The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-06-09
Merchant Marine

'In view OF the policies adopted by
all the maritime nations TO encourage
their shipping interests, and in order
TO enable US to compete with them
for the ocean-carrying trade, we favor
the payment to ships engaged in the
foreign trade Of liberal compensation
for services actually rendered In carry
ing the mails. and such further legis.t
lation as will build MP an adequate
American merchant marine and
US ships which may BIZ requisitioned by
the government in time Of national
emergency.
I'VE are utterly opposed to the gov
eminent ownership Of vessels as pro-
posed by the Democratic party, be.
cause government-owned ships. while
effectively preventing the development
OF the American merchant marine by
private capital, will be entirely unable
to provide for the vast volume Of
American freights, and will leave us
more helpless than ever In the hard
grip OF foreign syndicates.
Transportation
Interstate and intrastate transpor-
tation have become so interviewer that
the attempt to apply two and often
several sets Of laws to It's regulation
has produced conflicts of authority,
embarrassment In operation and In
convenience and expense to the public.
1.-THE entire transportation system
Of the country has become essentially
national. We, therefore, favor such
action by legislation or, II necessary.
through an amendment to the Consti-
tuition Of the United States, as will
result In placing 1t under exclusive
federal control.
Economy and a National Budget
1.-THE increasing cost of the national
government and the need for the great
est economy OF Its resources In order
to meet the growing demands of the
people for government service call for
the severest condemnation OF the
wasteful appropriations, Of its shame.
less raids on the treasury, and OF its
opposition to and rejection OF Presi.
dent Tafts oft.repeated proposals and
earnest efforts to secure economy and
efficiency through the establishment
Of simply businesS.like budget sys-
TEN to which We pledge our support
and which We hold To be necessary to
effect any real reform in the admin.
istration Of national finances.
Conservation
eve believe In careful husbandry
Of all the natural resources OF the ma
tion-a husbandry which means de-
yelopment without waste; use with
out abuse.
Civil Service Reform
1.-THE civil service law has always
been sustained by the Republican par
ty, and we renew our repeated de-
claration that 1t shall be thoroughly
and honestly enforced and extended
wherever practicable. The Democra-
tic party has created since March 4.
1913. 10000 offices outside Of the civil
service law at an annual cost of $44,-
100000 to the taxpayers of the coun-
try.
Eve condemn the gross abuse aud
the misuse of the law by the present
Democratic administration and pledge
ourselves to reorganization OF this
service along lines Of efficiency and
economy.
Territorial Official
"Re.aftirming the attitude long main.
tanned by the Republican party, we
hold that officials appointed to admin
lister the government Of any territory
should be bona.fide residents OF the
territory in which their duties are to
be performed.
Labor Laws
I'VE pledge the Republican party to
the faithful enforcement of all federal
laws passed for the protection of la
Dor. We favor vocational EDUCATION;
the enactment and rigid enforcement
OF a federal child labor law; the enact.
ment Of a generous and comprehen
sive workmen's compensation Law,
within the commerce power OF Con.
gress. and an accident compensation
law covering all government employees.
We favor the collection and collation.
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