The New York herald., 1921-09-24
PLATFORM RDORSES
HARDING And MILLER
Strongly Fay0rs Federal
Tax Revision on Sane and
Scientific Basis.
FOR RATIONAL TARIFF
Lauds Presidents Policies
and Urges Private Owner
ship of Merchant Marine
APPROVES ENDING WASTE
Praises Governor for Numerous
Reforms and Affirms 1920
Declarations.
FOR RATIONAL TARIFF
APPROVES ENDING WASTE


Special Despatch to THE New York HERsLp.
SYRACUSE, Sept. 23.-The platform
adopted by the Republican State Con-
vention here to-day was brief docu-
ment, scarcely 1900 words, due to
considerable extent to the opinion of
Gov. Miller that, as there were no ad-
ministrative officers to be nominated,
it would be out Of place to make
declarations of policy. The last State
platform was reaffirmed.
However. the platform, which was
adopted after it had been presented by
Charles d. Hilles, chairman Of the
resolutions committee, took up in some
details national affairs. Its text in full
follows:
''The occasion for this convention Is
the nomination of candidate to succeed
Judge Emory A. Chase. whose untimely
death, after many years of distinguished
service as q ju-ist, we deplore.
Last year the Republicans of the
State of New York in convention assem-
bled adopted platform and recommend
ed candidates for Governor, United
States Senator and all elective State
officers. This action was subsequently
ratified at the polls. The platform then
adopted. which was the pledge of the
party for the incoming administration
and is now in process Of fulflment, we
reaffirm.
"The election of Warren c. Harding
has resulted in the restoration of Fed
eral Constitutional Government to the
people and the return to the safe and
sure ground of Constitution, tradition
and common sense.
I'VE commend the Federal Adninis-
tration for having laid foundation for
economic reconstruction and for the ef-
fective manner In which 1t attacked the
complicated problems inherited by it.
The elimination of unnecessary govern
mental expenditures was Immediately
undertaken. Lessening the cost Of Gov
ernment Is an uninviting field, often sur
veyed. but seldom invaded by public Of
flcials. To-day it Is one of first impor-
tance, II individual and collective effort
in all occupations are to be freed from
the blight OF prohibitive taxation. Waste
has been stopped. The work OF de-
mobilzing the war time force Of civil
employees is well under way.
Pruning Surplus Employees.
"On March 4, 1921. twenty-eight
months after the armistice, there were
still more than 100, 900 Government en-
rloyees in the District of Columbia, as
compared with 10000 at the beginning
of the Democratic administration. The
number must be drastically reduced. 1t
is condition that calls for an axe and
not for pruning knife. The President
will meet with opposition, and we
pledge him our support In his efforts
in the direction of a rigorous and un-
rcmitting economy.
I'VE strongly favor n scientific revi-
sion of our system of Federal taxation.
with view to tightening the burden
such taxation imposes upon business
enterprise.
Taxation Is inevitable for the main
tenance of government. But its burden
should always be as light as is con-
sistent with Government efficiently or.
ganized and managed, and its distribu-
tion should be based upon equality and
justice. The present system of Fed
cral taxation violates both principles 20
such an extent as to be a potent factor
in retarding the return OF prosperity.
We therefore urge this revision at the
earliest possible date. to the end that
the taxpayer may promptly know the
exact nature and extent of the burdens
TO be borne
"The President has begun to restore
activity in the great keystone indus
tries of agriculture and transportation.
We approve the aid extended to the
farmers by the emergency tariff bill.
the act for the regulation of grain ex-
changes, the law for the extension OF
credits to formers through the War
Finance Board and other measures
looking to the amelioration of the con-
dition Of the basic industry of farm
ing.
Realizing that the prosperity OF the
country is largely dependent upon the
condition of the transportation system
we indorse the favorable attitude OF the
President toward the funding of the
claims of the Government against the
railroads and governmental financial as
sstance to the railroads, depleted as
they have been by the exigencies of
war.
I'VE are strongly In favor OF all law
ful and feasible aids to the upbuilding
of a privately owned American mer-
chant mareine, but we do not believe
in a government owned merchant ma
rine to be operated at deficit at the
expense of the taxpayer and in compe-
tltlOn WIN our own CttlIsnb. Inc united
States Shipping Board. its problems
and losses are a heritage OF the world
war. We favor the winding up OF the
business of government owned merchant
ships as rapidly as Is consistent with
good business Judgment and the sub
stitution therefor of n division in an
executive department for tho proper
regulation OF ships and shipping.
Harding's Course Approved.
I'VE commend the Administration for
the passage of the budget bill.
I'VE heartily indorse the attitude OF
President Harding in reducing to the
minimum governmental interference
with business.
I'VE believe that the Republican doc
trfne OF a protective tariff has proved
beyond question its beneHcencc and
economic soundness. but as we must
sell as well as manufacture, no tariff
law should be enacted in the unsettled
economic conditions of the present that
will prevent US from reesta blIshing the
profitable exchange of foodstuffs and
commodities by burdenng those to
whom we must sell TO such an extent
as to make 1t impossible for them TO
sell to us and therefore to buy from us.
I'VE indorse the action of presjder,