Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-06-06
DECISION ON PLATFORM
TO Be WITH CONVENTION
Consideration Given to Some of Out
standing Features by Party
Leaders.
FORM BASIS FOR DIsCUssIO,
Every Effort VIII BE Made to In
corporate Some Progressive Party
idcas-Greai Prominence VIII BE
Given to Americanism.

CHICAGO. June 5.-Although the dis
position among Republican leaders is
TO leave decision on the platform TO the
convention itself consideration was
given to-day to. outstanding features.
Advance preparation has been lacking,
but Senators Lodge. Borah, Sutherland
and many others in the Senate and
House have considered suggestions for
many weeks. These probably will form
the basis for discussion in the COM
mittee on resolutions. with the corven-
tion as the final Judge.
Every effort will be made in the plat
form, If tho sugg gestions are followed.
10 incorporate some Progressive party
ideas. a recall plank probably will not
be approved. but strong fight will
be made for an Endorsement of woman
suffrage.
The three Senator's first thought has
been to give greatest prominence to
Americanisn. Senator Sutherland has
gone so far as TO suggest that this
word should he used as key to the
whole superstructure. His belief Is
that satisfactory platform could be
constructed upon that principle. and
that even the tariff plank could be
made to fit into II declaration for
Am ericanisin only
SUPPORT DECLARATION
FOR NATIONALISM
While not committing themselves
entirely TO this plan of procedure, other
platform builders support an out-and-
out declaration for nationalism. Some
OF them are inclined TO the belief that
this plan might result in too great
restriction. and thus exclude many
necessary matters.
Some also are getting away fror- the
thought that the platform should be
exceptionally brief. I'VE don't want
TO be uSelessly proliX," said Senator
Borah. but we cannot, and must nor.
overlook The fact that the Republican
party IL out of power. and, that being
The case, we owe 1t TO the country 10
present n comprehensive statement OF
the basis of our appeal for support"
AS The draft stands, il is at once n
criticism of the Democratic manage
ment OF foreign affairs as vacilIatinr
and unsatisfactory, and a pronounce
ment IN favor of the protection of the
lives and property of American citizens
at home and abroad
Ihe Democratic direction OF affairs
III connection with Mexico Will be at
lacked with special severity, bat no
declaration for actual Intervention in
Mexico Is contemplated. An army and
navy adequate to the protection OF
American Interests Will be advocated
"s 'he pest means of preserving peace
ana protecting the national honor
The tariff plank will include not only
the usual Republican pronouncemcnt in
support or the principle of protection,
nut In addition there will be an asser-
'ioh OF tho inadeQuacy CT the present
'arih law to meet revenue demands
IL VIII be claimed that but for the
stimulus OF the war. business in the
United States would have suffered many
hardships as n result OF the Undcrwood-
simmons law, while 1T the same time
the Treasury. would have been CON
,inuously empty Promise will he made
OF an Immediate revision advantageous
both to the national Treasury and pri-
Vatc business. y tariff commission will
he demanded in the interest of the sta
bility and equality OF the tariff.
Much attention is TO he given to fca-
lures of the platform which il is be-
licved Will appeal to former members
or the party who supported Colonel
Roosevelt four years ago. To this end
resolutions have been prepared cover
ing most of the distinctive points Of
the Progressive platform OF 1912.
These do not include an Endorsement
of the recall. but they do embrace the
subject Of woman susfrase. The advo-
Gates OF the suffrage provision expect a
fight. but say they have an equal
chance to win.
Senator Lodge. it is conceded. with
be chairman Of the resolutions COM
mlttee. He has filled this position in
previous conventions. and II Is believed
his experience as we'll as his knowl-
edge Of Legislation and of foreign and
domestic affairs will greatly facilitate
its work.