New-York tribune., 1920-05-19
Strike Curb
In Platform
OF Industry
Challenge to A. F. of l.. and
Plea for Liberation From
Unnecessary Regulation
Are Basis of Principles
Want Profits Tax Repeal
Retrenchment by Congress
in Appropriations Urged;
Soldier Bonus Opposed

"a Platform for American Industry, +"
the first of its kind ever presented to
the American people by the organized
leaders Of production, was adopted last
night by the convention of the Nation
al Association of Manufacturers in
session at the Waldorf Astoria.
The platform calls for the liberation
Of American industry from what it
terms the many obstacles now created
by unnecessary regulation" and is in
tended also as a challenge to the Amer
lean Federation of Labor. In present
ing its platform the Manufacturers AS
sociation calls upon the people to
choose between its platform and the
principles of the federation.
Chief Platform Planks
The following are among the chief
planks of the platforms:
THE right to strike or lockout
which is merely an exercise of the
right to act in combination. must be
defined and limited wherever it con-
flicts with the community's paramount
right of preservation. 1t is there.
fore essentials:
81. That the national and state GOV.
ernments, each in their respective
fields, shall assert and establish effec
tive control over combinations operat
ing in production and transportation
essential to the life of the community
'2. The public interest requires thai
the possession and exercise of power
through combination snail be accom-
panied by corresponding responsibility
/ Every association. whether of employ
ers or employees, must be equally sub
ject to public authority and legal,
answorable for its own conduct anG
that OF It's agents.
Assails Strike of Workers
"3. The life of government is it.
power TO function. The right Of gov
eminent employees to adequate hear
ing and just and generous treatmen
must be amply protected, but the righ
Of such employees to combine to sto1
or Obstruct the operation Of govern
ment does not exist.
-. The paramount common interes
in continuous public utility service eli.
/ powers and obllgates The governmen
to control all combination to paralyz
or obstruct it and requires the ultimat
submission Of disputes threatening tn
interruption of such service to infpar
tial adjudication without depriving th'
community OF it.
IS. To preserve equality befor
the law, the same principles of con
duct must apply TO all classes o
citizens under like circumstances. T.
lawful for one class OF citizens to dc
that which is unlawful or crimina
when done by another class, or to pro
hibIt or pretend to prohibit the use O
public funds TO enforce any law agains
an excepted group Of possible offend
ers, is vicious 1t should be con
demned in principle and offending er
actments repealed"
Demand Excess Profits Tax Repeal
On the subject Of taxation an
finance the platform demands repeal O
the excess profits tax and the substitu
ton for it of tax on gross sales Q
goods, wares and merchandise,
"Figorous retronchment by Congress
and refusal of unnecessary approria
nuns IL Ii 80 a. ~ 4s'Nt-NesL 4ilceir
ures Of reducing the country's ia
burden The enactment Of an effec
tive budget system is likewise advc
Gated, as is "the refunding Of our il
debtedness into long term secuYitie
and the postponement Of the sinkin
fund payments until industry has d
opportunity to recover from the strai
OF war conditions"
The platform urges readjustment c
railroad rates "to save the countr
from irreparable injury Compulsor
arbitration is advocated to proven
railroad strikes.
"a constructive policy Of selecti,
immigration 5 urged for the purpos
Of replenishing the countrys labor SUI
ply The gene raj prohibition OF INN
grafton 5 branded as "a counsel {
bigotry and selfshness." Careful e'
animation of all prospective imm
grants, both abroad and upon enterin
the country, is urged, as we'll as cor
structive program of distribution
immigrants and their Americanizatio1
Urge Aid to Merchant Marine
Termination, through due notice. {
all treaties or commercial convention
with foreign nations which restral
Congress from enacting appropriate il
dependent protective and promoti1
legislation in behalf OF the merchal
marine is urged.
Readiustment of the tariff TO NEE
the new conditions created by tn