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ATLANTA popnUtlOl Homes ■ Mnfn if rafiroads!, Miles of street railways, Banting capital.. The Atlanta Georgian. GEORGIA :rnp $100,000,000 VOL. 1. NO. 110. Special Saturday Night Edition. ATLANTA, GA., SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1906. Special Saturday Night Edition. PRICE: JMSSfMg SS& CRY FOR MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP OF THE ELECTRIC AND GAS PLANTS IS GROWING IN CITY OF ATLANTA The City Has Already Voted in Favor of Proposition. movement begins TO TAKE SHAPE Fight To Be Carried to Of ficials and Put Square ly Up To City ' Council. GEORGIA DEMOCRATS SPLIT ON QUESTION OF GOVT OWNERSHIP Municipal ownership and mu nicipal control is the slogan which is going to bo used by several cit izens and city officials for the next two years. They are going to tell the people of Atlanta that they ought to own their gas plant. They are going to tell the people that they ought to own their elec tric lighting plant. They are going .to tell the peo ple that they ought to control the street railway system. And to back up their assertions these citizens' and city officials are prepared to give facts and figures which are going to carry weight. They are going to tell the peo ple that Atlanta has already voted for municipal ownership of an electric lighting plant. They are going to refer to the records and show where commit tee after committee of the city council has recommended the very thing for which they are contend ing. They are going to insist on mak ing a fight to disprove the claims of the Georgia Railway and Elec tric Company people that the franchise under which they are operating the gas company was granted in perpetuity. , They are going to present rea sons for municipal control of the atreet railways of the city. They are going to show the peo. pie where the tax rate can be re duced materially, and instead of the profits going into the pockets of the men who get these favors from the people that the people themselves will get the profits. Corporations Not Philanthropists. These are facts which cannot be denied. The city of Atlanta is a more powerful corporation than any of the corporations which op erate within its corporate limits. It has properties which are worth thousands of dollars to the corpor ations. These properties are worth just as many thousands of dollars to the people themselves. Operated in behalf of the people these properties will yield 'the profits to the people. It is a well known fact that the average cor poration is anything but an elee mosynary concern. They are in business in Atlanta for the money they can make out of the people of Atlanta. To help themselves they have got to help the city to an ex tent. Rut if the city went to "•ork to help itself just as much ns the corporations help them selves the city would be benefited «s much as it is already being ben efited and in addition be benefited as much as the corporations are benefited. There are a lot of people in At lanta who have lost faith in the present system. Thomas H. Good win is a young man who has brought that evidence'to light. A lot of people know Goodwin per sonally. Many do not know him personally. But every man, wo man and child knows him now by reputation. He ran for mayor re- cently; ran against a man whom every one believed to be the most popular man in the city. Sir. Good- ' vm was not so popular. He had been in the public eye only in the capacity of councilman. His rec ord was good but ordinary. When he started out to run for mayor he told the people what he stood lop. People Voted for Principle. Municipal ownership was the strongest plank in his platform. A »reat majority of the people smil ed at Goodwin—at first. Then some of that great majority got to tmnkmg. Then they got serious. > hen election day rolled around Continusd on P«a« Three. MR. BRYAN MAINTAINED THE VIEWS AS PERSONAL No part of Bryan's New York speech created such widespread com ment. adverse and favorable, as his utterances relative to government ownership of railroads. Mr. Bryan’s remarks along that line were worded with all the con summate skill for which he Is famed. While he commits himself person ally to government ownership, now here does It appear that he commits his party to It, or will he Insist that It be one of the great Issues of tho campaign Just ahead. In order to clarify the atmosphere and place before the public Mr. Bryan's exact position, his utterances relative to this matter are here with reproduced: "1 have already reached the conclusion that railroads partake so much of the nature of a monopoly that they must ultimately become public property and be managed by public officials In the Interest of the whole community, In accordance with the well defined theory that public owner ship Is necessary where competition Is Impossible. "I do not know whether a majority of the members of the party to which I have the honor to belong believe In the government ownership of railroads, but my theory is that no man can call a mass convention to decide what he himself shall think. I have reached the conclusion that there will be no