Seward daily gateway., 1924-07-05
indicated that William J. Bryan might cad the fight for the klan.
 Alarmed Over klan

Klan yesterday on the convention floor various groups and leaders conferred last night seeking some way or means to smooth out the situation. Three blanks with respect to the Klan were presented to the Platform committee One plank would pledge the party to oppose the efforts of the Klan or any similar organization that interferes with political or religious freedom.
 Bryan would leave out of the plank any mention of the Klan.
 The third or so-called Alabama plank reviews the history of the 'fknow-nothing party and declared that the Democratic party openly op- posed it and there is no reason now why they should not specifically op- pose the Klan as they did in 1860.
 Proposal Approved
 The proposal for a National refer endum on the League of Nations ques- tion for American Membership was approved by the Platform committee.
 Homage To WiBo
 New York, June 29-The Democrat ic National Platform opens with pro- found homage of the memory of Will son, saying -four hearts are filled with gratitude that the American Demo cracy should produce this man, whose ideals on government will serve Z an example and inspiration to future gen. erations."
 The platform declared for trade on an interchangeable basis with recip- rocal advantages to all countries par ticipating, which is a time-honored doctrine of the Democratic party. The party's position was given as "in fav- or of a tax on commodities entering the customs house that will promote effective competition and protect against monoply and at the same time produce fair revenue to support the Government" It was contended that the only taxation relief the Republi- can party had suggested was "a cut of three hundred million dollars in direct taxes and that was to be given principally to those with the largest incomes" and it was remarked that Fortunately this plan of their admin istration failed and under Democratic leadership aided by progressive Re- publicans more equitable plan was adopted which reduces direct taxes by about four hundred and fifty million dollars"
 Favor Income Taxes
 "We hold that the fairest taxes with which to raise revenue for the Federal Government is an income tax. We favor a graduated tax upon in comes which will be so adjusted as to lay the burdens of government upon tax payers in a direct proportion as benefits their ability to pay. We op- pose the so-called nuisance tax, sales taxes, and all other forms of taxation that unfairly shifts the burden on the consumer.
 Illustrates Policy of Party
 "We refer the Democratic revenue measure passed last congress as dis tinguished from the Mellon Republi- can plan, as an illustration of the pol icy of the Democratic party. We con- tend the Democratic plan has so changed the proposed Mellon plan as to eliminate taxes upon the poor, re- ducing them upon moderate incomes and to lesser degree upon incomes of multi-millionaires. The party is al- so pledged to further reductions" The Mellon Plan was denounced as "a de- vice to relieve the multi-millionaire."
 Under the heading Railroads" the Esch Cummins act of 1920 was pro- nounced failure which was quite in- adequate to function for that high de- gree of public welfare which the peo- pie demand.
 Under other headings the platform re-affirming their policy regarding Muscle Shoals embodied in the Nat ional defense act of 1916, and denoun- ced the "recent cruel, unjust contrac- tion of legitimate and necessary cred it and currency The policy de- manded that the Federal Reserve sys- tenn be so administered as to give stability to industry and commerce and finance as was intended by it un- der the Democratic party"
 A revision of the water power act and general leasing act and other leg islation relating to the public domain was declared, and "strict public con- trol and conservation of all the na- tion's natural resources such as coal, oil, timber was promised in the plat form. The conservation of migratory birds and the establishment of game preserves and a national policy of re- forsetation and improvement of roads was also pledged. Under the heading Mining" the platform said, 1t is the duty of the government to foster this industry and remove all restriction that destroys it's prosperity" The party was pledged to regulate the an- thracite industry and others control ling the necessaries of life.
 First Test of Strength
 Balloting for the presidential nom- ination began this morning, the first test of strength of the two leading candidates resulting in 431 for Me Adoo, 230 for Smith with a total vote of 1096. Alaska gave Smith 3,