OCR Text |
Show I TEXT OF DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM I SAN FRANCISCO. July C The fol-i lowing Is the text of the platform sul- mttted to the Democratic nallonnl convention today The Democratic party, in It national na-tional convention now assembled, sends greetings to the president of the United State. Wood row Wilson, and l-alls with patriotic pride the frCttl achievements for country and the world wrought by a Democrntl administration ad-ministration under his leadership it salutes the mighty people of this great republic. emerging with imperishable imper-ishable honor from tne severe testa .-nd grievous strains of the most tragi) ar In history. having earned the tlaudits and the gratitude of all fre. atlons. it declare Us adherence to Ihe fun-lamental fun-lamental progressive principle! of so-clal, so-clal, economic and Industrial Justice and advance, and purposes to resume llm great work of translating thosi principles Into effective laws, begun iind carried far by the Democratic administration ad-ministration and Interrupted onlj when the war claimed all the national Miergles for ih tingle task of victory. vic-tory. LEAGUE K NAT I' iNS. The Democratic party favors the igue of nations as the surest, if not the only, practicable means of maintaining main-taining the permanent peace of the v. orld and terminating the Insufferable Insuffer-able burden of great military naval na-val establishments. It ns for this that America broke away from traditional tradi-tional Isolation and spent her blood and treasure to crush a colossal scheme of conquest. It was upon this basis that the president of the United -intes, in pre-arrangement with our lilies consented to a suspension of hostilities against the Imperial tier-man tier-man government; the armlMt.c. was granted and a treaty of p. -nee negotiated negoti-ated upon the definite assurance to ..rmanv aa well as to th powers pitted pit-ted against Germany, thai general association of nullons must be formed, under specific covenants foi lb purpose pur-pose of affording mutual guarantees ..f political Independence ami t.rrlt..-rhtl t.rrlt..-rhtl Integrity to great and small states alike " Hence. s 1 1 t only congratulate congratu-late ihe president on the vision, manifested mani-fested end the vigor exhibited In the prosecution of the war. but we lellcl-t.ite lellcl-t.ite him and hi- associates i"i thi eeptionai achievement at Paris involved in-volved In the addition of a league and tieatv so neur akin to previously BX-picssori BX-picssori American ideal" and o lnt-tnately lnt-tnately related to the aspirations of civilized peoples everywhere. EVesldetit Commended We commend the presidenl forjils courage an.l lux high conception 01 good faith In teodfsstlj standing for the covenant agreed to by all the -.... lated and allied nations .it war sIth Germany, and sve condemn the Rt publican senate for refusal to ratify the treaty merel) because It was the product of Democratic statesmanship tnus interposing partisan envs and personal haired In the way of peace nnd renewed prosperity of the wt Id By every Accepted stniid oi International Inter-national morality the president is justified jus-tified in asserting that ihe bono of the country is Involved in this business; busi-ness; and we point to the .h i usiiii; fact that, before it was determined to Initiate political antagonism to the treaty, the now Republican chairman of the senate foreign relations coio-mlttee coio-mlttee himself publlclj proclaim! I Mi .... nrMinaliinn fni h -e Hi ra t I peace With tjenmiliv. - ' ' biu party asHo..latej, tl.ei. r ..-pet- . cd to the senate would make us gull- , t of the blackest crime." Lodge I - Quoted. On May 1 Si It lest, the Knox mli- ' stltute for the Versailles treaty was i passed by the Ri publli iti B nd this convention can contrlvi no more fitting obaractsrlsatloti oi It obloquy than thai made it the Forum magazine maga-zine or December, 1918, by Henrj Cabot Lodge when he said "If we send our armies and young men abroad to be klllod and wounded 1 In northern France and Inlanders with no result but this, our sntranci nr j war with sucli an Intention was a I crime which nothing can Justify 1 i intent of congress and Uie Intent of 1 tlie president was that there could ' nut he peace until we could crt situation where no such war ,n this i ould recur We can not make peace except in company with our alllei li would brand us with evsrlestlng ills-honor ills-honor and bring ruin to also if we undertook to make n separate peaci Thus, to thai syhich .Mr. Lodge, in saner moments. . onaldered "the bl i It-est It-est crime" be and his party tn madness mad-ness sought tn give the sanctity of law . the which eighteen niunlhs ago .v -of "everlasting dishonor thi Republican Republi-can party ami the candidates todgj accept ac-cept the essence of faith we endorse 'he president's view nT eur International obligations -'nil 1 Is firm stand against reservation designed de-signed to cut to pieces the vital provl-llons provl-llons of the Versailles treat: and we rommend the Democrats In congress for voting ngaiiiMt resolutions for .'; i.rate peace which would disgrace tne nation immediate Ratification We advocate the immediate ratlfica-1 lion of the treaty without reservuttons ( rich would impair us essential In-1 ttejrltv ; but do not oppose the acceptance accept-ance of any reservations making clear- er or more specific the obligations of the United States to the league asso-; dates Onlj bi lining this may we retrieve the reputation of this nation among the nations of the earth ami i cover the moral leadership which, President W '.Isun won anil which Re-publlcnu Re-publlcnu politicians at Washington wcorifleed ' 'nl by doing this inn j hope to aid effectively In the r. -storatlon of order throughout the I ororld and la take the plac e whlofa E we should assume In the front rank, I 0f spirtto.v. munerel I ind tndustrls BEHBB -We reject as Utterly vain. If not H vicious, the Keputilc.cn assumption H dp la the pi would l" n,,v