The Mena weekly star., 1907-03-07
FOLLOWS BRYAN'S LEAD
Senator Patterson, of Colorado, Pre- diets the Government Owner
 ship of Railroads.
THt ONLY REMEDY FOR PRESENT EVILS
In . Speech in the Senate Mir. Pat terson Declared He Saw Grow ing Sentiment in that Direction in the United States--How They Could be Acquired.

Washington. Feb 2S.--Senator Pat terson, of Colorado. addressing tha senate Wednesday. made a plea For government ownership of railroads. He predicted that such condition would be brought about within the lifetime of the present members Of the senate, but did not anticipate any speedy action in that direction.
 The railroads, he declared, were growing more arrogant each year, and as he saw little or no relief in the new rate law, government control of the roads would supply the only remedy. To show the value of his idea Mir Patterson presented figures from 59 countries showing the pres ence of government ownership In some form, and he saw steadily in creasing sentiment in that direction so far as the United States is con cerned.
 American roads he valued at between II and 12 billion dollars. They could be obtained by condemnation proceed ings, the financial end being covered by mortgage backed by the govern ment's guarantee.
 Mir. Patterson ridiculed the Idea that vast political machine would be built up through federal operation of roads. As a matter of fact, he declared, railroad politics would he abolished. Among the benefits to be gained through ownership Mir. Patter- son mentioned extension of the postal system, . postal express and equit- | able rates
 On the fact that railroads exercise a function of the government" he said, depends the rights of the people with regard to the ownership and operation of the roads.
 l Mir. Patterson presented table showing the attitude of 64 countries toward railroads Of these govern mont ownc ship obtains to greater or less extent in 5s and is exclusive l in five. This Mir. Patterson said shows that the construction and 1 ownership of railroads is really the business of governments. as three fourths of the democraeies and two thirds of tho monarchies of the world own railroads.
 The Uni,ed States government. MT. Patterson maintained. could acquire l existing railroads hy condemnation proceedings under the postroad clause He supported this contention also by supreme court decisions. Not onlr the roads, but their corporate fran. chises. ne said. could thus be ae- quired by co demnat on.
 The idea that government owner ship would result in political machine by the combination ot em- ployes was secuted by MT. Patterson. At the outset, he suggested no radical change should be made in methods of
 management Rates should be fixed by the InterStste Commerce commis- | ion and division of transportation should be established to conduct the actual operation of the roads The reform that would follow would be large economics to the freight shipper
 and reduction of the passenger rate one half
 u would permit of extending tho postal system and establishing a postal express. IL would guarantee the adoption of all known safety ap-
 pliances and the best signal systems. Service pensions would be paid em-
 pioyes and rev and needed lines could
 be built Railway politics would he
 abolished and equilibrium of power
 between the state, the government
 and the people restored. Reforms in
 "a e-making by adopting the zone system. and in freight classification
 would result Government ownership
 need not, be said prevent private construction of roads