Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-06-28
VITAL ISSUE
EVADED BY
REPUBLICANS
COmmoner's Policy Would
Make Country Too Hot for
Greedy Commentaries
BRANDS 1T REAL EVIL
BY WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN.
Copyright. 1920. by w. J. Bryan.

Copyright. 1920. by w. J. Bryan.
SAN FRANCISCO, June 2s.-The
profteering plank will occupy a
prominent place in our platform for
two reasons:
First, because of the Importance OF
the subject itself; second, because
action by this convention has been
made more imperative by republican
evasion.
Profteering is real evil and de
mands immediate attention.
Exploitation is going on all over the
country and grand juries are trying to
reach the more notorious Of the CON-
mercisl pirates.
One clothing merchant in Omaha was
found selling for $3.50 suit bought for
1910; a merchant in Lincoln was dis
covered collecting an average profit OF
Sc per cent on shoes.
A New York state clothing corporation
was fined $4,000 for collecting about 100
per cent on clothing; the head Of the
Wooden company was arrested for prof.
teering in cloth: the Gimbel brothers
have been arrested for overcharging.
The tax records at Washington are us
closing amazing instances of profiteering.
HIGH PROFITS
TESTIFIED TO.
One hundred per cent, 500 per cent
1000 per cent, 1900 per cent, and some
even 5000 per cent-these are profits re-
ported under oath.
Legislation has been strangled By
lobbyists employed by the profteers,
The representative Of a wholesale gro
Gerry association in New York reported
to his employer that at Albany he had
killed thirty out Of thirtyone bills pro-
posed for regulating trade or providing
rsIief for communities
One Of these bills was intended to
authorize cities and towns 10 establish
markets
Think of a grocery association closing
the door to relief.
In Nebraska the lobbyists Of the
middlemen strangled a bill intended for
the restraint Of proiteers.
These impudent retainers OF predatory
corporations and greedy Commentaries
were hanging about Washington and
swapping at the heels of the trade com
mission.
RESENTED PUBLIC
SAFE GUARDING?
Congress. instead of protecting the
public seemed rather inclined to resent
the activities of those who tried to safe
guard the ma sses.
The republican convention not only
failed to make any vigorous pronounce
ment against the prohteer, but on the
contrary, attempted 70 divert attention
to real cause to subsidiary influences
tt Is very evident that most OF the
profteers were present as delegates, or
were represented by proxies
The inability Of the republican party
20 deal with this question effectively il
illustrated by story
man went into a clothing store and.
when the merchant wasn't looking, put
on a coat and ran out.
As he went out the door the merchant
caught sight OF him and gave chase,
calling to the thief to stop.
This falling the policeman drew a re-
volver and threatened TO shoot.
The merchant became excited and,
grabbing the policeman. said. Policeman.
If you do shoot. shoot him in the pants
the coat belongs to me-
CANT FIND ANY
PLACE TO SHOOT.
The republican party can not find any
place 10 shoot.
The profteers. who were not present at
Chicago. are here. but they are not so
numerous, and our party viii therefore
find Il easier 10 deal with the problem.
I do not anticipate much difficulty in
securing an explicit condemnation Of
profteering and A pledge of specific RENE
dies that will prove effective
hare not been able to confer with
the other members Of the committee. but
shall lay before them rs 4 basis for ac-
tion a plank something like the follow
ing:
The democratic party pledges the ma
ton to rid II of the profiteer and to close
the door against his return.
1T will endeavor to eliminate all IN
necessary middIemen by the encourage
msnt Of organizations among producers
that will bring those who sell and those
who use nearer together.
1T will enact and enforce laws that
viii effectively prevent excessive charges
by such middlemen as are necessary.
PROVIDES CRIMINAL
LAW PENALTY.
40 this end it will demand Iegisla-
ton subjecting TO the penalties of the
criminal law all corporation officers and
employees who give or carry out iustruc-
lions that result in eXtOrtiOn; IL Will
make Il unlawful for any one engaged IN
interstate commerce to make the sale OF
one article dependent upon the Dur
chase Of another article. and it will re
quire such corporations TO disclose Ia
customers the difference between cost and
selling, CT limit the profit that can be
legally charged as the rate OF interest
is now limited
at will also endeavor to create in the
several states trade commissions with
powers as ample as the federal trade
commission and to enact laws authoriE-
ing each local community to create, as
needed. similar commissions for the In
vestigstion of local charges of pronteer-
ing"
While the above would seem to pro-
vide sufficient remedies, suggestions WILL
he welcomed from those who nave given