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