New-York tribune., 1907-12-01
BRYAN MUM On HEARST
4nything Like a Hypothetical Ques
ton Ercites HIS Il apprehension.

William J. Bryan will not discuss parties or per-
sor 1ties-when they are troublesome. Nor will
he answer hypothetical questions.
What you going to do with William R
Hearst and his Independence League?' was the
question asked Mr. Bryan last evening the
HOFFMAN House
4 cannot discuss personalities or parties" said
Mr.. Bryan quickly and good naturedly In all of
my discussions I strive stick to principles rather
than personalities
But Mr.. Hearst stands for certain political
principles: he has a national organization. with
the balance OF power in three four states. You
VIII have deal with him sooner or later: why
not discuss him now?'
Mr. Bryan waved away the Interrogation he
would a gadny. on a recent visit here Mr.. Bryan
found time 10 call Mr. Hearst at his home in
Lexington avenue. He discovered there by
William Astor Chanler. who is prosecuting Mr..
Hearst for alleged libel Not until Mr.. Chanler's
affidavit was made public il generally known
that Mr. Bryan had recently met Mr. Hearst Mr.
Bryan refused to say what he had talked about
TIE hypothetical question was prompted by the
assumption that Industrial stagnation would have
no terrors for Mr. Bryan President. once he
was fairly begun in a crusade predatory wealth
This was the question:
If an Executive finds that the carrying out OF q
certain policy brings about an industrial and
financial depression. throwing thousands of labor
ing men out OF work and distressing them. mas ne
any right to continue the policy?
That's a Hypothetical question he SAID 1t
Won have studfer the philosophy of hypothetical
ouestiors YOU must know that they not fair un-
less all the elements of situation are compre-
heuded Do you think your question includes all
the elements?
Yes
We'll I don't" said Mr.. Bryan. with an expan-
sive smile.
IF you're elected President won't you De UP
against that very question:? was asked
II cannot answer hypothetical questionS saiu
Mr. BRYAN Some years ago a newspaper opposed
to me framed a hypothetical question IN suca d
manner that when it submitted to a celebrated
slienIst the alenist decided that was iunatic
Nv reasons for obiecting to hypothetical questions
should be obvious
representative of The World" then asked
number of questions. one Oh "iil'h 'o' ~ ~
Mr.. Bryan who said:
~rbe World has been both malicious and un-
sc,unulous in living about me- This week II TOOK
90 to task for voting for Weaver. II utterly ig-
nored the fact that were instructed 10 so.e i0'
yvaavar N the belief that that course "ouo pet'ei
a.s,s+ C,eve1and 1t accuses me OF being the CAUSE
os rho shrfnkage the Democratic vote III tue
tu,o cemnaigns in which l was opposed pS INC
World | received more votes by ABOUT one anu
,ortor millions than were cast Tor JuuHe ai hoi'
.,bose nomination fathered py lac "o'iu
ap1 who was valiantly supported ny Inc "o
,r Rrvan left last evening in company with MS
,argbtars Mrs Leavitt and Miss Grace bryaii io'
harrington Conn This morning ne VIII 80 l. o
1,,er.o, hv special train to Derby, where ne VIII
-. :. tna dedcation of Elks' Han. Ihls al
.ao,, ba Is scheduled to speak TO the fouis
So. christian Association in BROOKLYN anu 10
tobt he will lecture in the westminster fresoS-
teran Church