wise i n i ,- 1 1 r thi lit egrN H or Independence of our c ountry. The fact that the covenant has been enter-fl enter-fl ed Into b II nations, all- as Jealous H of their Independence an we are of ours. Is a sufficient refutation of such charge The president repeatedly bus fl declared and thin convention reaffirms H that sll our duties and obligations as Hj a member of the leagi be ful- H filled In strict eonformlt) with the H const'tutlon of the U S . embodle.i in B hlch Is the fundamental requirement Hj of declaratory action bj the congress' W before this nation may become a. par-tlctpant par-tlctpant In any i ir CONDUCT OF THI WAIi H During the war President Wilson H exhibited the very broadest conception H of liberal Americanism. In his i t of the war ss In the general V ministration of his high office 1 was no semblance of partisan bias, l iii invited te Vsshlngton as hi? coun- II clllors and coadjutors hundrefi of the H most prominent and pronounced Re- i pub.lcsns la the countrj To theoe h committed responsibility of the gravest H importance and most confidential na- i ture Manv of them had charge of Hi -f tic government H And yet. with the mar successfully 1 prosecuted and gloriously ended, the H Keuubllcan partv in congress, far from H applauding the masterly leadership of H' the president and felicitating the coun- H 'rv on the amastng achievements of II the American government, has mesnlv I requited Uie eonstderate course Hi magistrate b; savagely defaming thv rommsnder In chief of the army and navt and by assailing nearl;. every public officer of every branch of the service intimately concerned in winning win-ning the war abroad and preserving the security of the government atj home. Praise for Soldiers We express io the soldiers and sailors sail-ors Of America the administration of their fellow countrymen. Guided by the genius of su h commanders a' General John J. Fershlng. Ihe armed foi-es of America constituted a de-. cislve factor in the v ictory and brought new lustre to trie flag. We commend the patriotic men and women who sustained the efforts of their government In Ihe crucial hour" of the war and contributed to the brilliant administrative success, aclfleved under the broad visloncdj i leadership of the president. K inanc.i AL A i 1 1 1 B VElfl E NT A review of the -ecord of the Dem-. 'ocratic party durln- the admlnlstra-i Itlon of Woodrow Wilson presents 1 chapter of substantial achievement un-l un-l surpassed In the history of the republic. repub-lic. lor fifty year? before the advin' i of this administration periodical con-j Ivulsions had Impeded Ihe Industrial progress of the American people and' caused Inestimable loss and distress B) the enactment of the federal re-: serve act the old nvstenv. which bred i panic, viis replaced by a new system, which Insured confidence. h was an ijLndlapenslble factor in winning the war and lod.i.v the nope and Inspiration Inspira-tion of business. Indeed, one vital idanger against which the American people should keep constantly on! guard is the commitment of this system sys-tem to partisan enemies who s ii ggb-il against Its adoption and vainly attempted at-tempted to retain In the hands of, I speculative hankers a monopoly of 1 currency and credits of the nation. Already then- are well defined In-j ! dil ations of an assault upon the vital principles of the system in the- event of Republican success in the elections in November. Under Democratic leadership the American people successfully financed i their stupendous part In the greatest wai of an time The jreasurj wisely' Insisted during the war upon meeting an adequate portion of the war ex-' pf -I, dit in e from current taxes and the i hulk of the balance rom popular ' loans, and. during the first full rise; I I year after fighting slopped. upon meeting current expenditures from current receipts notwithstanding the ne v and unnecessary bpi'dens thrown upon the treasury by the delay, obstruction ob-struction and extravagance of a Re- p ibllcsn congress OC'i IF POLITICS The noh-partlsan federal reserve authorities in.ve been wholly free of political interference or motive, .;nu, hi tin ii o.vn time and iheir own wsy, bae uaed courageously, though cau-tiousl. cau-tiousl. the Instruuients at their dls-, dls-, posal to prevent undue expansion of credit in the country. As a res-ill ol ihe.-c- s Hind trca-urv and ie.leral i- setvc policies the inevitable vvar ln-ii. ln-ii. ition hgs been mid down to a minimum, min-imum, gnd the cost uf living has been prevented from uicreseing ht m proportion la the Increase in other ilUerent countries and in neutral countries which are In cloc contact with iiic world's conifherce and ex-chSngeaC ex-chSngeaC After a o-.ir and a half of fighting trii a hmf ol RepuokcSn obstruction 1 1 i :o credit of the government if the United .sute.- stands unim-pal unim-pal ed. the federal ressrvs note is ihe unit of value- throughout all the ivoiiii and the t titled .st.iic- i- ine one, I intry in tnc world wniciii iiaintalns a free gold market. We condemn tne attempt of the Republican partv to deprive the' v ii people of their legitimate pride in tin- tinsncing of the war in achievement without parallel in I Ihe flnarictal history of tote or ail) other country, in inis or am other' war. And in ja it ictuar we condemn the pernicious attempt of ihe itepob-Ucan itepob-Ucan partv io create discontent among the holders ot t .ie bonds of the gov-, rnmeni oi iht t ntted states ami io diag our public fmunce and our banking bank-ing and currency system back into Ihe arena ol pariv politics. TAX REVISION. We condemn the failure of the pies-' ent congress to respond to the oit-re-i peated demand Of the presiaent and ihe secretaries of the- treasury to rc- ihe existing tax laws The continuance con-tinuance in force in peace times of J t.ixes devised undo) pressure of lkn-1 peratlve necessltj to produce a rcve-, nua for war purposes la Indefensible and Can onl result In lasting Injury to li). people. The Republican congress con-gress