The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-14
NO WASTEWORDS In PLATFORM
WILL BE ONE OF THE SHORTEST
or ITS KIND on RECORD.
Indirect Tax Legislation Approved. With q
Hint TO Abolish Levy on Savings Banks
surpius-GOod Roads Quite rs I'm.
portant rs the Barge Canal Scheme.

{ Indirect Tax Legislation Approx ed, With
Hint TO Abolish Levy on Savings Banks
surpius-GOod Roads Quite rs I'm
portant rs the Barge Canal Scheme
SARATOGA, N. Y, Sept l3.-The platform
to be adopted will be the briefest evel
promulgated by a party convention in
this State at which candidates for office
were named. 1t contains less than SOC
words and is even briefer than the Hill
platform adopted at the Albany Apri
Democratic convention which instructed
for Judge Parker. This Is radical de.
parture in platform building.
The platform is a simple statement OF
facts, embracing short, direct sentences
1t starts of by referring to the fiftieth
anniversary of the birth OF the Republican
party having been 80 signally celebrated
by the results Of the elections Of Greg on,
Vermont and Maine. President Roc Sc
velt's administration and nomination IRE
Endorsed pointedly.
| the platform contains an emphatic in
| dorsement OF Gov. Odell's administra ton
and the politics inaugurated by him in the
conduct OF the State Government 1t de-
clares the expenses OF the State Government
can be met by indirect taxation, and Gov
-.''A wv ehA ie,BibihtiOb 10 COIuhhy
approved, the platform declaring it TO be
The greatest step for taxation relief in the
history OF the Commonwealth, with the
further statement that, as the revenues
from the present sources Of indirect taxa
ton are more than sufficient to meet the
annual expenses Of Government, the tax
upon the surplus Of savings banks, which
amounts to about 100000 a year. should
be abolished.
The platform does not state that this con-
cession to the Savings Bank Association of
the State is prompted with view Of hood
winking the trustees OF savings banks and
savings bank depositors into the belief that
Gov. Odell is DESTROYS Of safeguarding their
interests. The Savings Bank Association OF
the State is fearful Of the safety Of the funds
under their control and administration unless
the Legislature shall heed the advice of the
association regarding the enactment of leg
lslation permitting or prohibiting the in
vestment Of savings bank deposits in rail-
road bonds, especially the bonds of railroads
Investments in these railroad bonds and in
the bonds Of cities, especially in the bonds Of
the city. OF Los Angeles. Cal, has been en-
larged during the past eight years through
several pieces Of special legislation which
Gov. Odell in defiance OF an attitude Of oppo-
sition on the part of the Savings Bank Asso-
citation Of the State. The railroads which have
secured this legislation usually have paid
some one who has guaranteed such legisa-
ton from $4,000 to $50, 600 in each instance
where such bond investment bill has been
jammed through the Legislature
The Republican State committee did
not get this money for campaign purposes.
Neither did certain commercially. inclined
members Of the Legislature and they have
been wondering where the money went.
The effect Of the passage by the State Legis-
lature Of a bill adding the bonds Of any
specified railroad to the list Of bonds in
which the savings banks of this State may
invest usually enhances the value Of these
bonds from 16 to rs points, and that is W here
the profit comes in.
The platform indorses the recent edu-
cationai unifcation legislation and de-
clares that the States educational system
should be extended in every direction
benefits.
-. 1t is recommended in the platform that
the area OF the State parks in the Adiron- |
dacks and Catskills be continued.
After noting the adoption by the people !
OF the barge canal referendum, the plat
highways of the State is equally as import
ant tits pointed out that the State already |
has expended 81 ZOO. 900 as its share of ex-
Pense OF highways improvement, and the
last Legislature appropriated 81 ,OOO. 900 for
this purpose, yet to be spent, and con-
stitutional amendment il recommended
to permit the issue OF bonds for a period
Of fifty instead Of eighteen years. in suf-
ficient amount 40 that the highways may
be improved Immediately upon a large
scale.
The improvement of highways was COM
menced six years ago. during which time
the State each year has appropriated to
pay it's share from $4,000 the first year to
flaa H1f. la, r
miles of State aid roads have been built.
This work has been an object lesson which
has taught the advantage of improved high
ways, especially in the rural districts, with
the result that counties and towns already
have petitioned the State Engineer and
Surveyor for State aid in the construction
OF nearly 1000 miles of road. which would
cost $4,000 900. Local taxpayers through
their counties and towns nave already made
AVAILABLE over $1,000 600 to pay their share
Of road construction, but Gov. Odel has
held the Improvement back in the interest
OF his scheme to abolish direct taxation.
For two years past he has cut the good
roads appropriations right and left, and IL
question should be ntinucd it would take
twenty-five years to complete the roads for
he Improvement Of which Boards Of Super
visors already have petitioned the State
platform is sop to the anti-barge canal
counties, as we'll as a recognition Of state
nent issued by the Automobiles who
'eoently made the trip from New York city
o st. Louis. After reaching Buffalo they
'ent petition to Gov. Odell, declaring that
he road between Albany and Utica was
he most wretched In the world. The petit
ion said
The undersigned. citizens OF the United
states and members Of the American Auto
Mobile Association. crossing the Empire
state en- route to st. Louis. highly commend |
he work done by the State In road making !
n some sections. but desire to call your at
ention to the deplorable and dangerous con-
lition OF the road on the main thoroughfare |
'etween Albany and Buffalo more particu- ,
arly that section passed over to-day be- !
ween Albany and Utica. II Is undoubtedly
rue That throughout the civilized world .
here does not exist a road in such wretched :
ondition that connects SO many important &
tiles and towns.
The platform congratulates the people OF
he State that there Is q surplus in the State
'reasury.
No reference is made to the excise ques-
ion.
Late tonight 1t was decided to reyamp )
he platform somewhat, keeping close to
he ideas OF the original brief document.
ut spreading 1t out to about twice its origi- :
al length. John A. Sleicher was an aspir- !,
mt for chairman of the committee on plat ! u
orm and Regent Edward LauterbRch was
ute willing that Mr.. Sleicher should have +,
he honor, but the matter was taken out of !,
fr Iauterha oh n hande bv in duont;,I d. | VI