Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1912-09-13

~ THO COmpleuOn OF the WOrk or 90.
ing away with the apoils system and
to such organization OF the civil serv-
Ice as will insure certainty of tenure,
based upon merit and efficiency.
The nation should be a model en-
ployer, and all the reforms in the re-
lations between employers and en-
'ployees which an intelligent public
sentiment has brough about, should
so far as applicable, be applied to the
civil service.
The Merit System in Public Works
+. Under democratic administration,
the merit system, so effective in civil
service, should be extended to projects
and works. The apportionment Of
river and harbor improvements and
public buildings by log-rolling rather
than upon merit, should be done away
with. Our platform calls for large
and comprehensive plans for the de-
velopment of our rivers, in coopera-
ton with the states, and for continu-
Gus work with an ample fund, under
the direction Of a board of experts.
This platform declaration Is a recog-
milton Of popular demand that the
nation shall take up the problem Of
the regulation of the flow of our riv-
We must supplement bank and levee
protection in the lower reaches of
the rivers by the diversion and stor-
age of flood waters on the sources,
and put these stored waters to useful
work in aid of the reclamation of
arid lands and water power develop
ment.
Public Buildings Bureau
A systematic scheme should be pre-
sented for the organization Of a bu-
reau of public buildings, one which
will take the work out of the spoils
system and apply the test of adapta-
bflity to locality and use based upon
public necessity. Our public build
ings should be memorials of the Gull
ture of our time, and In every form
Of construction regard should be had
for art, as we'll as utility. The re-
Gently created national commission Of
art should be brought into coopera-
ton with this bureal of public build
ings, with a view to securing q prop
er system of artistic construction.
Funds should be provided in the
treasury for conducting such public
works continuously, and without the
breaks hitherto so often caused by
political change and financial exig-
ency
If the funds for these constructive
works cannot be secure9 by admins
trative economy, it may be advisable
to levy a graduated inheritance tax
for that purpose. If 80, it would be
wise to place the proceeds in a spe-
cha: fund. In states where such a tax
Is now imposed. the national tax
might be reduced in arder to equalize
burdens and prevent injustice being
done.
Industrial Justice
The democracy can be relied upon
to take under serious consideration
the various questions relating to So
| cial Justice which have Of late years
| engrossed the public mind, including
the withdrawal of privilege the i'm
position upon wealth Of it's fair share
OF burdens, and the just obligations Of
| capital to labor. 1t has already CIV
en- Its support to liberal legislation
upon these lines. in favor of the en-
ployees Of carriers engaged in inter-
state transportation, and will doubt
! less extend the same to the large
body Of civil service employees, toward
whom the government should set an
example to other employers of JUS
tice and humanity
Tho United States should extend its
system of education in agriculture and
the industrial arts to all forms of USE
full vacations, by a system of coopera-
ton in the establishment and sup
port OF schools for vocational train
ing which will serve as models.
Much can be added to the COM
fort and happiness of the people by
scientific farming, the DEVELOPMENT
OF social and educational facilities
In connection with farm life, good
roads, good housing, and good house
Keeping, the planning of cities with
view to the general comfort, health
and recreation that relate to social
advancement. The work of the azri-
cultural department furnishes an ex-
ample Of what can be done In these
directions by the cooperation of the
nation with the states. Washington
should be a clearing house for the va
rious state associations, organizations
and instrumentaiities for social ad-
vancement. The opportunity is at
forded constructive democracy,
through the cooperation Of the nation
with the states, of putting into prac-
tical operation all that Is desirable
and beneficial in collectivism, with