persistent!) failed, through sneer political cowardice, to make a single move toward a readjustment of tax laws which it denounced betore the Inst election and was aft aid to revise before the next election. . uuvo. itc- tax re-form and a searching revision of the. war rcve-( nu acts to fit peace conditions so. thai Ihe wealth or the nation may not be withdrawn from productive enterprise enter-prise and diverted to wasteful or non-1 productive expenditure We demand prompt action by the! next congress lor a complete survey of existing taxes and their modification modifica-tion ami Simplification with o view to; securing greater e.j uty and Justice In I tax burden ami Improvement in ad- Utlnl m allon. PI BLIC EC iNi lilt Claiming to h&v effected great i economies In government expenditures, expendi-tures, the Republican party cannot show the reduction of one dollar In j luxation as a corollary of this false pretense. In contrast, the last Demo-' oratil congress enacted legislation ic-duelng ic-duelng taxes from eight billions dc-1 signed to be raised, to six billions fori the first vear after the armistice, and to four billions thereafter; and there the total I left undiminished by our1 political ad verxa no. Two v ears af-tei af-tei armistice day, a Republican run- gre- provides for expending the stu-penduous stu-penduous sum of $&.IOi.J9u, 32 7 :io. Affecting great paper economies by redlining iboariinciit.il e.ilniates of sums WbiCb would not have been spent In any event, and by reducing formal appropriations the Republican statement of expenditures omits the pregnant fact that congress authorised the use of one and a half billion dollars dol-lars tn the hands of various departments depart-ments and bureaus which otherwise would have teen covered into the treasure, and which should b added to the Republican total of expenditures. expendi-tures. HIGH f.ST OF LIVING. The high cost of living and ths depreciation de-preciation of bond values In this coun-, coun-, try are primarily due to war Itself. I to the necessary governmental ex pen -, dtturea for the destructive purposes of war. to private extravagance, to , the world shortage of capital, to the Inflation of foreign current) and 'credits, and. In larjj." decree. t. ..r.-sclenceless ..r.-sclenceless profiteering. The Republican parts Is responsible for the failure to restore peace and peace conditions In Europe, which la a principal cause of post armistice Inflation the world over It has denied de-nied the demand of the president for ' necessary legislation to deal with secondary sec-ondary and local causes. Th sound ! potlclea pursued by t h treasury and I the federal reserve system have lim-I lim-I Ited In thla eountr), though thev could not prevent, the Inflation which I was worldwide. Elected upon specific spe-cific promises to curtail public expen. dltures and to bring the country back to a status of effective economy, the Republican party In congress wasted time and energy for more than a 'car In vain and extravagant Investigations costing the taxpayers gteat sums of money,' while revealing nothing beyond be-yond the Incapacity of Republican politicians to cope With the problems. Demanding that the president, from' his place at the peace table, call the' congress Into extraordinary session for Imperative purposes of readjustment, the congress when convened spent u months In partisan pursuits, failing to repeal n single war statute which harassed business or to Initiate a single constructive measure to help business. It busied Itself making a pre-election record of pretended thrift, having not one particle of substantial existence In fact. It raged asiinst profiteers and the high coat of living without enact-.ng enact-.ng 1 Ingle st'ttute to make the former for-mer afraid of doing a single act to bring the latter within limitations. The slmpls truth is that the high cost of living can only be remedied by Increased production, strict governmental govern-mental economy "nd a relentless pur-salt pur-salt of those who take advantage o; post war conditions and are demanding demand-ing and receiving outrageous profits. We. pledge the Demcoratlc party to h policy of strict economy In government expenditures and to the enactment and enforcement of such legislation us may be required to bring profiteers before the bar of criminal justice. THE TARIFF We reaffirm the traditional policy of the DemorcatlC parly In favor of a tariff for revenue only and confirm the polii of basing tariff revisions upon the Intelligent researnh Of a nonpartisan non-partisan commission, rather ihnn upon the demands of selfish Interests temporarily tem-porarily held In abeyance. BUDGET In the interest of economy and good arbitration we fevor the creation of an effective' budget system thai will function In accord with the principles Of the constitution. The reform should reach hot hthe executive and legislative legisla-tive aspects of the question. The supervision sup-ervision and preparation of the budget should bo vested In the secretary of the treasury .us the representative of the president. The midget. . such. should not be Increased by the cdn? gri S8 except by a two thirds vote, each house, however, being free t' exercise ex-ercise Its constitutional privilege of making appropriations through independent inde-pendent bills. The appropriation bills should b considered by single committees com-mittees Ol tne house and senate The audit system should be consolidated and Its powers expended so as to pas.s upon the wisdom of, as well ;is thu authbrity for. expenditures. A budget hill was passed In the closing clos-ing days, of the second session of the sixty-sixth congress which. Invalidated Invalidat-ed by plain constitutional defects and defaced by considerations of patronage, patron-age, the president was obliged to veto. The hoiie amended the bill to meet the executive objection. Wr condemn, the Republican s-nate lor adlonmlng without passing the amended measure, when by devoting an hour or two more to this urge it pul bc lu-ini-- 1 budgets sytem ould have been provided provid-ed SENATE RULES. We favor such alteration of the rules of proceed ure of the senate Of the I'. S. as will permit the prompt liail UUUll Ol VIII- IIAUVII ,-(r&.jLU,..V( business. , AGR ICULTUTt AL INTERESTS. To the great agricultural Interests of the country the Democratic party doer, not find It nece.isai-v lo make 1 promises. Ie already is rich in Its re- ' OOrd Of things actually accomplished.. Knr nearly half a century ot' ftepubll-I can rule not a sentence wan written In- to the federal 'tatutes affording one j dollar of i.ae.' 1 1 i.'