Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-07-01

~ u Il vi A<A
that hope Of ratification without modifi
cation might as well be abandoned and
what the wise course was to compro-
mise.
Mr.. Bryan and several others wanted
notifications of the wording of the
Walsh plank. and as the discussion ragged
throughout the night the hopes of mem
bers that the question could be kept
off the convention floor diminished.
Irish Plank Submitted
The Irish prank submitted by the
subcommittee reiterated in general terms
President Wilson's principle of self
determination, expressed sympathy for
the aspiration of the Irish people, and
suggested that the Irish problem could
legitimutely be brought later before
the League of Nations. That is unsat-
isfactory to some Of the committee mem
bers who are making fight for a plank
pledging the party to recognize the Irish
republic.
In his fight against the administra-
tion's League Of Nations plank, Sen
ator Walsh declared that, although he
had been for the treaty without reserva-
tions, year of effort had demonstrated
that such ratification was impossible.
In the coming campaign, he asserted.
the Democrats could not hope to gain
enough senator's to make up the neces-
sary two thirds, and IL the administra-
tion declaration was adopted the coun-
try might well ask what the Democrats
possibly could hope to do to carry 1t
out.
Mr., Bryan argued that the party
should not go on record as opposing
reservations to which a majority OF
the senator's had agreed. but should take
the issue out of the politics by declaring
for an immediate ratification compro-
mise.
High Lights on Platform
The Democratic platform, as sub
mitted to the full committee, declares
for ratification of the peace treaty as
requisite to preserve the honor and in
tegrity Of the nation suggests that the
Irish question can be brought legiti-
mately before the League OF Nations for
settlement and is silent on the subject
of prohibition.
It advocates collective bargaining for
farmers; opposes compulsory arbitra
tion of labor disputes, declares for rec
ognition of the new Mexican Govern
ment when II has established order, and
calls on the Legislatures of Tennessee,
Florida and North Carolina to ratify
the suffrage amendment.
In many respects the platform follows
that adopted by the Virginia Democrats
and publicly approved by President Will
son. The League of Nations plank in
particular was taken virtually as o
whole from the Virginia platform,
though in other respects there have been
notifications and many new subjects
have been added.
A summary of the subcommittee
draft follows:
Preamble
Sends greeting to President Wilson
commanding his achievements in tn,
; interest of the country and Of the whole
world. Condemns in general terms tn,
Republican Congress.
League Of Nations
Repeats the Virginia plank with lit
tie variation, condemning the action O.
the Senate Republicans in adopting res
ervations and the separate peace reso
luton and advocating ratification of tn,
peace treaty and such membership ir
the League of Nations as would in M
wise impair national integrity or in.
dependence.
! Conduct Of the War
Praises the administrations conduc
of the war, commencing the patriotic
efforts of American citizens to aid tn,
naval forces, with mention Of Genera
Pershing by name.
! Finance
e Again incorporate the language of tn,
: Virginia Democrats In extolling tn,
Z Federal Reserve system and the financ
1 ing of the war and in condemning tn,
Republicans for extravaganza.
!. Taxation
Criticizes the Republican Congress
for failing to revise wartime tax sched
r ules and dnClands survey of tax con
ditions by the coming Congress. De
nies Republican claims of economy, de
claring that no money was saved excep
at the expense of the efficiency Of gov
ernment bureaus.
High Cost OF Living
Blames diminished production fo
high prices and declares the Republi
cans are responsible, in that they de
layed peace and failed to provide tn,
President with necessary legislation.
. War Investigations
Condemns the Republicans for thei
use of appropriations in investigator,
the conduct Of the war.
Pr0hteering
Pledges the party to enactment ant
enforcement Of such legislation as ma,
be required to bring profiteers befor,
the bar Of criminal justice.
Tariff
Reaffirms Democratic tariff doctrine
and declares for a research on the sub
ject by a nonpartisan commission.
Budget
Defends President Wilson's veto o.
the budget bill and advocates a bulge
system partially under direction of tn
secretary of the treasury with consoli
dated auditing.
) Postal Service
Commends Democratic administration
of the postal service and makes a blan
ket declaration for higher salaries fo
postal employees Advocates create,
use of motor vehicles in transportation
of mail and extension of the parcel post
Free Speech
Declares for free speech and free press