Fergus County Democrat., 1916-06-15

ton that the government would care
fcr those upon whom it depends to
man its operating machinery. One
plank would deal with child labor and
another would advocate legislation in
the interest of labor in all govern
ment Institutions
In several succeeding planle the
legislative record OF the adninistra.
tion would be set forth with reference
to the federal reserve law, the trade
commission act, tho shipping bill, the
tariff Lill. rural credits legislation and
ether measures passed by congress or
now being pressed by the atimin,stra,
ton
Then the platform would contain q
definite pronouncement that when the
program now under way is completed
there will be no more legislation which
the business world could regard as re
straining; in short, business would he
promised a rest from congressional
interferences.
Tic draft as Secretary Baker
brought it from the Whi'c House made
no claims for general approval II the
presidents course for peace and pros
perity,' but the presidents friends arc
determined that the platform would
not he complete without Il strong nre.
sentiment on that point, and Senator
Husting of Wisconsin, was assigned
to prepare a plank, with the sugges'
ton that it be drafted in terms suf-
ficiently strong to make it one OF the
keynotes of the campaign.
pIault m woman suffrage Wh,rE
was suggested by the president him
self, probably will be re-draftnd. Some
Of the committeeman were Of the opin.
ion that it might be regarded as rot
sufficiently definite. Indications u,
night are that the plank will be not
unlike the republican plank, recogniz-
ing the right of suffrage for women,
hut holding to the right of the states
to regulate the ballot themselves.
President Wilson has repeatedly stat
cd his position in that way.
The platform committee organic I'd
today by electing Senator Stone chair
man and Lewis Bickness of South Da'
kcta secretary. It started public hear
ings with President Gompers Of the
American Federation Of Labor. who
presented 16 labor planks similar to
those offered to the republicans at
Chicago last week. Before taking q
recess for dinner it had listened u
advocates Of panks against nilitar.
ism and representatives Of the won,
ans peace party.
President Gompers began by deG,Gr
ing that the democratic party hhd
done well by labor, put it mus. gN
further
You have only done half enough,
said Mr.. Gompers. "thc future Of aay
political party depends on what il
will undertake to do for the masses
Of the people. The competition be
tween political parties now and in the
future must be on the principles AMI
policies that make directly for the
masses"
Mr.. Gompers said he appeared be
fore the republican committee @ilh
his demands for labor.
"They asked us to condensc them,'
he added, 'and when they appeared III
the republican platform it took 4
microscope to see them"
The labor leader said he was for
preparedness, but he said, 1--WE do
not want simply the preparedness to
carry a gun. There must be some
thing better, wider, deeper than car.
rying a gun. There must be prepar-
edness that is physical, mental and
spiritual, and, particularly, indus.
trial"
Mrs. W. f. Thomas of Chicago, rep.
resenting the womans peace party,
and speaking, as she said for Jane Ad-
dams, who was unable to appear told
the committee the time was ripe for a
rlank by which the United State;
might take the lead in establishing ar
i International court of justice and for
another for a referendum vote before
the United States could declare war
except when it territory was invaded