.s t'i the farming interests of Anurii an. In the first' term this Democratic administration administra-tion th- national bank act was so si-' tercel as to authorize loans of five , years maturity on improved farm lands. Later was cstabl shed a system ' pf farm loan banks, from which the' barrOWlllT- alreany exceed 3011. 1)00. 000 I doll irs ami under which the Interest rate to farmers has been so materially' reduced ns to drive out of business '.h.- iirni lon-i -O ::. who formerly1, subsisted by extortion upon the great agricultural interests of the country Thus It was a Democratic congress In the administration of a Democratic president which enabled the farmers of America for the first time to ob-tain ob-tain credit upon reasonable terms and 1 Insured their opportunity for the future fu-ture development of the nation's agrl-. cultural resources. Tied up In su-I prcme court proceedings. In a suit by I hostile interests the frnemi farm loan ystem, originally opposed by the Re- publican csn'didate tor me presidency., appealed In vain to B ttepublican congress con-gress for adeuuate finanOlal assistance assist-ance to tide over the Interim between the beginning ami the ending of the current year, awaiting a final decision deci-sion of the highest court on the valid-j Ity of the contested act. We pledge prompt and consistent support of sound and effective measures to sus- tain, amplify and perfect the rural credits statute and thus to check and reduce the growth and course of farm tenancy. Not only did the Democratic party put Into effect a great farm loan sys- tern of land mortgage banks, but It j.as.-e.l the Smith-Lever agricultural extension act. carrying to ever) farmer farm-er In every section of the country, through the medium of trained expert ex-pert and by demonstration farms, the practical knowledge acquired by the federal agricultural department Jn nil things relating to agriculture, horticulture horti-culture and animal life, it established the bureau of markets; the bureau of farm management and passed the cot- ton futures act. the grain grades bill. the cooperative farm administration act and the federal warehouse act. The Democratic party haa vastly Improved the rural mall system and has built up the parcel poat system to such in extent as to render Its activities activi-ties and its practical service indispensable indispen-sable to the farming community. It va this wise encouragement and this' effective concern of the Democratic party for ihe farmers of the Vnlted States that enabled '.his great Interest' to render such essential service ln feeding the armies of America and Ithe allied nations of the war and suc-i I coring starving populations since ; Armistice 1 .iy Meanv. nil the Republican leaders at Washington have failed utterly to! propose one single measure tO make rural life more tolarnble. They have signalized their fifteen months of con-( gresslanal poer by urging scheme a which would e'.rlp the farms of labor. h assailing IKS principle of the farm j loan system and seeking to impair its efficiency; by covertly attempting to destroy the great nitrogen plant at Mussel Shoals, upon which the gov-! eminent has expended 70.000.000. to supply American farmer with fertl-I fertl-I lUera at reasonable costs. b ruth-' lessly crippling nearly every branch of' I agricultural endeavor, literally crippling crip-pling the productive mediums through' which the people must be fed. We favor such legislation os will .confirm to the primar producers of ithe nation the rights of collective bar-; j gaining and the right of cooperative 'handling and marketing of the prod-ducts prod-ducts of tb workshop and the farm and such legislation as will facilitate the exportation of our farm products. We favor comprehensive Studies 'from farm production costs and the I sslslsslsislsssisisl nncensored publication of facts found In such studies. LABOR AND INDUSTRY. The Democratic party is now, as ccr, the firm friend of honest labor and the promotion of progressive In-dustrv. In-dustrv. It established the department of labor nt Washington and a Democratic Demo-cratic president called to his official council board the first practical work-ling work-ling man who ever held a cabinet portfolio. port-folio. Under this administration have I been established employment bureaus .to bring the man and the Job together; hnve been peaceubly determined many bitter disputes between capital and labor, la-bor, were passed the child labor act, tho workingmnn's compensation act.j I (the extension of which we advocate so as to Include laborers enguged In loading and unloading ships ami In I Intsrstata commerce), the eight hour! I law. the act for vocational training ,and n rode of other wholesome laves! nffectlng the liberties nnd bettering the conditions of the Inhoring clSSSjeS-In clSSSjeS-In the department of labor, the Demo-! emtio administration established a women's bureau which a Republican congress destroyed by withholding appropriations. ap-propriations. I-nbor Is not a commoditv . It Is human. hu-man. Those who labor have lights and the national SSOU'flt) and tafst) I depend upon a Just recognition of, those tights and the conservation of the strength of the workers and then 1 families in the interest of sound-heart-jed ami sound-headed men. women audi children. Uws regulating hours of la-J bor and conditions under which labor; Is performed, when passed In recognition recog-nition of the conditions under which l.fe must