The Washington herald., 1907-02-18

government ownership Of the railroads or
railroad ownership and domination OF
both the government and the people In
the latter event I would give the State
governments by far the larger share of
ownership. TeseTving only a few, basic.
/ JTansC0ntinental lines for the federal
government. 90 In my opinion the pres
ent interstate commerce law is by no
means sufficiently strong. ] DO not think
that any satisfactory regulation viii be
obtained until the Interstate Commerce
Commission is given initiative powers ove-
rates. In this way, I think, the present
law may be vastly strengthened and prob
ably the entire question solved 80 !
favor a plank in the next Democratic ma
tional platform demanding an increase of
the powers of the Interstate Commerce
Commission in the direction Of the above
/ suggestion.
Adequacy Yet TO be Proven.
Representative Slayden. Texas-CD do
not favor the government ownership OF
railroads. % The adequacy Of the present
/ law for the protection Of shippers re-
mains to be proven. I believe that it is
substantially adequate. If not il can
I be amended when its weaknesses have
I been shown in its practical operations.
/ 80 I doubt that il Will be necessary to
/ precipitate a discussion Of the question in
/ the national convention. but if IL is done
! then / favor a clear. plain expression
/ OF what I believe TO be the overwhelm-
! ing Democratic sentiment against gov
/ eminent ownership
Representative Stephens. Texas-D No.
unless government regulation proves to
be failure. % I do not think that the
( present law regulating railway interstate
! traffic is efficient unless amended and
/ strengthened. 80 I favor a plank in our
next platform definitely defining our posi-
ton on the railroad question.
Representative Lamb Virginia-O I do
not favor government ownership of rail-
roads. or If properly enforced the pres
ent railroad law will protect shippers 1t
might be strengthened along one line, and
viii be, I hope 81 Want only two planks
in next Democratic platform-States
rights and proper revision Of tariff.
Present System Valuable.
Representative Saunders, Virginia-D
No, not at present. This policy should be
held in reserve for trial in the event that
the present system of regulation proves
10 be inadequate. Should this system. on
full trial. prove to be reasonably sufficient.
then it should be adhered TO as the per-
manent policy of the country, and
strengthened and enlarged from time to
time by appropriate legislation. 1t will
be time enough to consider the merits of
government ownership when the present
system ENDS in failure. % The present
system is n great Improvement over all
that preceded il, but still it can be built
up and strengthened in various directions.
| In this respect the suggestions of the
commission, which are the outcome Of
practical experience, ought to be needed
and acted upon promptly by the law-mak-
ing department Of the government The
present system is on trial, but its useful
ness and value, in my judgment have been
amply demonstrated. 80 I see no reason
why we should declare for or against gov
eminent ownership It viii be time enough
to determine upon an alternative policy
when the inadequacy of the present one
is demonstrated. For the present. we
should give our cordial support to the
policy of regulation, and pledge ourselves
to strengthen it with all reasonable sup
Elementary legislation, to the end that its
actual value may be ascertained-
John Sharp Williams Position.
The position Of Representative John
Sharp Williams. Of Mississippi, minority
leader in the House of Representatives,
is wen understood by reason of his re-
cent debate with Gov. Vardaman. He
is unalterably opposed TO government
ownership. He said in his last open let
ter:
II the time ever came when the railroads are
stronger than the people It would then be n)ossi-
bic for the people either TO acquire them TO own
them, CT to operate them, unless by the consent Ct
the railroads and on their terms II the time ever
comes when the railroads are stronger than the
people, viii be because majority Of the people
for corrupt OF other reasons. with the railroads
do not believe that the time win ever come when