The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-13

ownership, whenever tney are convinced
that the country msut choose between
government ownership OF the roads and
railroad ownership OF the government.
IL still advocate strict regulation and
shall rejoice II experience proves that
that regulation can be made effective.
will go farther than that and say that l
believe we can have more efficient regu-
lation under a Democratic senate and
house, than we are likely TO have under
a Republican administration, with a Re-
publican senate and house and yet
would not be honest If did not frankly
admit that observation had convinced me
that no such efficient regulation is possi-
BILE and that government ownership can
be undertaken on the plan outlined with
less danger TO the country than is involv-
ed i'm private ownership, as we have had
IL or as we are likely 10 have II.
PUBLIC OWNERSHIP IDEAL.
Among the reasons that have led me
TO believe that we must I'm the end look
TO government ownership for relief, !
shall mention two or three. First and
foremost is the corrupting influence OF
the railroad I'm politics. When the presi-
dent, following the Democratic platform.
insisted upon regulation. he was met with
the opposition OF the railroads, and every
point gained i'm favor OF the people was
gained after a strenuous fight
going to permit regulation without a
struggle. and / fear that their influence
will be strong enough 10 delay, IL IL does
not entirely defeat, remedial legislation.
Another reason which has led me to
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 the
favoritsms shown by the railroads.
You say that all these things can be
corrected without interference with pri-
vate ownership? / shall be glad If expe-
rience proves that they can be corrected,
but / no longer hope for it."
I'VE purpose 10 reform, not to revolu-
tionize. the government. We purpose TO
re-estabish Democratic institutions I'm the
nations capitol. returning 10 the voters
that which belongs TO the voters We
purpose TO drive from the floor OF the SEN
ate those who sit there. not as servants
OF the people, but as corporation counsel
We purpose 10 drive from the floor of the
house the speaker and his rules commit
tee who have made an autocracy of that
which was created a legislative body. In
a word. we purpose to readjust the lost
balance between the people and their
lawmakers.
Our jury Is the nation, our proof the
record OF the Republican party, our wit
ness Theodore Roosevelt; our attorney
Mr.. Bryan OF Nebraska.
Senator Car,hack of Tennessee followed
Mr. Watterson with a brief speech and
Senator w. j. Stone OF Missouri intro
duced Mr.. Bryan, who announced that
he would read a statement on topic
which had been generally discussed since
he had touched on IL during his speech
at New York. He then read his statement,
which in part follows:
BRYAN's STATEMENT.
'In my speech at the New York recep-
tion, l made some remarks concerning
the government ownership of railways
and thought that l had expressed myself
so clearly that my position could not be
misconstrued even by those who desired
to misconstrue It. What l say is rather in
the nature of an elaboration OF two ideas
therein presented.
After quoting from the Democratic
platform OF 1900 that a private monopoly
is indefensible and intolerable,' and after
laying IL down as principle that public
ownership should begin when competition
ends, and that the people should have
the benefit of any monopoly that might
be found necessary, | stated that / had
reached the conclusion that railroads par
take so much of the nature of a monop-
oily that they must ultimately become
public officials in the interests of the
whole community. l added
Il do not know that the country is
ready for this legislation, but i believe
that an increasing number OF the mem
bers of all parties see in public owner
ship sure remedy for discrimination be-
tween persons and places. and for the ex-
tortionate rates for the carrying OF
freight and passengers.
Il then proceeded to outline a system
of public ownership. whereby the advan-
tages OF public ownership might be Sc
cured to the people without the dangers
of Capitalization. This system contem-
plates Federal ownerships OF the trunk
lines only and the ownership of local
lines by the several states.
This statement of my view has been
assaled by some as an attempt to force
these views upon the Democratic party
and by some as an announcement OF an
intention TO insist upon the Incorporation
OF these views in the next Democratic ma.
tional platform.