The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-12-14
Outlines Basis of Good Govern
ment for Benefit of The Peo-
pie Of America.
SELFISH MONOPOLISTS
AND PROFITEERS OUT
His Advocacy of Government
Ownership of Public Utilitie:
Will Not be Popular With the
Directors of Big Business.


nings R1yan, in an able address deliv
cred last night in the house Of repre-
sentativeS before delegates to the goo
roads convention, mentioned II prob
lens which the nation is called upo:
to face in getting back upon a peac'
basis, and expressed his opinion as t.
the solution of these problems.
An abstract Of the address, prepar
ed by MI Bryan himself. is as follows
.'As prohibition will within q fey
weeks become the settled polic:' OF th'
country by the ratification Of the ma
tional aniendnent. | snail not includ
ii in the problems to be considered
fer we may take it for granted taa
all parties will pledge their official
to strict enforcement in letter and II
spirit of the amendment and law
based upon it.
''Woman's suffrage is also near
hand and need not be included In th'
list of problems to be solved.
q. The American soldiers and sail
ors have proven themselves to be tn
best in the world They are, on re
turn 10 civil life, entitled to the bes
treatment that a grateful nation car
give. rehabilitation should be com
Dleted at the earliest possible nomen
consistent with conditions and car OBJ
legations. and p:ovisic'is should b.
made fer the employment OF returnin:
soldiers on public works until they ar
absorbed bv the industries O; tn
country
-. The expenses Of the government
should be reduced to q peace basis
rapidly IS possible. and in the reduc
fion relief should be given first t,
those least able to bear the burden Q
taxation
"3. In dealing with telegraphs, tele
phones and railroads. the policy
The government should conform to tn
principle that private monopoly
indefcnsible and intoieraDie. When
ever monopoly is necessary tn
people and not q few individual
should enjoy the benefits that hor
from the monopoly.
-. Telegraph lines should be {
government mcroply under the post
office department. Cables should b
owned and operated Jointly by hi
government ana the governments o
the countries TO which they go.
IS. Long distance telephone, tn
equivalent OF the telegraph lines
should be likewise operated by th'
government under the postoEce de
partment.
sc. All local telephone exchange
should be owned and operated b.
such governmental units rs the Stat
deems best.
- The federal government should
cwn and operate system Of truni
line railways reaching into ever!
state with sufficient completeness t.
give to every STATE government
controlled outlet for its products ane
inlet for its importations.
"S. The local network OF railways
aside from the federal system. should
be acquired by the State as rapid,
as public sentiment Will permit. Will
they remain in private ownership
they should be under control Of the
State. which should exercise power
make the regulations sufficient to pro
tect the rights Of both owners anC
shippers.
20. a comprehensive system
highways should be planned and buii
under the supervision of the fedora
and State governments. fu:nls1ln:
roads good the year arC'1nd reachin:
into all sections Of the country an'
constituting arteries OF traffic easil:
accessible TO all. Such highway
should be paid fer by taxation fairl!
pronnrtioned according to benefits re
ceived.
40. Ownership by federal govern
ment. and operation as far as neces
sary. of q merchant marine for thf
extention Of commerce and the es
tablishing OF new trade routes.
Ill The federal government shoui'
retain and exercise such eNtraordinar.
powers as ii has employed during tn
war for the projection OF the con
public against profiteers. an'
the State and municipalities shouic
acquire and use similar, powers TO-
the protection of their people iron
in business.
.'12. The principle OF the lnltlatlVt
md referendum should be adopted II
State and nation. and provision mace |
fer its proper application. in orde:
hat the voters may be in absolute con
rol of the government in nation. STATE
md city.
.13. There should be permanen'
lational bulletin controlled by thre.
non. one selected by majority an'
me bv minority Of congress and on'
" the president: bulletin TO presen'
important things done by congress
nd important things done By the ad
n;nisrration: editorial space to be dl'
.ided among parties in congress II
,roporton 10 vote in congress, eacI
artv to name its own editorial writer
he bulletin should be publlshe1
,on;hlv between the campaigns ane
,eekly during campaisns, and shoul'
70 furnished at not more than COS
. such voters as desire it,
III. Universal military tralninE
i'll not be necessary if the peace
Milf according to the plan announc