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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 2, 1906)
10 THE SUNDAY OREGONIAX, PORTLAND, SEPTEMBER 2, 19'Jtf. DEMOCRATS DOUBT rs Government Ownership Plank Causes Them to Stop and Think. MANY SPEAK AGAINST IT Few Assent, While Majority Criticise the leader's Announcement, Calling It Ralhing Merry Hades," Etc. Portland Democrats, too, are, split on Government ownership and control of the railroads of the country, as proposed by W. J. Bryan In his speech at Madison Square Garden. A few agree with him that this step offers the solution of the problem. Others believe that while the curbing of the giants by the Government ts advisable, the ownership and opera tion of tho rail transportation lines would be wholly Impracticable. The manifest difficulties of taking over the railways of the country first present themselves to those who give their opinions on the subject, and the difficulty of keeping po litical favoritism and Influence out of the service In case the Government should own the railroads is manifest to many. That the opinion of Mr. Bryan on the railroad question Is as yet only his own personal view, and is by no means Demo cratic doctrine or of necessity a plank in the 1908 platform, is the contention of others. Many hold to the opinion, how ever, that railroad regulation, and possi bly Government ownership, will be the loading issue of the coming campaign. Between now and then all who were in terviewed expect to hear the subject threshed out and hope to arrive at more careful conclusions in the process. Portland Democrats are Interested in the subject and discuss it freely. . There is no concensus of opinion, but many have very determined views on the mat ter nevertheless. 'Impractical but likely to prove popu lar," says Governor Chamberlain in dis secting Bryan's latest speech. "The rate bill, if effective, will probably remove the Government ownership ques tion from politics," says Senator Gearln. C. E. S. Wood does not favor Govern ment ownership. "I believe in Mr. Bryan but not in his latest theory," is the opin ion of Colonel Wood. "Mr. Bryan's opinions on the railroad question do not constitute advocacy of the matter as yet," says Thomas G. Greene. "Mr. Bryan is right," says Judge Thomas O'Day. "The Idea is ridiculous." is the opinion of A. D. Charlton, assistant general pas senger agent for the Northern Pacific. "I am opposed to Government owner ship." says Jefferson Myers. "Bryan has raised merry Hades," Is Lafe Pence's quaint comment. Mayor Lane is non-committal. "1 am not prepared to say that there should be a wholesale taking over of rail roads." Is R. W. Montague's contribu tion. "Bryan is a little bit in advance of the times, " suggests John Lam on t. "It looks to me." quoth John Montag, "as If Bryan were playing to the gal leries." "The railroad men are competent, let them operate the railroads," Is H. C. Bowers' terse opinion of Government ownership. Zera Snow says Government ownership is a chimera and that. Mr. Bryan will, some day find it out. Pat Powers wants- -to. find out first whether Bryan is the Democratic nomi nee. If he Is, Mr. 'Powers will favor Government ownership. W. H. Grindstaff is skeptical, George IT. Thomas is sympathetic, Frank A. Spencer is opposed, and Dr. Dav. Raffety favorable to the Government ownership idea. The full text of the interviews follows: Governor Gives Opinion. Governor Chamberlain I am not en tirely prepared to accept the suggestion of the National ownership and control of trunk lines and the state control of branch lines of railway. I think our system of federal and state governments, the vastness of our territory, and the great mileage of our railways all con hined make this plan impractical. There are thousands of people in this country, however, who are so thoroughly dis gusted with the insolence and arrogance of the great railway corporations and the disposition of the managers to ignore nil laws of railway regulation, that they are apt to fall in with the suggestion of Mr. Bryan, even though they differ from him as to the advlslbility of the scheme. Because of this feeling that is abroad, I do not agree with the so-called conserva tive element that his chances of nomina tion and election will be particularly en dangered. Conditions In Germany and in Japan with reference to the govern ment ownership and control of railways cannot, it seems to me, be safely adopted as a precedent for our guidance. Unless the great railway systems of this country how a disposition in the near future to obey the laws, lop off all disposition to discriminate between shippers and give the shippers facilities to which they are entitled, I am inclined to