The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-27
William J. Bryan Has No
Canned Platform to
Present
CULBERSON AND
BRANTLEY TILT
Bryan Refuses Craftsmanship of the
Committee-Platform Gives First
Place to the Tariff-Indorses
the Income Tax

Baltimore. Juno ge.-Taking things
easy was the order established by the
democratic convention platform makers
tonight and an expected long night of
labor did not eventnate. Committee
members soon after midnight decided
they could be ready by the time can
didates for President and vice presi-
don't had been nominated tomorrow.
An interesting development of to-
nights session was that William 7.
Bryan had no canned platform to
present. He took off his coat rolled
up his sleeves and tried his hand. as
did other members of the sub-com-
mittee in trying to shape the vari-
Gus planks so that all could stand upon
them. The chief progress was the
elimination of many small subjects or
fsds that various mon had presented
for party consideration The real work
Will not be undertaken until the COM
m,ttee resumes its session at 10 o'clock
tomorrow.
Whatever tho outcome of the DELHI
Grafton It seems certain the commits
tee will guard the platform as much
as possible against publicity. Practice
ally all of the committeeman agreed
that the session could not have been
more harmonious Mr. Bryan voiced the
Same opinion and said that no one man
was writing the platform.
1T seems to be committee of work.
ers." he declared as he started for his
hotel.
Work on Platform
In addition to voting to recommend
that the platform should not be presents
ed TO the convention until after the NOM
nation OF a presidential candidate, the
committee began a series of hearings
devoted to the Proclamation OF pleas for
platform declarations Verbal sugges-
tlons were offered, planks were sent in.
and In some instances entire platforms
were presented. Among the latter was
complete platform draft coming from
the New York delegation and another
by Senator Newlands of Nevada.
Culberson and Brantley Tilt
| Other features of the hearings included
a lively tilt between Senator Culberson
and Congressman W. g. Brantley OF
Georgia Mr.. Brantley is a member Of
the nation employers liability commis-
sion and he took sharp issue with some
mems compensation bill reported by that
commission.
The New York platform received care
ful consideration Ii gives first place to
the tariff, declaring IT to be a funda-
mental principle of the democratic party.
that the federal government has no right
or power to collect tariff duties except
for revenue. There is demand that. the
collection of tariff taxes shall be limited
to the necessities Of government when
honestly and economically administered.
There is a declaration for immediate
revision, especially as to the necessaries
of life. President Taft's course In Veto
ing the wooden, cotton. chemical and the
farmers free list bills of the last ses-
sion of Congress Is roundly denounced.
Rigid enforcement of the antitrust law
Is promised and such additions as may
be necessary to make the law effective
are promised
While opposing the establishment OF
central bank. the opinion is expressed
that there should be legislation under
democratic auspices looking to the cre-
alton Of a flexible banking law which
would prevent any small group of finan-
ciers or politicians from controlling the
banks OF the country
Declare for Income Tax
Declaration Is made for an income tax
through constitutional amendment anu
also for the election OF senators by di-
rect vote of the people and for single
six-year term for President.
The work of the present democratic
House OF Representatives is highly com-
mended.
Promise is made TO maintain the Mon
roe doctrine and to protect American
citizens at home and abroad With evil
dent reference to the treatment OF Amer
lean Jews in Russia. promise Is made to
the exercise OF every effort TO remove
unjust determinations on account OF race
or creed
Other recommendations favor:
Extension OF the parcels post.
Encouragement OF the merchant marine
but without subsidy.
Federal aid IN the maintenance of good
roads.
improvement OF the inland waterways.
Reformation of the civil service. making
merit the standard.
Workmen's compensation legislation.
Improvement of the pure food laws.
Conservation OF natural resources.
Reduction of governmental expenditures.
Senator Newland's Draft
Mr.. Newlands' draft favored the aboli-
ton Of negro suffrage. the gradual reduce
ton OF the tariff and the appropriation
------~----~------,