permanent relief on the railroad question from discrim ination between Individuals and between places, and from extortionate rates, until the railroads are the property of the government apd operated by the government in the Interests of the people. "And I believe—I believe that there is a growing belief In all parties that this solution, be It far or near, Is the ultimate solution. But, my friends, to me the dangerous centralization Is a danger that can not bo brushed aside. The greatest danger of a republic Is the consolidation of all power at the capltol, remote from the people, and because I believe that the ownership of all the railroads by the Federal government would so centralize power as to Virtually obliterate state line. Instead of favor ing the Federal ownership of all railroads, I favor the Federal ownership of trunk lines only, and the state ownership of all the rest of the rail roads." This' ploturo, which was taken In New York expressly for Tho At lanta Oeorglan, shows Mr. and Mrs. William Jennings Bryan with the members of tho reception committee on board the yacht mini. . IHE POST SAYS SOUTHERN DEMOCRATS ARE DIVIDED OVER W. J. BRYANS SPEECH Many of Local Party Leaders Too Dazed To, Discuss It. Governor Joseph M. Terrell favors government ownership of railroads, along the lines laid down by Bryan in his New York speech. So does Secretary of State Phil Cook. Comptroller General William A. Wright and State Treasurer R. E. Park are oppiosed to It. Attorney Gen eral Hart was out of the city Saturday and no expression of opinion could be obtained from him. But many of the men prominent In the political affairs of the state shy when approached for any expression of opinion along this line. Most of them meet the query for an expression of opinion with the state ment: "I do not care to be quoted. It la a big question, and one which I have not had time to thoroughly digest. It Is too vital a matter to give an off hand opinion on." Watson Strangely 8ilent. Even Thomas Watson, who reached Atlanta Friday evening from Thomson, en route to Afton, Virginia, to visit his son for several days, when seen Satur day morning at the Piedmont, declined absolutely to express any view on that question, or. In fact, any other. "My views on government ownership of railroads are too well known for m* to say anything further." was all h* would say to persistent questioning. Government ownership of the rail ways was one ot the leading planks In Mr. Watson's presidential platform In 1904. Editor James B. Gray, of The Jour nal, and Speaker John M. Slaton de clined to express any view on the sub ject. 'I have not had an opportunity to digest the matter in my own mind yet," said Mr. Gray. • do not care to make any state ment now, because It is too big a ques tion for an off-hand opinion.” said Speaker Slaton. Clark Howell, editor of The Atlanta Constitution and national commlttse- man for Georgia, said: "Givs Commission • Chsnes.” Unless the Inter-state commerce commission, by authority recently vested In It by congress, meets every demand of the public ns to railroad rate re-adjustment, government own ership of railroads will be the dominat ing political Issue In the near future. What the people want Is results, and they are not so particular as to how they are brought about "If private control Is absolute and satisfactory, and the Interstate com merce commission meets the demand of the people by establishing satisfactory rates, then the question of government ownership will be postponed, and per haps entirely eliminated as an Issue. The matter is largely In the hands of the Interstate commerce commission. A Republican’s Views. Colonel Robert J. Lowry, president of the Lowry National Bank, and one of the leading Southern Republicans, sold: "I do not believe this country Is yet ripe for government ownership of rail roads, telegraphs, telephones and other great public utilities, for the one leads Inevitably to the other. In my mind there Is doubt as to whether we shall ever reach that stage. Such centrali zation of enormous power Is a question that should be approached with great care and caution.. "To my mind government ownership of railroads would mean the placing of too much power In the hands of any political party. It would mean practically the perpetuation of the party that might be In Power wheh such a law became effective. I think l* Is purely visionary now to talk of such * An ln effort was made to see Judge J. K Hines, former candidate for the governorship of Georgia, on the Popu list ticket, but he was out of the city. Four years before he ran for governor. Judge Hines in an open letter declared for ownership of railroads by the gov ernment. Are the leaders in matters political In Georgia stunned by this great prob lem suddenly thrust by Mr. Bryan into public affairs? Reticence to speak In dicates that most of them are chary of leaping Into the arena with any opinion on the matter, pro or con. Opinion Differs Among Lenders. Colonel John Temple Graves' dis patch to The Georgian Friday Indicates that a wide divergence of opinion ex ists within the Democratic party on the question of railroad ownership. The