The Commonwealth. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1911-1914, 1912-01-19
Seattle.

Platform of the socialist party of Sc.
attic Wash, spring of 1912:
The socialist party of Seattle reaf-
firms its allegiance TO the principles of
international socialism as expressed in
state and national platforms, and enters
municipal politics pledged to base the
acts of its elected representatives upon
these principles.
The aim and purpose of a municipal
government should be the administration
of public affairs in such manner as to
secure the most economical and efficient
service to the community along all lines
of activity today recognized as public
functions which can best be performed
by the COLLECTIVELY, with view of rails
ing the status, and contributing to the
welfare, physical, mental and moral of
the plain people, generally known as the
working class.
Such motives never actuate the poll
cies of the republican democratic or the
so-called business or mon partisan" ad-
ministration, since all such are concerned
with serving the interests of capital
rather than the welfare of the masses
The ultimate aim of the socialist party
being to free all humanity from class
rule by abolshing involuntary exploita-
ton it advocates and stands pledged to
adopt measures calculated to strengthen
the working class in its fight for the
realization of this ultimate end, by in
creasing the power of resistance against
capitalist oppression and exploitation.
With this purpose in view the socialist
party of the city of Seattle pledges it
self and its candidates if elected to
carry out the following program:
l. The owning and conducting by the
municipality, as far as possible all public
utilities, such as furnishing water, sub
ways, light, heat, communication, trans
portation, markets, wharves and all bust
ness dependent ON public franchise. Such
publicly-owned utilities to be conducted
on the basis of economy and efficiency
commensurate with proper regard for
the welfare of the public servants en-
ployed; also the extension of the col
lective ownership on the same basis into
any and all lines of service as fast as
can be done, always with view of
thereby increasing the power of the
working class against capitalist ,oppres-
sion and exploitation.
2. The abolition of the city contract
system, and the substitution therefor of
JHe ulTeCU employ ulellu ny Che SICg' WIN
the eight hour day, payment of the pre-
vailing union rate of wages and one-half
holiday in each week, exclusive of Sun
day These conditions are to apply to
all employed by the city in any respect
whatsoever.
8. The establishment of a free en-
ployment bureau for both sexes, and the
abolition Of all private employment
agencies.
Z. The establishment of free NUM-
cipal hospital and free clinic.
5. The free use of all public build
ings for social, educational and political
meetings, when not otherwise used.
6. Weekly payment of all city en-
ployes, as protection against loan
sharks.
7. The proper enforcement of law
and order, but in no wise to permit the
use of the police force for private ends
and to break strikes or in prosecuting
any one coming within their power,
especially in obtaining discriminating
evidence by means of what is known as
the third degree" or torture method.
8. The collecting of rent from all
persons who are now and have been for
years using city property.