The Washington herald., 1912-06-25
TO MAKE TARIFF
THE CHIEF ISSUE
Democrats Make Plain in Confer
ences Disposition to Closely
Follow Denver Platform.
TRUST PLANK ALSO WILL
HAVE IMPORTANT PLACE
Wilson Strong in His Advocacy Of
Progressive Principles for
Incorporation in Draft.

Baltimore. Nd, June A.-Conferences
were resumed to-day on the platform
which the Democratic National Conven-
tion will adopt. From the outline Of the
various planks now available It is plain
that the tariff will be made the chief
point at issue. The tarin plank will
follow closely that embodied in the Den
yer platform, which declared for a
gradual reduction to a revenue basis, and
immediate and material reductions in the
necessaries of life, especially upon such
articles Of American manufacture as are
sold more cheapIy abroad than at home.
The trusts plank will be devoted in
the main to a declaration that Congress
shall enact amendatory legislation to
make the Sherman antitrust law more
effective. A vigorous enforcement Of the
law as amended should be insisted on.
A joint resolution by Congress proyid-
ing for the direct election Of United
States Senators will be indOTsed.
The action Of the House Of Representa-
tives in starting a thorough investiga-
tion OF the money trust" will be strong
" indorsed. with insistence upon the pSs-
sage at this session OF Congress Of the
Pujo bill, giving greater visitorial powers
over national banks.
Dill
The work Of the AIdrich national none
tary commission will be rejected in so
far as II provides for a central bank, but
certain OF the commissions recommended
tons will be indorsed.
Endorsement will be given the anti
injunction bill passed by the House of
Representatives Legislation will be
promised providing for jury trial in all
eag vi there "a direct Of
court.
other planks which may ind their
way into the platform are:
Declaring for regular increase OF the
navy, probably the construction OF two
battleships a year.
Improvement OF harbors and rivers.
Favoring a national public health
bureau.
A plank has also been proposed de-
claring against a third term for Presi
dents. The sunragettes are trying to
nail in a plank declaring in favor OF
womans rights.
The platform Is to be short. sharp,
and decisive. The resolutions commit
tee probably will meet Wednesday
evening.
Wants PrOEressive Platform.
Gov. Wilson Of New Jersey. whose
delegation claims Wilson on the first
ballot" will boost for a progressive
platform.
We are progressive" declared Edward
z. Grosscup. chairman Of the Democratic
State Committee Of New Jersey. to-day
when the New Jersey delegation went
into secret caucus. This delegation is
in Baltimore TO boost Democracy on
progressive basis and We think the only
way 10 do that is to nominate Gov. VIII
son. He will stand on a progressive plat
form. one that will win the progressive
people, the majority who will vote next
November"
This sentiment was found in dozens Of
the State headquarters. A majority OF
the delegates are Of the opinion that II
the Democratic nominee is presented 10
the public standing upon platform built
upon advanced ideas it will appeal strong
ly and assure the defeat OF Taft
Senator John Sharp Williams OF Mis-
sissippl has some strong ideas on plat
form TO deal with the trust question.
Deals with Trusts.
''Monopolies are contrary 70 the good
Of free institutions" the Williams plank
declares. They are not to be tolerated
upon any pretext, excuse or condition
The existing corporate
trusts in this country must be disinue-
gated in fact as well as in form"
In another part Of the draft the Re
publican tariff and corporation laws are
blamed for monopOlies.
THE existing law must be enforced
clvilly and Criminally. and the tarif must
be reduced and the corporations must be
safe instruments Of commerce and Of
legitimate character" is another item
put forward. We oppose Federal in .
or license to work monopo-
listic exploitation OF the people as wholly
and as mere blinds 10 fasten
existing industrial evils on the nation.
Blame on C. o. p.
"Our evils are due to Republican de-
partures in the Federal government and
In the State Legislatures from those in
stitutions. Our remedy is to return to
them by Democratic watchfulness Of cor
grants in the State Legislatures
and virile exercise Of the interstate COM
merce power conferred upon the Con-
gress Of the United States by the con-
The resolutions committee is to hear a
vigorous appeal from the Reform Clubs
tariff reform committee OF New York.
Byron W. Holt is chairman and Henry
Deforest Baldwin. Henry George, jr.
Frederick r. CoUdon, John Jerome
RooA ~, and several other men are MEM |
oers.
One OF the strong oppositions made to
the tariff will be by this organization in !
an attack upon the so-called frauds" Of |
the protective tariff promises that the |
man with the dinner pail should share in !
he tariff paid by the consumers The !
Republican platform advocates some re- !
forms along this line, but the Democratic !
plank, It is expected, will present some |
real remedies.