Evening star., 1924-07-09

brand of hokum out of which plat
forms are usually made. 1t all comes
to nothing. because the real pledge OF
any party lies Cd in its history, CD
in the character of the names it
places on it's ticket"
X +
The Republican viewpoint generally
is much like that of the Chicago
Tribune (Republican), which declares:
TT contains more weasel words than
any platform we recall If, for ex
ample, the reader can make out a
consistent and intelligent program of
taxation from the Democratic discus
sion of the burning topic, he has ac-
oomplished feat Of ina agination. AS
to agriculture, what is this policy of
Europe? Is it joining the league of
nations? If We turn to the plank
having reference to the league all we
get is proposal of a straw vote.
How this is to be arranged we don't
know. And what does the promise of
lower freight rates involve? Does it
mean the commerce commission is
to be overruled. ignored. or abolished?
Finally, we have the plank on free
dom of religion, freedom of speech,
freedom of press, which reminds US
OF the tragedy of Hamlet. minus an
mark" Whether the Democratic
party named the Klan or merely
wrote a lot of words without being
definite will make little difference"
adds the Seattle Times Independent
Republican,. everybody will know
that the plank refers to the Klan
and the net result of the prolonged,
acrimonious debate will be that the
losing side will retain its opinion.
What word can be used to de-
scribe a party that thus wastes it's
eloquence on vague panaceas and
end child labor in cotton fields Of the
SOUTH" asks the New York Tribune
(Republican), which regards the plat
form as "a medley of vicious reac-
tions, of common sense, progress and
silver-tongued phantasies-with Bry-
anism in the lead" The st. Joseph
Gazette independent Republican,
claims "the ability they showed in
getting around troublesome situa-
tions and irritating questions is un-
cal maneuvering." In fact, the Buff
falo News (Republican) is confident
"it has made a mess of things gen.
orally" While the Grand Rapids
anti-climax to the awful imprecations
flung upon the Cleveland platform"
Referring to most platforms as un-
consciously humorous. the Cincinnati
Times-Star (Republican) is sure "the
Democratic platform has a little more
than it's share of unconscious humor."
4
The Democratic sentiment of the.
country largely follows that of the
New York Evening World Qndepend-
ent Democratic), which says: "On the
whole and taking platforms as they
come, it is stronger than usual, and
in most subjects is direct, constructive
and courageous. The real interest in
the document lies in the frankness with
which the authors have sincerely
sought to indicate the policy to be pur-
sued toward vital present-day prob
lens. Perhaps the most notable, if
not the most interesting, pledge looks
to the making of the government more
readily responsible to the public will
On the league and on the Khan politi.
cal expediency and the personal calcu-
lations Of candidates had Z part in
shaping the Democratic planks. But
expediency has not destroyed either
fundamental Democratic loyalty to the
league or fundamental Democratic alb
horrence Of the purpose and methods
OF the Khan. The campaign should
prove it. There is so much that il
good, unusually good. in the platform
that II is q pity that there are por-
tions that are unworthy of the party
and les opportunity.