South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-07-03

took six months 10 formulate its
ideas and another six months was
consumed BY the republican senate
in equally va que debate. As a con-
sequence the sch-Cumrfins bill
went to the president In the closing
hours OF congress, and ne was forced
TO a choice between the chaos OF a
veto and acquiesce in the measure
submitted. however. grave may
have been his objections TO it
Fair Test OF Law.
There should be a fair and com
plete test of the law until careful
and mature action by congress may
cure its defects and insure a thor
oughly effective transportation sys-
TEN under private ownership with
out government subsidy at the ex-
pense OF the taxpayers OF the coun-
try.
IMPROVED HIGHWAYS
Improved roads are OF vital I'm
portance not only 10 commerce and
industry but also 10 agriculture and
rural life. The federal road act Of
1915. enacted by a democratic con-
gress. represented the first system
attic effort OF the government 70 in
sure the building OF an adequate
system OF roads in this country. The
act, as amended. has resulted in
placing the movement for improved
highways on a progressive and sub
stantial basis in every state IN the
union and in bringing under actual
construction more than 5000 miles
OF roads suited 10 the traffic neeGs
OF the communities in which they
are located.
We favor a continuance OF the
federal aid plan under existing fed
eral and state agencies amended so
as TO include as one of the elements
in determining the ratio in which
the several states shall be entitled
TO share in the fund, the area Of any
public land therein.
Inasmuch as the postal service
has been extended by the democra-
tic party to the door of practically
every producer and every consumer
in the country, rural free delivery
alone having been provided for
5000, 900 additional patrons within
the past eight years without mater
ial added cost. we declare that this
fundamentally can and will be
used 10 the maximum Of its capacity
TO improve the efficiency of distri-
buAAOl anu ItuuNC the COSL Oh llNluk
to consumers while increasing the
profitable operations OF producers.
We strongly favor the increased
use OF the motor vehicle in trans
portation of mails and urge the re-
moval of the restrictions imposed
by the repu blican congress on the
use Of motor devices in mail trans
port in rural territories.
MERCHANT MARINE
We desire TO congratulate the
people upon the re-birth
of our merchant marine which once
more maintains its former place in
the world. IL was under a demo-
cratic administration that this was
accomplished after 20 years of in
difference and neglect, IL million
tons having been constructed since
the act was passed in 1916. We
pledge the policy of our party 10
the continued growth of our mer-
chant marine, under proper legisla-
ton so that American products viii
be carried 10 all ports of the world
by vessels built in American yards.
flying the American flag.
PORT FACILITIES
The urgent demands Of the war
for adequate transportation of war
as we'll as for domestic
needs revealed that our port facil-
tiles rate adjustments were such as
to seriously effect the whole coun-
try in times of peace as we'll as war.
For Rate Equality.
We pledge our party to stand for
of rates, both import and
export, for the ports Of the country
to the end that there might be ade-
quate and fair facilities and rates
for the mobilization of the products
Of the country offered for shipment
INLAND WATERWAYS
We call attention to the failure
Of the republican national conven-
ton 10 recognize in any way the
rapid development Of barge trans
pOrtation on our inland WATERWAYS
which development is the result of
policies of the demo-
cratic administration. And we
pledge ourselves 10 the further de-
OF adequate transporta-
ton facilities on our rivers and to
the further Improvement of our in
land waterways and we recognize
the importance of connecting the
Great Lakes with the sea by way of
taries, as well as by the St Law
renee river. We favor an enterpris-
ing foreign trade policy with all ma
tons and in this connection we
favor the full utilization Of all At
lantic, Gulf and Pacific ports and an
equitable distribution Of shipping
facilities between the various ports
Transportation remains an in
creasingly vital problem in the con
tinued development and prosperity
Of the nation.
For Better Rail Facilities.
Our present facilities for dis
by rail are Inadequate and
promotion Of transportation by
water is imperative. We therefore
favor a liberal and comprehensive
policy for the development and
utilization Of our harbors and inter-
Tor waterways.
FLOOD CONTROL
We commend the democratic
for the redemption Of the
pledge contained in our last plat
form by the passage of the flood
control act Of March 1. 1917. and
point TO the successful control OF
the foods Of the Mississippi river
and the Sacramento river. Califor-
mia, under the policy of that law.
for its complete justification. We
favor the extension Of this policy 20
other food control problems where
ever the federal interest involved
lustifies the expenditure required.
RECLAMATION OF
ARID L ANOS