be lived to attain the highest development and happ.Inet, are justi 1 assertions Of the national interest in ,the welfare of tho people. I At tho same .time the nation de-1 de-1 ponds upon the products of labor; a cessation of production means loss :11ml if long continued, disaster. The Whole people, therefore-, i.ave n tight I tO Insist tnat justice shall be done to -those Who work, and In turn that those I whosi labor creates the necessities upon up-on Wli.ch the life ot 1 lie nation .ic-pends .ic-pends mujt lecognizc- the- reciprocal .obligation between the worker and the slate. Tney should participate in the I formulation 01 sound laws und icgu- latlons governing the condition- under Which labor is performed, recognize and obey the laws so formulated and jSeok their amendments whcn ncces- arj bj the processes ordinarily ad-dresseu ad-dresseu to the laws and regulations af- leciti.g the other relations of life. Labor, as well, us capital, is entitled to adequate compensation. Each has th- Indefensible right of organization. Of collective b.uguliilng and ot apeak-ling apeak-ling lb rough 1 epresentatlves of their own selection. Neither class, however I should at any time nor In any ciroum-I ciroum-I stances take action that will put in Jeopardy the public welfare. Resoit I to strikes and lockouts which endan-iger endan-iger t li health or lives of the people IS an unsatisfactory d.vlce for determining deter-mining disputes, and the Democrullc pnrtj pledges 1 self to contrive, if possible, pos-sible, and piil into etf ctivc operation and comp . . vp. e im thccl of c omposing om-posing differences of this nature, in private Industrial disputes, we I pr opposed to compulsory arbitration BS a method plausible in theory but a failure In fact. With respect to gov- ernment service, we hold distinctly that the rights of l lie people arc juira- I. I. ill 11 1 I n I lm I-It- Ii I !r. .I.IL . I . WC PrOfeSS SCrupUlOUS regard for the conditions of public employment and pledge the Democratic party to Instant inqulrj into the pay of government employes end equally speed v regulations regula-tions designed to bring salaries to a Ji.jH nnd proper level. WOMAN SUFFRAGE. We endoise Ihe proposed nineteenth amendment of the constitution of the United States granting etiual ufirage 10 women. congratulate tho legislatures leg-islatures of i3 states which have already al-ready ratified said amendment and we urge the Democratic governors and legislatures of Tennessee, .North far-Olina far-Olina and Florida and such states as have not j ct ratified tho fede ral suf- frage amenairieiit to unite in an effort ef-fort to complete fht process of ratification rati-fication and secure tjhe 3Cih state In time for all the women of the United States to participate in the fall election elec-tion We commend tho effective ad-vocacv ad-vocacv of iiic measure.- by 1'residcnt Wilson. WOMEN IN INDUSTRY We urge co-opeiaiion with tile States for the protection of child life through Infancy and maternity care; in tne prohibition of child labor und by ade-ciuaie ade-ciuaie appropriations for the children's bum tu und tho women's bureau 111 the department of labor. Co-operative federal assistance to the states Is Immediately required for the removal of Illiteracy, for the Increase of teachers' teach-ers' salaries and Instruction In cltlzon-shp cltlzon-shp tor both native and foreign-born; increased appropriation ror vocational training In noine- econotnlcs; re-cstab- Itshmsnt of joint federal and atats employment J-ervlcc with women's departments de-partments under the direction of technically tech-nically uuallfied women. We advocate full representation of women on all commissions dealing with WOmsa's work or women's Interests and a reclassification re-classification of- ihe federal civil service ser-vice free from discrimination on the ground of sex; a continuance of appropriations ap-propriations for education In SSX i 1 s -glene; federal legislation which shall insure that American women resident In the I nlted .States, but married to aliens, shall retain their American citizenship, cit-izenship, and that the sam.. process of naturalzatlon shall bo required for women wo-men as for men. DISABLED SOLDIERS. The federal government should treat with the utmost consideration every disabled soldier, sailor and marine ox Ihe world war. u nether his disability be due to wounds received in line of action or to health Impaired In service; ser-vice; and for the dependents of the brave men who died In line ol duty the gOVSrn men I' 1 tenderest concern and richest l.ounty should be their requital. re-quital. The fine patriotism exhibited, exhibit-ed, ih heroic conduct displayed by American soldiers, sailors and marines, ma-rines, at home and abroad, constitute consti-tute a sacred her. tag.- of posterity, the worth of which can never be recompensed re-compensed from the treasury and the glory of which must not be diminish-1 ed by any such expedients- The Democratic administration wiac-ly wiac-ly established a war risk Insurance bureau bu-reau giving four and a half millions of enlisted men Insurance at unprecedented unpre-cedented low rates and through the medium of which compensation ol men and women injured In service is readil adjusted, and hospital facilities facili-ties for those whose health is Impaired Impair-ed are abundantly afforded. The federal board for vocational education ed-ucation should he made a par; of the war risk insurance bureau, in order that the task may b treated as a whole, and thla machinery of protection protec-tion and assistance must receive v--rv, aid of law and appropriation ne.-esaar) to full and effective operation. opera-tion. We believe that no more high or valued privilege can be afforded to an American citizen than to become a free holder 1.1 the soil of the liilted States and to that end we pledge our party to the enactment of soldier settlements set-tlements and home aid legislation which will afford to the men who fought for America the opportunity to become land and home owner under un-der condition" affording genuine government gov-ernment assistance, unencumbered b asSasTJ I needless difficulties of red Is DC or .n'.