Show TIle The The The-OP TheOPa GOP Platform a t orm One of the functions of party conventions is the adoption of a platform To many these documents documents documents docu docu- ments are largely a game of politics in which something is promised to as many groups segments and blocs as possible in the hope of winning votes TO OTHERS the document isa isa is isa a guiding policy statement of the convention and party to be observed and followed by a Republican President and Congress Congress Congress Con Con- gress if elected The platforms 01 ot the major parties are thus significant documents documents documents documents' doc doc- more important than detractors would indicate and yet not fully binding on a President President President Pres Pres- ident or Congress Viewed with this background in mind the recently-adopted recently Republican platform seems an appealing one in most areas ADMITTEDLY it is general On the two greatest issues of the moment it is moderate It does not does not call for intensification of the war in Vietnam but calls for shifting more of the burden to other nations and for a fair settlement On the issue of crime and law lawand lawand lawand and order it calls for stern action action action ac ac- ac- ac tion against crime and disorder in the streets but also suggests efforts to eliminate the causes of crime and disorders WHILE THE TIlE platform calls for tax credits to corporations aiding the fight on poverty and relaxed welfare eligibility requirements requirements requirements re re- re- re for impoverished Americans it does not advocate a guaranteed income It also includes a call for a reorganized reorganized reorganized farm program an end to federally-coerced federally strike settlements settlements settlements settle settle- ments which are inflationary economy in government freer trade among nations support of Israel tax credits to those burdened burdened burdened bur bur- with the cost of higher education and opposition to the admission of China into the UN U.N. The so platform-so largely the work of Sen Everett Dirksen of is Illinois a triumph for moderates moderates moderates mod mod- and a defeat for extremists extremists extremists on both ends of the spectrum spectrum spectrum spec spec- trum and would appear to have national appeal L J A. A A. L LL L |