Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1920-07-15

Wal lllGQAauCC DulEao III "a
that the task may be treated as a
whole. and this machinery OF protec-
ton n assistance must receive every
aid of law and appropriation neces-
sary to full and effective
We believe that no higher or more
valued privilege can be afforded TO an
American citizen than to become q
freeholder in the soil of the United
States, n to that end we pledge our
Elements and home aid legislation
which will afford to the men who
fought for America the opportunity TO
become land and home owners under
conditions affording genuine govern.
ment assistance unincumbered py
needless difficulties of red tape or ad-
vance financial Investment.
The Railroads.
The railroads were subjected TO fed
eral control as a war measure without
other idea than the swift transport o.
troops, munitions and supplies. When
human life and national hopes were al
stake. profits could not be considered.
and were not. Federal operation, now
ever. was marked by an intelligence
and efficiency that minimized loss ana
resulted in many and marked reforms.
The equipment taken rel was not
only grossly Inadequate. but shame
fully outworn. Unification practices
overcame these Initial handicaps ana
provided additions, betterments and
LII .
GRAFTON without the rate raises that
private control would have found
necessary, and labor was treated
with an exact justice that secured the
demanded. The fundamental purpose
of federal control was achieved fully
n splendidly, and at far less COST
to the taxpayer than would nave
investments in railroad properties were
not only saved by government operation,
but government management returned
these properties vastly improved In ev-
cry physical and executive detail. A great
task was greatly discharged.
The presidents recommendation or re-
turn to private ownership gave the Re-
publican majority a full year in wnlch
to a the necessary Legislation. Inc
house o six months to formulate It's
Ideas n another six months was con
sumed by the Republican senate In equal-
ly vague debate. AS a nsequen the
Esch-C ummins bill went to the president
In the closing hours of congress-, ana ne
was forced to a choice between the chaos
Of a veto and acquiescence in the meas
ure submitted, however grave may nave
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 lts oeIects
and insure a thoroughly effective trans
portation system under private owner
ohAAR An
expense of the taxpayers OF the country.
Improved Highways.
Improved roads are of vital Importance
not only to and industry but
also to agricultural life. h federal road
act of 1916, enacted by a Democratic con-
gress, represented the first systematic ef-
fort of the government to insure the
building of an adequate system OF roads
in this country. The act, as amended, mas
resulted in placing the movement for i'm
proved highways in a progressive and
substantial basis IN every state In the
Union n 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
lining 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
5000 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 Of 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 congratulate the American
people upon the rebirth of our merchant
marine, which once more maintains its
former place In the world. 1t was under
a Democratic administration that his
was accomplished after seventy years of
Indifference and neglect, 100000 tons
having been constructed since the act
was passed in 1916. We pledge the policy
of our party to the continued growth of
our merchant marine under proper legis-
lation SO that American products will be
carried to all ports Of 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 on our inland wa
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 well
as by the St Lawrence river.
TRANSPORTATION remains an increasingly
vital problem in the continued develop
ment and prosperity of he 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 flood contol act of March l, 1917, and
point to the successful control of the
floods of the Mississippi river and the Sac-
ramento river. California, under the poll
icy of that law, for its complete justifica-
ton. We favor the extension Of this poll
icy to other flood control problems wher-
ever the federal interest involved justi-
fes the expenditure required.
Reclamation Of Arid Lands.
BY wise legislation and progressive ad-
ministration. we have transformed the
government reclamation projects, repre-
senting an investment Of 500, 900, 900. from
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 1000 pros
porous families and have an annual crop
production of over $40. 900, 900, not including
the crops grown on a million acres put
side the projects supplied with storage
water from government works.
We favor ample appropriations for the
continuation and extension of this great
work of home building and Internal i'm
provement along the same general lines,
to the end that all practical projects shall
be built. and waters now running to waste
shall be made to provide homes ana ala