The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1908-05-29
GRONNA'S PLATFORM
North Dakota Congressman Tells tho
Voters What He Stands for in
National Legislation.



To the People of the state Of North
Dakota:
Having decided again to become a
candidate for nomination and election
as a representative in congress from
North Dakota, l deem it proper to
issue a statement expressing my pres
ent convictions in regard to the ques-
lions OF national import now confront
Ing the people of the United States.
AS a republican and asking for the
SURFACES of republican voters. 1 sub.
scribe to the cardinal principle of pro-
tectlon to American industries. l be-
lleVe' however, that the time has come
to subject the schedules Of the pres
ent tariff to a close scrutiny In order
That duties which give undue prefer
ence or which are ineffective may be
changed to meet present conditions.
believe that notably in the case Of
IRON, coal, lumber, n wood pulp the
tariff should be removed, except such
c~ountervailing duties as may be nee
essary to offset export duties levied
by other countries on the raw ma
terial.
1 believe that no backward step
should be taken in the enforcement
OF what lave come to be known as tho
Roosevelt policies" in order that the
pubic may be protected from arbi-
trary exercises Of the power resulting
from the enormous aggregations Of
corporate wealth made possible by
our institutions.
l believe that all public service cor
porations should be subjected to gov
eminent control, and that for the pur-
pose Of taxation and regulation a
physical valuation should be made Of
all corporate property. To be effec-
i've control must extend to the capt.
ia! Of corporations. Capitalization
of franchises INC of monopoly rights
o not be permitted.
l believe that in the not remote fu-
ture a law should be enacted reuuir-
ing corporations engaged in Interstate
business to incorporate under nation.
al laws. The Sherman Antitrust
Law, should be SO changed as not to
prohibit combinations not against the
public interest.
L the speedy enactment of
laws providing for a graduated in
come tax and a graduated inheritance
tax.
l believe that the time has come to
consider the question of a radical
change In our currency system, but I
am unalterably opposed to any sys-
TEN Or any alteration or modification
Of the present system which will give
the AMI controlled by groups of
financial interests the power at will
to expand or contract the volume of
our circulating media. 1 shall con-
tinue to urge the establishment of a
guarantee fund to protect depositors
in national banks.
l. I favor the enactment of a law pro-
yiding for federal inspection and
grading of grain.
1 favor a law compelling publicity
Of contributions to the funds of DO
litical parties.
Justice to the interests of labor
demands the enactment of a law re-
stricting the use OF rnjunctions in
labor disputes.
I believe in building a navy sufi-
cient for our needs, and further be-
lieve that h time to prepare for war
is before the opening of hostilities.
The soldiers, 20 whose valor is due
the preservation Of our government,
are entitled to liberal treatment, and
In this matter false notions in econ
omy must not be permitted to inter-
fere.
Liberal appropriations should be
made for the improvement of our
navigable rivers in order to facilitate
the carrying of our stupendous inter-
nal m
Irrigation and drainage should re-
ceive such federal encouragement as
it is possible under the constitution to
give, wherever the magnitude of the
efforts are insufficient.
The encouragement of forestry and
other projects for the conservation OF
our natural is of the great
est Importance.
I favor the retention by the public
of all deposits Of mineral wealth not
already passed into private owner-
ship.
I favor the erection, as speedily as
consistent with rational economy, OF
public buildings throughout the land
for the housing of public officials.
I would have nc man compromise
his principles, but wherever differ
ences within the party extend only to
the question of choice of party candi-
dates I believe that mutual .forbear-
ance is desirable.
OF my record in this and the pre-
ceding congress I invite the closest
scrutiny. I may have made mistakes
in the analysis of present conditions
and committed errors in the solution
of the problems confronting us. but
I have ever endeavored to keep my
oath Of Office and to serve the pub
lie by aiding in the enactment of laws
designed to carry Out policies which
appeared to me to subserve the in
terest Of the public.
These policies and this record I re-
spectfully submit for consideration.
A. j. Gronna.
WASHINGTON. April %, 1908.