New-York tribune., 1920-01-26
Hundreds of Letters From
Wide Area Already Are
Received i'll Contest Inau.
gurated by The Tribune
Range of Views Broad
labor and Capital, Foreign
Policies, Bolshevism and
Finance Are Main Issues

rs Republican platform contest They /
we're selected from mass of corre-
soondence and are evidence that four
months before convention time IS not
100 early for Republicans to be think /
ing seriously Of the issues of the cam
paign.
Letters and planks came in floods
from the various boroughs of the |
greater city, Brooklyn being especially /
prolific, but virtually all parts of New
York State were represented by con-
;ributors. Not q few responses came
from New England, many were received
from New Jersey, and still further
away Pennsylvania gave evidence that
aer voters soon would be taking
lively interest in the contest.
Every walk Of life has it's PLATFORM
makers, from the man in the counting
house to the mechanic at the bench.
Politicians revealed their usual con-
Germ for things political. but they were
no more eager TO express their views
than the plain citizen who generally
part in the work of shaping public
policies.
Range of Views Is Wide
Equally wide was the range Of opin-
ion. Some wanted the government to
60 back to its limited powers in the
days OF the founders, but al the ether
erd Nf
thought the government should give
every body q vacation every year and
pay all the expenses
Among the prominent Republicans who
have offered suggestions or have written
IN commendation Of the idea of having
the people take part in the framing OF
party platforms are Chauncey NJ De-
pew. former United States Senator
who was voter and a Republican in
1886, when the party nominated its
hrst candidate for President: Assem-
oIyman Theodore Roosevelt, son Of the
great Republican leader; Senator Fred
erck NJ. Davenport. who was the Pro
gressive nominee for Governor O. New
YORK IN 1914; Charles D. Newton, At
torney General OF the state, and Will
IAN NJ. Bennett, former State Senator
and long prominent in the affairs Of
the party.
striking feature of the preliminary
stages Of the contest was the scarcity
Of communicati from women. The
new voters were but lightly represent
ed IN the contributions, but as their
interest in the platform is equal to
that OF the men, it is expected that
their apparent reluctance to take part
IN the contest soon will disappear.
Labor and Living Cost Linked
Three hundred planks already have
been submitted. OF these, tae great
es. number emphasize the relations
between labor and capital. There is
demand for some sort of partnership
between worker and employer in the
endeavor 70 increase production and so
help to lower the cost Of living. Some
OF the writer's insist on the right Of
labor TO organize and to engage in
collective bargaining. A few call for
control Of big business.
Another issue which is discussed
freely ;s that of world relations Many
writers argue either for or against the
league Of nations. A demand that the
Monroe Doctrine be rigidly observed is
voiced By some. Some solution Of the
Mexican question is urged by many.
The question Of free speech, pro
voked apparently by the trial Of the So
clalist Assemblymen at Albany, is put
forward by many as a vital issue
Others feel that, as further safeguards
oi democracy, it IS necessary to revise
the election Laws so the choice shall be
made by the people directly, and not
0y the Electoral College. Some writer's,
obviously thinking Of the prohibition
amendment, insist that the state shall
provide for referendurns on any con-
Sdtutlonal amendment.
Interested in Army and Navy
There is evidence that the lessons Of
'ne Word War still are borne well IN
nand in the fact that the question OF
army and navy programs comes fourth
N 'ne iiss Of issues suggested There
are many pleas for universal military
raining and for big navy.
Social justice, too, is freely dis
eas7sd. Some writer's call for rcgu-
'atson os child labor, some for better
measures 70 improve health, some for
more he'd 70 education. There IL Il
VIDE demand for bcttermcnt Of living
'SAaitions, but this Is vague and there
e's 's" concrete sugzestions.
mere is rnuch cornfnen. on the prob
IN of bolshev!rrn. a ten writers agree
'''&' dcportat.on is Il remedy. There are
many who feel that the only solution is
Contamination, which would be nc-
s'nphzhed in various w4ys-by cduca-
nm NJ LAVE reouir.ng quick citizen
sA'p Or by governrnent institutions TO
quaint INN grants with the ideals and
"e nstit1tions " the United States.
"a''onal finance also ko,ds good
o. attention. There IL a vide de
''&hn fcr a budget systern 20 compel
~>''FnJ IN government ard plea
YNsH ~ Il fen for rcYision Of the