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Tlie Commoner
DECEMBER, 1918
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The Railway Mart
nates Plan
The student of current events should - take
note of the fact that a return to private opera
tion of railroads would be followed by a renewed
effort to rob the states of all authority over the
railroads and to concentrate all supervision in
Washington. The scheme was proposed by the
ronublicans in 1916. Mr. Hughes' platform bold
ly declared in favor of the plan and even went
so far as to demand a constitutipnal amendment
authorizing it if necessary. Following is the rail
road plank of the 1916 republican platform:
"Interstate and intrastate transportation have
become so interwoven that the attdmpt to apply
two and often several sets of laws to its regula
tion has produced conflicts of authority, embar
rassment in operation and inconvenience and
expense to the public. -
"The entire transportation system of the
country has become essentially national. "We,
therefore, favor such action by legislation or,
If necessary, through an amendment to the con
stitution of the United States as will result in
placing it under complete federal control."
Unfortunately, the democratic national con
vention did not make it an issue and, after the
election, hearings were begun at Washington at
which the railroad attorneys presented pleas in
favor of exclusive federal control. Our entrance
into the war suspended the effort and then, as
a war measure, the government took over the
roads.
Now the President calls upon the congress to
decide the course to be pursued. If the advocates
of private ownership prevail, it will not be the
old private ownership with the state exercising
supervision over traffic within their borders but
a new centralized system which will make effi
cient regulation impossible. Will the people be
aroused in time, dr .will' they allow the railway
magnates to secure "this enormous advantage?
Solomon must have had a similar situation
in mind when he said: "The wise man forseeth
the evil and hideth himself but the foolish pass
on and are punished.",. W. J. BRYAN.
A BEBUKE TO WET XiEADERSHD?
In 1917 the democratic party of Nebraska
elected twenty-two of the. thirty-three members
of the state senate. In the 1919 session there
will be but three democratic senators In the
membership of that body. Only two were mem
bers of the last senate. The other was a pro
gressive democratic leader in the house for,
several sessions. In the 1917 session sixteen of
the democrats combined with two republicans
to refuse to pass a prohibition "law that could
bo enforced, until- tho force of public sentiment
drove enough of them to the support of the
house bill to give the state a bono dry statute.
At tho extra session in 19 8 the same group re
fused even to consider ratification of the national
prohibition amendment. Mr. Bryan issued a call
to the dry voters of the state just before elec
tion urging the defeat of every man, regardless
of party, who had thus outraged public decent'
sentiment in thtj state. The dry voters responded
nobly. The result shows what can be done when
men who believe in the same things in govern
ment vote together to secure them, ,
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WELCOME, MR. FORD
The Commoner extends .to Mr. Henry Forda
cordial welcome on the field of journalism. He
I, -woo uuu making nis papera weeKiy msieaa
, of daily. The weekly can be national a daily
spreads Its money for news, and news is old in
iweive hours.
If Prussianism is really overthrown Jn Ger
many why introduce fnto the United States
universal military training, the cornerstone of
Prussianism?
If the President's presence" at the peace table
secures a better' treaty, en- the most partisan
republicans may in dime become- reconciled to
the trip. - . -
Tn!i ?uy wil caU the' next, one a Celebration
Jj-oan there should, be no doubt of the; ability
L government to have-it oversubscribed in
the first week. '
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A SUGGESTION FOR CHRISTMAS
You will liko this Idea because it Is
different. Are you not perplexed what to
give that friend for Christmas. Some
times wo give the same old "round and
round" of beautiful little presents until
they lose their beauty and distinctive
ness as Christmas gifts. Wo suggest a
Christmas present that Is not only dif
ferent, distinctive and almost universally
apprec!ated,but will bo a constant re
minder of your good wishes every month
in tho coming year. Our suggestion is
that you pay for a yearly subscription to
The Commoner to bo sent to your friend
just say It is u Christmas present and
we will write your friend for you to that
effect. Act quick the time is short.
00$
A CANADIAN'S VERSION
Mr. Ben H. Spence, Secretary of tho Ontario
branch of the Dominion Alliance, speaking at tho
Anti-Saloon League Conference, Columbus, O.,
November 20, 1918, said:
"The last time I had the pleasure of being
on the platform with Hon. William Jennings
Bryan and Prof. Excell was a memorable occa
sion. It was in Massoy Hall, Toronto, at the
time of our last Annual Provincial Prohibition
Convention.
"A small coterie of disorderly ypung follows
disturbed the meeting. The newspapers gave
the matter"considerable prominence at tho time
but some of them omitted to state that Mr. Bryan
addressed the convention in the afternoon and
spoke to a crow'ed mass meeting in the Metro
politan church, the largest church in the city,
the same evening.
"In Massey Hall it wab only a few m.en, prob
ably not more than fifty c sixty, who-wore in
cited by the liquor Interests, who disturbed the
meeting. The papers also failed to give, prom
inence to the fact that the ;ame element that
created tho disturbance in Massey Hall on the
Thursday night marched up University Avenue
and hooted and hissed the premier of our prov
ince, Sir Wm. Hearst, on tho following Saturday
afternoon. Their disorder in Massey Hall was "in
the name of patriotism. Their demonstration in
Queen's Park was in the name of personal
liberty, They wanted the sale of beer pei mitted.
