New-York tribune., 1920-05-09
Platform Building

snd OF the press '"i0"s NV
country in the platform which Inc
Tribune's readers have written,
nank by plank. in the past weeks,
and which we print to-day in final
form. is of more than passing sig
niacance. The success of this ex-
periment in popular platform max
ne Is q sign, we think, of new at
tjtude of both voters and politicians
toward platform building.
Time was when q national plat
form was largely planned by one
man. who worked in private and
brought his completed effort to the
national convention in his green
bag. A resolutions committee sat
through few hectic days and
nights, hearing delegations, hastily
revising, rewriting the submitted
draft. But of thorough investiga-
ton and careful drafting, above all,
Of any success in expressing the
common mind of the party, there
was only the most hit-or-miss at
tempt.
Such process hardly deserves
the name of building. 1t is as if the
material of ready-made, Knocked
down house were brought in and
then a score of men, selling ham,
ners and saws and working madly,
cut new windows IN the planking,
added porcnes and changed the
whole fashion of the roof, and finally
Slapped the hacked material to-
gether over night INTO such sem
oance of a structure as remained.
No wonder that so many platforms
have been jerry-built monstrosities
that misrepresented everybody and
received the respect and support Of
nobody.
The Tribune has endeavored in the
contest just closed to stimulate the
public discussion of issues and con-
tribute some progress toward a sat
isfactory definition of the common
mind. We think our readers will
agree with US that d high level Of
thought and expression has been
achieved, and in many cases notable
phrases and planks have been
drafted.
Meantime, through the initiative
Of Mr.. Hays and the National Com
mlttee, an extensive and thorough
going labor Of research has been
carried on by the Advisory Platform
committee Of the party. Distin-
guished experts have collaborated
with the ablest leaders Of the
party in collecting and formulating
material for use by the Resolutions
committee of the convention. In
stead Of a hastily thrown together
structure, the Republican platform
can this year be the considered labor
0l 1ne wlsest minds available.
The Tribune platform is a plat
form of Tribune readers. 1t repre-
sents not the views Of one paper, but
'ne Views of large body of Repub-
Hean opinion operating over months
VI ume, thoroughly debated in the
open, sifted and tabulated. 1t is. we
Alnk, an accurate cross-section Of
me Republican mind in this locality.
iae Advisory Committee of the
paf'y is' by contrast, largely body
VI experts; but with the aid of ques-
"Oahalres 1t has obtained similar re-
POrS OF the voters convictions.
"hat Is now important is that the
''' use shall be made of this
material. We are confident that the
resolutions Committee and the con-
'entlon will wish to avail themselves
u the reports of the Advisory Com
ni''tee. What we urge is that the
''sS0iutlons Committee be appointed
Sone time before the convention and
u'a' 1t meet at least two weeks
ADVANCE Of the main assembly.
"8cn state delegation chooses it's
'spfesentative on this committee
'u Sueh choice can easily be made
sOOh. Thus, ample time would be
valuable for a careful drafting OF
'ie hnal platform, and thorough
s'''slderatlon of all the material (of
Apefe opinion and OF voters opin.
'0l } would be possible.
hf' hays and the National Com
al'see have begun a reform of the
s'eatest value and moment. They
'i'oaio see 70 it that haste and ex.
cement are not permitted to inter
s with Lac working out Of its full