Evening star., 1931-12-14
DEMOCRAT POLICY
TO Be LAID DOWN
Leaders Meet Tomorrow to
Outline Program AIterna.
tive to Presidents.
BY MARK SULLIVAN.

The Democrats tomorrow, through the
novel instrumentality they have set up
their COMMITTEE on Policy" composed
of leading Democrats in Senate and
House, will arrive upon party program
alternative to that which Republican
President Hoover outlined in his annual
message. The Democratic program
when it emerges will, in its details, pro-
vice many contrasts to the Republicans
on taxation, the tariff, farm re-
lief, the debenture plan. the equaliza-
ton fee, perhaps on intergovernment
debts, and what not.
While many of the differences be-
tween the two parties will be highly
controversial, probably the great fight
of the session will be about large appro-
priations from the Government Trea-
sury for relief of unemployment, Almost
certain the Democrats will advocate
large appropriations, although this
policy in its origin comes rn6iins -oya
the Progressives, and It's principal pro-
ponent so far has been Progressive
Senator LaFollette.
Prefer Conservative Stand.
Not all the Democrats are pleased
with adopting it, fcr some o1 then. do
not like the party to have the appea =
ance Of close association with the Pro
gressives. Many Democrats, looking
forward to the presidential election,
prefer to give the country the impress
sion Of being conservative, or at least
middle le-of-the-road Nevertheless. so
many Democrats are already identified
with advocacy of a great Government
bond issue for relief that this seems
likely to become Democratic party
measure.
Advocacy of large Government sp-
preparations for this general purpose
follows three lines. One proposes in
creased payments Of bonus or other
benefits to veterans. To this President
Hoover Is opposed until the country
has recovered from the present situa-
ton"
The Democratic ranking head of the
Committee on Veterans is a determined
and even violent advocate of the bonus.
Whether the party as whole adopts
1t as party measure will be apparent
after Tuesday.
Dole to Be Debated.
A second line of appropriations TO
relieve unemployment proposes direct
gifts of money from the Federal Treas
ury to the idle. To this, likewise, Presi-
dent Hoover is opposed.
Il am opposed to any direct or in
direct Government dole" he said in his
message. Many Democratic Senators,
including Walsh of Massachusetts and
McKSllar Of Tennessee, last year advo-
Gated large Federal appropriations for
direct relief of unemployment Whether
this is to be a Democratic policy will
likewise be apparent after next Tues
day
The third kind Of proposal for ap-
preparations for relief takes the form of
great Government bond issue for pub
he works. AS to this President Hoover s
position is that this year the Govern
ment is spending $3.50, 900 900 for pnblic
works and that more would be imprac-
ticable to carry out and too heavy a
burden on the Treasury and on tax
payers. The President has expressed hi.
policy as one OF drastic economy anc
'resolute opposition to the enlargement
OF Federal expenditure until after re-
covery." The Democrats, however, seen
certain to put forward as party meas.
ure proposals for some billions of dol.
lars for public works. One Democratic
Senator has suggested 100000 900
A proposal for $5,000,0O0, 900 is urgec
by a chain OF newspapers and already
has been introduced in Congress.
Advocacy Of a two to five billion
dollar bond issue for public works i;