believe the Governmental ownership and control nt the railroads will be adopted by. the great mass of people as a remedy for the existing evils. John M. Gearin. United States Senator Mr. Bryan's views on the Government ownership of the railroads are his own vlewa I do not consider that his ad vocacy is Intended to include the Demo cratic platform. I think that if the pres ent rate bill proves effective the question of Government ownership of railroads will be eliminated from politics alto gether. Has he made a mistake? That's rather a hard question to answer. As a matter of fact I not know much about that and am hardly prepared to make an answer. Jefferson Myers I have not read Mr. Bryan's address. I am opposed to Gov ernment ownership of the railroads if there 19 any other means of handling them. Lafe Pence I think Mr. Bryan has raised merry Hades. We Democrats have a faculty of doing it regularly in Presi dential years, but this year we varied the rrionotony by upsetting things In an off year. Am I a Democrat? Well, I am a good Roosevelt Democrat. Thomas O'Day I support Bryan in his advocacy of Government ownership of the railroads. In my opinion, if he de sires the Presidential nomination he will get it. He has not made a mistake: on the contrary, his utterances have been frank and In line with the prevailing Democratic sentiment. Mr. Bryan advo cates the election of United States Sena tors by the people. I think this right. The railroads have reached such a state that, in my opinion, the only effective way to handle them is by Government ownership. As to the effect of this utter ance. It should be kept in mind that his decision on Government ownership of the BRYAN NEW Pi railroads are merely his own views.' He has not undertaken to make a platform, but leaves that to the National Demo cratic convention. Believes In Man, but Not His Theory. C. B. S. Wood Do I believe in Mr. Bryan's theory of Government ownership of railroads? No but I believe in Mr. Bryan. The cause he represents so earnestly Is more Important than any particular theory. I do not believe in Government ownership of anything in the sense of Government management. But I do believe in the Government own ership of the great monopolies or high ways in the sense that the private own ers must operate them as trustees for the people or be thrust out by the people and others put in their place. That is to say the root power or basic power rests with the people to turn the railroads over to a new set of managers (owners) every montli if the new managers show they ran do better by the people than the old ones can. So the root power rests with the people to say on what terms and conditions the owners and managers shall continue to own and manage or to turn them out if they violate these terms but I think the actual management should not be a Gov ernment function. It is not any part of Government except under the Socialistic theory. I have great respect for So cialists ns earnest, honest men aiming at a real evil but I am myself of Anarchis ticthat Is to say individualistic tenden cies rather than Socialistic. Government ownership and management is Socialistic but I would take even that experiment rather than have the wealth of all in dustries absorbed by the railways. The evil Is plain and any effort at remedy Is better than no effort for out of effort will gradually be evolved a true system. To my mind Government ownership and management means a great political force and poor results. The nostoffice is not as well run as any private express office nor the Government Printing of fice as any great private printing office. I think the law of Nature is free plaj for Individual effort and ambition. The trouble Is we do not give free play but with tax-laws, tariff-laws, franchises money-laws, we destroy freedom and give favors to a few. The world has never seen any approach to economic freedom in anythlg. Land, labor, money not in anything. I do not believe Mr. Bryan has made a political mistake be cause agitation of any one particular idea is not so important as the cause he champions the caust of humanity that men may eat a little more of the .bread they earn. That the look of the dumb brute may go out of the eyes of the downtrodden masses Down trodden not of evil minded men, but by laws on the statute books giving power and privilege to a few. Mayor Not Ready to Give Opinion. Mayor Lane I have not yet read Mr. Bryan's speech, consequently am in no position to express any opinion concerning his remarks. I have pre served the printed report, however, and shall go over it carefully tomorrow. R. W. Montague In a general way, I support him in his views, although I am not prepared to say that there should be