Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-28
GREAT PAINS TAKEN
IN WORDING MEASURE
Every Attempt Made to Make Party
Declarations Bristle.
PLAY TO THE PR0GREssIvES
Some Now Hope to Attract Many
Republicans and Possibly Theo-
dore Roosevelt Him
self.

BALTIMORE, June 2s.-With heavy
eyes and unkempt appearance many OF
them breakfastless and all more or less
cross, the members of the subcommittee
of the convention committee on
resolutions. began gathering in their
after 10 o'clock this morning They
came in singly or in pairs, and all
of them confessed to feeling very little
like going to work after the strenuous
performance of last night. Mr. Bryan
was not among the first to arrive, and
the other members generally began work
on the theory that comparatively little
progress could be made in his absence.
Apparently when the committee ceased
it's labors yesterday the platform had
been completed. but, like all other docu-
ments of the kind, phraseological and
other 1mperfections were discovered at
every reading. SO that the members found
quite bit of additional work to be done
when they came together this morning
in order to have their document In ship
shape for the full committee. which was
called to meet at II o'clock, and did meet
shortly after that hour.
Suffrage Plank Undecided.
There was much discussion, both in
the subcommittee and the full commit
tee, of minor propositions which pre-
viously it had been decided should be
omitted. Among these were the ques-
ton of female suffrage and the use Of the
initiative, referendum and recall. It had
been practically decided that these and
other features should be left to the dis
erection of the states, but some OF the
members felt that an expression by the
national convention would be helpful and
along the lines for which the progressive
wing Of the party has struggled for the
past several years. These points were
left undecided until the last minute
The differences on such questions as
these have been. those of policy and ex-
pediency only. There have been no diff
ferences of conviction. The committee
the progressive idea and the members
nave OutV1eo Win one anOtHef III tHelT
effort to have the platform express the
very foremost thought Of modern de-
The strongest and tersest
words have been sought in framing every
plank in the hope that the party's dec
larations Of principles would be SO vital
one could have any doubt of the pur-
pose Of the democratic party to fulfill
It's pledge and relieve the masses of the
people from what are denounced as the
abuses by the privileged classes.
Would Woo Progressives.
There also is, an effort to SO frame
the platform as to appeal to the repub-
lfcan progressives in the hope that
many Of them may be won over and,
indeed. on the part Of some, that Col.
Roosevelt may be induced to abandon
his further presidential ambitions and
join the democrats in bringing about
results on which they declare his views
are in accord with their own. With
these purposes in mind the old-time
democratic doctrines will be so extend
ed as to cover many fields.
This inclilattop. has led to the max
ing of an upAS4ally long platform. but
the variety of subjects rather than to
the elaboration of any particular plank.
Indeed, there has been a consistent eff
fort to blue pencil unnecessary words.
appeared before the committee in the
interest of labor. he was asked by Mr..
Bryan, who is the dominating factor in
the committee. whether the Denver
plank was not satisfactory. 1T was. =
we will be satisfied"
"Rewrite that plank" replied Mr..
Bryan, but put in half the words and
make each Of them bristle"
Planks Are Guarded.
With the exception Of the declaration
regarding Mississippi river improve
ments, not a single plank of the plat
form had found it's way outside the
committee room when work was resum-
ed today. 1t has been held in the hands
of stalwart secretary, who guards it
as he would cabinet of jewels; but its
outline and most of it's declarations
have become familiar to frequenters OF
the committees precincts.
Giving special prominence to the tariff,
an effort will be made to demonstrate
that the republican policy of protection
has been responsible in large degree for
the present high cost of living and for the
development of trusts and monopolies.
There will be positive declaration for
revision downward to the basis of a
tariff for revenue only. with especial stress
upon the word only" but to meet the
demands largely of Senator Newlands
and at the same time indorse the piece
meal revision of the House of Repre-
sentatives, the opinion will be expressed
that the reduction should be made grad
ually and after the most careful delibera-
ton with view of disturbing business
to as light an extent as it is possible to
disturb business by tariff revision.
E;nancia1 Section
1t is hoped to so shape the financial
plank as to convince the bankers of the
country that there is possibility of re-
vising the finances without resorting to
the central reserve plan suggested by
Senator Aldrich and the monetary com.
mission of which until recently he was
the head.
Tire Aldrich plan is denounced on the
theory that it would place the issuance of
the currency and its continued control
when issued in the hands OF practically
one business corporation. which 1t is con-
tended would be the result Of the adop-
ton Of the Aldrich ideas. AT the same
time the committee would recognize the
necessity of protecting the banks and
their customers against the conditions
that this can be done by the distribution
Of the government funds throughout the
country in q way to make them availa-
BILE in case of monetary disturbance.
Agreed on Trust Action.
Both the subcommittee and the full
committee are agreed upon the desirability
OF criminal prosecutions against the mer
back OF the trusts. There has been some
contention especially on the part. Of Sen
ator OGorman. that II the criminal pro.
visions OF the law as It now. stands should