Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-07-18

ment.
Immediate action should be taken
by congress to make available the
vast and valuable coal deposits of
Alaska under conditions that will be
perfect guaranty against their fall
ing into the hands of monopolizing
corporations, associations or inter
ests.
We rejoice In the Inheritance Of
mineral resources unequaled In ex-
tent, variety or value, and In the de
velopment of a mining industry un-
equaled In It's magnitude and impor-
lance. We honor the men who, In
their hazardous toll underground
daily risk their lives in extracting and
preparing for our use the products of
the mine, 80 essential to the indus
tries, the commerce and the comfort
Of the people of this country And
we pledge ourselves to the extension
OF the work OF the bureau Of mines
In every way appropriate for national
legislation with a view of safeguard
ing the lives Of the miners, lessening
the waste of essential resources, and
protecting the economical develop
ment of mining, which, along with
agriculture, must in the future, even
more than in the past, serve as the
very foundation OF our national pros
perity and welfare and our interna-
tional commerce.
Agriculture.
We believe in encouraging the de
velopment of a modern system of
agriculture and systematic effort to
improve the conditions Of trade in
farm products so as to benefit both
the consumers and producers. And
as an efficient means to this end, we
favor the enactment by congress OF
legislation that will suppress the per-
nicious practice of gambling in agri-
cultural products by organized ex-
changes or others.
Merchant Marine.
We believe in fostering, by consti-
tutional regulation Of commerce, the
growth of a merchant marine, which
mercial ties which bind us to our sis
ter republics of the SOUTH but with
out imposing additional burdens upon
the people and without bounties or
subsidies from the public treasury.
We urge upon congress the speedy
enactment of laws for the greater Sc
curity of life and property at sea, and
we favor the repeal of all laws, and
the abrogation of so much OF our
treaties with other nations, as provide
for the arrest and Imprisonment OF
seamen charged with desertion, or
with violation of their contract OF
service.
Such laws and treaties are un
American and violate the spirit, If not
the letter, of the Constitution of the
United States.
We favor the exemption from tolls
Of American ships engaged in coast
wise trade passing through the Pan
ANA canal.
We also favor legislation forbidding
the use of the Panama canal by ships
owned or controlled by railroad car
riers engaged in transportation com.
petitive with the canal.
Pure Food and Public, Health.
We reafiirm our previous declara.
tons advocating the union and
Strengthening of the various govern
mental agencies relating to pure
. foods, quarantine, vital statistics and
human health. Thus united and ad.
ministered without partially to or
discrimination against any school of
medicine or system of healing, they
would constitute single health serv.
ice, not subordinated to any CONNER.
cial or financial interests, but devot.
ed exclusively to the conservation of
human life and efficiency. Moreover,
this health service should cooperate
with the health agencies Of our vari.
Gus states and cities, without inter
ference with their prerogatives or
with the freedom of individuals to
employ such medical or hygienic aid
as they may see fit.
Civil Service Law.
The law pertaining to the civil serv-
ice should be honestly and rigidly en-
forced to the end that merit and abil
ity should be the standard Of appoint
ment and promotion rather than serv-
ice rendered to a political party, and
we favor a reorganization of the civil
service with adequate compensation
commensurate with the class OF work
performed for all officers and en-
ployes; we also favor the extension
to all classes of civil service employees
Of the benefits of the provisions of
the employers liability law; we also
recognize the right of direct petition
to congress by employees for the re-
dress of grievances.
Law Reform.
We recognize the urgent need Of
reform in the administration of civil
and criminal law in the United States
and we recommend the enactment of
such legislation and the promotion OF
such measures as will rid the present
legal system of the delays, expense
and uncertainties incident to the sys-
tenn as now administered
The Philippines.
We reaff1rm the position thrice an
nounced by the Democracy in national