- ancc financial investment THE RAILROADS The railroads w re subjected to fed-' era! control as a war measure without' other Idea than the swift transport of troops, munitions and supplies. When human life and national hopes weic at stake profits could not tie considered consid-ered and were not. Federal operation, opera-tion, however, was marked by an Intelligence In-telligence ami efficiency that minimized minim-ized loss and resulted In many and marked reforms. The- equipment nak-on nak-on over was not only grossly Inadequate Inade-quate but shamefully outworn. I'nl-flcatlon I'nl-flcatlon practices overcame the initial handicaps and provided additions, bet-i terments and Improvements. Economies Econo-mies enabled operation without the rate raises that private control would; have found necessary and labor was treated with an exact Justice that se- cured tho enthusiastic co-operation j that victory demanded. The funds-1 mental purpose of federal control wss achieved fully and splendidly, and at far less cost to th taxpayers than1 would have he.n the case under ptl- 1 1 0 operation. Investments In ra.il -1 road properties were not only saved by government operation but government govern-ment management returned these! properties vastly Improved In every j physical and exe cutive detail. A great I task was greatly discharged. The president's recommendation of return to private ownership gave the Republican majority a full vcar ln which to enact the necessary legisia-J Hon. The house took six months to ( formulate Its Ideas, and another six 1 months was consumed by the Republican Repub-lican senate in equally vague debate. As a consequence the Esch-Cummings bill went to the president in the clos-1 Ing hours of congress and he was! forced to a choice between tho chaos' of ., eta and acquiescence In the meas-! ure submitted, however grave mayi have been his objections to It. There should be a fair and complete I I'M of the law until careful and mature ma-ture action by congress may cure its defecit' and insure a thorough effective effec-tive transportation system under private pri-vate ownership without government; jsubsidv at the expense of the taxpayer! ioi the country, IMPROVED HIGHWAYS Improved roads are of vital Importance Import-ance not only to commerce and Industry, Indus-try, hut also to agriculture and rural I life. The federal road act of 1916,-na'"i 1916,-na'"i 1 b.i a Democratic congress, represented the first systematic eltort of the government to insure the building build-ing of an adequate system of voads in I (this country. The- act, as emended, has resulted in placing the movement I for improved highways on a progres-rive progres-rive and substantial basis In every state in the union and In bringing un-der un-der ac tual construction more than 13.-0(10 13.-0(10 miles of rouds salted to the traffic ni eds of the communities In which ' ! ' hey a re located. We favor a continuance of the pres-lent pres-lent federal aid plan under existing: I federal and" stare agencies, amended j ;so as to Include, ns one of the elements' In determining the ratio In which the' .several States shall be entitled to share! , In the lurid, iht area of any public! lands therein. Inasmuch as tho postal service has been extended by the Democratic party to the door of practically every producer and every consumer In the' I country (rural free delivery alone has! been nro ni -.1 fm- 1. nun una .1.11, i..n . al patrons within the past eight ers , without materia added cost; we declare de-clare that this Instrument can and I will be used to the maximum of its capacity toi mprovs the etfieiency of distribution and reduce the cost of , living lo consumers while In reaslng I ihe profitable operations of producers. 1 We strongly favor the increased use of the motor vehicle in the tia.isporta-,1:011 tia.isporta-,1:011 of the mails and urge the removal of the restrictions Imposed bv the Re- publican congress on the use of the 'motor devices In ijail transportation j In rural territories. MERCHANT MARINE We desire To congratulate the American people upon the rebirth of our merchant marine which once more maintains Its former plSCe In the world It was under a Democratic ad-. ad-. ministration that this was accomplish-! led after 70 years of Indifference nnd I neglect, thirteen million ions having been constructed since the act was passed in 191K. We pledge the policy I of our party to the continued growth of our merchant marine under proper 1 1 legislation so that American products Will be carried to all ports of the .world by vessels nullt in American .yards, flying the American flag. PORT FACILITIES I The urgent demands of the war for adequate transportation of war material mater-ial as well us for domestic need, revealed re-vealed the fnct that our port facilities! and rate- adjustment were such as to 'seriously effect the whole country In' limes of peace as well as war. Wo pledge our party to stand for equality of rates, both Import and export, ex-port, for the ports of the country, to the cud that there may be adequate! 'and fair facilities and rales for the ' mobilization of the products of the! 'country offered for shipment. INLAND WAT El I W A VP We call attention to the failure of ithe Republican national convention to .recognize In anv way the rapid devel- lopment of barge transportation on our! 1 Inland waterways, which development! j Is the result of tho constructive poll-I . - .f the Democratic administration.' I And we pledge ourselves to the further I development of adequate transportation transporta-tion facilities on our rivers and to the' further Improvement of our Inland' ! waterways and we recognize the lm-1 Iportance of connecting the great lakes I with th- bea by way of the Mississippi , river and Its tributaries, ss well as by j the St. Iawrcnce river. We favor an; enterprising foreign trade policy wtthi all nations and In this connection an1 equitable distribution of shipping fa ! cllitles between the various ports. Transportation remains an increasingly increas-ingly vital problem In the continued development and prosperity of the nation na-tion Our present facilities for distribution distribu-tion by rail are Inadequate and the promotion of transportation by water In Imperntlve. We therefore favor a liberal and comprehensive pollcv for the development develop-ment and utilisation of our harbors and Interior waterways. i i.' ID O 1.VTK1 i. We commend the Democratic con-gresM con-gresM for the redemption of the pledge I contained in our List platform l the' passage of the flood control act of March 1. 