The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-08-20
SUNDAY. AUGUST 20. isii.
The Bryant Underwood
Controversy.

Now that the nrst parpysm oNoI
the Bryan Underwood controversy has
subsidized, many Of those who jumped
TO an early conclusion in the criticism
Of Mr.. Bryan are Inclined to take a.
saner view Of the matter. The more
they study 1t also the more clearly
It appears that Mr.. Bfyan's position
is not altogether without justification.
The facts in the case are simply
these: The democratic party for the
first time in nearly a generation has
control of the revenue-raising branch
OF the national government. This is
the branch in which the tariff burdens
are either increased or decreased and
where protected interests are permit
ted to enjoy the unholy advantages
Of special privilege or are shorn' Of
their ability to do so.
One Of the most Oppressive tncfop-
oltes which the world has ever known.
either in the United States or else
where, is the steel trust. It's profits
have been made by the help OF special
legislation. It's burden. OF watered
stock has been fastened on the backs
Of the people in this country through
either connivance or neglect on the
part Of the political administrations.
under which the trust has grown
great.
Under this condition. with reform
party in control Of congress, the people
have a right to expect that one Of the
first things to claim the consideration
of that party would be the matter OF
relief from the burden which the steel
trust has fastened upon the people.
Has the democratic party In congress
under Mr.. Underwood's leadership iif-
ted finger or spoken d word in rec
ognition of the party's obligation to
the people in the case Of the steel
trust?
1t has not. And in the event Of the
failure Of some one within the dem
ocratic party to point out that fact
and attempt to put the party straight
on that question, does any one imagine
that the republican platform and re-
publican campaign orators next year
win overlook it? And, are we going
to wait and allow the party to be
trapped by short-sighted leaders into
the necessity Of explaining these
things when the presidential campaign
comes on in 1912?
The fact is, Mr.. Bryan has placed
HIS finger on the one weak and vital
spot in the present democratic Fro
gram and he has riveted the attention
Of the country upon the Importance
OF dealing with the steel trust and do
in~ so quickly and conciusiveiy.
Mr.. Underwood's ready explanation
to the effect that he had requested the
ways and means committee to take
up the iron and steel schedule first
because most of his investments were
in that industry. and because he wish
ed to avoid any suspicion on the part
Of the public that a failure on his part
&c act might be attributed to a selfish
motive, has ali Of the ear.marks Of
a frarae-up, or at least OF q previously
arranged plan. II he really wanted
the committee to handle the iron and
steel schedule FIRST does anyone I'M
agine that the committee would have
failed to do so?
Mr.. Bryan has done his party and
the country a service in pointing out
the vital importance OF action on the
steel and iron schedule and 1t IL to be
hoped that the Representatives OF the
party IN congress will profit by this
fact before 1t is too late and they have
TO answer direct charge Of duplicity
by the speakers and newspapers OF the
enemy in next years campaign.
The Interstate fair will show where
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