a wholesale taking over of the railroads. I don't think an honest man ever makes a mistake In saying; what he thinks, and for that reason do not feel that Mr. Bryan's utterances will Injure his Presidential chances.. John Lamont It is not a question that I am prepared to answer. I think, though, that he is a little in advance of the times. Municipal ownership of public utilities is well enough, but for the Government to assume the respon sibility of owning all the railroads in such a radical manner as Mr. Bryan proposes, is too sharp a change. I don't think his speech has injured his chances any. There will probably be a great deal of adverse comment rela tive to some of his utterances, but time will probably change It. Some things I agree with him on entirely, and some things I do- not. Frowns Tpon Demonstration. John Montag I don't much fancy Bryan's method of being received by such an outburst of public 'attention. It looks too much as If he were play ing to the galleries. History is con stantly repeating Itself, and It should be remembered the hysterical element among the Jews carried Jesus Christ into Jerusalem with great pomp and acclaim, and even went to the extent of spreading palm leaves before him, while within a week the orthodox Jews crucified him. Thomas G. Greene I think Mr. Bryan's theory, of Government ownership does not constitute an advocacy as yet. He has expressed his personal views only, and it does not at all follow that his party will adopt his theory and advocate its enact ment Into law. Mr. Roosevelt and other prominent Republicans no doubt have certain views respecting economic ques tions which by no means stand as Re publican party doctrine. Mr. Taft advo cated free trade with the Philippines; Mr.. Cummins a revision of the tariff; Mr. La Follette an effective railroad rate law, but none of these has been or Is likely to be adopted by the party. The tendency of the times is toward Govern ment control of public utilities, so there is nothing new or startling in the an nouncement of such conclusions by an observer and student of public affairs, such as Mr. Bryan undoubtedly Is. No man makes a mistake in expressing his honest views upon any public question upon proper occasion. The occasion ex isted when Mr. Bryan spoke, and I do not think any fair-thinking American citi zen thinks any less of him on account of what he said. His chances for a nomi nation and election oufjht, therefore, to be In no wise injured even with those who do not agree with him. H. C. Bowers I think the men who have handled the railroads for the past few years and who are operating them today are competent to handle them in future. If we could not find anyone com petent to handle them it would be a different matter, but we are not facing any particular dearth of competent men to operate them. Therefore, I do not agree with Mr. Bryan in this Government ownership proposition. Bryan Is Impractical. Zera Snow If Mr. Bryan has been correctly quoted, his views are im practical. Trunk lines and intra state roads are very uncertain terms from a practical point of view. While there are geographical lines defining politi cal boundaries of states, the world's commerce practically handled by the railroads knows no such demarcation. Mr. Bryan has broadened much in the past six years but he has much to learn about the practical workings of rail road transportation. My own views are that the intra state transportation Is so Intimately woven Into interstate transportation that tl3 whole question of railroad rate regulation were bet ter handled by one Government power only. An Illustration of what I mean can be found In the recent order of the Railroad Commission of Washington In relation to the Joint wheat rate from Eastern Washington O- R. & N. points to Puget Sound, the logical effect of which is to transfer the interstate com merce of Portland to Puget Sound. The State Commission Is powerless to say that the Northern roads shall do for the O. R. & N. what it demands shall be done by the O. R. & N., while a good commission with the broad powers I suggest would have such power. In other words, such a commission could pass an order which would work both ways. If Government ownership Js advisable, it will he necessary to own and control the little as well as the big roads. In this way only Is it possible to adjust the question. But Government ownership Is a chimera, as Mr. Bryan will some day himself confess. Conserva tive Government regulation offers the only practical remedy for the evils he complains of. W. H. Grindstaff The time may come, but it will not be In our day, when the railroads will be owned and controlled by the Government. Perhaps it would be a good thing, but