New Britain herald., 1920-07-02

pital facilities for those whose health is impaired are abundantly afforded.
 ''The federal board for vocational education should be made a part of the war risk insurance bureau in or der that the task may be treated as a whole and this machinery of pro- lection and assistance must receive every aid Of law and appropriation necessary to full and effective opera tion.
 We believe that no higher nor moro valued privilege can be afforded to an American citizen than to be- come n free holder in the soil of the United States and to that end we pledge our party to the enactment of soldier settlements and home aid leg islatIon which will afford to the men who fought for America the oppor- tunity to become land and home own CTS under conditions affording gen. uine governmC mt assistance unencum- bered by needless difficulties of red tape or advances from themselves.
 Tue Railroads.
 "Ths railroads were subjected to federal control as war measure without thought other than the swift transport of troops. munitions and supplies. When human life and na- tional hopes were at stake profits could not be considered and were not. Federal operation. however, was marked by an intelligence and efff- ciency that minimized loss and result cd in many and marked reforms. The equipment taken over was not only grossly inadequate but shamefully outgrown.
 ''Unification practices overcame these initial handicaps and provided ad hnt ments. Economies enabled operation without rate 1aises that private con- trol would have found necessary and labor was treated with an exact jus tice that secured the enthusiastic CO., operation that victory demanded. The fundamental purpose of federal con- trol was achieved fully and splendidly and at far less cost to the taxpayer than would have been the case under private operation. Investments in railroad properties were not only saved by government operation but government management returned these properties vastly improved in every physical and executive detail. A great task TaS greatly discharged.
 'sThe presidents recommendation of return to private ownership gave | the republican majority a full year in which to enact the necessary legisla- | ton. The house took six months to l formulate its ideas and another six | months was consumed by the iepub- | lican senate in equally vague debate. | As a consequence the Esch-Cummins l bill went to the president in the clos | ing hours of congress and he was | forced to a choice between the chaos | of a veto and acquiescence in the | measure submitted, however grave | may have been his objections to it.
 There should be a fair and com- plete test of the law until careful and mature action by congress may cure it's defects and insure thoroughly effective transportation system under private ownership without govern ment subsidy at the expense of the taxpayers Of the country.
 Improved Highways.
 Improved roads are of vital inn portance not only to commerce and industry, but also to agriculture and rural life. The federal road act of 1916, enacted by democratic con gross. represented the first systematic effort of the government to insure the building of an adequate system of roads in this country. The act IS amended. has resulted in placing the movement for improved highways on L | every state in the union and in bring ng under actual construction more han 13.OOO miles of roads suited 10 he traffic needs of the communities in N hich they are located.
 We favor a continuance of the present federal aid plan under exist ng federal and state agencies. amend | sd so as to include as one of the ele- nents in determining the ratio in | which the several states shall be en- tiled to share in the fund and the | Irea of any public land benefits.
 "Inasmuch as the postal service has ,cen extended by the democratic | party to the door of practically every producer and every consumer in the | (rural free delivery alone ,aving been provided by for 6,000.O00 additional patrons within the past fight years without material added | os) We declare that this instru- mentality can and will be used to the maximum of its capacity to improve he efficiency of distribution and re- uce the cost of living fo consumers thile increasing the profitable opera ions Of producers.
 "NNc strongly favor the increased | SC of the motor vehicle in the trans ortation of the mails and urge the emoval Of the res. rictions imposed by | he republican congress on the use of rotor devices in mail transportation I rural territories.
 Merchant Marine. We desire tu congratulate the | . merican people upon the rebirth Of ur merchant marine which once lore maintains it's former place in l i- | (