The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-07-29
THE PEOPLES
RECONSTRUCT
TION LEAGUE
Six of the Main Planks IN the
Leagues Platform
PROGRAM OF THE PEOPLES
CONSTRUCTION LEAGUE

years for many years to come, an
average of 81 per capita, or 500
for a family of five. 81,
|. Prompt Restoration of the RAIL
Railroads to Unified Gov
eminent Operation.
This will save the American peo-
pie at least 81 800, 100000 year,
The prompt restoration of the
railroads to unified government OPP
Grafton is essential in order that
freight rates may be reduced so as
to encourage agriculture, manu-
featuring and commerce, and to Sc
cure to the American people the
advantages which they might re-
ceive from the reduction in the
prices farmers receive for their prod
ucts, and in the material reduction
in the retail prices of many staple
commodities. Freight and passen-
ger rate should be reduced to those
in force when the roads were re.
turned, and a deficit, if any should
result, should be paid out Of the
public treasury.
The Cummins- Esch law returning
the railroads compels the American
people to pay the railroads nearly
seven billion dollars each year for
| two years at least for carrying their
freight and themselves. 1t direct
| ly increase the cost of living Sl5
year for every man, woman and
child, and indirectly increases it
much more.
2. Legislation to Control The Meat
Packing Industry.
| This will save the American peo-
pie at least $200,000,000 a year.
The packers must be brought I'M
der government control and the rail
roads required to acquire the prin-
cipal stockyards and all refrigera-
tor and special equipment cars for
Transportation of meat and meat
products and perishable foodstuffs.
The Federal Trade Commission,
after its exhaustive investigation of
the meat packing industry reported
that in 1918 the Big Five" pack
ers' combined sales were over
$3,000,0O0,000, and stated
"At the present rate of expansion
within a few years, the big packers
would control the wholesale dis
tribution of the nations food sup
ply"
3. Taxation of Privilege Instead of
Poverty
This will save the American peo-
pie at least $4,000, 100000 a year.
A high and rapidly progressive
tax upon incomes, estates and excess
profits should be retained until the
full money cost of the war has been
paid. In addition a Federal tax
should be levied upon the value of
all land and other natural resources
speculatively held, so as to tighten
the burden on those already paying
more than their fair share of taxa
tion-the proceeds to be applied to
reducing the war debt The privi-
legged interests are determined to
place most of the cost of the war
upon the workers by a retail sales
tax and other consumption taxes
and by refunding the national debt
for forty to sixty years.
Twenty-Five thousand, six hun
dred and ninety-siX millionaires are
possessors of fortunes estimated to
be worth approximately $136,00O,-
100000, Will e our total national
wealth is estimated at 100000 000,-
900. These $4,000 millonaires own,
therefore, over 27 per cent of the
national wealth, while Americas
thirty-three richest people own near
~ 2 per cent of the national wealth
a. Making Our Banking and Credit
System Serve the People
| This will save the American peo-
pie at least $50O,0O0,0O0 a year.
| The bankers and particularly the
big investment bankers are today
using the peoples money for the
peoples undoing-and for the bank
ers' enrichment. Cooperative banks
will help to change this situation, but
the Federal Reserve Bank Act must
be amended so the peoples deposits
can be used only for legitimate and
necessary production purposes, and
not for speculation. A short time
rural credit system for farmers must
| be worked out which will greatly
| reduce costs of agricultural produc-
ton to the advantage of both pro-
Queer and consumer of farm prod
ucts.
5. Control of Natural Resources.
This will save the American peo-
pie at least $750,000,0O0 a year.
The natural resources of the
country still in public ownership
worth scores of billions of dollars,
should be retained in public owner
ship. The development of all nat
ural resources, whether publicly or
privately owned-coal, iron, con-
per, phosphates, nitrates, gas, wa
terpower, timber lands, etc.-must be
controlled by the Federal Govern
ment, and the public protected from
monopolists who today are profiteer-
ing through their ownership and
development of these resources.
6. Universal Compulsory Military
Training Must Be Defeated
This will save the American peo-
pie scores of millions of dollars a
year in taxes.
1T will increase production bv
scores of millions of dollars add
tional
All the special privilege interests
are fighting this program.
How the League Is Financed
The Peoples Reconstruction League
is supported by voluntary contribu-
lions from individuals, and by farm
er and labor organizations which
endorse the program. A minimum
budget of $4,000 a year is needed
to do the work effectively. The
League must fight drought its
supporters. Please fight with your
dollars as well as your work, and
send your check now for $780, $50,
$255, $40, So or 81, payable to the
order of Jackson H. Ralston. Treas
urer. to Room 81. Bliss Building, IS
3. Street Northwest, Washington,
D. C. ''"'