New-York tribune., 1920-02-15
Development of Merchant,
Marine and Control of
Food Prices Are Among
Duties of Republicans
By F. II. La Cuardia

President of the Board of Aldermen,
In the first place I believe that the
people expect as a platform, not a lit
erary document but a sharp, concise
statement Of needed legislation. capa-
bio of immediate enactment, and backed
by candidate in whom the people will
have confidence that the platform will
be carried out. The platform to-day
ls~a sacred promise. The party that
fails to fulfil such a promise. or the
candidate that fails. is doomed Peo-
pie are taking an active interest in
politics and are just about tired of
oratory in candidates and literary gems
In platforms.
The Republican national platform
should contain a detailed constructive
plan for the development and mainte-
nance of real merchant marine We
cannot continue under the Shipping
Board program. 1t is too costly. For
instance, the Shipping Board gives out
ships to companies under an arrange
ment for dividing profits. but the gov
ernment stands all the losses. The
Shipping Board has kept many ships
In idleness. awaiting confirmation OF
charters, or approval Of rates. amount
ing to millions and millions of dollars.
For Minimum Wage.
There should be a plank forbidding
child labor, even if constitutional
amendment is necessary to do SO.
A minimum wage should be provided
for all Federal employees, in order to
set the example of the minimum wage
for employment under private control.
We want to return to a normal Ameri-
can life, with the right of free speech
and freedom of the press.
The prohibition enforcement law
should be amended so as to permit
communities, not smaller than a coun-
tv. to pass upon what shall constitute
an intoxicating beverage, not exceed
ing per cent beer and II per cent
wines.
Legislation should be enacted. by
constitutional amendment if necessary.
to control the sale and storage Of food.
What were one time considered the
nccessaries Of life in this country have
become luxuries. The American peo-
pie are almost living on the meatless
diet of the Russian peasant If prices
continue they will soon lead to living
on the rice diet Of the Chinese coolie.
Better Waterways
The development of internal water
ways should be pushed in such a way
that our rivers will be used for trans
portation purposes, to reduce the scoss
OF transportation; that to be the only
reason, and not appropriations for To-
cal political purposes.
encouragement and aid should be
given to our export trade. If we do
not export heavily we cannot keep our
industries going and If we cannot keen
our industries going we are apt to
have serious industrial crisis. 1t is
necessary to acquire foreign markets
now. We are selling at this time be-
cause we are the only country in shape
to produce. In a few months England,
France, Italy and Germany will be able
to resume export trade. We must meet
them and hold our own. Special in
land and water rates for export trade,
allowance in Federal taxes on exports
and similar help are necessary.
The Republican national platform
nlso should contain planks providing
for a workable budget system, an inde-
pendent air service and civil service
retirements