The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-06-12

tion has accomplished much in improv ing the conditions affecting this great fundamental industry, and pledges it self to continue its efforts in this di rection.
 HIGHWAYS
 .cThe federal aid road act, adopted by the republican congress on 1921, has been of inestimable value to the devel opment of the highway system of the | several states and of the nation. We pledge continuation of this policy of federal cooperation with the states ir highway building. We favor the construction of roads and trails in our national forests neces sary to the protection and utilization of the property. In appropriation therefore, the taxes which these lands pay, if taxable, should be considered as controlling factor.
 LABOR
 'The increasing stress of industrial life, the constant and necessary efforts because of world competition to in. crease production and decrease costs has made it specially incumbent on those in authority to protect labor from undue exactions.
 "We commend Congress for having recognized this possibility in its prompt adoption of the recommendation of President Coolidge for a constitution amendment authorizing Congress to legislate on the subject of child labor and we urge the prompt consideration of that amendment by the legislatures of the various states.
 "There is no success great enough to justify the employment of women in labor under conditions which will impair their natural functions.
 I've favor high standards for wage, working and living conditions among the women employed in industries.
 "We pledge a continuance of the successful efforts of the republican administration to eliminate the seven. day, 12-hour work week in in. dustry. We regard with satisfaction eliminating the seven-day work week of alternate 13 and Il hours accomplished through the efforts of Presidents Hard ing and Coolidge. We declare our faith in the principle of the eight-day day.
 "We pledge a continuation of the work of rehabilitating workers in indus try as conducted by the federal board for vocational education and favor ade- quate appropriations for this purpose.
 "We favor a broader and better system of vocational education, a more adequate system of federal free employ ment agencies with facilities for assist ing the movements of seasonal and migratory labor, including farm labor, with ample organization for bringing the man and his job together.
 RAILROADS
 "The people demand and are entitled to have prompt and efficient transpor- tation at the lowest rates, consistent with good service and a reasonable re- turn upon the value of the property de- voted to public service.
 We believe that the American peo- pie demand and we favor a careful and scientific re-adjustment of railroad rate schedules with a view to the encour- agement of agriculture and basic indus tries, without impairment of railroad service.
 ''The present laws regulating rail roads which were enacted to meet post war conditions should be modified from time to time as experience shows the necessity therefor. ..-
 'The consolidation of railroads into few competitive systems subject to the approval of the Interstate Commerce Commission should be provided for.
 'The labor board provisions of the present law should be amended when ever it appears fro mexperience that such action is necessary. Collective bargaining mediation and voluntary arbitration are the most important steps in maintaining peaceful labor re- lations and should be encouraged. We do not believe in compulsory action at any time in the settlement of labor dis putes.
 Public opinion must be the final ar- bitter in any crisis which so vitally af- fects public welfare as the suspension of transportation.
 Therefore, the interests of the pub lie require the maintenance of any i'm partial tribunal which can in an emergency make an investigation of the facts and public it's conclusions. This is essential as a basis for popular judg- ment.
 We favor a stable consistent and constructive policy toward our rail roads,"
 GOVERNMENT CONTROL
 '"The prosperity of the American na- tion rests on the vigor of private ini- tiative, which has bred a spirit of in- dependent and self-rellance. The re- publican party stands now as always against all attempts to put the govern ment into business.
 American industry should not be compelled to struggle against govern ment competition. The right of the government to regulate, supervise and control utilities and public interests, we believe should be strengthened but we are firmly opposed to the nationai- zation of government ownership of pub lie utilities.
 COAL
 "The price and a constant supply of this essential commodity are of vital interest to the public. The govern ment has no constitutional power to regulate prices, but can bring its influ. ence to bear by the powerful instru- ment afforded by full publicity. When through industrial conflicts it's supply is threatened, the President should have authority to appoint a commission to act as mediators and as a medium for voluntary arbitrator. In the event of a strike, the control of distribution must be invoked to prevent profiteering.
 MERCHANT MARINE
 'The republican party stands for a strong and permanent merchant marine built by Americans, owned by Ameri- cans and manned by Americans to se- cure the necessary contact with world markets for our surplus agricultural products and manufacturers to pro- tect our shippers and importers from exorbitant ocean freight rates and to become a powerful arm of our national defense.
 'That part of the merchant marine now owned by the government should continue to be improved in its economic and efficient management with reduc- tion of the losses now paid by the gov ernment through taxation untiI it ia fi-