117. and point to the sue-' cesaful control of the floods of the Mississippi river nnd the .Sacramento' rivc-r. California, under ihe policy of: that law, for Its complete justification. justifica-tion. We favor the extension of this policy poli-cy to other flood control problems' wherever the federal Interest Involved Justifies the expenditure rguired RECLAMATION OF LANDS Hv wise legislation and progressive administration we have transformed the sovernment reclamation projects. ! representing an investment of $100.-000, $100.-000, 000. from a condition of Impending! failure and loss and confidence In the atulitv of the governim nt to carry p through such large enterprises, to a ' I condition of demonstrated success.! whereby formerl) arid and wholl .n- i productive lands now sustain 40.000 Ij prosperous families and hate an an-. I nual crop production of over ST0,000,- 000 not Including the crops grown on & million acres outside the projects' supplied with storage vv.iter from gov -1 r nraent v orks. We favor ample appropriations for the mn'.lnuatlon nnd extension of this1 greet work of home building and in-; ternal Improvement nlmig the sum general lines, to the end that nil practical prac-tical projects sail be built, fend waters now running to waste shall be rn.ule lo pruvlde homes and a1d to-ihe to-ihe food supply, power resources, and 1 tillable property, with the government Ultimately reimbursed for the entire! outlay THE TRADE COMMISSION. Th- Democratic party heartily en- dorses the creation anil work ' I n-federal n-federal trade commission In establish-! ing a fair field for competitive business busi-ness free fro;n restraints' of trade and monopoly, and rn imm-nds amplification amplifica-tion of the statu'." governing Its activities ac-tivities so ns to grant it authority to I prevent the unfair use of patents in restraint of trade. LIVESTOCK MAR K KT9. Kor the purpose of Insuring Just and fair treatment In the great Interstate In-terstate livestock jnirket and thus In-. ItlllinC confide ni In grower. thioiiKhl whic h production would be stimulated ' nr.d the price of meats to consumers' be ultimately reduced, we favor the! enactment of leaislatlon for the supervision super-vision of such markets by the national government. MEXICO " ; 1 lie 1 ni'eii Males is tne noiKninir land friend of the nations of three Americas In a ver special sense our International relations in this hemisphere hem-isphere should be chnracierled by j good will and free from any possible suspicion as to otir natlopaj purpose The administration, remembering Slwaji thai MegffcO Is an Imlc pendent natbui nod that permanent stability I In her government and her Institutions Institu-tions could come only from the con-ivnt con-ivnt of her own people to a Kovern-! Kovern-! men, of their own making, has been 1 unwllllnu either to profit by the misfortunes mis-fortunes of the ieop!e of Mexico or 1 to enfeeble their future by Imposing 1 from the outside a rule upon their temporarily districted councils. As . consequence, order Is gradually re-! re-! appearing In Mexico: st no time In manv years have American lives and Interests been BO pafe os they row are: peace reigns along the border ami Industry Is rrs imlnnr. When the new government of lo-Ico lo-Ico shall have given ample proof of Its ability permanently to maintain law and order, signified its willingness willing-ness to meet id International obligations obliga-tions and written upon Its Statute books Just laws under which foreign Investors shil! have rlgh's as well as duties, that government should receive our recognition and sympathetic support. sup-port. Until these proper expectations havs been met. Mcxleo must reallxr the propriety of a policy that assert the right of the t'nltd States to demand de-mand full protection for Its citizens. PETRI ILEUM. The renio ratlc party recognizes the Importance of the acquisition by Americans of additional sources of supply of petroleum and other minerals min-erals and declares that such acquisition acquisi-tion both st hom and abroad should be fostered and encouracec". We urge such action, legislative and executive, ex-ecutive, as may secure to American citizens the same rights in the acquirement ac-quirement of mining rights In foreign countries ss are enjoyed by the rltl-sens rltl-sens or subject of snv other nation NTW NATIONS. The Ienocratlc party expressed it active sympathy with the people of i"hlna. Czecho-Slov akla. Finland. Poland. Po-land. Persia and others who have re-centlv re-centlv established representative government gov-ernment and who are striving to develop de-velop the institutions of true democracy. de-mocracy. IBJsTLAND The grest principle of national self, determination has received contant reiteration as one of the chief objectives objec-tives for which this countrv entered the war and victory' established this principle. Within the limitations of International Interna-tional comity and usage, this convention conven-tion repeals the several previous expressions ex-pressions of the sympsthv of the Iiemorrattr party ot the t'nltd Stated for the aspirations of Ireland for self-government. self-government. ARMENIA. We express our deep and earnest sympathy for the unfortunate peop'e of Armenia, and we believe that our Bnemment. c onlsenf with Its constitution consti-tution and principles, should