The Washington times., 1904-01-16
WAR ON TRUSTS
THE MAIN PLANK
Democrats Agreed on POr-
ton of Platform.
TARIFF REFORM A FEATURE
But Committeeman Think No Recog-
milton viii BE Given Declara-
tons of 1896 and 1900.

NEW YORK, Jan. 16-Antagonism 10
the trusts and declarations in favor Of
tarin reform will constitute the princi-
pal features of the Democratic platform
10 be presented to the st. Louis conven-
ton for adoption, according to the gen
orally and openly expressed views of
several members of the national COM
mittee who now are in the city on their
way to their homes from the committee
meeting held last Tuesday in Washing
ton
These committeeman, who include Nor
man f. Mack of Buffalo, who repre-
sents this State; ex-Mayor Thomas Tag
CART. Of Indianapolis. who is the COM
mitteeman from Indiana; Daniel J. Cam
pau. of Michigan; Trey Woodson. of
Kentucky and John G.. Johnson of Kan
sas. are agreed that there will be no
mention in the platform of the old sill
yer fight, nor of Imperialism except IN
general way. and so far as it may re-
fer to the isthmian canal affair. They
also are practically a unit in declaring
that the old platforms of 1896 and 1900
will not be referred to in any way al
though in the 1900 convention it was
deemed expedient to concilate the old
Il
blanket Endorsement of the Chicago
platform of 1896. without going into any
of the details.
No Reason for Endorsement.
At this time however. the committee
men report that Democratic leaders
from all sections can see no more rea-
son for indorsing an old platform than
in going back twenty or even forty years
and indorsing some platform of that
time
From my talks with the members of
the national committee and also with
the party leaders whom l met in Wash
ington. and also those with whom 1
have spoken in this city, am convinced
that the antitrust plank in the next
platform win be the great feature of
that document" said Norman T. Mack
at the Hoffman HOUSE last night. 1.-The
tariff. which in reality is but a feature
Of the trust trouble. will be the big
side line. but it will be merely a side
line in my opinion. All other issues will
fade beside these two. and they will be
presented to the voters in every posi-
bic phase and all over the country. They
are winning issues, and they will win
FOR the ticket to be named at ST Louis
In going over the situation most
carefully do not find any sentiment for
any general Endorsement Of the last two
platforms. The cry is for live issues,
and the managers of the party realize
that with live issues they can win
Good points viii be picked out Of the
last national platform and will be in
corporated in the new platform. but there
will not be any Endorsement in full. as
was the case last time. Also L have not
heard of any inclination to bring up
the old money question. 1t will. L be-
ieve' be dropped by common consent"
New York Man Favored.
On the matter Of candidates, Mr.. Mack
said that as national committeeman he
could not say anything for one man or
another. as he had no choice, but would
be. guided by the circumstances Of the
next few months. which would, he said.
develop the man.
The talk among the national lead
/ ers, said Mr.. Mack, is clearly toward
New York State man Who It will be
OF course will depend on the attitude Of
the State leaders, and also on Charles
F. Murphy. who will be one of the
great factors in the next convention.
The Hearst boom was a surprise in
/ Washington. and l was surprised to
! find the number of level-headed and
/ working
for him. This is the only thing that is
apt 70 cause Murphy any trouble here
otherwise he will have everything his
own way. and will be able in all prob
ability 10 name the candidate whoever
he may have in mind-CleYeland Park
l er, or Mcclellan"
Live Issues Wanted.
i At the Hoffman House also ex-Afayor
Taggart. Of indianapolis. declared that
the antitrust and the tariff reform
planks will be the mainstays Of the plat
form
/ Live issues are what we want and
what the committee on platform Will
give US" said the national committee
man from Indiana Tariff and the
trusts go hand In hand. and they viii
be the points Of attack in the campaign.
the tariff being the father of the trusts
and the trusts being the plague OF the
| nation. The members OF the national
committee and the national leaders have
been devoting good deal Of careful
| thought 10 the matter of the next plat
! form. and when we got together II
/ was found that there was bat one senti-
ment. and that was to unite on these
I two issues as the live and vital ones of
the campaign.
~ believe that the committee also will
| take several Of the good points from
/ the 1896 and the 1900 platforms and in
! corporate them In the new document.
! but their work Will be presented as a
I brand-new document and Will not con-
/ tain any reference to the old plat
| forms. much less an Endorsement of
! them in blanket form, as was the case
1 when the Kansas City convention OF
| 1900 gave a blanket Endorsement of the
/ Chicago platform OF 1895 There Is no
more need OF indorsing the platform OF
1896 now than there is of indorsing the
platform Of 1864 or Of any other year
/