the difficulty would be that politics would be bound to enter Into the administration of the railways. I be lieve it would be a good thing if the Government would control the railroads, if politics could. only be kept out- I am not a Bryan man myself, and will not be until the free-silver fallacy is laid forever in Its grave. I suppose if he Is going to drop that proposition he has got to take up something new. Indorses Bryan's Policy. George H. Thomas I am in sympathy with Mr. ' Bryan's declarations regarding Government ownership of railroads, and would include such ownership of the tele graph systems, and so stated In cam paign matter published last year. I am also in hearty accord with the Idea that no man or corporation is greater than the statutes, and it is a view of mine that the only reason some men seem to be above the law is because we have few of ficials like Mr. Heney, who will prosecute alike both the weak anS the strong of fenders. We have the laws, but not the enforcing officers. You ask whether Mr. Bryan's suggestion on these lines will prove popular. I should say everyone ought to stand for what he thinks is right and strive for the success of his views,' leaving the decision to his fellow citizens. Pat Powers I would support Bryan for his advocacy of Government ownership of railroads, by all means, provided that he is a candidate. Of course, we cannot tell yet whether he will be or not. He Is an honest man and is Sonest in this as tn his other opinions. Of course the rail roads will fight him because, of his opln- f i P 1 "? ' 1 1 1 , - j " " ARCHBISHOP CHRISTTE WITI, DEDICATE SISTKRS OF MERCY HOSPITAL. AT NORTH BEND, SUNDAY. SEPTEMBER 16. On Sunday, September 16, Archbishop Christie will Bolemnly dedicate the new hospital of the Sisters of Mercy at North Bend. The idea of building the hospital was first conceived about four years sko, when Louis Simpson, the Mayor and founder of North Bend, donated to the church a beautiful tract of land, high and elevated and commanding a magnificent view of the bay. By popular subscription and charitable donations from people of the state in sen eral a sufficient fund was raised to enable the projectors to commence , work. Under the direction of Rev. Father Donnelly, resident pastor of Marshneld, rwprk was commenced , about three years ago and the hospital waa -opened for patient about two years after. The buildins; is an Imposing structure, three stories high, 100 feet In lenjrth, 60 feet in width and contains apartments for 60 patients,- a number of nurses and attendants. The cost of the building Is $ 40,000 . and the necessary furniture and supplies cost $3000 more. David B. Bmerson is the architect and Father Donnelly and Mr. Simpson were the leading spirits In the movement. Already several surgical operations have been performed, all of them successful. The hospital will be a great benefit to the people of the Coos Bay territory, as there is no other modern or well-equipped surgery In the vicinity. Ions, and if the election should come up now, it might possibly cause him to lose votes, but when the election comes, we will have time to thresh the matter out pretty well. The Congressional elections this Fall should give us a line on how his railroad opinions are regardeded over the oountry. Frank A. Spencer Without giving the matter as much attention as it de serves, I should say that I am opposed to it. In Europe, the service of the government roads is far inferior to that on roads of the same continent which are owned and operated by private corporations. For example, English railroads are the best in Europe. They are operated by private capital, while the roads on the continent of Europe are about all under government own ership and operation. I think Mr. Bry an's announcement would be a step in the wrong direction. Government con trol of railroads is all right, but we are not ready for ownership. "Bosh," Says A. D. pharlton. A D. Charleton I think the propo sition of Mr. Bryan that the Govern ment take over the trunk lines while the states own and control the branch lines of railway Is simply ridiculous. The scheme would not work out and it could not be made to work out. It might be all right in the East but hero it never would be practicable. Dr. Dav Raffety Mr. Bryan said It was his opinion that Government own ership of railroads would be a good thing. It has not become a matter of Democratic policy as yet, I think that Is a matter that will be threshed out at the next general election and that this question will be the principal Issue. I think the proposition Is a good one. 1 am Inclined to think the tendency of the times Is that way. WE HAVE PROSPERED Because We Believed in the Honesty of