The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1918-01-16
BRYAN OFFERS SOME
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
miami Metropolis)

eTHmeHL OWHeISllIp VI me ItIlIUdu
systems "The Dual Plan, he calls
it, and contrasts its advantages with
that of direct federal ownership in an
interesting way. He says
Believing that government owner
ship and operation of railroads will be
the natural outcome of the Presidents
action in taking over the manage
ment of the railroads during the war,
| venture to outline plan which will,
in my Judgment, give to the nation all
the advantages which can be derived
from federal ownership and operation
of all the roads, and, at the same time,
avoid the dangers involved in such
(federal) ownership, viz, dual plan
under which the federal government
will own and operate system OF
trunk lines running into every state
land, except in the case of border
states,) through the states with state
ownership Of the local lines.
1.-THE ownership and operation of all
lines by the federal government would
not only enormously increase the
number of employees directed from
Washington, but it would go far to-
ward obliterating state lines.
Our nation has been described as
IAN indissoluable union of indestruct-
ible states" and no better description
of it has been given. If the state is
to remain "indestructible," its activ-
tiles should be increased rather than
diminished. The ownership of intra-
state lines by the states would greatly
strengthen the position of the states,
without in the least lessening the ad-
vantages of government ownership
and operation of the railroads.
Each state, having access to a fed
eral trunk line connecting it with ev-
cry other state, would be able to col
lect all merchandise intended for 9th
er markets and forward it on trunk
line for distribution in other states or
p foreign countries, and it would also
be able to take from the trunk line
merchandise from without the state
and distribute it to any point within
its borders.
This independence would put it
in position to deal advantageously
with neighboring states, and states
would find it to their mutual advan-
tage to arrange for through shipment
over local lines meeting at state boun-
daries. In Europe independent ma
tons are able to join in traffic ar
rangements in spite of differences in
government and even in language;
how much easier it ought to be for
states to act in harmony
"The dual plan has three advan-
tages over the plan involving the fed
eral ownership of all lines. First, the
federal investment would be much
less 1t would cost very large sum
to purchase, even at just price all
the railroads of the United States.
The dual plan would limit the invest
ment to the amount necessary to buy
or build a system of trunk lines
Second, the dual plan could accom-
modate itself to public sentiment in
the various states. In some sections
Of the country the sentiment in favor
of government ownership is much
stronger than in other sections. The
dual plan would permit government
ownership of local lines in states de-
string it, while states not ready for
government ownership could leave the
local lines in the hands of private cor
porations as they now are Private
ly owned local lines being able to con-
meet with federal trunk line, would
have an outlet for freight and passen.
ger traffic, and be set free from the
coercion which has been a consider.
able factor in the consolidation of
railroad systems.
Third, the ownership and operation
of local lines by the several states
would give an opportunity for great
err initiative and for a comparison of
ideas which would be helpful in per.
fecting railroad operation.
"If it is contended that federal own.
ership of all lines is necessary in time
of war; a sufficient answer Is found in
the right of Congress to reserve to
the President in time of war the same
authority over state systems which he
now has over private railway corpor
atoms.
AS he has done many times before
Mr.. Bryan has offered in the foregoing
editorial some food for thought
Thinking people all over the country
will consider his suggestions, not on
ly from the standpoint of pro-Bryan'