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Show AN ISSUE IN 1920, The debate on the railroad bill has uncovered the fact that some of the Republicans, the stalwarts constituting the majority of the party's representation representa-tion in the upper house of congress, are firmly against government ownership of the railroads, and' that the minority, the so-called Progressives, favor the retention re-tention of the roads. The Democratic senators are likewise split into two factions fac-tions upon the question. It is apparent, however, that the bill passed by the senate will limit government control to a reasonable period after the war, and that the house will concur, although a- conference will be necessary to reach an agreement as to how long control shall continue. This, is a minor matter, as there is only a' trifle of six months' difference between the two houses, the senate fixing the time for return at eighteen months and the house at two years. But peace may not be declared until some time in 1919, which would leave the railroads in possession of tlie government gov-ernment at the time of the next presidential presi-dential election, and the question of permanent control would thus become an issue in the campaign in spite of the time limit. "While we do not believe the proposition will carry, the outlook at the present moment is that it will go before the people in 1020, aud that the subject will be dealt with in the national platforms, either by downright declarations or in a shuffling and evasive eva-sive manner, thus giving the presidential presiden-tial candidates a chance to duck and dodge until the will of the people becomes be-comes definitely known. After the passage of the bill now under consideration, considera-tion, we do not anticipate a lining up upon the question of government control con-trol until after the war ends, for the country will have its hands full in curbing curb-ing the ambitions of the German militarists mili-tarists to dominate the world. Yet here will be much thinking upon the subject, and if there is a third party in the field government control will be a cardinal principle. After his trip around the world Bryan Bry-an declared for government ownership of railroads in his celebrated Madison Square Garden speech, and his chances for ever occupying the presidential chair went glimmering, if he had any such chances, and we do not look for any leading Democratic or Republican aspirant aspir-ant for White house honors to define his position plainly and bluntly and without equivocation at the present time. Colonel Roosevelt is said, to be absolutely fearless and to", be always in the right, but we doubt if an expression ex-pression of opinion on this subject, can be dragged from him. As a test of his bravery, we suggest that he be asked ; where he stands. i |