The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-23
RELATES BATTLE PLANS
Says Democrats Will Demand Bonus, Tariff Reduction
 and Aid of Labor

NEW YORK, Jan. 22.-The demo- cratic party will face the voters in the presidential campaign in November with a platform calling for taxation and tariff reduction, soldiers bonus and legislation to aid labor and agri- culture, and general program opposed 1 to class government, William Jennings Bryan, thrice candidate for the presi- dency, declared tonight at dinner given by James W. Gerard, former ann bassador to Germany.
 The primary issue in the campaign, which he predicted would be the most hotly contested in many years, MT. democratic substitute for the Mellon tax reduction bill, he declared, gave greater reductions and "discriminated in favor of the masses instead of the holders of large incomes" He ex- pressed the opinion that party lines in ConSress would break on consideration of the measure, which he asserted would more resemble the democratic bill than the Mellon measure when 1t reached the President.
 They also would favor the soldiers bonus, contending its passage would be entirely compatible with tax reduc- tion or that it might be made possible by enactment of war profits tax or re-enactment of an excess profits tax.
 Remedial Legislation
 The speaker criticised the present re- publican administration leaders for their alleged refusal to aid the farmers, declaring the refusal was based not on hostility to agriculture, but on an un- conscious basis in favor of commercial interests. He asserted the democrats intended remedial legislation on both for the farmers and for labor. which he declared, had suffered by judicial nulli- fication of protecting laws.
 Because the present supreme court attempted "to set up the opinion of progress" Mir. Bryan said it was likely both parties would favor constitu- tional amendment requiring six or seven judges to concur in nullifylng legislation.
 On international issues, he said the citizenry was divided against all par ticipation in foreign affairs; in favor of cooperation to the extent of pledging support to action taken by ar inter- national organization membership was advocated, and in favor of partial CO., operation to avoid war and preserve Independent action.
 Mir. Bryan also urged aiding the Ger man republic and establishment of a national bulletin to disseminate infor- nation. He expressed the hope that both republicans and democrats would have dry blanks and dry. candidates. ! Mir. Bryan reiterated his intention of presenting to the democratic convention Eff he named delegate-the name of F. F. Murphree. president of ahe Uni versity of Florida. who he said. was qualified in every respect to serve ms
 rF Would Pay Debt
 &"Tr presenting him. he said. II shall have an opportunity to pay debt that I owe to the south. Ii has sup rorted mo in three campaigns and the that in this convention l may assist in policies which I advocated and l hope removing the ban that has for 50 years rested upon southern statesmen
 .No matter what the merits of a southern man have been. he has been ruled out bv an unwritten law that has heen invoked in behalf of the eandl- dates living in other sections. The south has been loyal to democracy .lsouehout all these. years and 1t has been loyal to fine interests of the com mon people. The south has supported every economic reform which has been accomplished since the war and I am sure a southern man. who is in sym pathy with the progressive spirit of the country. will pull more votes than q candidate from any other section. The time has come when the people consider the attitude of the candidate rather than his latitude or longitude