Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-06-30

4 (0l-Io OTluB aDOuI the early CUM"
pletion OF internal waterways
systems for transportation. and
to develop our water powers
for cheaper fertilizer for use
on our farms.
(ej-To stimulate by every proper
governmental activity the pro-
gress of the cooperative mar
keting movement and the es-
adjustment of an export mar
keting corporation of commits
sion in order that the export
able surplus may not establish
poor price for the whole
crop.
Obscure for the farmer credits
suitable for his needs.
(g)-By the establishment of these
policies and others naturally
supplementary thereto. to re-
duce the margin between what
the producer receives for his
products and the consumer has
to pay for his supplies. to the
end that we secure an equality
for agriculture.
Railroads
The sponsors for the Esch-Cum-
minis transportation act Of 192O, at
the time Of its presentation to con-
gress, stated that 1t had for its pur-
poses the reduction of the 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 fair and Just return
TO the railroads upon their invest
I ment.
We are in accord with these an
htt HnnfanH fhas
| the act has failed to accomplish
! them. 1t has failed to reduce the
cost of transportation. The prom
| Used improvement in service has not
been realized. The labor provisions
of the act have proven unsatisfac-
tory in, settling differences between
| employer and employees. The So
| called recapture clause has worked
to the advantage of the strong and
| has been of no benefit to the weak.
| The announcement in the act for
| the development of both rail and
| water transportation has proven fu-
| tile. Water transportation upon our
! inland waterways has not been en-
! couraged, and limitation of our
| coastwise trade Is threatened by the
! administration of the act. 1t has
unnecessarily interfered with the
1 pOWCI VI tItS OIdtCS ~ ICS 0IdtC PQl
| ly intra-state transportation. 1t
| must, therefore, be so rewritten
that the high purposes which the
public welfare demands may be &C
complished.
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 pro-
ducts.
Muscle Shoals and Fertilizers
We reaffirm and pledge the fulfill
ment of the policy, with reference
to Muscle Shoals, as declared and
passed by the Democratic majority
of the sixty fourth congress in the
national defense act of 1915, "for
the production of nitrates or other
products needed for munitions of
war and useful in the manufacture
of fertilizers"
We hold that the production of
cheaper and higher grade fertilizers
is essential to agricultural prosper
ity. We demand prompt action by
congress for the operation of Muscle
Shoals plants to maximum capacity.
\ in the production, distribution and
sale of commercial fertilizers to the
farmers of the country and we OPP
pose any legislation that limits the
production of fertilizers at Muscle
Shoals by limiting the amount of
power to be used in their rnanufac-
ture.
Republican Contraction of Credit
and Currency
We denounce the recent cruel and
unjust contraction of legitimate and
necessary credit and currency, which
was directly due to the so-called de-
flation policy of the Republican
Party as declared in it's national
platform of June. 1920, and in
the speech of acceptance of it's can
didate for the presidency. Within
eighteen months after the election
of 1920 this policy resulted in with
drawing bank loans and discounts
by over five billions of dollars and
in contracting our currency by over
fifteen hundred millions of dollars.
This contraction bankrupted hun
dreds of thousands of farmers and
stock growers in America and re-
suited in widespread industrial de-
preston and unemployment. We
demand that the Federal Reserve
system be so administered as to give
stability to industry, commerce and
finance, as was intended by the
Democratic Party, which gave the
Federal Reserve system to the ma
ton.
Reclamation
The Democratic Party was fore
most in urging reclamation for the
immediate arid and semi-arid lands
of the west. These lands are locat-
ed in the public land states. and.
therefore. 1t is the duty of the gov
eminent to utilize their resources by
Homestead entrymen under re-
clamation projects have suffered
from the extravagant inefficiencies
and mistakes of the federal govern
ment.
The reclamation act OF 1924. re-
by the fact finding COM
and added as an amend
ment to the second deficiency ap-
preparation bill at the last session
Of congress, was eliminated from
hat bill by the Republican conferees
N the report they presented to con-
gress one hour before adjournment
The Democratic Party pledges itself /
actively. efficiently and economically |
20 carry on the reclamation projects. |
and to make equitable adjustment |
'or the mistakes the government has !
made.
Conservation
We pledge recovery of the navy's /
Ill reserves and all other parts OF |
he public domain which has been |
or+ lilo ua1lv 1aa,aa III