The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-05-21
Platform of National Manufac-
turers' Assn Announced.
Declares That Public Interest
Must Be Safeguarded.
SHARP IS KANSAS DELEGATE
Platform Committee Meeting in
New York This Week.
Say "We Are Citizens Before
We Are Manufacturers.c

being centered in a considerable de-
gree on the declaration of principles
] outlined in New York this week by
the National Association of Manufae-
turers. The national association will
seek to secure adoption of its policies
oy national and state political organi-
cations. This move may force gem
! eral public consideration of the meas
ures outlined and now being sent to
every manufacturer, wholesaler, job
Der and large retailer in the country.
There is much in the platform of
the big business organization which
points to operation of regulatory
| measures such as the Kansas indus
trial court act.
Public interest" says the platform,
requires that the possession and ex-
ercise of power thru combination shall
be accompanied by corresponding re-
sponsibiIfty.'
A platform committee of three
members in each state will urge state
consideration and adoption of plat
form policies
Harry sharp Kansas Delegate.
Harry Sharp, secretary of the Kan
sas Employers association, repre-
fsented industrial activities from this
state at the New York gathering. Thru
the employers association representa-
tives of larger wholesale, manufac-
turing, jobbing and retail business of
this state will make known its plans
and purposes. The preamble and text
Of the national platform is told in
3,77f words. 1t is one of the longest
commercial kilograms ever sent into
the state.
Declaring that manufacturing in
terests of the nation realize their So
ciai responsibility to the public, the
preamble of the platform asserts. I'VE
are citizens before we are manufac-
turerS.'' Then it adds: 1.-The funda-
mental of our republic under the
constitution is not socialistic democ-
racy, it is established and shall remain
a representative republic"
For Private Operation.
Strong demand is made IN the platform
for broader opportunities for private op--
Grafton OF industries and for release OF all
1T is not the function of our govern
ment," the platform asserts. ito own or op-
sEe tn leCtim DuI under
private ownership and management. 1t
should abstain from competition with its
they can successfully undertake. Compeu
ton should not be compelled where regu-
lated cooperation more benefic1alIy pro-
notes the public interest,". The reputation
of combinations by definition of their lin
itstions is among the most important du-
| ties of government.
Then with an apparent thought for op-
Grafton of the Kansas industrial court act,
| the manufacturers said:
Must Protect Pubic Interest,"
"The right to organize and act in COM
bination whether by employer or employe,
l corporation or union, is relative and not
| absolute. 1t ends where injury to the pub
lie interest begins. Phis principle has been
widely applied 10 business combinations.
During quarter of a century of regula-
/ be equally applied, fairly but firmly. to all
| combinations The right to strike or
| lockout which is merely an exercise of
| the right to act in combination, must be
defined and limited. Where it conflicts
with the community's paramount right of
| self-preservation, it is essential that ma
1 tional and state government in their re-
] spective fields assert and establish effective
control over combinations operating in pro-
| duction and transportation essential to the
4 life of a community.
| Public interest requires that the pos
| session and exercise of power thru COM
bination shall be Accompanied by CORES
whether of employers or employees, must
| be equally subject to public authority and
| legally answerable for its own conduct
and that of its agents.
speed Up Production"
America must speed up, the declaration
| asserts. "Quickened industrial produc-
| says the platform. ITO obtain it requires
| successful cooperation OF management and
| men thru right employment Such rela-
| tions are not made by legislation They
are human growth and not a manufac-
The excess profits tax is branded as a
| "misnomer without foundation in fact
| Substitution Of a tax on gross final sales
| is urged. Demand is also made for re-
funding war indebtedness into long term
/ securities and "postponement of sinking
| fund payments suspended until industry
| has an opportunity to recover from strains
Of war conditions"
Private ownership of railroads and
| private operation under strict government
| regulation is urged. Recommendation is
made for permissive consolidation of exist
I ing rail system in promotion of economic
and efficient operation.
| Rigid inning grafton laws to bar radicals
and disloyaHsts were advocated 1t was
| further declared that successful commerce
and national security require an adequate
privately owned and operated American
| merchant marine composed of ships built
/ in American yards of American material,
by American labor, manned, differed and
| owned by Americans and sailing without
handicap under the national flag"
A new tariff law framed with a view to
existing conditions was recommended.