The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-05-17

fl Credit tO q. Q. r. Strategy
 give full credit to the republi-
 can political leaders for expert
 knowledge in the technique and
 strategy of politics. We know, of
 course, that majority of these
 leaders have neither affection for
 the president nor respect for his
 ability. But we likewise know that
 their personal feelings will not
 prejudice their efforts In behalf of their candidate. We have heard
 through the republican newspa pers and over the radio their constant
 assaults on the democratic posi-
 ton. Not only have they decried
 the non-existence of q democratic
 program---and Of course no con- crete program could have been
 cnunciated beyond the personal
 views of our leaders in and out of congresa--but they have maEnihed
 every democratic controversy in
 order to bear out their thesis of congenital dlsorga nlzation, which
 they adduce as evidence of our
 pnrty's unfitness to dcni with the complex problems of Rovernment.
 Unquestionnbly that is excellent political strategy. Their favorite issue--that prosperity and repubii- cnnism go hand in hand--hnving
 been Knocked in the hend, they
 must resort to other cxpedients. in addition to those I have outlined we have the constant barrage of abuse of the democratic national organization for It's disparagement Of the president. regardless Of tho nctuality that this disparagcmcnt hns consisted purely of criticism of his official acts and has been
 marked by q total abstention from personal abuse. Do not let your own views Of the dlsingenuousnes of these republican pleas lull you into the Idea that they must be
 without effect.
 We may be able to counter their
 argument based on our lack Of q complete program to undo the
 tangles their twelve years In power
 have tied. by reciting that tho Hoo- ver administration though it has had two md a half years in which to formulate q plan to comb6t the effects of the economic depression
 has made a record 50 nearly empty
 that the average man would have difficulty in naming any element of 1t that has been notably effective.
 First Signs Of life '
 The first definite administration
 move that promises to really ID.
 proach tho problem of direct relief to the panic sufferers and to pro.
 vido employment for the vast army
 of unemployed was Mir Hoovcrs
 practical indorsement last week of
 the measures suggested by Senator
 Joe Robinson of Arkansas, the
 democratic leader In the upper
 house of congress. Tho president
 did not accept the plan In full, of'
 fcring sufficient modification per.
 haps to enable tho administration
 sp0k esmcn during the campaign to
 adhere to their precedent of claim
 ing for their candidate authorship
 of anything calculated to hnve good result In the present emer.
 gency, regardless of It's actual
 source.
 The republicans are and have
 been fin C position tO announce e complete Idea on tho subject ln- : deed it is the constitutional duty
 Of the president 10 do so. It b otherwise with tho minority party: Though It's leaders in and out of | GUnRItHH UUNG fltWb WUtNh VI V ] neither vague nor inadequate, these
 havo only the authority of personal opinion and the force their logic ] supplies, until they hre embodied in the platform of their national . convention, II is with view Go | having that declaration of princi-
 ples exprcss in the fullest degree
 the course to which the democratic party will be committed thht the , state delegations have been Invited . to send their platform reprcsc nta 3 lives to Chicago four days In ad- ? vance of the convention.
 , Perhaps no platform in our pos 1 Iitic0l history was nS Important h' r is tho document that must be pre- pared in Chicago next month. Wt :, have 10 offer tho country some s thing beyond the customary pIati' tudey. We must produce 0 recitn f of democratic aims and ambltiOni ! that will convince the country n0 f only that we have clear cOncep i ton of the needs Of this pcriOC |, but that we have the courage C announce our schedule Of admin , istrnti0n and 1cgisinti0n, and th' B | determination to carry our prom , jses Into effect. We are asking th' . people t0 entrust their dcstinie . to us; they are not going to do thii , unlcB we arc decisive, dehnite--hnt above all--honest. They must SCI r in what we offer real purpose t' | correct the abuses from which th' ? country has suffered and tn . method by which we hope 10 nc complish this purpose.
 , This Is no time for straddling O 7 pussyfootIng. In words nobody cal 3 misconstrue, migunderstand oi 3 misinterpret, wo must pledge our } selves on prohibition, regardless O
 the circumstance that 0ll ou [ party Is not in accord: we must b' ] as explicit and as unfcaring on thu { subject Of the tariff. and particu 7 Iarly must We leave no doubt ai r to our projected course in regard 7 to unemployment and measures fol ' the restoration of prosperity tt 6 | business and to employees alike !. For our own sakes and for th' : sake Of the nation we must no baik at dificuiities or embarrass ] ments. All these problems are par [ Of the responsibility we are ask. ] ing the people to repose in us. ant it would profit our party little C : win a victory In November and . have the voters four years hoDc' feel the sc0rD for Us and for ouI promises that they now eutcrtaIf for the present administration,
 We cannot. and should not at. . tempt 10 match the weaseI.w wOrdel and double meaning sentenceS will } which our adversaries will seek fs cover ID tho defahh Of their plat. fmNss. m gaA fNafa As4snANhNa uF flIH