render every' possible and proper aid to them In their efforts to establish and maintain main-tain a government of rhelr own. THK PHILIPPINES We favor 'he granting of Independence Independ-ence SnHhOUl unnecessary delay to thel io. 500.000 Inhabitants of the Philippine Philip-pine Islands. HAWAII We favor a liberal policy of home steading public lands in Hawaii to promote pro-mote a larger middle etSSS rltlxen population, pop-ulation, with equal rights to all eJtl- ssaa The independence of Hawaii a an outpost on the western frontier of the I'nlted State demands adeouats "P-, pioprlatlons by congress for the development de-velopment of our harbors and hlgh-" hlgh-" there PKTi rtii-'i We favor granting to the people of Porto Klro the traditional territorial form of sovernment. with a lew to iltlmate statehood, accorded to all ter- ! -itortes of the United States since the egmnir.g of our government, and we relieve thi the officials appointed to administer th government of such territories should be qualified by pre- b?Rh! i. ii'-. bonaflde residence therein. t-j ': ALASKA v. . commend the Deraocratit nd Hi n ii' rut Ion for inaugurating a new :.i .1 1 - evldeiii. d I' onstrut lion oi the Alssks railroad . srr" and opHiiIng of the coal and oil fields. B, Wu declare for the modification of sofciPi Mo- existing coal land law, to promote development without disturbing the ffi '" : feature! Intended to prevent monop- D: r'or such changes In the policy of Dtafi eti contro us trill per mil 1 he lm - h mediate Initiation of the paper pulp IfKS 1 "i relieving the terrltorj from tii -v 11 of Ioiik distance government by Hfihii' and into v. I eg bureau- (R- cral regulation ind to that end Wt i ' . urge tho speedy pSSSSgO of a law. con- Re taining the essential features of ths Brlfeil 1 currencj bill now pending, co- Bc't'' 01 dim' ting and consolidating all fed- Bj' f:' ' oral contr a natural resources un- der one department, 10 be admlnls- $'? lered by a non-partisan board perma- rent iv resident In the territory. V'K J'' Kor the fullest measure of tcrrlto-rial tcrrlto-rial self-government wim the view to ultimate ntutehood, with Jurisdiction 2lia over .ill matters not. of purely federal 'Tcia "in .-, ii int ludlng flshi 1 It 1 and game, ' nd foi an Intelligent administration ol federal control. v bellera that fV ui officials appointed should 1 qua 11- I io-. 1 in pi . v ions bona fide rcsldenco l i ' V1 the L I ill I . I . o 1 . I . 1 1 I A I vlni of I m structlon with Increi ed app oprl sJp -.1 and ths full extension ..f ihe federal road act 10 Alaska. For the extension to Alaska of the 1 federal farm loan act, m ASIATIC l M MIGRANTS M I of the United States with I I. erei 1 n-adm Isslon or It itli Immii 1 is 1 - ' . vj.re-i. f t he Judgmenl .f our poo and to Several states, whose geograph - bB V" 'leal situation or Internal conditions BK' ' r i make this policy and the enforcement Eflirfjli' of the laws enacted pursuant thereto Hiv'r' Ol particular concern, w i pledge our Wr- support. KoLkIE THE POSTAL SERVICE. EKtL The efficiency of tne postofflco ds- Ml J' 1 partment has been v Indicated against 3 B msyictoug and designing assault by btBPT the erflclency of Its operai Ion. Its rec- VHta' onl 1 cf utes Us Their voe ft are silenced and their chirges have rEp S collapsed, BN w - commend ths work of the joint 11 1 reels !f. atlon of -liii - uf postal einploves. re-rntl concluded, which commisskui wus ere- JseVB Sted by a Democratic administration. iJbEhSi I The Democratic party has always fa- Pvt. vored and will continue to favor tha llelsr '- all 1 jual treatment of an govern- f ment ii" ploj ii 1 1 REE BP1 BCH am. PRfiSf -Wt regent tho unfounded reproaches h ted against the Deraocrstlc ad- wk ministration for alleged Interf ereno gBH l with the freedom ox the press and BH " freedom of speech. ftH I No utterance from any quarter has HH ! lo assailed nnd no publication has bEbEBBhJ bi 1 tepr - d m 1. h hsa nol n n I; anlmaiecj by tre. sonable purpose, and H directed against the nation's pence, or- IH 1 .in. 1 security In Unas tl win . Ml We reaffirm our res;ect for the .HL great principles of free speech and of JjHB fr.-e prc-sa hut assert as an indls- pH putablu proposition that they afford sEtEarsaa no toleration of enemy propaganda or I gB tha advocac) oi the overthrosi of tno S srnmsnl of the state or nation by BafLS KOfCa or violence jaM8f! REPUBLICAN CORRUPTlOM R? t-k.. . u 1.1 j -1 . . a 1 1 !. ni'v mii ui.-iuium 01 tue la v mi !b use of money! t aspirants for tho XWf K KepuUllcan noiulnuilou fur the high- p V f I est office In ths gift of the people nas It V nenied a painful impression through- out the country. dewed in connec- mr- Jot. lion with the recent conviction of a ssawrv3 P.epubiu m aenatiu from the state ..f fc'ljv'. 'Michigan for ths criminal transgres- S jjLi' (Ion of the law limiting expenditures Hi" on behalf of a candidate for the Unit- SnyM sd States senate, i indicates the re- II entry, under Republican auspioes, ot money as an Influential factor In elec- Bassl-r Hone thss nullifying ihe letter and f -a assfl t'aliui from the contamination of cor- asset Vsl nipt prarticea. We deplore those de asssV -atfl Imquencies and Invoke their atern 5- nH popular rebuke, pledging our earnest bbb14BIi efforts to a strengthening of the pres- Bl 1 SDH statutes against corrupt practices V' afl I their rigorous enforcement. KHisBal ren.111.1 the 1 ."j.:,. that it wm only by the leturn of a Kepubllcan HBKibI r. aatoi in MlohisTSB who is now under Hr?bbbs conviction and sentence fur the crlml- LvArn ual mUiuse of money In his election. Wwtfc tbat the present organization of tha WmL senate with a Republican majority BviVi-'al as made possible LbVv8qI I lime kept the LbbbHbWH Democratic faiih. and . resting our KJtai claims to ths confidence of ths peo- Bf? grand leSa promises, but Wr- 4 upon the solid performances of on' HsW. ' j party we BUbatt our rerorl to the na- 1 censldsratloa and ask that the Bjsa Iges of this platform be appraised In the light of that record f |