South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-04-14
SMITH GIVES
STAND ON ALL
PARTY ISSUES
Candidate for Congressional
Nomination In Favor
of League.

Those who heard Ralph y. Smith
OF Laporte, candidate for the 18th
district democratic congressional
nomination. at the high school au-
ditorium. Tuesday night know where
he stands on the political issues of
the dav.
Mr.. Smith told his hearers that he
favors the adop1ion Of the peace
treaty with the covenant of the
League Of Nations as it was brought
back from Paris by Pres't Wilson.
The candidate also made his posi-
ton clear on the wet" and dry
question, declaring that he is a
/ dry" He said that he believes that
IL is only fair TO the voters that they
know his position on all the great
issues confronting the nation in the
present campaign.
Pyle opens.
The meeting was opened by Dan
! Pyle who said that il was befitting
that on the anniversary of the birth
for the outhor Of the Declaration Of
Great Britain TO outvOte them six
that the complex problems now con-
fronting the people Of America
should be discussed, and particular
~ by one who aspires to represent
the people Of the 18th district in
the national congress
Charles p. Drummond. who was
presented by Alr. Pyle TO introduce
the speaker Of the evening. said that
he had known Mr.. Smith for the
past is years. and had known him
N no Ia nf n hf1fsxv in
tegrity. and a man Of honor and
principle.
Mr.. Smith made no apologies for
his support Of the democratic ma
tional administration. He pointed
to the six years OF achievement by
the democratic congress. and dared
republican leaders to point out one
piece Of national legislation they
would repeal that had been er@cted
by the democratic congress, under
the guidance Of a democratic presi-
dent.
Names Laws.
The candidate pointed to the es-
tablishment Of a labor department,
the enactment Of the Farm Loan
law. the Federal Reserve law and
the Adamson law as only few OF
achievements by the democratic
congress during its six years in
power.
Mr.. smith defended the covenant
of the League Of Nations, and ably
dispelled the illusions attempted by
republican leaders regarding section
10 Of the covenant. He showed con-
clusively that arguments of repub-
lican leaders that Great Britain
would have six votes 10 the United
States one in the council of the
league lie showed that every ac-
tion of the council must be unani-
Cous. even to the selection of the
four additional members 20 the orig
inal five great powers. the United
States. Great Britain, France, Italy
and Japan.
He pointed to the absurdity OF
believing that France. Italy, Japan
and the United States would allow
Great Britain TO outvOte them six
to one.
Tho speaker declared that even
before they knew what the League
OF Nations covenant contained, re-
publican leaders began TO attack il
because IL had been fathered by
democratic president and for politi-
cal capital.
Mr.. Smith denounced the present
congress for attempting 10 pass a
peace resolution that they know be-
forehand is unconstitutional
Reason for Force.
"Tha League of Nations is mere
" the substitution of reason for
force in the settlement Of disputes
between nations" he told his hear
ers.
If this covenant will stop moth
ers and fathers from being COM
PEELED TO give up their sons TO be
slaughtered. it should be given
trial before Il is rejected" he de-
Clared.
He declared that the democratic
party's legislation had been for the
benefit Of the masses. and that OF
| the republicans for the classes. He
| challenged republican leaders 20
show where the republican party
| had ever enacted laws that would
bentfit the wage Garner. He de-
nounced the recommendation OF the
! congressional finance committee that
! the excess profit tax be taken from
/ the income tax law, declaring that
! this was another effort 10 legislate
| i'm favor OF the classes as against
! the masses. He seid that If there
were any burdens 10 be lifted. they
| should be lifted from those who
4 could not offord 70 bear them.
Must get Permission.
Mr. Smith pointed 10 the criticism
! OF Warren T. McCray in this city re-
! Gently of the present state tax Law
| in illustrating the republican pro
| pensity 20 legislate for the classes
| He said that as a candidate for the
| republican gubernatorial nomination
| Mr.. MCCray would undoubtedly no
I meet with the approval of Gov
! Goodrich, father Of the tax law. H'
/ said that under this law. Indiana
| cities are forced 20 obtain permission
| from a tax board at Indianapolis tc
| spend their own money. He said
that every time South Bend or any
other city wanted 20 build a schoo
house or road. il must first ge
permission from the state tax board
In defining his position on ~
| liquor question. Mr.. Smith declared
that he IS dry"
Il believe that Il is only fair tha
the voters should know where
stand on this question as we'll as OF