the Public at Large. Sixteen years ago, when we first opened our establishment in this city. Its success was a subject of conjecture by all who were not familiar with our method of doing business. However, it is said that the growth of our business has demon strated the fact that a modern method of trading, coupled with liberality and easy terms, has appealed to tne puLTic at large, to whom we owe our gratitude. Our new, magnificent home, northwest corner Washington and Tenth streets, which we will occupy Tuesday, Septem ber 4, affords greater facilities for carry ing and displaying better grades of goods In men's, women's, boys' and girls wear ing apparel than heretofore. The new equipment of the store, the light, the merchandise, the system, the salespeople, all carry with them the assurance of courteous and satisfactory service to our old and new patrons. No effort will be spared on our part to make our new store the most pleasant and convenient trading center in the City of Portland. EASTERN OUTFITTING COMPANI, HOUSE FOR SUITS & COATS New arrivals every day. The clever, correct ideas and combinations tji ma terials, are really wonderful. Our prices are, moderate. La Palais Royal. A CARD OF APPRECIATION. Having disposed of my business. I take this method of sincerely thanking my many friends and patrons, of "The Ger man Kitchen" for their loyal support the past IS years. MRS. F. W. STEPP. THUGS INFEST GlTY Old-Time Law and Order Com mittee May Be Called Out. PEOPLE STAY HOME NIGHTS Beauty Still Parades on the Avenue In the Afternoon, but When the ' Sun Sets San Francls j cans Slumber Now. SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 28. (Special Correspondence.) A feature which does not add to the comforts of existence is the presence of an army of thugs and footpads. The crowd that infests the city is unusually brutal. After robbing a man of his coin and valuables they gen erally club him over the head in parting. The situation has become so bad that the Chronicle has suggested the formation of 5 )t !c::- ...Wii:'--f - 1 lBWnliMfinffMHftlff1aiftHlJl, : nrnriiMfiihiUMlil a committee of safety. In' this connec tion the Chronicle says: There should at once be formed an or ganization of not less than 1000 well known citizens, physically fit, cool and resolute and armed for any emergency. When organized it should offer Its services to the Mayor to serve when called on, un der the Chief of Police. No man should be admitted to the organization who Is not well vouched for as an honorable, 1st-abidlne- citizen. The services of this or ganization should be accepted, the men sworn in and Invested with the proper badge of authority, and they should then receive the same careful instruction as to the duties and responsibilities of police officers as is given to new members of the force. And a little drill would not hurt them. And then the Chief of Police should take this force and clean out the town. If the Ja.ls will not hold all arrested for vagran cy, they can be held by the methods adopted at Folsom and If the guards are good marksmen, the more of them who break over the dead line the better. We want an orderly city and we want It now. Home Iife in Bay City. Not the least important effect of "the late unpleasantness," as the people of Berkeley term the disaster, has been the change in home life in San Francisco. San Francisco, it was once said, lives on the street and at the theater. Not so now. There is still the same beauty pa rade on the avenue during the afternoon, but at night the city slumbers. Formerly theaters and cafes were crowd ed nightly and the streets lively until the milk carts entered the city. Now. how ever, people for the most part visit each other a little, or remain at home with their families. There is more of a home circle than ever before. True, it has not yet shown a lessening number of divorces. SL . Did you, sleepless one, ever try a dish oj GRAPE-NUTS and CREAM Just before bed? Sure you never did or you wouldn't train with the "sleepless squad." IT'S A BAD PRACTICE to load np the stomach with a pro miscuous variety of rich, indigestible food at night because it "tastes" good. STRENGTH WITHOUT BULK is a requirement of an ideal food for the last bite before going to bed. The food that is con centrated so that a sufficient amount for all purposes will not dis tend the stomach; the food that is practically predigested so the organs can, without undue effort, absorb it wholly ; the food that contains the tissue-repairing and energy-making elements from clean field grains that contains the Phosphate of Potash which combines, by vital process, with Albumen to repair the gray matter in brain and nerve centers that's Grape-Nuts TRY