The Washington times., 1932-06-27
BODY
ROWS OVER
WAR DEBTS
MCAdoo, Wheeler Block Move
by Walsh, Massachusetts;
Farm, JObIesS Aid Up
BY W. X. HUTCHINSON

Battles over prohibition, farm
relief, unemployment relief,
and cancellation Of war debts
featured the secret session to-
day of the unofficial elmer
group" charged with drafting
the Democratic platform for
1882.
The prohibition controversy
probably will be settled by sub
mitting several forms of a plank
to the convention for decision.
This procedure was favored by
the resubmissioniSts, who domi.
mated the platform group, as well
as by the members who demanded
an outright repeal plank.
War Debts Up
The drive for inclusion Of a
plank calling for at least partial
cancellation of war debts pro-
vokod the bitterest dispute among
the platform-writers.
It was sponsored by Eastern
members and heatedly opposed by
those from the Middle and Far
West who charged it would lead
to the overwhelming defeat of the
prrty in November.
The debt. cancellation plank
was sponsored by Senator David
I. Walsh, of Massachusetts,, pre-
viously regarded as a foe of in
ternationalistS; A. Mite h ell |
Palmer. wartime Attorney Gen.
eral, and Senator Carter Glass,
onetime Secretary of the Treas
ury.
A tentative draft, calling for
cancellation to the extent of arm
ament reductions by the debtor
nations, was rejected by the plat
formwriters when bitterly as
sailed by William Gibbs McAdoo
and Senator Burton K. Wheeler.
Row Over Farm Aid
The same relative situation
existed on the farm and unem-
ployment relief planks.
The original plank, submitted
by the Roosevelt faction, called
for creation of a central farm
bank. 1t was rejected after a
sharp debate, in which Western
members of the subcommittee
declared there was too much
farm credit and not enough &C
tual relief in present farm meas
ureS.
The row over the farm plank
grew so heated that the subcom-
mittee finally decided to hold
public hearings.
The unemployment plank was
nebulouS, with diversion of
views existing among the platform
writer's.
Mayor Frank Murphy and
Father Charles E. Coughlin, of
Detroit. were asked to present
their views before a vote is taken
on the plank.
Murphy has asked the party to
declare itself in favor of gov
ernmental responsibility for the
care of citizens, when local re.
lief agencies no longer can meet
the problem. There were indi-
cations the plank would include
| such a pronouncement.
A number of plankS were set
tied, affecting the stock market,
labor, the Federal budget, gov
ernmental economy, and lobbying
activities before Congress.
Banking Plank Settled
A strong plank was adopted,
dealing with the banking situa-
ton. It was sponsored by Sena-
tor Glass, So-called Father Of the
Federal Reserve" 1t read:
1--WE favor quicker methods
Of realizing on assets for the
relief Of depOSitOrS of suspended
banks and a more rigid super
vision of national banks for the
protection of depOsitOrs and
the prevention of the use of
their moneys in speCulatiOns."
It also said:
The plank dealing with vet
eranS was silent on the demand
for a cash bonus. It merely said:
I'VE favor the fullest meas
ure of Justice and generosity
for those veterans who have
suffered disability or disease
caused by actual service in
time of war"
The labor plank said:
"We favor . substantial re-
ductiO1 In the hours of labor in
order to distribute more eQui.
tabIy the profits Of prOduc-
tive industry, increase the buy
ing power Of the people and
thus increase consumption of
existing SurpIuSes of unused
commodities and unemployed
labor"
There was a condemnation of
SluSh funds and lobbying actiVi-
ties in other planks.
The foreign relations plank,
incidentally, failed of ratification
prior to today'S session because
the old WilSonian followers
sought specific Endorsement of
the League Court. McAdoo, the
wartime Presidents son-inlaw, in
cidentally led the fight against
Endorsement of the court.
Transportation worries can he over