"The quality of their love of liberty was
shown by the disturbance and interference with
free speech In Massey Hall. The quality of their
patriotism was strikingly shown in one of tho
banners they carried on Saturday afternoon
which read 'No beer, no boats.'
"Toronto was honored by Mr. Bryan's visit
at that time. His courage and courtesy under
exceptionally trying . circumstances commanded
our vrespect and during his visit he rendered
m'agniflcent service to the prohibition cause."'
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A Split. its Sight
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THE BREWERY PROPAGANDA ,
Some very interesting disclosures have, been
made before the -congressional committee thaj;
has been investigating the efforts of the brewers
to secure publicity in behalf of their campaign
for prohibition of everything except beer and
light -wines The brewers bought newspapers and
also paid expert professional writers who had
the 'entree of the big magazines to prepare
articles showing that the consumption of these
liquors constituted real temperance. If anybody
over had any' doubts about the justice of the
sentence of banishment pronounced on bopze by
the people of this country,' the brewers havo
swept them all away.
DECIiARE WAR ON SENIORITY SYSTEM
The progressive republican senators have de
clared war upon the seniority system which,
when applied to the senate after -March 4th.
would place well known friends of the people -that
is to say, of some people In control of
tSe- most important committees. They say they
will not support an organization of the senate
fimt will put these objectlonables into tho seats
o power.P Here's a rebellion intended to make
tL senate 'safe for democracy. It ought to bo
Snorted by every citizen interested in ihe gov
Sent remainiS in the hands of the people.
What a gay time tho republicans had t tht
last olcctton! It was a sort of masquerade ball
affair where all danced but no ono know Whom
ho had for a partner. Thoy spent a merry
evening together, the music was rag-tlmo an,d
shouts of lnughtor rang through tho hall. And
then (when tho votes woro alt in tho ballot box)
tho time camo to removo tho mask and h&
hold! Sonator Johnson was swinging Uncle Joo
Cannon, Sonator Polndoxtor had Congressman
Fordhara on his arm and Modill McCormlck waa
dancing with Boles Penrose. It was an awful
mlxup. Everybody was mad and McCormlck
rushed down to tho Tribune ofllco and wrote tho
following editorial under tho caption "Fight It
Out Now":
"While It is desirable that thcro should bo
harmony In the republican organization at this,
time, to purchase it at tho prico of domination
by tho bourbon leaders would be fatal mistake,
"Tho reorganization of bpth houses must ex
press tho progressive spirit of the party and not
tho prejudices of tho tory minority, Tho sen
iority rulo is tho citadel of bourbonlsm in tho
republican party as well as in tho democratic.
Wo havo beon attacking tho presont administra
tion becauso it is largoly controlled in both
legislative and executive branches by democratic
bourbonlsm, which happens to bo of ono section4,
tho south. But the bourbonlsm of tho past, thp
bourbonlsm of any section or either1 parly Is the
enemy.
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"The republican party cannot survive ,a rcr;
crudescenco of standpatlsm. No republican of afiy
open-mindednoss or any senso of tho .spirit qf
the party or of tho times doubts that. ,for &,
moment. The lesson of -1913 applies ioday in
full force. Western republicanism, , without
which tho party can nover win, will npt follow
bourbon leadership now any mpro than ,lt woulq
then. 'Western republicanism. Is gplng fprw,ar(J
not back. True to tho essential, principles, o
tho party,, it will not submit to their abuse by
tho bourbon bosses of any section. It proposes
to havo a part In the solution of tho problems
of our day and to apply its principles broadly
to that solution. It has no use for the, ostrich
tactics of standpatlsm,
"Tho Tribune hopes tho leaders of progressive
republicanism will make a fight on tho seniority-.
rule at once, and accept no compromlso. Wo
shall be defeated in 1920 by tho Democrats If
tho party is not organized to express the spirit
and conviction of tho mass of the party. Tho
qulckor this fight Is won tho hotter for the
party. It is a fight for party life, nothing loss."
And now they glare at each other as they
pass and a hair-pulling match Is staged for tho
first republican caucus.
, The President pught to call congress in special
session early In larch and lot tho fun begin.
Thero Is an irrepressible conflict between the
progressive republicans and the standpatters
It will open when tho congress convenes and,
continue until the republican party Is split wide
open' again. Tho leaders are reactionary tho
masses are progressive,
It is- a sijre onough fight a fight to the
"death. In tho meantime, the dcmociatlc party
now wholly progressive, will proceed with its.
program of constructive legislation and appeal
to tho conscience and judgment of the country,
W, J. BRYAN. '
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GUARANTEE OFNATJONAL BANK DEPOSITS- U
On Another page will be found an able pres
entation of a plan for the federal guarantee of
depbsits in national banks by Comptroller of tho
Currency John Skelton Williams, The extension
of tho benefits of the guarantee' laws to national;
banks, as now enjoyed by the state banks fij
several states, is ono of the needed reforms of
the- day and would greatly add to the strength'
ofthe national banking system. r
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Those editors who insisted that It was per-'
fectly all right for the President to attend the
peace cpnference and said that he would be a
commanding figure at it hit off in part at least
what the senate -seems to think about it. Their
chief testimony has been that the President has
been too commanding to suit their Ideas of their
own dignity.
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