The Washington herald., 1907-03-26
RAILROADS SET TRAP
Bryan Warns Roosevelt that
He Is Being Mislead.
IN FEAR OF STATE CONTROL
Railway Presidents Prefer Congress
KionaI Authority TO That of the
states-NebrasISan Defines His Own
Position In the Matter-Views OF
Magnates Given Briefly.

Chicago, March 25.-In the opinion Of
William Jennings Bryan, President Roose-
Welt Is being carefully led into q dangerous
trap set for him by the shrewdest rail-
road men in the country.
In an interview to-day, Mr Bryan denied
emphatically that the attitude of the big
railroad magnates Of the country who,
within the past month, have been rushing
into print with statements that they IA
vored Federal control OF railroads are ap-
preaching the viewpoint he held when ri
Madison Square Garden last fan. He
came out hat-f0oted in favor OF govern
ment ownership of all the railroads in the
United States.
Following are the views OF railroad men
and capitalists on the present railroad
situation:
Il believe in Federal control of the rail-
roads. It would be the best thing for the
roads. John ID. Rockefeller.
"All rail transportation should be de-
cIared interstate commerce and put under
Federal supervision by constitutional
amendment, if need be.''-Paul Morton.
There is Federal control now. All that
is necessary is to have the laws judi
ciously and wisely administered. e. II.
Hartman.
Severe business depression viii result
unless legislation against the railroads
ceases. George J. Gould.
Railroad men are talking too much.
We hope the operation OF the interstate
law win help the railroads. james J.
Hul
FavOrs Federal Supervision.
II believe in the ownership Of the rail-
roads by the people. coupled with strict
Federal supervision OF rates. Benjamin
F. Yoakum. chairman of the board OF
directors of the 'Frisco-Rock Island sys-
TEN.
Il believe the Federal control of the
railroads is all right in principle, but do
not believe IN the way il has been put into
practice President Charles 5. Mellen, of
the New York. New Haven and Hart
ford.
II favor control of railroads. but will
not discuss government ownership. -
Benjamin l. Wincheli, president of the
Rock Island.
According 10 the Nebraskan the rail
roads are planning "a master coup.
THE railroads wish 10 get rid of state
and substitute Congressional authority
over their lines" said Mr.. Bryan.
"The railroads would rather deal with
one legislative body than forty-five, Con
eentration of all authority over them
would be very much 10 their liking, and
the government control they seek. would
be playing directly into their hands.
The attitude of the COmmOner comes as
"a distinct surprise.
The administration at Washington IS,
according to the most authentic informa-
tion. strongly of the opinion that Federal
regulation of the railroads should be
substituted for State control It was sup
posed that mir Bryan regarded the pres
ent attitude OF the railway men as a step
i'm the direction he had pointed out last
fall.
Conversion Not Genuine.
His startling statement OF to-day was
made when he was asked if he did not
feel elated over the turn the present rail-
road agitation has taken. The Nebras-
kan's reply was that he could not con
strue the present attitude OF the railroad
men as an indication of their conversion
10 his view.
In my Madison Square Garden speech, "
said Mr.. Bryan, 4 did not predict any
thing save that the ultimate result Of the
railroad situation would be governmental
ownership. I cannot discuss the report
that President Roosevelt fayors taking
control of all railroads under the new
rate law. Mr. Roosevelt has not officially
announced taking such 3 position My
own opinion is that We should preserve
the dual character OF our government.
Congress regulating interstate com
merce, including railroads, in so far as
they do an interstate business and leay-
ing to the State the regulation of all in
terual matters-tTansportat and 9th
erWise."
Mir Bryan went on further. i'm an effori
to shatter any illusion that might exist
regarding the air of contriliOn and re-
form assumed by the railroad kings. Ht
pointed out that the character OF the
men who are rushing pelI-melI TO chamber
on the government control bandwagOn
said to have been wheeled out by Presi,
dent Roosevelt. was sufficient to arouse
suspicion as TO their sincerity and the
wisdom of the peoples standpoint on this
movement.