Seward daily gateway., 1924-07-05

dishonor, and revealed the incapacity and indifference to public obligation of the secretary of the navy and con- firmed the general impression as to the unfitness of the attorney general and disclosed the appalling conditions of the Veterans Bureau, and revealed the criminal and fraudulent nature of the oil leases.
 Republicans Had Boasted
 The platform further said that the Republican party had long boasted 1t was the only party fit to govern, but had proven it's inability to govern even itself. The nation cannot af- ford to entrust it's welfare to an exc cutive whose policies have been re- jected by his own party, and explain ed that "a vote for Coolidge was a vote for chaos"
 Issues
 The platform declared under the heading "issues," that "the dishones- ty, discrimination extravaganza and inefficiency that exists in the govern ment and the burdens of taxation have become uncomfortable. Agriculture was asserted to be in distress and the slowing down of industry was causing high costs of living. The tariff was alleged to be destroying foreign mar kets and the high cost of transporta- tion was taking the profit from the mining and other basic industries. The platform then pledged the democracy to drive from public places all who make barter of National power and put nothing but honest men in office and practice economy in expenditures and reverence and respect the rights of all under the constitution, destroy ing government by the spy and black mailer the Republican administration encouraging and practicing both.
 Tariff Denounced
 The platform denounced the Ford ney-McCumber tariff as the most un- just and unscientific and dishonest tariff measure ever enacted in the his tory of the country.
 Duck K. K. K. Plank
 Little attention was paid to the dis cussion of the Ku Klux Klan question until the sentence renewing our faith in the League of Nations" was pro- nounced, when a brief demonstration was made, after the promise of ref erendum on the League of Nations question.
 A plank relating to religious liberty was read, "The Democratic party re- affirms it's adherence and devotion to those cardinal principals contained in the constitution and the precepts whereon our government was found- ed," that Congress shall make no lows respecting the establishment of religion or the prohibition of free ex- ercise thereof or abridging freedom of speech or the press.
 These principles we pledge ourselv- es to ever defend and maintain. We insist at all times upon obedience to the orderly processes of law and de- plore and condemn any effort to arouse religious or racial dissention."
 The platform then concluded by af- firming "our faith in these principles and submit our cause to the people"
 Demonstration Follows
 The demonstration which followed, lasted less than half minute. Chair man Cummings moved for the adop- tion of the above plank. Newton D. Baker then presented a substitute plank on the League of Nations which was followed by applause.
 Wm. R. Pattangall, of Maine, rep resented the minority plank on the K. K. K, which he said fourteen commit teemen had signed ,and the galleries yelled when the Klan was mentioned, but Walsh pounded for order and the the sergeant at arms quieted the of lenders.
 The convention then adopted the plan to debate the League of Nations for two hours and the klan question for two hours, starting in with the League of Nations first.
 No Agreement Reached
 Reports from conference of Dem ocratic leaders early this morning showed no prospect of an agreement to keep the Ku Klux Klan issue off the floor of the convention. Anti-Klan leaders selected Former Secretary Colby to lead their fight ,and it was