Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1906-09-15
WIN. j. BRYAN
EXPLAINS VIEWS
Defines His P0sliiCl on Municipal
Ownership of l,...ltOads.
SPEAKS ONLY l0a HIMSELF

Louisville. Ky. Sept l3-Entering
The southland Tor the first time IN TWO
years William Jennings Eryan was
welcomed with spontaneous gladness.
He seized the occasion To read state
mpnt in explanation OF his New YORK
speech ON government ownership OF
railways. Ills reception at the armory'
where he addressed l2.OUO persons
was wildly enthusiastic.
Following his response to the wei
come. great hush fell on the crowd
when Mr. Bryan announced that ne
would read u statement concerning
topic which had been generally dis'
cusscd since h. had touched on II dur'
ing his speech at New York. lie then
read his statement. which in part fol
lows
lin my speech at the New YORK re-
ception | made some remarks concern
ing the government ownership oil rail-
ways. and thought that had ex-
pressed myself so clearly that my po
sition could not be misconstrued even
by those who desired to miscon
strue IT,
After quoting from the Democratic
platform OF 1900 that "A private mo
nopu!y IS !ndefensible and intolerahle,
and after laying II down as princi'
pie that public ownership should be.
gin where competition ends. ant that
the people should have the benefit OF
any monopoly that might be found
necessary. | stated that had reached
the conclusion that railroads partake
so much OF the nature of monopoly
that they must ultimately become pub
lic property and he managed by public
officials In the interests of the whole
community.
This statement OF my views has
been assailed by some as an attempt
Ia force these views upon the Demo
cratic party and by some as an an
nouucement OF an intention 10 insist
upon the incorporation of these views
in the next Demo cratic national plat
form.
IF you ask me whether the question
OF government ownership will be an
issue In the campaign Of 1908 answer
| do not know II you ask me whether
Il ought To be in the platform. ! reply
| cannot tell until | know what the
Democratic voters think upon the sub
ject. II the Democrats believe that the
next platform should contain plank
in favor Of government ownership. then
that plank ought to be included. II
the Democrats think II ought not to
contain such plank. then such plank
ought not to he included. II 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 suggestion
would be received | am now prepared
to confess to you that II has been re.
ceived more favorably than expected
Il still advocate strict regulation
and shall rejoice II experience proves
that that regulation can be made ef
fective | will go farther than that
and say that believe we can have
more efficient regulation under Dem.
ocratic administration with Demo
cratic senate and house than we al,
likely TO have under a Republican ad
ministration with a Republican senate
and house. and yet would not be hon
est If | did not frankly admit that OBJ
servatlOn has convinced me that nc
such efficient regulation Is possible. and
that government ownership can be un.
dertaken on the plan outlined with less
danger 10 the country than Is involved
In private ownership as we have had II
and are likely To have II.
Among the reasons that have led
me to believe that we must In the end
look to government ownership for re
lief. | shall mention two or three. First
and foremost is the corrupting influ.
ence Of the railway In politics. When
the president, following the Democratic
platform, insisted upon regulation. he
was met with the opposition of the
railways, and every point gained in
favor OF the people was gained after
strenuous fight.
Il have no idea that the railways
are going to permit regulation without
a struggle. and | fear that their infin-
ence will he strong enough to delay. II
II does not entirely defeat. remedial
legislation.
Another reason which has led me 10
favor government ownership is the fact
that the people are annually plundered
OF an enormous sum by extortionate
rates; that places are Disseminated
against and individuals driven out OF
business by favoritism shown by the
railways You say that all these things
can b. corrected without interference
with private ownership ! shall be
glad II experience proves that they
can be corrected but | no longer hope
tor H."