Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-06-29
Platform Committee
Holds Public Hearings
CONTINUED from, page IL


This commission should have au-
thority to investigate an Industrial
dispute at the request of either side
or upon its own initiative. On each
dispute two members would be add
ed to the commission, one chosen by
each side in order that each side
might be sure to have a representa-
time would be allowed for investiga-
ton, The report Of the commission
would not be binding on either side
out would be a guide to public opin-
ion.'
At the beginning OF the public
hearings a plea for enfranchisement
OF h citizens of the District Of Co.
civic associations.
Gompers Program.
Presenting the petitions of the
american Federation Of Labor. Mr..
Gompers said his program was de-
signed to aid all wage earners, or
ganized or unorganized. He told the
committee that unless the Democrats
look a progressive attitude, they
could not hope ito compete with a
party that has written reaction across
its banners"
The Republican" said Mr.. Com
pers. formulated a declaration so
lacking in principles of progress and
safety that there must be some ave.
nue. in which the intelligent unrest
among our people a find it's express
sion and enforcement.
Already the enemies of labor and
the enemies of the party are spread
ms an 1nsldlous propaganda, SEEM
ing to assume that we are coming
mere to hold a u at YOU heads.
But we do not come in a, spirit Of
compulsion. but as your fellow citi-
zens asking for a declaration of pro-
gresslve human rights"
In the main, Nh. Gompers said,
the proposal submitted by labor were
Democratic platforms of 1908, 1912
and 1916. He paid tribute to Presi-
dent Wilson and declared the keynote
address Of Chairman Cummings at
the opening of the convention yester-
day was one of the most masterful
in recent American politics.
There is not a sentence in that
! which could be objected to by any
red-blooded American"
The ~federation's platform as read
to the committee by Vice President
Matthew Woll was the same as that
presented to the Republican platform
COMMITTEE at Chicago. 1t provided for
full protection of wage earners to or
6o4AA10 d1lO OdI 6duI COllSCLlt0ly, OCs
clared against anti-strike legislation,
and 'unwarrantable". injunctions and
proposed guarantees for free speech,
adequate preparedness, a curb on
profteering, prohibition of child labor
and enforcement Of the eight-hour
day.
Court injunctions. MI. Gompers de
clared, had annulled provisions Of the
Clayton antitrust law protecting la
Dor.
Labor is practically in the same
condition as before its enactment" he
asserted, declaring courts had requir-
ed men to do things they had no right
to do. The labor hearings were closed
with Mr.. Gompers' address.
State Senator Oleson of Utah, pre-
sented a number of demands, backed
Democratic party. He assailed Attor.
ney General Palmer for abuse of tht
laws guaranteeing freedom of speech
and the press. Applause greeted q
statment that prohibition was not a
political issue and should be barred
from the platform. He also urged
government ownership and operation
natural resources
Bishop James Cannon Of Tennessee
opened for the dry forces, who's
speakers were introduced by Mr.. Bry
an. He said efforts were being mad
to put a wet brand" on the demo
cratic party. ,
"If you oppose the eighteenth
amendment, do not nullify it," h
said. IF o a to tmend the Vol
stead law, go to congress"
Mrs. e. A. Yost. Washington, D. c
representing the Woman's Christial
Temperance Union. said strict en-
forcement was a moral duty" an
asked a plank pledging honest en-
~forcement.
Frank M. Silsby. representing tn
Presbyterian national general assem-
plank and protested against any weak
ening Of the volstead act. .
Formed Representative Richar
Pearce Hobson Of Alabama submitte'
a plank expressing party pride in tn
national prohibition amendment.
Charles ]. Hall. representing tenn
perance organizations. said prohibi
t~ionists had been handed a gold brio
at Chicago"
Henry Clay Needham of the nation
al prohibition party asked if the dem
ocrats wanted these millions 9
votes referring to the dry sentimer
in the country.
Introducing Wayne D. Wheeler, rer
%resenting twenty-five prohibition OF
CARNATIONS and the Anti-saloo
League Of America, Mr.. Bryan sal
that many ORGANIZATIONS would file pe
titions and briefs. AS a member Of tn
committee Mr.. Bryan said he woul
defer his own remarks.
The eighteenth amendment, M
Wheeler said had come to stay"
THE square toed issue you me
have to face" he said, lis whether
beer and wine modification will null
fly it. We think we can proce that
will"
Wheeler Speaks.
Not only popular sentiment BIZ
the opinion Of all the courts" M
Wheeler said. upheld the opinio
that bone dry laws were necessary Il
effective enforcement Of prohibition
ITO open the way for wine al
beer to be manufactured and sold
notification pure and simple" M
Wheeler continued. "and. besides. it
bad politics because it would aliena,
the great prohibition majorities tn;
= have been returned in so many state
In these days of unrest you cannot =
before the people on a platform al
vocating a notification or lax e,
forcement OF laws"
Former Representative Theodore
Bell of California, opened the ca.
for the vets.
Il deny the right to assume" I
said, that the American people wi
submit for all time to come to tt
intolerance Of the eighteenth ament
ment." He assailed the position z
Mr.. Bryan, reading from various pla
forms on which the Nebraskan hs
been a candidate. In 1890 he sai
the platform on which Mr.. Brys