The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-02-27
SOCIALIST PLATFORM

AS measures calculated TO streng-
then the working class in its fight for
the realization of this ultimate aim,
and to increase its power OF resistance
against capitalist oppression, we adj
yocate and pledge ourselves and our
elected officers to the following pro-
gram;
General Demands
1.-The immediate government re-
lief for the unemployed workers by
building schools, by reforesting of
cutover and waste lands, by reclaim
alton of arid tracts, and the building
OF canals, and by extending all other
useful public works. All persons EN-
ployed ON such works shall be en-
ployed directly by the government UNI
der an eight-hour work-day and at the
prevailing union wages. The govern
ment shall also loan money to states
for the purpose OF carrying on public
works 1t shall contribute to the
funds of labor organizations for the
purpose of assisting their unemploy-
ed members, and shall take such
other measures within its power as
will lessen the widespread misery OF
the workers caused by the misrule OF
the capitalist class.
1.-The collective ownership OF rail
roads, telegraphs. telephones, steam
boat lines and all other means OF so
cial transportation and communica
| ton.
3--The collective ownership of all
industries which are organized on q
national scale and in which competi
ton has virtually ceased to exist
4-The extension OF the public do
main to include mines, quarries, oil
wells, forests and water power.
1.-The scientific reforestation o.
timber lands. and the reclamation o.
swamp lands. The land so reforest
ed or reclaimed to be permanent,
retained as a part of the public do
main.
6-The absolute freedom of press
speech and assemblage.
Industrial Demands
THE Improvement of the indus
trial condition of the workers.
(a) BY shortening the workday II
keeping with the increased produC
tiyeness OF machinery.
Oh BY securing to every worke
a rest period OF not less than da,
and a half in each week
| (c) BY securing a more effectiv
inspection Of workshops and factor
les.
I'D BY forbidding the employment
OF children under sixteen years o
age.
lei BY forbidding the interstat
transportation of the products O
child labor, OF convict labor and O
all uninspected factories.
| 90 BY abolishing official Chart
and substituting In its place compu
sorry insurance against unemployment
Illness, accidents, inyalidism, old ag
and death.
Political Demands
S-The extension of inheritance Ia,
es. graduated in proportion to III
amount OF the requests and TO tn
nearness OF kin.
"a graduated income tax
10-unrestricted and equal suffrag
for men and women. and We pledg
ourselves TO engage in an active can
paign in that direction.
1.-THE initiative and referendum
proportional representation and tn
right OF recall.
1.-THE abolition OF the senate.
1S-The abolition OF the powe
usurped by the supreme court OF tn
United States to pass upon the col
stitutionality of legislation enacte'
by congress National laws to be r,
pealed or abrogated only by act G
Congress or by a referendum OF tn
whole people.
l4-That the constitution be mad
amendable by majority vote.
15-The enactment OF further met
sures for general education and 10
the conservation OF health. The bul
eau OF education to be made a depar
ment. The creation OF department
of public health.
16-The separation OF the preser
bureau OF labor from the departmer
of commerce and labor. and the ei
Enlistment OF department of labo
l7-That all judges be elected b
the people for short terms. and tina
the power to issue injunctions sha
be curbed by immediate legislation,
lS-The free administration OF Jun
tice.
Such measures OF relief as we ma
be able to force from capitalism ar
but a preparation OF the workers {
seize the whole power OF government
in order that they may thereby Ia
hold OF the whole system OF industr
and thus come to their.rightful inhel
itanoe.