Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-06-11
The Republican Platform

IQtfOr1m
trench which has characterized the
postwar policy of the administration.
we cite the fact that. not including
the war and navy departments, the
executive departments and other es-
Establishments at Washington actually
record An increase subsequent to the
armistice of 2,1S4 employees. The net
decrease in payroll costs contained in
the 1921 demands submitted by the
administration ~ only one per cent
under that of 1920. The annual ex-
pense OF federal operation can be
reduced hundreds Of millions of dol
lars without impairing the efficiency
Of the public service.
planned readjustment to a peace-time
basis and to a policy Of rigid econo-
my, to the better coordination of
departmental activities, to the elimi-
nation of unnecessary officials and
employees, and to the raising Of the
standard of individual efficiency.
The Executive Budget.
We congratulate the Republican
congress on the enactment OF a law
providing for the establishment of an
executive budget as a necessary in
strument for a sound and business
like administration Of the national
the president which defeated this
great financial reform.
Reorganization Of Federal Depart
ments and Bureaus.
We advocate a thorough investiga-
ton Of the present organization of the
federal departments and bureaus. with
a view to securing consolidation, a
more business-like distribution of
ton, delays and overlapping of work
and the establishment of an up-to-
| date and efficient administrative or
ganization.
War Powers of the President.
The president clings tenaciously to
his autocratic wartime powers.
His veto of the resolution declaring
peace and his refusal to sign the bill
repeating wartime legislation, no
longer necessary, evidence his deter
mination not to restore to the nation
and to the states the form Of govern
ment provided for by the constitution.
This usurpation is ~intolerable and de-
erves the ~severest condemnation.
Taxation.
The burden of taxation imposed
upon the American people is stagger-
ing, but in presenting a tru state
ment of the situation we must face
the fact that. while the character OF
the taxes can and should be changed,
an early reduction Of the o OF
revenue to be raised is not to be ex.
pected.
The next republican administration
will inherit from its democratic pred.
ecessor a floating Indebtedness Of
over $4,000, 900, 900. the prompe liqui'
dation of which is demanded by
sound financial considerations. More
over, the whole fiscal policy of thu
government must be deeply %influenc
ed by the necessity of meeting obi
which mature in 1923. But sount
policy equally demands the early &C
icomplishment Of the real reduction o
the tax burden, which may be achiev
ed by substituting simple for CON
pick tax laws and procedure, prvmp
and certain determination of the ta
liability for delay and uncertainty
tax laws which do not excessivel,
imulct the consumer or needlessly re
press enterprise and thrift
}, We advocate the issuance Of a sim
pl1fied form of income returns; au
thorizing the treasury department t
make changes in regulations effectiv
only from the date of their approval
empowering the commissioner of in
| ternal revenue. with the consent Q
: the taxpayer, to make final and con
: elusive settlements Of tax claims an
: assessments barring Sff1ud, and tn
l creatton Of q tax board consisting {
t at least three Representatives Of tn
: tax-paying public and the heads
/ the principal divisions of the burea
t of internal e to act as a stand
t ing committee on the simplication
forms, procedure and law, ard t
: make recommendations to the cor
= gress.
5 Banking and Currency.
The fact is that the war. to
great extent, was financed by a pol
icy Of imitation through certificat
, borrowing from the banks. and bono
issued at artificial rates sustained b
: the low discount rates established (
the federal reserve board. The cor
:. tinuance of this policy since the al
mistice lays the administration ope
ito severe criticism. Almost up to tt
%present time. the practices of tt
j. federal board as to cred
:. control have been frankly dominate
:. by the convenience Of the treasury.
IuS IcSuAS6 nave bSSH d 6ASoIAy !
. creased war cost, a serious loss to II
). millions of people who in good fat
= bought Liberty bonds and Vfctol
notes at par and extensive post-w,
speculation, followed today by a r
q stricted credit for legitimate indu
trial expansion. As a matter of pu1
8 lie policy, we urge all banks to gil
. icredit preference to essential indu
= tries.
!. The High Cost OF Living.
The prime cause of the thigh CO
Of living" has been. first and foremo:
Ia fifty per cent depreciation in Il
It purchasing power of the dollar. d
l. to a gross expansion of our curren
q and credit. Reduced production, blu
densome taxation, swollen profits, q
the increased demand for goo
arising from a fictitious but enlarg
buying power have been contribute
causes in a greater or less degree.
al We condemn the unsound f1sc
policies of the democratic admin.
d tration which have brought the
le things 10 pass. and their attempts
impute the consequences Of min
and secondary couses. Much Of t
injury wrought is irreparable. The
l. is no short way out, and we decli
ut to deceive the people with vain prof.
81 isses or Quack remedies. But as I
ic political party that throughout
ic history has stood for honest NOR
and sound finance, we pledge OF
selves to earnest and consistent
tack upon the high cost Of living