A DISH about four heaping teaspoonfuls with cream, and a little sugar if desired, eaten slowly bef ore retiring, if you 're hungry, and note how well you sleep and how fresh you feel in the morning. "There's a Reason" Caruso Sembrich Calve And other great artists will sing in your own home at any time you choose, if you own a modern Talking Machine. SPECIAL OFFER: We 'will sell you a fine new Talking Machine and six records, your choice, for $16.65 We carry the largest and most complete stock of Talking Machines and Records in the Northwest. Victors, Coltimbias, etc. Free Recitals Daily. Come in. Eilers Piano House Biggest, Busiest, Best. 353-355 Washington Street but if persisted in is bound In time to show results. Of course Society, with the big "S," is spending its Summer out of town. A large part of society has not yet returned but those who are here have begun to figure on Winter ayety. At present there is almost none of what are known as "smart set" affairs. Some one gives an occasional tea, lots of people get married but there Is none of that gayety which delights the society editor in season. To Be Poor Is a Fad. It is a fad to be poor. If one receives an invitation to dinner, he should adorn himself in nothing more elaborate than a business suit. If he calls In the after noon or evening, the same costume will do. The high hat has also disappeared since the fire. It is not because they were all burned, but rather because It is an index of affluence, which Is regarded as a sort of sin at the present time. A gentleman with a high hat on Fill more street last Friday evening was con spicuous enough to draw a running fire of remarks from the cigar-store loungers. "I'll bet he hails from the East," "He must sell some medicine," "He must have come In since the fire," were the flings which greeted his ear. However, by Winter the high hat and dress suit will be in order again. Ned Greenway has decreed it, and Greenway is the dictator In the San Francisco Boclal world. There will be dances at the Pit ace Hotel the new Palace, now nearlng completion, two stories In height and they will be carried out as of old. In the new temporary hotel the grill room was so designed that it might be used for a ballroom. In pre-earthquake days the Palace Hotel was the scene of the society dances, and society has re mained loyal. LABOR DAY CELEBRATION Attempt to Run Opposition to Reg ular Programme Is Denounced. Secretary F. E. Neuberger, of the Mu sicians' Union, issued a statement last evening contradicting the expression in numerous circulars, calling attention to a rival celebration at Rohse's Park on La bor day, which attempt to throw cold water on the genuine Labor day cere monies, which are to be held at The Oaks, under the auspices of the Federated Trades Council. The labor unions of Portland affiliated with the Federated Trades Council have arranged to hold their annual celebration at The Oaks, and no other place will re ceive the sanction of the organization. The statement contained In circulars to the effect that the band employed at The Oaks was formerly a scab band Is mis leading, according to Mr. Neuberger, for this band was never classed as such by the union organization, and while for a time they were without the fold, the Ital ian musicians have since joined the or ganization and have never been fined. A statement from Mr. Rohse, proprietor of Rohse's Park, relative to this celebra tion appears in another part of this paper. ELTONCOURT. Mrs. S. A. Mulford, having purchased the business of Elton Court and Annex from Mrs. A. S. Norton, will conduct the same in the satisfactory manner already established. She has been fortunate In securing, as manager, Mrs. E. A. Percy, whose ability and experience are well known. EEP 1 he ommotiiuelih Puildmj A IcT nouD ready f occupancy. j The best location in Portland for alive, growing business. Just a few steps from the new Wells-Fargo building. Make reserv rents are low. Offices from Six light we office building i, Running water in every suite. Modem in every little detail that counts fori comfort and an atmosphere of 'business success, electric light, extra fine plumb ing, perfect elevator service. You will find an agent on the premises, fourth floor, who will gladly show .yu the offices and give you anV information you may wish as to rents, etc. Move into thj Commonwealth building. The building is the geographical center of Portland's most active district. Move with the trend of business up Sixth street to the Commonwealth building. I 4 3 Apply to Beh am &"Spantony lliiillilil Wrwm f 1 ji j 1 1 ? 8' H iiiil l ill liy i 1 T iiLT M 1 A I ON FOURTH PLOOPL- whil ition now 15 up. s. lne lightest town. Room 403 CHAP HAN AD ,1