Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-31
PLANKs FOR A PLATFoRM

1T is too early to write a platform"
as Mr.. Bryan truly says. It is not too
early to do a good deal Of thinking on
the subject however, as he intimsted
by the disclosure Of views while In Los
Angeles.
In his interview with Herald repre-
sentative. and afterward in his ad-
dress at the banquet, Mr.. Bryan gave
considerable insight to Lis views on
public questions; views which are
likely to be reflected In the Democratic
platform next year. Preliniinarily he
deftly parried the direct question in
the interview regarding his own candl-
dacy, but in n manner leaving but lit
tie doubt Of his acceptance of a NOM
ination II made on a satisfactory plat
form.
Conditions make platforms and plat
forms make men," says Mr.. Bryan.
IT do not say that will or will not be
a candidate, because the time has not
come to decide the question" II may
be inferred, however, that the matter
Of his acceptance hinges upon the plat
form. What that must be, essentially,
to determine his decision affirmatively,
is outlined in the interview with The
Herald man.
Following the observation that "it is
too early to write platform" Mr..
Bryan said: "It seems certain that one
80 A. ,,,Dz4 ,v,,,.crto 80 tse,,o~ 40 not tho
most important, will be the trust issue,
for It involves the railroad question,
the tariff question. the labor question
and the question of swollen fortunes"
That declaration fits the unanimous
sentiment of the Democratic party and
will be heartily accepted as plank No. 1
in the construction of the national plat
form of 1908. 1t is fundamental Demo-
cratic doctrine, recognized essentially
in former political contests and upheld
firmly by the Democratic minority In
congress. The soundness of 1t has re-
Gently been recognized in its main feat
ures by President Roosevelt, much to
the dismay of the large percentage OF
leading Republicans, both in and out
of congress, who are affiliated with
trust interests.
On certain questions Of special inter-
est in California Mr.. Bryan expresses
unqualified opinions. OF the primary
election system. which all reputable
Californians desire in order to prevent
repetitions of the disgraceful proceed
ings in last years convention, he says,
positively, IT am in favor of direct pri-
mary election laws" He also declares
himself "in favor of the election of
United States senators by the people,
of the initiative and referendum and
all other reforms that are intended to
give the people control Of their own
affairs"
On one point which has caused much
discussion, particularly in the east, Mr..
Bryan clarifies his meaning as ex-
pressed in his homecoming speech at
New York. He has been represented,
in some quarters, as having committed
himself to the policy of public owner
ship of the railways. The Herald ac-
curately stated the facts in the case at
the time, and the statement is sub
stantiated by Mr.. Bryan in his allusion
to it here In the interview on Monday
with The Herald representative he said:
ct stated that I regarded government
ownership as the ultimate solution. Do
not overlook-ultimate solution. ]
stated that 1 did not know whether
the country was ready for 1t or If the
majority of my party favored 1T; but
expressed as my opinion that the coun-
try would finally come to it and that
the railroads, by their corruption and
their resistance to regulation. would
educate the people up to the ownership
idea"
That is to say, Mr.. Bryan regards
public ownership of the railways as a
last resort to curb the rapacity of the
corporations, to be adopted only in
case all corrective measures fail. Hence
his emphasis of the point that he IA
vors II onlv as an "ultimate solution