Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-06-11
publican Platform Opens Way Nomination Of Any Candddt

| dent of the United States with all the
authority and power necessary to restore
| the federal government to a normal peace
basis and reorganize, retrench and de-
| mobilize The dominant fact is that
eighteen months after the armistice, the
United States government is still on a
| war time basis and the expen diture Spro-
gram of the executive reflects war time
extravaganza rather than rigid peace
time economy.
As an example of the failure 10 re-
trench which has characterized the post
war policy of the administration, we cite
the fact that not including the war and
navy departments, the executive depart
ments and other establishments at Wash
ington actually record an increase sub
sequent to the armistice of PISA employees.
+ The net decrease in costs contained in the
1921 demands submitted by the admins
tration is only 1 per cent under that of
1920. The annual expenses Of federal
operation can be reduced hundreds of
millions Of dollars without impairing the
/ efficiency of the public service.
We pledge ourselves to a carefully
| planned readjustment to a peace time
| basis and to a policy Of rigid economy,
! to the better coordination Of depart
unnecessary officials and employees and to
/ the raising of the standard of individual
/ efficiency.
/ THE EXECUTIVE BUDGET.
! We congratulate the republican con-
| gress on the enactment of a law pro-
vidipg for the establishment of an ex-
ecutive budget al a necessary instrument
, for a sound and businesslike administra-
ton Of the national finances, and we con-
J denim the veto OF the president which de-
feated this great financial reform.
FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS
AND BUREAUS.
We advocate a thorough investigation
/ Of the present organization OF the fed
| eral departments and bureaus with a
| view to securing consolidation, a more
| businesshke distribution of functions,
| the elimination of duplication, delays and
overlapping of work and the establish
ment of an up-to-date and efficient ad-
ministrative organization.
! WAR POWERS OF PRESIDENT.
| The president clings tenaciously to his
I autocratic wartime powers. His veto Of
! the resolution declaring peace and his
/ refusal to sign the bill repeating war
| time legislation. no longer necessary, evt-
| dence his determination not to restore
! co the nation and to the states the form
| stitution. This usurpation is intolerable
/ and deserved the severest condemnation.
/ TAXATION.
The burden Of taxation imposed upon
the American people IS staggering, but
I in presenting a true statement OF the
situation we must face the fact that
while the character OF the taxes can and
should be changed, an early reduction OF
the amount Of revenue TO be raised Is
not TO be expected. The next republican
administration will inherit from its
democratic predecessor a floating In
debtedness Of over 5000 900 600. the
prompt liquidation OF which is demand
ed by sound financial considerations.
Moreover. the whole fiscal policy OF the
government must be deeply influenced by
the necessity OF meeting obliga tons In
excess OF 50, 600 00O,OOO which mature In
1923. But sound policy equally demands
the early accomplishment OF that real
reduction Of the tax burden which may
be achieved by substituting simple for
complex tax laws and procedure prompt
and certain determination Of the tax liza
bihty for delay and uncertainty, tax
laws which do not for tax laws which do
excessively mulct the consumer or need
Jessly repress enterprise and thrift.
We advocate the issuance OF a sim
pli1ed form OF income return: authoriz-
ing the treasury department to make
changes in regulations effective only
from the date Of their approval. en-
towering the commissioner Of internal
revenue, with the consent Of the tax
payer, TO make final and conclusive set
Elements Of tax claims and assessments
barring fraud, and the creation OF n
tax board consisting Of at least three
representatives Of the taxpaying public
and the heads OF the principal divisions
/ Of the bureau Of internal revenue to act
as a standing committee on the simplii-
cation OF forms, procedure and law, and
to make recommendations TO The congress.
BANKING AND CURRENCY.
The fact "a that the war TO a great
extent was financed by a policy Of In
Hation through certificate borrowing from
the banks and bonds issued at artificial
rates sustained by the low discount rates
established by the federal reserve board.
The continuance of this policy since the
armistice lays the administration open
TO severe criticism. Almost up TO the
present time the practices of the federal
reserve board as to credit control have
been frankly dominated by the convent
ence Of the treasury.
The results have been greatly In
creas ed war cost. a serious loss to the
millions Of people who In good faith
bought liberty bonds and victory notes
at par. and extensive post war specula-
ton. followed today by restricted
credit for legitimate industrial expan-
sion. As matter OF public policy. we
urge all banks TO give credit preference
to essential industries.
The federal reserve system should be
free from political influence, which is
quite as important as its independence
Of domination by financial combinations.
THE HIGH COST OF LIVING.
The prime cause Of "the high cost Of
living" has been first and foremost
30 per cent depreciation in the purchas-
ing power Of the dollar, due to a gross
expansion Of our currency and credit
Reduced production burdensome taxa
ton. swollen profits. and the increased
demand for goods arising from a fct-
tious but enlarged buying power have
been contributing causes in a greater or
less degree.
We condemn the unsound fiscal poll
cies of the democratic administration
which have brought these things to pass
and their attempts to impute the con-
sequences to minor and secondary causes
Much Of the injury wrought is irrepara-
bic. There is no short way out, and we
decline to deceive the people with vain
promises or quack remedies But as the
political party that throughout its his
tory has stood for honest money and
sound finance, we pledge ourselves to
earnest and consistent attack upon the
high cost Of living by rigorous avoidance