Omaha daily bee., 1912-06-30
PLATFORM Is FOR PROGRESS
Democratic announcement One of
Generally Advanced Ideas.
NOT SO RADICAL AS USUAL
Favors Regulation and Supervision
OF Railroads, Express Companies
and telegraph and Tele-
phone Companies.


BALTIMORE, June 29-Bristnng with
democratic progressivism. the platform
on which the democratic party will stand
was completed late today by the COM
mittee on resolutions and awaits only the
approval of the presidential nominee to
be presented to the convention.
The document is the result Of forty
eiSht hours work by committee. 1t Is
almost entirely new, although the recon-
mendations Of New York were followed
In many particulars.
From first to last the committees de-
liberations were characterized by har-
mony. The unanimous demand was for
pronounced declarations in favor Of pro-
gyessive policies all along the line and
the only differences arose over the best
method of expressing this tendency. The
result Is platform Of generally advanced
views, although many OF them are less
radical than the party declarations of
other years.
The document covers every subject Of
Importance which has been the subject
OF party discussion In four years. None
Of them Is elsborately presented. but the
large number of subjects renders the
document voiuminous. One member said
that II was as long as clothesline," :"
and another that 1T extends from Maine
to California"
Members Of the committee express gen.
erai satisfaction with the planks and VII
liam J. Bryan, who took an active part
in framing them. predicted that It would
arouse the disapprovsl of less than a
dosen members Of the convention.
Under q new rule the platform will not
be presented to the convention until after
the nomination Of the candidates.
summary of Platform.
Following is an outline of the planks:
Reaffirms partys devotion to the princi-
pies Of democratic government as formu-
lated by Jefferson.
Declares for tariff for revenue only;
,denounces the high republican tariff as
the principal cause OF the unequal dis
tribution of wealth.
Favors immediate downward revision Of
present duties, especially upon necessaries
of life. Also favors gradual reduction
90 az not to interfere with or destroy
Legitimate industries. Donounces Presi-
dent Taft for vetoing tariff bills OF last
congress.
Condemns republican party ''for failure
70 redeem It's promises Of 1908 for down
ward rsvision."
Takes issue with the republican plat
form a. TO the high cost Of living, con.
tending It 10 largely due to high tariff
laws
Favors vigorous enforcement Of the
criminal features Of the antitrust law.
Demands such additional legislation a.
may be necessary to crush private mo-
nopoly. Favors prohibition of holding
companies. interiocking directors, stock
watering. etc.
Condemns republican administration
for Compromising with Standard Oh
company and tobacco trust"
For state Rights.
Denounces a. ''usurpattou'' the efforts
Of republicans to deprive states OF their
rights and to enlarge powers Of the
federal government
There is." says the platform. mo
twilight zone between the nation and
the state In which exploiting interest
can take refuge from both
Urges people to support proposed con-
stitutional amendments pending In vari-
Gus state legislatures. providing for an
income tar and election Of United States
senators by direct vote Of the people.
Az justification Of the demands OF the
party for publicity of campaign expendi-
tures, attention IL directed ito the
enormous expenditures Of money in be-
half Of the president and his predeces-
sor in the recent presidential contest"
Declares for presidential preference pri-
niaries. Directs national committee to
provide for selection at primaries Of
members Of national committee.
Pledges party to enactment OF law pro-
hitting campaign contributions by cor
porations and unreasonable campaign
contributions by individuals.
Favors single presidential term and
making president ineligible to reelection.
Felicitates democratic congress on Its
record, enumerating important achieve
ments. and pledges an adequate navy.
Denounces republican administration
on charge of extravagance and demands
return to simplicity and economy be-
Citing . democratic government
Favors efficient supervision and rate
regulation Of railroads. express COM
panies, telegraph and telephone lines,
and valuation Of these companies by
the Interstate Commerce commission.
and also legislation against over-issi-
ance Of stocks Of these corporations
In connection with a demand for such
revision Of the banking laws as win give
temporary relief In case Of financial dis
tress, there is a denunciation Of the
Aldrich bill prepared by the monetary
commission. The present method Of
depositing government funds fs con-
dsmned and the party is pledged to the
enactment Of law for the deposit of
such funds by competitive bidding in
state or national banks without dis
elimination as to locality.
Recommends investigation Of agricul-
turai credit societies in Europe to as
certain whether system of rural credits
may be devised suitable to conditions In
the United States.
Pledges party to enactment OF legis-
lation to prevent devastation OF lower
Mississippi valley by floods and the con-
trol Of the Mississippi Is declared to be
anaticnal. rather than state problem.
The maintenance OF navigable channel
also Is recommended.
Favors national aid regarding post
roads