The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-04-10
BRYAN S IDEAS
ON RAILROADS.
Thinks That Government Should
Own and Operate All
Roads.
IN OTHER COUNTRIES
Federal Government to Own
Trunk Lines and States to Own
Connecting Lines.

~ Special to The Times -Dispatch.J
NEW YORK, April 9.-The Wall.
Street Journal will print tomorrow a
letter to the editor from w. J. Bryan.
dated at Lincoln, Neb.. April 9Th, Civ
ing Mr.. Bryan's revised policy, espe.--l
cially with regard to railroads and
their relation to the government The
main part Of the letter follows:
ave are not at the end of railroad
development but rather at It's Begin
Ming. and / feel, as 1 have always
felt. that the ownership and opera
ton by the Federal government or all
the railroads, now constructed and to
he constructed, would go far toward
the obliteration of State lines, and i
regard the preservation of our dual
form or government as necessary 10
the perpetuity of the republic
"The plan according to which the
Federal government IS to own only
the necessary trunk lines, and the sew
eral States the remainder of the roads,
is consistent with our form of govern
ment. and instead of leading to CEN
traliZation, promises to build up the
States, and thus offer sure hulwark
against Capitalization. / have been
surprised that this plan should be op-
posed on the ground that 1t would lead
to Capitalization, when It was the fear
Of this that led me to present the plan.
In Other Countries.
"Whlle tho plan was proposed before
knew Of its having been tried in
other countries, I have since learned
that 1t has been successfully employed
In other countries, notably in Ger
many, where nearly all the railroads
are owned by the several States"
Then Mr.. Bryan goes on to say that
his policy does not raise new immc-
diate issue, but promises an ultimate
solution.
He says he was led to discuss the
subject In 1904 in order to encourage
with the party, feeling sure that the
ascendency Of the reactionary element
would be temporary.
He now advocates tho dual plan
(Federal ownership of trunk lines and
State ownership of local roads), in
order to give the country the benefit
of government ownership without the
danger Of Capitalization, and insists
| that the system should be einaugurate
gradually.
Transcontinental Line.
1t Is probable that a commencement
would be made With one transconti-
mental line. with possible cross line,
according to his idea.
The lines could be bought or built.
as the government officials think best.
He has not decided upon what basis
the government should buy, but thinks
lat might buy controlling Interest
No sudden change is contemplated
| and confiscation is not proposed. so that
mo injustice to Investors" may follow
The people have heen moro ready
to do Justice totthe railroads than the
railroad managers have been ready to
do Justice to the people. he declares
Had tho railroad managers respected
the rights of the public there would
have been no talk OF government own,
ership. lie says that at this time a ma
| jority of the Speople seem to have faitl
i In regulation, and the first thing necesr
sary Is to oascertain the present Yalne
OF the railroads and then prevent ans
more WateyiRY OF stock, IA s} sI