New-York tribune., 1918-03-08
Equal Suffrage and Public
Ownership Also Are
Indorsed
Plank for Farmers
Is in Platform
Full Franchise for Negroes
and Internationalism
Are Urged

CHICAGO, March = Equal suffrage,
nationwide prohibition and radical
legislation tavorins farmers and labor
crs are the chief pIanks Of tho plat
form of the National party, composed
largely of loyal Socialists, adopted here
to-day at a convention attended by
about 200 delegates, one hundred OF
whom are boltcrs from the Prohibition
party.
The platform. after several hours Of
debate on the negro voting question
and various points of the planks favor
inc laborcrs. vas adopted by unani-
nous vote. 1t is the first definite ex-
precision Of the policies Of the new
party.
In regard to suffrage, the platform
demands the right of men and women
to vote on all questions and enforce
mcnt Of the laws enfranchising negroes
and others. regardless of color or race
The prohibition plank pledges the
party to work for nationwide prohibit
ton and for immediate ratification of
the constitutional amendment.
Extension of the Federal loar law is
among the important legislation con-
ccrning farmers which is advocated.
Advance loans upon crops or products
IN storage, government insurance Of
farms and stock. Federal inspection of
farm products at terminals and untax-
ing of all farm equipment and meas
urcs to prevent the holding of large
tracts of idle land are included.
Limitation of Immigration shorten
surance, more rigorous inspection of
factories and working places and ade-
quatc enforcement of child labor laws
arc some Of tho things urged in the
labor plank. 1t is also advocated that
the government forbid interstate ship
ments of articles made by children,
women employed more than eight hours
day or six days a week, convcts
under private contract, or persons en-
pioyed IN unlnspccted factories or
mines. Abolition of contract prices on
labor and the establishment of the
honor system in prisons is advocated.
The platform declares that the party
recognizes that the republic of the
world Is the goal for international po-
litical Development, and urges abolition
OF secret diplomacy. freedom of the
seas and abolition of prohibitive or dis
crlminatory tariffs or taxes upon trade
and commerce.
Other conditions advocated arc free
dom of speech both by word of mouth
and by printed matter, the short bal
lot in state and municipal elections.
right of absentee citizens to vote by
affidavit and public ownership of pub
lie utilities.
Practically the only arguments over
the platform came on the question Of
W 10 l.
the suffrage plank and whether gov
ernmcntal insurance of laborers should
be compulsory. John Spargo. of Yer
mont, defended the use of the word
negro and it was retained. 1t was
decided not TO urge compulsory insur-
ance.
Another point disputed was whether
the preamble to the platform should
read "Thc national party accepting
His Son Jesus Christ" After preach
crs of various denominations had ar
sued this for some time. it was decided
10 use the first mentioned wording
Members of the national committee
of the Prohibition party remained over
to-day TO meet with representatives of
the new organization to arrange for
complete cooperation between the two
a manifesto. simplifying the party s
platform. was approved tonight, and
copies of 1T will be sent to the labor
parties of foreign countries. Besides
explaining the purpose of the party it
says:
Labor will win the war and the or
sanization OF labor forces is a para
mount condition to the winning of the
war Labor is gaining ruling position
in all fields of society, and this position
must be strengthened until labor con
trolls society. This must be done
through unions and farmer organiza.
tons"
It also demands that labor repre-.
sentatives be Included in any counci
discussing terms of peace, and urge.
that the Housing Commission, author
lzed by Congress, be empowered tt
continue its work after the war, so a:
20 take care of the millions of re
turning soldiers who Will be withou
means of earning a livelihood"
The report of the committee on or
ganization. calling for appointment o
national committee and various stat
committees, was adopted unanimously
The report declared that the party ha
shown remarkable growth since !
Has first organized. Although i di,
rot aention figures, the report de
clarcd that many state candidates o.
the national ticket would be elected a
me next elections. and that the part
probably would elect several Unite
states congressman" IN addition I
the prohibit!onists who boited 10 tn
national party, many progressive
were coming IN. the report added