Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-08-06

education should be made a part OF tn.
war-:isk insurance bureau: in orIer
whole. and this machinery OF protec-
ton and assistance must receive every
sary to full and effective operation.
We believe that To higher or more
valued privilege can be afforded to an
freebooter in the soil of the UniteG
States. and to that end we pledge our
Elements and home aid lcgisla zion
which will AFFORD to the men who
fought for America the opportunity TO
become land and home owners under
condi afording genuine govern
Needless msn r.d or
vance fnanciai Investment.
The Railroads.
The railroads were subjected to fed
eral control as war measure without
other idea than the swift transport Il:
troops munitions and supplies. When
human life and national hopes were At
| stake d profits could not be c9nsid e
ever. was marked by an INTELLIGENCE
and efficiency that minimized loss and
The equipment taken over was not
only grossly Inadequate. but shame
fully outw , untieation practices nd
provided additions. betterments and
! improvements. Economies enabled OBJ
Grafton cratic. without the rate raises ,o That
necessary. and labor was treated
with an exact justice that secured the
enthusiastic cooperation that victory
demanded. The Fundamental purpose
of federal control was achieved fully
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 ev-
cry physical and executive detail. A great
task greatly DISCHARGED.
! The presidents recommendation of re-
turn to private ownership gave the Re
publican majority a full year in when
to enact the necessary legislation. The
house took six months to formulate its
ideas and al. another six months was ~; con
~ vague debate AS Il consequence. the
Esch- Cummins bill went TO the president
In the closing hours Of congress, and he
was forced to a choice between the chaos
OF veto and acQuieScence In the meas
ure submitted. however grave may have
been his objections to II.
There should he fair and complete
test of the law until careful and mature
action by congress may cure It's detects
portauon system under private owner
ship without governrlCn: subsidy at the
expense of the taxpayers of the country.
Improved Highways.
Improved roads are OF vital Importance
not only to commerce and industry but
| also to agricultural lie. The federal road
act OF 1916. enacted by Democratic con
! fort OF the government to insure the
building of an adequate system OF roads
| In this country. The act. AS amended. has
resulted in placing the movement for i'm
proved highways in progressive and
| substantial basis in every state in the
Union and In bringing under actual con-
| struction more than 1900 miles of roads
! suited to the traffic needs of the COM
munities in which they are located.
We favor n continuance Of the present
| federal aid plan under existing federal
and state agencies, amended so as TO in
ining the ratio in which the several states
shall be entitled to share in the fund.
the area OF public lands therein.
Rural Free Delivery.
Inasmuch as the postal service has been
extended by the Democratic party to the
| door OF practically every producer and
! every consumer in the country (rural. free
| delivery alone having been provided for
5000 c0 additional patrons within the past
| eight years without material added cost.
I we declare that this instrumentality can
and will be used to the maximum OF its
! capacity to improve the efficiency OF dis
tribution and reduce the cost of living to
consumers and increasing the profitable
| operations of producers
Merchant Marine.
We desire to congra tulate the American
| people upon the rebirth of our merchant
marine. which once more maintains iti
| former place in the world. 1t was under
| n Democratic administration that this
| was accomplished after seventy years OF
having been snes the
| was passed in 1916. We pledge the policy
| of our party to the continued growth OF
| our merchant marine under proper legis-
| lation so that American products will be
carried to all ports of the world by YES
| sells built in American yards. flying the
| American flag.
| Inland Waterways.
| We call attention to the failure of the
Republican national convention to recog-
| niZe in any way the rapid development OF
| barge transportation on our inland wa
| terways, which development Is the result
| Of the constructive policies of the Demo-
! cratic administration. And we pledge our
| selves to the further development of ade-
| quate transportation facilities on our riv-
| ers and to the further improvement of
| our inland waterways, and we recognize
| the Importance of connecting the Great
Lakes with the rea by way OF the Mis-
! sissippi river and It's tributaries, as we'll
! as by the St. Lawrence river.
Transportation remains an increasingly
| vital problem in the continued develop
ment and prosperity Of the nation. Our
| present facilities for distribution by rail
| are inadequate and the promotion of
transportation by water is imperative.
| We therefore favor a liberal and compre-
henSive policy for the development and
| utilization of our harbors and interior
waterways
Flood Control.
! We commend the Democratic congress
| for the redemption Of the pledge contained
1 AF~--