conservatives, led by such men as Congressman John Sharp Williams, of Mississippi, minority leader in the national house. Senators Daniel and Martin, of Virginia; Senators Bailey and Culberson, of Texas: Congress man L. F. Livingston, of Georgia, and others, shake their heads ominously at the Idea. What Is designated on the other hand as the radicals applauded Mr. Bryan’s utterances along this line? What significance attaches to Tom Watson's declination to express an opinion? Usuaully he Is free about expressing his views on such funda mental issues. That he has favored for some years government ownership Is well known. Why. then, does he now decline to say anything relative to Mr. Bryan's views along that line? Who has the answer? By Private Leased Wire. Washington, Sept. 1.—The Post to day publishes as apparently authorita tive the following dispatch from New York: "The greatest dissatisfaction was ex pressed today by Southern Democrats over Bryan's dramatic declaration for government ownership of railroads. Yet not a Democrat from the South would give an Individual Interview express ing disfavor with Bryan's utterances "The Southerners simply contented themselves by Individually and collect ively declaring tWLt If Bryan persisted on thrusting his views on this subject upon the Democratic national conven tion of 1908 the Southern delegates would be opposed to him to a man, and should Bryan, overcoming all objec tions, become the candidate of the Democrats for president In that con vention, a number of Southern Demo cratic-states would go over to the Re publican columns. "The Southern Democrats went on to say that government ownership of railroads would cause an upheaval In all states below the Mason and Dixon line. ■ "Several Democratic national com mitteemen said that a majority of the committee who had come on from dif ferent states to welcome Bryan were much dissatisfied with his speech. They not only objected to the government ownership of railroads, but It was stated by these committeemen that there was a flavor of Socialism about It which was undemocratic and which has caused dissatisfaction in the minds of a majority of tho commit tee." 2,000 ARE ARRESTED BY A GENTS OF CZAR Special Cable—Copyright. Warsaw, Poland, Sept. 1.—New out rages on the part of the Rueslan police threw the city Into a turmoil today and a revolutionary outbreak Is expected to follow.- In a wild raid through the city last night the police officials of the czar seized 2,000 persone, most of whom were Innocent of offense, and cast them Into prison. PAST WEEK’S EVENTS TOLD IN PICTURES - CO BCR cxGie! CARTOON*ST SHEWERTCN TAKES A STAB AT 8IX DAY8’ DOINGS. 'PEACHTREE WINS FIGHT FORJPAVING The City Engineer To Advertise For Bids. NO DECISION YET AS TO MATERIAL Street Committee Finally Makes Move in Much- Talked Matter. At last the city has decided to ad vertlse for bfdB on paving Peachtree street, and after twelve years of con tinuous annoyance the supreme court will be annoyed no more by the rumble of passing wagons, as Capitol Square will also bo paved. These two Important matters were settled at the meeting of the street committee, James L. Key, chairman, Friday afternoon, and there Is rejoicing In two camps. The Peachtree paving proposition has been before the public for the past six months, and Us every feature is well known. Friday, after a few minutes' deliberation, It was decided to adver tise for bids and City Englner Clayton waa so Instructed. The asphalt-bltu- llthlc duel Is not yet settled. The paving of Capitol Square la a smaller matter, but one which has been brought before the general assembly consecutively for over a decade, and has as regularly been turned down. The state is a part owner of the street and the city has refused to pay the state’s share of a new paving. The poor con dition of tho street and the annoyance It has caused to the supreme court has at last compelled that body to take a hand, with the result that the court will stand the state’s portion of the ex- penne. Dr. J. B. Baird appeared for the^citi zens living on the street and laid the facte before the committee. Logan Bleckley, dork *f-the-supreme? court, appeared for the etate. EW PASSENGERS ARE TAKEN OFF WRECKED VESSEL Transport Sheridan Is Aground and Pound ing Badly. By Private Leased Wire. Honolulu, Sept. 1.—Up to thle time only some of the women and children have been rescuer dfor the United States transport Sheridan, which Is ashore on the reef off Barbers Point, near here. Tugs and boats are stand ing by, but the surf Is so high that the transfer of passengers Is extreme ly difficult, and much concern Is felt for the safety of those remaining on the ship. There Is some hope that the vessel may bo saved, as lines have been gotten to her and the efforts of the tugs hav moved her some. A Bpectal effort will be made at next high tide. The swell Is very heavy and the ship Is pounding badly. Captain Peabody cannot explain how he came so close In shore and Is Inclined to blame an uncharted current. Men familiar with the water say that It would not be strange If tho Chilean earthquake bad changed the currents. USE 4UUIII0 Mil DECIDE TO CONTEST BRYAN TELLS PARTY MEN WHAT TO DO Declares Government Ownership Is Not Paramount Issue ROOSEVELT USES DEMOCRATIC 2DEAS After Receiving Welcome in Connecticut, Nebraskan Returns to New York. gGoooooGOGooooooocHWGoooog O BRYAN AND HEARST 0 O WILL VISIT VIRGINIA. O O o g By Private Leased Wire. 0 O East Radford, Va„ Sept. 1.