The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-07-22
MONDAY. july ~ 1901.
Government Ownership JettisOued.

Mr.. Bryan throws the gOvernment-own-
ership idea overheard somewhat more
definitely in his latest manifesto than in
previous outgivings on the same subject,
although his present attitude Is sub
stantially that outlined to The Washing
ton Herald some months ago. It is that
government ownership cannot be made
a political issue until the Tegulative pTin-
eiples OF controlling railroad corporations
IS tried and found wanting. as Mr.. Bryan
expects IL viii be. The general trend OF
public sentiment being in favor Of rail-
road regulation. Mr.. Bryan feels bound
20 fall in line with it, and he takes the
view that il would be unwise 70 dis
tract public attention from regulation,
which the people are willing to accept
IN order to discuss government ownership.
which they are pretty certain 10 reject
This attitude takes the wind out Of con-
siderable opposition TO Mr.. Bryan as a
Presidential neutrality-suspicious. avow-
edly based on dislike of the government
ownership proposition. Mr.. Bryan un-
doubtedly viii strengthen his party po-
sition by his frank abandonment Of a
proposition so distasteful to many Of his
friends and supporters.
Mr.. Bryan apparently thinks the rail-
road issue viii be paramount, with the
tariff and trust questions a close second.
His attitude on this paramount issue diff
fers IN one very important respect from
that Of Mr.. Roosevelt Both Roosevelt
and Bryan favor ascertainment Of the
true value Of the railroads and the pre-
vention Of the evils of overcapitalization,
but Bryan stands alone in demanding a
reduction of railroad understandable
freight as well as passenger rates
and in his willingness to make rate re-
duction a direct political issue. We have
heretofore commented on the novelty of
such an issue in national politics, an issue
which submits 90 the electorate the most
vital matter involved. In railroad regula-
ton. L Is not an issue that daunts the
Nebraska leader, who has already begun
advocacy in his paper Of a Federal 2-cent-
fare law, or what practically amounts TO
that. Mr.. Roosevelt, in his Indianapolis
speech. deprecated rate reduction on the
ground that there were other things more
important, such as more efficient transpor-
tation service and higher wages and
shorter hours for employees. Mr.. Bryan,
undoubtedly. would have all these other
things, too. but wants rate reduction in
addition
We regret that Mr.. Bryan devotes Sc
little attention to the tariff question,
which presents some very live aspects
at the moment We should like to hear
from him on the problem Of the Treas
uTy surplus and as 70 the desirabilitv OF
an early reduction of Federal taxation
in order TO curtan the redundant revenues
Of the government A stirring manifesto
on this topic would. we are sure. arouse
enthusiasm among many wavering fol
lowers of Mr. Bryan. who still cling to
old-iashioned notions about the wrongful
ness Of overtaNation and the wisdom OF
economy in public expenditure. Upon whai
theory Of governmental functions. nav we
not inquire. is Il more important to re-
duee the revenues of the railroads thar
TO lower those Of the government? Why
should the government hammer down
railroad rates when it is itself flching
nearly $l0QoO0oOO a year from the pockets
of the people without rendering any sort
of service therefor?
We hope MI Bryan thinks, as we do
that the government might very well do
some Of its reforming at home, and ",
know of nothing better to begin witt
than the Dingley tariff law