Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-04-25
Socialist Tackle
Nations Menace at
Annual Session


Cleveland, O., April 24-Proposals
for immediate and drastic remedies"
for what were described as 'politi-
cal evils and industrial derangc-
ments' said to have been left as a
legacy of the World War. will be
presented at the annual convention
of the Socialist Party here April 20,
according to the preliminary agenda
issued by Otto Branstctter of Chi
cagO, executive secretary.
The taking over by the government
of the business Of insurance and ex-
tension of it to include provision for
unemployment, measures to remedy
the collapse Of agriculture" grad
ual specialization of the great basic
industries. and recognition of Russia
form part of a proposed Congress
sional program.
The measure relative to insurance
is wordcd as follows: The Socialist
Party insists that the business of in
surance should he taken over by the
government, and should be extended
TO include adequate provision for
unemployment, accident, sickness, in
validity ana old age, without con-
tributing on the part of the workers"
Proposals to remedy the collapse
Of agriculture" specify that AL farm
land NOT cultivated by owners
Shall be taxed its full rental value;
that the Federal government shall
acquire other lands by reclamation,
purchase, taxation, condemnation or
~ tn ~ niyOI
into socially operated farms with
modern machinery: that ample cred
its be extended to farmers at low
rates Of interest; that 4 comprchcn-
sve plan of elimination Of farm
tonantry be worked out with the
view of establishing socially owned
and operated farms where the rc}a-
ton of employer and employed shall
disappear; that socially owned cold
storage plants be established and
rural wage workers be encouraged
to organize unions Of farm laborers."
Specialization of industry as pro-
posed would begin with the railroads,
mines and steel industry, and others
of the larger industries, to be extend
cd to other large industries as rap
idly as possible. 1t was represented
that the great basic industries arc
marked by their social character, and
that they Involve the welfare of so
many thousands of human beings
that no private or corporate group
should be permitted to own them for
private enrichment" Conditions in
the railroads, mines, and steel in
,Icc1,iIcl I'M
inhuman and intolera bic"
A section of the agenda condemn
ing militarism contains this pledge:
The Socialist Party pledges its cam
didatcs to oppose universal military
service. standing armies and large
navies."
A criticism of the United States
foreign policy is drawn up as fol-
lows; 'In the Panama Zone it Che
United States maintains what in
Europe would be called a Grown
colony ruled by a governor 1t seized
the Panama strip under the guns of
American warships. 1t has support
cd financial imperialism in Haiti
and San Domingo, ovcrthroWing the
republics of these countries and rul-
ing them with armed force It has
threatened Mexico repeatedly. For
generation it has controlled elections
in Nicaragua. It maintains protec-
torate over Cuba. After twenty
years Of repeated promises of in
dependence for the Philippines, it
still rules these islands.
mo nation can rule with armed
frri1 81
weaker neighbors without becoming
despotic at home. The foreign poll
cy of the government under Demo-
cratic and Republican administra-
tons has been the same since 1898.
Each administration has followed the
policy of supporting the big banks
and American investors in their ven
lures abroad Of serving as police
force to back up their International
financial ventures.
american investments in ranches,
oil lands, coal and mineral lands,
railroad building and other foreign
enterprise tend to drag the military
and naval power of the United States
after them. Tho policy of the State
Department is to support the demand
Of the bankers and investors. The
secrecy maintained in developing
this policy leads 10 a commitment
Of the armed powers of the nation to
purposes Of which the people are
entirely ignorant"
Other proposals are amnesty for
political" prisoneA and insistcnce
on the enforcement of the 18th. 18th
-
ence TO negroes TO give them their
full rights.
Protest is formulated against "the
amazing and frequent use of the in
junction in labor disputes" the pow
or exercised by the courts in setting
aside laws" and the startling use Of
federal power through the Depart
ment of Justice in breaking strikes"
Federal abolition of the alleged use
OF hired gunner and spies in labor
struggles is demanded.
''The Socialist Party" the agonda
concludes, pledges itself and all of
It's candidates who may be elected to
Congress to use all of their power
and influence for the realization Of
the measure here outlined and on
this ground it asks for the suffrage
and support Of all American work.
ers."
1t will he proposed that the con-
Vention decide whether il will af-
hllate Immediately with the Vienna
international, otherwise known as
the International Working Union of
Socialist Parties. or send delegates to