Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1924-06-30

Issues vt
The dominant issues of the cam
paign are created by existing con-
ditions.
The Democratic party pledges it
self to the following program:
Honest Government
We pledge the Democratic party
to drive from public places all who
make barter of our national honor,
its resources or the administration
of its laws; to punish those guilty
of these offenses.
To put none but honest in pub
lie offices; to practice economy in
the expenditure of public money;
to reverence and respect the rights
of all under the constitution.
To condemn and destroy govern
ment by the spy and blackmailer,
as by this Republican administra-
ton was both encouraged and
practiced.
Tariff and Taxation
The Fordney-McCumber tariff
act is the most unjust, unscientific
and dishonest tariff tax measure
ever enacted in our history.
We denounce the Republican tar
iff laws which are written in great
part in the aid of monopolies.
The greatest contributing factor
in the increase and unabalancing of
prices is unscientifie taxation. Al
ter having increased taxation and
the cost Of living by two billion dor
lars under the FordneyMc Cumber
tariff, all that the Republican party
could suggest in the way Of relief
was a cut of three hundred million
dollars in direct taxes, ana that was
to be given principally to those with
the larges incomes.
The issue between the president
and the Dmocratic party is not one
81 pay 'eductjsn or of the conser-
G83AyAa ~ All issue Of
49, burden " taxation and of
the distribution of capital as affec-a
ted by the taxation Of income.
The income tax was intended as a
tax upon wealth. 1t was not intend
ed to take from the poor any pare
of he necessities of life. We holl
that the fairest tax with which to
raise revenues for the federal gov
ernmen is the income tax. We fav-
or graduated tax upon incomes, so
adjusted as to lay the burdens OF
government upon the taxpayers in
proportion to the benefits they enjoy
and their ability to pay.
We denounce the Mellon tax plan
as a device to relieve multi-million-
aire sat the expense of other tan
payers, and we accept the issue of
taxation rendered by President Cool
idge.
Agriculture
During the four years of Republ-
can government, the economic CON
ditions of the American farmer has
changed from comfort to bank
ruptcy, with all its attendant mis-
cries.
Railroads
The sponsors for the Esch- Cum
Minis transportation act of 1920, at
che time of its presentation to con
gress, stated that had for its pur-
pose the reduction of the8 cost of
transportation, the Improvement of
service the lettering of labor con-
ditions, the promotion of peaceful
cooperation between employer and
employe and, at the same time, the
assurance of a fair and just re-
turn to the railroads upon their in
vestment.
We are in accord with these An.
nounced purposes, but dontend that
the act has failed to accomplish
them. 1t has failed to reduce the
cost of transportation.
Railroad freight rates should be
so readjusted as to give the bulky,
basic, low-priced raw commodities,
such as agricultural products, coal
and ores the lowest rates, placing
the higher rates upon more valuable
and, less bulky manufactured prod
q 9 . .eA, u l-~r1T, NJ
We reaffirm and pledge the full |
fillment of the policy, with refer
ence to Muscle Shoals, as declared |
and passed by the Democratic ma
jority Of the sixty-fourth Congress
in the national defense act of 1916. |
for the production of nitrate, or
other products needed for the pro-
duction of nitrates or other prc6-t
ducts needed for munitions of war
and useful in the manufacture Of
fertilizer"
We hold that the production of |
cheaper and higher-grade fertiliz- |
ers is essential to agricultural pros
perity. We demand prompt action
by congress for operation of the (
Muscle Shoals plants to maximum
capacity in the production, distribu- +
ton and sale Of commercial fertiliz +
els to the farmers Of the country