The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-06-24
mIIIss

eSh IuuiAs>
went into session.
Reports that Bryan has been asked
to compromise the fight continued to
circulate. II is known that Lewis
Nixon and other friends OF the Ne
braskan who are close TO Murphy,
Taggart. Sullivan and Mack. have car
ried messages to Bryan. They know
just what men he would be willing to
accept as temporary chairman and
have reported their identity TO Bryan.
But whether one of these will be sub
stituted for Judge Parker will not be
known until the committee completes
its labors this afternoon.
The muddle over the craftsmanship
seems to have pleased the rank and
file OF the delegates who have been
arriving here In constant stream
ever since Sunday morning. There is
none of the bitterness apparent that
was In evidence In Chicago, so far as
the rank and file OF the organization
Is concerned. They seem confident
that all difficulties will finally be
ironed out and the party united
So they have settled themselves to
the task of discussing candidates and
platform with avidity.
Platform to Be Progressive.
There Is a general belief that the
platform will be framed along pro-
gressive lines and will in many re-
spects duplicate the declaration of
four years ago. It will. however, be
much shorter.
There is a feeling among the lead
ers that II the entire document can
be framed in short sentences, en-
phatically putting the party on record
as favoring specific reforms. without
using words to explain how these re.
forms will be worked out, that il will
be O much more workable document
In the convention. II will emphaticaf
ly declare for economy In govern
ment; reduced tariff; honesty in ad-
ministration; an income tax; currency
reform that will benefit the people
and curb the money trust, oppose in
functions In labor disputes without
proper hearings; criticise President
Taft for mismanagemeht of the gov
eminent, but especially for having
vetoed the tariff bills passed In the
interest Of the consumer, and will in
corporate many other reform planks.
There will be big fight, however,
on the initiative, referendum and re-
call and on the question OF women's
suffrage. Many OF the party chiefs
believe that, so far as women's
suffrage Is concerned. there is no
necessity to mention 1t in any way
They say that to take a stand for il
would ALLEVIATE votes In the east and
to take a stand against II would be to
weaken 1t In Pacific coast states, and
that there Is believed at last a chance
OF carrying next fall They prefer to
leave the question of suffrage to the
various states for the next four years
and 1t was considered certain today
that the platform will be silent on this
line, although the women are still
lighting hard to secure a hearing on
the question.
The initiative, referendum and re-
call furnish a much more perplexing
problem. The western delegates be-
lieve that the party should make its
declaration on these vital problems
so strong that there could be no doubt
OF where 1t stands. The eastern dele
cations bitterly oppose what they
term revolutionary doctrines" They
point out that the Chicago convention
decided that so far as the initiative
and referendum are concerned, they
were questions for the states to con-
slider. Just what action will be
taken so far as the platform declara.
ton on these vital points is concerned
cannot be forecasted today. The gen.
eral impression of the leaders Is that
the problems will be endorsed as con-
crete propositions. but that there Will
be no specific affirmation. The sentl-
ment seemed to be for a declaration
which would affirm the right of tho
people to rule and to force that rule
on public servants. The convention
will probably then pass on to the sew
eral states the best way OF carrying