New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-15
BRYAN on RAILROADS.
Says They Fear State Legislation
Rate Bill Good for Com panics.

William J. Bryan. who was IN town for 4 short
time yesterday while route to Boston whore he
delivered lecture last night. says that the rail-
roads prefer federal TO state legislation and TINT
is why the presidents Of trunk lines are appealing
TO the President He attributes the tmiilty or
investors to what he calls tho attempts Of the
railway people 10 tcrrorize the state legislatures
The tremendous shrinkages lr the market values
OF stocks he attributes to the squeezing out %
tho water.
Mr.. Bryan got IN from BinGhamtor yesterday
forenoon. and went 10 the home Of his friend. Or.
John W. COX. % No. II East 3Sth street \ doleSd-
ton Of friends headed by Harry W Walker. OF the
Aqueduct Commission 10 the Erie station IN
Jersey city to him. but Mr. Bryan came by
the Lackawanna route and they missed him.
II has been the policy or railroad officials TO
avoid state legislation and seek their relief from
the federal government" said Mr. Bryan. These
big corporations prefer TO deal with Congress for
the reason that state legislatures TOO near the
people The fact Of the matter is. as | have said
already. the railroad managers want supervision
Of the railroads transferred TO the federal gov
eminent that they may avoid these bodies that
are close the masses. You that big
corporations want 70 he under the control OF Con
Cress for that reason l have said that when
the railroads are put on an honest basis. then the
investing public VIII feel more secure IN doing
business with them"
What about the 2-cent fare laws now being
agitated?"
THE railroad pleSihtItS nave oNffNoOf tIl'
scare" replied Mr. Bryan, They attempted to
terrorize the state legislatures ny threatening that
the 2-ceut fares would ruin their business. Now
that some Of them are being taken az their word
they complain
do YOU still adhere 10 the position YOU took
with reference 10 government ownership Of rail
roads,"
II 90. most emphaucaly but I said at Madison
Square Garden that ultimate ownership might
prove he the remedy l did not say immediate
ownership
Referring 10 the operation Of the Rate bill. Mr.
Bryan said
so far. the main effect OF the Rate bill passed
by Congress has been prevent rebates, and while
good for the railroads because II leaves in their
treasures the money they used to give 70 favored
irpers. The states have begun to reduce rates
which is OF advantage to the entire public and
the railroads begin to talk of amending tho federal
Constitution to protect them from state in
reference
Why should there be industrial unrest? The
farmers have had good crops and, because OF the
increased quantity of moLey they have had better
prices. The workingmen seem to be busy. and how
could panic come with the protective tariff stiu
IN force. II the Republican, arguments are 10 be ac
cepted? We told that pancs come only under
Democratic administration, Either the predictions
OF panic wrong Republican arguments have
been faulty"
VIII the railroad question be the main issue IN
the next Presidential campaign
dictiOn; One cannot look very far ahead in Amerl-
can politics