Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1920-07-09

wAoiS. ana THIS machinery OF protec-
ton and assistance must receive every
AID OF law and appropriation neces-
sary TO full and effective operation
we believe that no higher or more
valued privilege can be a1orded to an
American citizen than to become a
freehOider in the soil of the. United
states, and 20 that end we pledge our
party TO the enactment CT soldier set
Elements and home aid legislation
which will AFFORD TO the men who
fought for America the opportunity to
become land and home owners under
conditions affOrding genuine govern
ment assistance unincumbered by
needless difficulties of red tape or ad-
vance financial Investment
The Railroads.
The railroads were subjected to fed
eral control as a war measure without
other idea than the swift transport oe
troops munitions and supplies. When
human life and national hopes were al
stake, profits could not be considered.
ana were not, Federal operation. how
ever, was marked by an Intelligence
and efficiency that mlnimized loss and
resulted in many and marked reforms.
the equipment taken over was not
only grossly inadequate. but shame
fully outworn. Unification practices
oVercame these initsal handicaps and
provided additions. betterments and
improvements. Economies enabled OBJ
Grafton without the rate raises thaI
private control would have Iouhq
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
and splendidly, and at far less cost
70 the taxpayer than would nave
been the case under priy2te operation
Investments in railroad properties We're
not only saved by governmS at soperauohs
but government anagement returned
these properties vastly improved in ey-
cry physical and executive detail great
task was greatly discharged.
The presidents recommendation OF re-
turn TO private ownership gave the he-
publican majority a full year IN when
to enact the necessary legislation. The
house took six months to formulate It's
IDEAS and another six months was con
sumed by the Republican senate in equal
ly vague debate. AS a consequence, the
Esch-Cummins bill went 10 the president
IN the Gositg hours Of congress. ana ne
was forced to choice between the cnaos
Of a veto and acquiescence in the meas
ure submitted however grave may nave
been his objections to it..
There should be a fair and complete
test of the law until careful apd mature
action by congress may cure It's defects
and 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 a Democratic con-
gTeSS. represented the nfSI SySteulaliC Ell
fort Of the government to insure the
building Of an adequate system OF roads
in this country The act, as amended, mas
resulted in placing the movement Tor lm-
proved highways In progressive and
substantial basis in every state in the
Union AMI in bringing under aetual con-
structon more than 1900 miles Of roads
suited to the traffic needs of the conn
munities in which they are located
We favor a continuance of the present
federal aid plan under existing federal
and state agencies, amended so as 70 m.
clude as one Of the elements in deter
ming the ratio in which the several states
shall be entitled to share in the fund.
the area of public lands therein.
Rural Free Delivery.
Inasmueh as the postal service has been
extended by the Democratic party 10 the
door OF practically every producer and
every consumer in the country trural free
delivery alone having been provided for
100000 additional patrons within the past
eight years without material added cost,
we declare that this fundamentally can
and will be used to the maximum Of its
capacity 70 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. It WAS under
q Democratic administration that this
was accomplished after seventy years of
indifference and neglect, lS,Oe0w0 tons
having been constructed since the act
was passed in 1916, We pledge the policy
OF our purity 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 10 the failure OF the
fia.-.
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 sea by way of the Mis-
sissippi river and is 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
transportation by water Is Imperative
We therefore favor q liberal and compre-
hensive policy for the development and
utilization of our harbors and interior
Flood Control.
we commend the Democratic congress
for the redemption Of the pledge contained
IN our last platform by the passage OF
the flood conto act of March 1. 1917. and
point to the successful control of the
hoods 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 poll
ley to other flood control problems wher-
ever the federal interest involved iusti-
fies the expenditure required.
Reclamation of Arid Lands.
BY wise legislation and progressive adj
nlinistration we have transformed the
government reclamation projects, repre-
senting an investment OF Sl00.oo0.000. from
a condition OF impending failure and loss
of confidence in the ability OF the govern
.snent to carry through such large enter
prises to q condition OF demonstrated sue
cess whereby formerly arid and wholly
liuproductiye lands now sustain 10000 pros
porous families and have an annual crop
production Of over S70.Ooe.eo0. not including
The crops grown on a~fnillion acres out
side the projects supplied with storage
water from government works.
We favor ample appropriations for the
continuation and extension OF this great
work Of home building and internal Inn
provemtSt along the same general lines,
10 the end tat all practical projects shall
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