The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1922-06-16

the fact that he had presided ovel
| the Democratic state convention.
Protect Direct Primary.
The plank in the Republican state
platform urging support of two laws
passed by the last legislature tC
strengthen and safeguard the direct
primary, brings that question square
ly before the voters next fall, fol
both bills will be on the ballot.
When the two bills were passed
they were frankly aimed at the Non
partisan League and they were refer
red by a movement headed by Wm
Bouck expelled leader of the Grange
who was then chairman of the
Leagues state executive committee.
The bills were filed by W. D. Lane.
the Seattle attorney, who as a city
councilman since retired by the vot-
ers, presided over a banquet given
Hulet NJ. Wells and other Socialists
on the eve of their departure for the
federal penitentiary to serve time for
violating war statutes.
Neither bill hampers people holding
like political views from forming po-
litical parties, but they do require
voters to stay within their own par
ties during a primary election. One
provides for party registration; the
other requires political conventions to
file party platforms with the Secre-
tary of State and compels candidates
to file a pledge to keep their party's
platform promises.
Americanism in Platform.
Americanism finds expression in
several of the Republican state plat
form planks. AT the outset the party
renews its allegiance to representa-
tive constitutional government and
endorses President Harding's strong
pro-America diplomatic policy. In
vasion of pauper or radical immi-
grants is opposed and a separate
plank reaffirms the party's attitude
as expressed in the anti-alien land
ownership bill against foreign owner
ship of lands in this state.
Adequate support of the American
Merchant Marine, always a Republi-
can policy, is demanded; a new pro-
tective tariff to guard American in
dustry in home markets by importa-
ton Of products from countries now
paying labor pauper wages is in
sisted upon; grateful recognition of
the services performed by American
service men and women in the last
war is given and not only is past
legislation on their behalf endorsed
but further assistance through the
bonus and preferential rights of Sc
lection in reclamation projects is
pledged.
The platform concludes with a dec
laration that the party is ''unalterably
opposed to the existence of any or
ganization whose doctrines, principles
policies or activities are hidden under
a disguise and tend to breed preju-
dice, injustice or violence against any
group or class of American citizens
on account of religious belief, creed.
race or color"
Favor Smaller Counties.
A plank in the Republican state
platform commits the party to oppose
any legislative apportionment that
deprives any county of representation
in the legislature. This plank Is
aimed at Initiative Bill No. As which
would exclude 13 counties. 1t also
commits the party to the same plan of
legislative representation in this
state as is guaranteed by the consti-
tuition to all states in Congress; that
is each is given two senators, though
house membership is based on popu-
lation.
Incidentally, adoption of this plank
and the selection of convention Of
fcials demonstrated spirit of unity
among the smaller counties They
were unanimous in their support of a
candidate for temporary chairman
while the largest county in the state
voted alone.
Cut Down Taxes.
The way to reduce taxes Is to spend
less money, the Republican state plat
form says and it pledges its party of
ficials not to create any new offices
or ways of spending. Immediate e
conomizing with an ultimate reduc-
tion in the limit of assessments on
property is pledged. Further eonsol-
idation of state and county offices is
promised to continue the policy Of
saving and greater efficiency begun
under the administrative code, pro-
posed by the last Republican state
convention and provided by a Republi-
can legislature A rigid budget law
effecting every taX-levying body in
the state is demanded and several re
forms in the administration Of public
offices are urged.
Against the Radicals.
An incident in the Republican state