The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-07-22

whole and this machinery OF protec-
ad az apu snd must refee .seg
sary To full and effective operation
We believe that no higher OF more
valued privilege can be afforded TO an
American citizea than to become a
freebooter in tne soil OF the United
states, and 10 that end we pledge our
party to the enactment Of solder set,
which VIII anord to the men VINO
fought tor America the opportunity 10
become land and home owners under
conditions anording genuine govern
mcnt assistance unincumbered oy
needless difficulties of red tape or sd-
vance financial investment.
The Railroads.
The railroads were subjected to fed
eral control as a war measure without
other idea than the swift transport N
troops, munitions and supplies when
human life and national hopes were AZ
stake. profits could not BE considered.
ana We're not. Federal operation, how
eN ar. was marked by an Intelligence
and efficiency that minimized loss and
resulted in many and marked reforms
The equipment taken over was not
only grossly Inadequate, but shame
Ovcrcame these initial handicaps and
provided additions. betterments and
improvements. Economies enabled OBJ
era ton without the rate raises that
private control would have round
necessary, and labor was treated
with an exact justice that secured me
enthusiastic operation that Victory
demanded. The Fundamental purpose
of federal control was achieved fully
and splendidly. and at TAR less cost
- the taxpayer than would nave
been the ease under private operation
Investments IL railroad properties we're
not only saved by government operation,
but government MANAGEMENT returned
these properties vastly improved III eV-
cry physical and executive detail. A great
task was greatly discharged.
The presidents accommodation OF re-
..pfnfr ktft "A
publican majority "A full year in which
10 enact the necessary legislation Inc
nCuse took six months 10 formulate us
ideas and another six months was con-
suned by the Republican senate in equal
IS vague debate. As q consequence, the
Esch- Cummns bill Went to the president
In the closing hours of congress, ana ne
was forced TO "A choice between the chaos
OF veto and acquescence in the meas
ure submitted, however grave may have
been his objections to it,
There should he a fair and complete
test OF the law until careful and mature
action by congress may cure Its detects
aud insure a thoroughly effective trans
pOrtation system under private owner
ship without government 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 life. The federal road
act of 1916, enacted by Democratic con-
gress. represented the first systematic eff
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 inn
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 10 The traffic needs of the COM
munties in which they are 10 .ated.
We favor continuance OF the present
federal aid plan under existing federal
and state agencies, amended so as 10 in
clude as one of the elements In deter
lining the ratio in which the several states
shall be entitled TO share in the fund.
the area Of public lands therein.
Rurai Free Delivery.
Inasmuch as the postal service has been
extended by the Democratic party 70 the
door of practically every producer and
every consumer in the country (rural free
delivery alone having been provided for
5000 zoo additional patrons within the past
eight years without material added cost,
we declare that this fundamentally can
and will be used TO the maximum or It's
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 congratulate the American
people upon the rebirth of our merchant
marine. which once more maintains its
former place in the world. 1t was under
a Democratic administration that this
was accomplished after seventy years OF
indifference and neglect, 100000 tons
having been constructed since the act
was passed in 1916. We pledge the policy
of our party to the continued growth OF
our merchant marine under proper legis-
lation 80 that American products will be
carried to all ports of the world by ves-
sells built In American yards, nying the
American flag.
Inland Waterways.
We call attention to the failure of the
Republican national convention to recog-
nize in any way the r-pi6 development OF
barge transportation on our inland wa
terways which development IL the result
OF the constructive policies of the Demo-
cratic administration. And we pledge our
selves TO the further development of ade-
uuate 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 sea by way OF the Mis-
sissippi river and Its tributaries, as well
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
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
in our last platform by the passage OF
the flood contol act OF March l, 1917, and
point to the successful control OF the
floods of the Mississippi river and the Sac
ramento river California under the pol
icy of that law. for its complete justifica-
ton. We favor the extension OF this pol
icy to other food control problems wher-
ever the federal interest involved justi-
fies the expenditure Requires
Reclamation Of Arid Lands.
BY wise legislation and progressive ad-
ministration, we have transformed the
government reclamation projects, repre-
senting an investment OF 500, 100000. from
a condition OF impending failure and loss
OF confidence in the ability OF the govern
ment to carry through such large enter
prises TO "A condition OF demonstrated sue
cess whereby formerly arid and wholly
unproductive lands now sustain 40. 900 pros
perous families and have an annual crop
production OF over 100000 not including
the crops grown on a million acres out
side the projects supplied with storage
water from COVE nment works.
We favor ample appropriations for the
continuation and extension OF this great
work of home building and Internal inn
provement along the same general lines
TO the end that all practical projects shall
he built, and waters now ruT ming 10 waste