea that the railroads are
going to permit regulation without strug-
gle, and I fear their influence will be
strong enough to delay, II 1t does not en-
tirely defeat, remedial legislation.