— O g William J. Bryan and William O v Randolph Hearst have accepted O g Invitations to attend the district O O fair to be held at Radford the sec- O g ond week In September. 0 ° 0 00000000000000000000000000 By Private I.pnseil Wire. New York, Sept. 1.—William J. Bry an Is back In New York. He arrived at the Grand Central station at 10 o'clock from Bridgeport, Conn., where he had made a speech and afterwards was entertained at the home of Sena tor McNeill. There were few people on hand to greet the Nebraskan when he arrived, as there had been no an nouncement of the train he would take. But the "home folks" made up for this when the Hotel Victoria was reached. They greeted their neighbor and leader with loud yella'of welcome, ond made the corridors look like the late hours of Thursday once more. Mr. Bryan went to his rooms as soon * i he could get nway from his boys from Nebraska, and there was greeted by his wife nnd daughter. Later he prepared to go to Jersey City where* Whether or not a fight Is to be made on the Boykin "anti-bucket shop bill" passed by the last general assembly, will be definitely determined here Sat urday afternoon. Ware & Leland, who own a chain of the largest exchanges In the coun try, will consult with prominent local attorneys during the afternoon to see If a light, with possibilities of success, can be made on the new law, which be comes effective on January 1, 1901. J. H. Ware and F. T. Biakemore, of Chicago, heads of the Ware & Le land Arm. are In Atlanta attending a convention of Southern managers of the Arm. It I* given out that the meeting Is to promote closer relations between the local managers over the Southern circuit, and to discuss gen eral brokerage conditions in the South. The plan to combat the anti-bucket shop law has been kept as quiet as possible, as the exchange people do not want It known until the opinion of their legal experts Is obtained. Upon that opinion will depend the course of events In this state as regards the brokerage business In the next few months. BRYAN TELLS DEMOCRATS WHAT PARTY MUST DO By I'rlvste Leased Wire. Bridgeport, Conn., Sept. 1.—After be ing heartily welcomed In New Haven and In this city, William J. Bryan spent the night at Senator McNeill's home and took an early train today for New York to begin the Anal day of recep tions In honor of his return. At Now Haven Mr. Bryan's recep tion waa particularly cordial, being In Strong contrast to the reception he received ten years ago. Three speeches were delivered by Mr. Bryan In New Haven—the Arst, nn absolutely non partisan discourse: the second a strongly partisan utterance at a con ference of Democratic leaders from New England, and the third also a po litical speech to the big crowd on the common. Brya.n Talks Bluntly. At the conference In tho New Ton tine, which was called for the purpose of taking stepe to spread throughout New England Mr. Bryan's views of whnt ha believes should be the party's policy, he was harsh to bluntness In tho expression of opinion as to the party needs. Mr. Bryan dwelt principally on the question of the public ownership of railroads, which he said was one of the most Important to be considered by the party, though he did not hold Continued on Pago Two. LABOR WON’T FIGHT PRES. ROOSEVELT Washington, Bept. 1.—"The entrance of organized labor In the congressional campaign does not mean that organi zed labor Is unfriendly to President Roosevelt but rather a protest ngainst centaln congressmen, wlfo, In the opin ion of the American Federation of Ba bur have displayed an Indifference to the cause oflubor," said Frank P. Sar gent, commissioner general of Immigra tion and naturalization today. Mr Sargent Is IdentlAed with organi zed labor, having been for many years connected with It 'as president of the Brotherhood of Lomotlve Firemen. "The Aght In congressman Llttle- Aeld's district," continued Mr. Sargent, ’• |H a personal one and In no sense of the word does It mean that the presi dent has lost any of his popularity with organized labor." SECRETARY ROOT ARRIVES AT SOTA By Private Leaned Wire. Valparaiso, Chile, Sept. 1.—The safe arrival at Sota of the United States cruiser Charleston with Secretary of State Root and hla party aboard has caused generaly rejoicing: here They had been delayed by the dense fog which has been hanging over the .woter for days. All the Root party are in fine health. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO O "ROOSEVELT SHOT." 0 O REPORT IN GOTHAM. O O Ry Private Leased Wire. 0 O New York, Sept. 1.—A flutter of 0 O excitement was caused shortly be- 0 O fore noon by a rumor to the effect O O that President Roosevelt had been O O shot. Preaidant Roosevelt waa sur- O O prised to hear of the report, as O O there had been nothing out of the O O ordinary with him today. o 00000000000000000000000000