Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1920-07-10


war-risk !-surance bureau, IN order
| tnat the task may be treated as a
whole, and 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 anorded 20 an
| American citizen than to become
| freeholder in the soil of the United
| States and to that end we pledge our
party to the enactm emit OF soldier set
which will afford to the men VINO
fought for America the opportunity 20
become land and home owners under
conditions afrording genuine govern M
needless difficulties OF red tape or ad-
vance financial Investment.
The Railroads.
The railroads were subjected to fed
eral control as war measure wltnouS
other idea than the swift transport on
troops munitions and supplies. Wnen
human life and national hopes were at
stake, profits could not be considered
and were not. Federal operation. now
ever, was marked by an intelligence
and efficiency that minimized 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 initial handicapS ano
roTided additions, betterments ana
improvements. Economies enabled op-
era ton without the rate raises that
private control would have found
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 tully
and spiendidly. and at far less cost
been the case under private operation.
Investments in railroad properties were
not only saved by government operation,
tut government management returned
these properties vastly improved In ev-
cry physical and executive detail. A great
task was greatly discharged.
The presidents recommendation OF re-
turn to private ownership gave the Re-
publican majority full year IN -Wnlch
to enact the necessary legislation. Inc
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 to the president
In the closing hours OF congress, ana ne
was forced to a choice between the chaos
of veto and acquiescence in the meas
ure submitted, however grave may have
been his objections to It,
There should be a fair and complete
test of the law until careful and mature
action by congress may cure its 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 lu1poFNdIitc
not only to commerce and industry but
also TO agricultural life. The federal road
act OF 1916. enacted by Democratic con-
gress. represented the first systematic et-
fort of the government TO insure the
building of an adequate system of roads
in this country. The act, as amended. has
resulted in placing the movement for i'm
proved highways in progressive and
substantial basis in every state in the
Union and in bringing under actual con-
struction more than 1900 miles Of roads
suited to the traffic needs OF the COM
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 to in
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.
Inasmuch as the postal service has been
extended by the Democratic party to the
door of practically every producer and
every consumer in the country (rural free
delivery alone having been provided for
600 900 additional patrons within the past
eight years without material added cost,
we declare that this fundamentally can
and will be used TO the maximum or Its
capacity to 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 congra tulate the American
people upon the rebirth Of our merchant
marine which once more maintains its
former place in the world. It was under
a Democratic administration that this
was accomplished after seventy years OF
Indifference and neglect. 1900 900 tons
having been constructed since the act
was passed in 1915. We pledge the policy
of our party to the continued growth Of
our merchant marine under proper leg1S-
lation so that American products will oe
carried to all ports o. the world by yes
sells built in American yards. flying the
American flag.
Inland Waterways.
We call attention to the failure of the
Republican national convention to recog-
niZe in any way the rapid development OF
barge transportation or 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 its tributaries, as we'll
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 a liberal and compre-
hensive policy for the development and
utilization OF our harbors and interior
waterways
Flood Control.
We commend the Democratic congress
for the redemption of the pledge contained
in our last platform by the passage Of
the food contol act OF March l. 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 pol
ley TO other food control problems wher-
ever the federal interest involved justi-
hes the expenditure required.
Reclamation of Arid Lands.
BY wise legislation and progressive ad-
ministration. we have transformed the
| government reclamation projects, repre-
ssnttng an investment OF 800 900 900. from
I a condition OF impending failure and loss
/ of confidence in the ability Of the govern
! ment to carry through such large enter
prises to a condition OF demonstrated sue
/ cess, whereby formerly arid and wholly
| unproduCtive lands now sustain - 900 pros
| porous families and have an annual crop
/ PRODUCTION Of over 0,000,000 not including
/ the crops grown on 4 million acres out
/ side the projects supplied with storage
water from government works.
We favor ample appropriations for the
: continuation and extension of this great
I work OF home building and internal i'm
| movement along the same general lines.