Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1916-12-07
Urges Democratic Party to
Accomplish These Reforms
Soon as Possible.
WANTS REFERENDUM
ON WAR DECLARATION
Announces, at Dinner rendered Him
in Washington, He VIII Fight Ex-
elusive Control of Railroads by
Federal Government.

washington, Dec. 6-Reforms to
which he hopes to commit the Demo-
cratic party and see accomplished
within the next four years were out
lined tonight by William Jennings
Bryan at dinner given in his honor
by his admirers among Democratic
OFFICIALS and members of congress.
Nation wide prohibition he urged as
the most important. Other causes on
his list include women suffrage by
federal amendment, election of presi-
dents by direct vote of the people,
and changes in the constitution to
make the constitution more easily
amendable. r.
In addition to his program of re-
forms he advocates, Mr. Bryan gives
prominent place to two things he
proposes to fight: The effort to give
the federal government exclusive
control of regulation of railroads, and
the menace of militarism" presented
by proposals for UNIVERSAL military
service.
Speeches lauding Mr.. Bryan, and
particularly his work in behalf of
the party during the campaign Just
won, were made by many of the din
ers, and letter from President Will
son, with whom the former secretary
of state and Mrs. Bryan had lunched
during the day, was read. The presi-
dent said:
President Lauds COmmOner.
"Will you not be kind enough to
convey my very cordial greetings to
Mr.. Bryan and those who are as
sembled to do him honor at dinner
on Wednesday evening? In the re-
cent campaign no one rendered more
unselfsh service than Mr.. Bryan, and
I am happy to know that this din
ner expresses the genuine admiration
of all Democrats for him. May l not
by this means convey to him my warm
: congratulations and best wishes for
his continued health and happiness?
In reviewing at length the achieve
ments of the Democratic administra-
ton, Mr. Bryan said the work had
been done in one short term under
the leadership of great Democratic
president loyalty supported by con-
gress equally Democratic"
Mr.. Bryan declared that to give ex-
elusive control over railroad regula-
ton to the federal government
Hwould practically obliterate state
lines and lead to action which would
threaten our dual form of govern
fnent."
To inform the voters of questions
under consideration at an election.
Mr.. Bryan proposed the publication
Of government bulletin with space
divided among the political parties
acdording to voting strength. He also
suggested that newspapers, in return
for the mailing privilege, should be
required to give certain space for mat
ter the government desires published.
Mr.. Bryan would amend the consti-
tuition to permit changes in the
organic law when majority of both
houses in two successive congresses
vote to submit an amendment, and
that amendment is ratified by ma
jority of the states, provided the
amendment also received majority
of all votes cast on the proposition
in all the states.
Federal Suffrage Amendment.
Equal suffrage was the one ques.-
ton on which al parties were
agreed in the laI campaign" said
Mr.. Bryan. who declared that woman
suffrage thru federal amendment is
probable as sufficient number OF
states adopt it Individually.
,"I have saved" he said. "for the
last the reform which will involve
the hardest fight and which will,
when accomplished, bring the largest
benefits, namely: abolition OF the
saloon. The Democratic party, hav-
ing won without the aid of the wet
cities. and having received support
Of nearly all the prohibition states
and the states where women vote is
released from any obligation to the
liquor traffic. 1t is free to take the
moral side of this great moral issue.
"The argument that national pro-
hibition is an assault Upon the rights
of states has little weight in states
which have already adopted prohi-
bition." Mr.. Bryan said the Demo-
cratic party is the party of the lpeo-
pie and that the home is the peoples
citadel. tThe fight against the sa-
loon is fight for the home and for