Omaha daily bee., 1916-08-01

pering the development and expansion
OF transportation facilities. This ma
tional end may be accomplished with
out the sacrifice OF any interest that
is essentially local, or without weak
ening public control. Our present
system is crude and inadequate. More
over, in the severe economic struggle
that is before US, and in seeking, as
we should, to promote our productive
industries and to expand our COM
merce-notably our foreign commerce
we shall require the most efficient
organization, quite as efficient as that
found in any nation abroad. There
must be no unnecessary wastes and no
arbitrary distractions. We have de-
termined to cut out root and branch,
monopolistic practices, but we can do
this without hobbling enterprise or
narrowing the scope of legitimate
achievement. Again, we must build
up our merchant marine. 1t will not
aid to put the government into compc-
tition with private owners. That. it
seems to me, is counsel OF folly.
A surer way OF destroying the prom
Use of our foreign trade could hardly
be devised. 1t has we'll been asked
does the government intend to operate
at a profit or at loss? We need the
encouragement and protection of gov
ernment for our shipping industry, but
it cannot afford to have the govern
ment as competitor.
For Interest Of Labor.
I'VE stand for the conservation of
the just interests OF labor. We do not
desire production, or trade, or et-
fciency in either, for its own sake,
but for the betterment of the lives of
human beings. We shall not have any
lasting industrial prosperity, unless
we buttress our industrial endeavors
by adequate means for the protection
of health; for the elimination of un
necessary perils to life and limb; for
the safeguarding of our future
through proper laws for protection OF
women and children in industry; tor
increasing opportunities for education
and training. We should be solocitious
to inquire carefully into every grlev-
ance, remembering that there are few
disputes which cannot easily be ad-
justed if there be an impartial ex-
animation of the facts. We make
common cause in this country, not
for a few, but for all; and our watch
word must be cooperation. not eX-
ploitation. No plans will be adequate
save as they are instinct with genuine
democratic sympathy.
II stand for adequate federal work
mems Compensation laws, dealing not
only with the employees of govern
ment, but with those employees who
are engaged in interstate commerce,
and are subject to the hazard OF IN
Jury, so that those activities which
are within the sphere of the constltu-
tional authority of congress may be
dealt with under a suitable law.
Agricultural Conservation.
1--WE propose to promote by every
practicable means our agricultural IN
terests and we include in this program
an effective system of rural credits.
We favor the wise conservation OF
our natural resources. We desire not
only that they shall be safeguarded,
but that they shall be adequately de-
veloped and used to the utmost public
advantage.
National Observation-Disclosures
I'VE turn to other considerations of
important policy. One of these is our
attitude toward the Philippines. That,
may say, is not question of self
interest. We have, assumed interna--
tional obligations which we should
not permit ourselves to evade. A
breach of trust is not an admissible
American policy, though our oppo-
nents have seemed to consider it
such. We should administer govern
ment in the Philippines with a full
recognition of our international duty,
without partisanship, with the aim of
the highest standards of
expert administration, and in the in
terest OF the Filipinos. This is mat
ter of national honor
Woman Suffrage"
Il endorse the declaration in the |
platform in favor of woman suffrage. |
! do not consider it necessary to re-
view the arguments usually advanced |
on the one side or the other, as my
own convictions proceed from a some
what different point of view. Some
time ago a consideration of our
economic conditions and tendencies.
of the position of women in gainful
occupations, of the nature and course
of the demand, led me to the conclu-
sion that the granting of suffrage TO
women is inevitable. Opposition may
delay, but in my judgment cannot de-
feat this movement. Nor can | see
any advantages in the delay which
can possibly offset the disadvantages
which are necessarily incident to the
continued agitation. Facts should be
met We shall have a con-
stantly intensified effort and dis
tinctly feminist movement constantly
perfecting its organization to the sub
version of normal political issues. We
shall have struggle increasing in BIT
terness, which | believe to be inim-
ical to our welfare. If women are to
have the vote, as | believe they are,
it seems to me entirely clear that in
the interest of the public life of this
country, the contest should be ended
promptly. | favor the vote for women
Administrative Efficiency.
Confronting every effort to i'm
prove conditions, is the menace of in
administration. II is an
notion that democracy
can be faithfully served by inexpert-
ness. Democracy needs exact knowl-
edge, special skill and thorough train
ing in its servants. | have already
spoken of the disregard of proper
standards, in numerous instances, in
appointments to the diplomatic serv-
ice. Unfortunately there has been
similar disregard of executive respon-