Evening star., 1936-06-26

10 seek 10 meet tneSe problems CnrOugn
legislation within the Constitution.
Then follows the suggestion that
they will proceed to a constitutional
amendment.
Raises Issue for Campaign.
The constitutional issue is clearly
raised and for the coming campaign,
by this campaign declaration. And the
issue Is seemingly whether the control
Of the Federal Government in the af-
fairs Of the people shall be extended
and supplant that Of the States in GER
tain particulars.
The issue, however, as declared by
the Democrats in their platform, is
whether the American people are
willing to return to a "Repblican ad-
ministration that has and would again
regiment them in the service of priv
ileged groups" or whether they will
choose to retain a Democratic ad-
ministration dedicated to the estab-
lishment of equal opportunity for all
our people,
The Democrats, in their final para
graph. return to the founding fathers
Of the Nation. For they say:
I'VE hold this final truth to be self
evident-that the interests, the secur-
ity and the happiness of the people of
the United States of America can be
perpetuated only under Democratic
government as conceived by the
founders of our Nation"
Throo Dorfe In DIaxfo~v,,
The new platform is an easy docu-
ment to read. 1t is filled with hu-
manitarian promises. 1t may be di-
vided into three major topics: First,
what the New Deal administration has
done for the American people; second
what are the obligations of the Gov
eminent to the American people. and
third, how these obligations must be
met.
In a modern civilization, the plat
form holds, Government has three
''inescapable obligations" to its peo-
pie, which are:
/, Protection of the family and the
home.
2. Establishment of a democracy of
opportunity for all the people.
8. Aid to those overtaken by dis
aster.
These obligations" the platform
says, neglected through IL years of
the old leadership, have once more
been recognized by American Govern
ment. Under the new leadership they
will never be neglected"
One of the promises contained in
the platform is that I'VE will act to
secure to the consumer fair value.
honest sales and a decreased spread
between the price he pays and the
price the producer receives"
May Be Elaborated.
"It is not clear exactly what this
language meahs or what laws must be
passed to put it into effect. During
the coming campaign the presidential
candidate may elaborate on this
theme.
Five Of the planks in which there
will be major interest are those deal
ing with agriculture, labor, the cur
rency, foreign relations and Govern
ment finances.
For agriculture, the Democrats pro-
pose ito continue to improve the soil
conservation and domestic allotment
program with payments to farmers"
This means a continuance of Govern
ment checks to the farmers. They
propose also 'the full cooperation of
the Government in the refinancing
of farm Indebtedness at the lowest
possible rates of interest and over
long term of years" This Is to hit
at the evils of farm tenancy.
There is no retreat in the platform
from the New Deal policy of crop re-
striction. although it is put in differ
ent language. The Democrats favor
the production of all the market will
absorb, plus reserve supply sufficient
to insure fair prices to consumers"
The corollary is. of course, that they
will oppose production that goes be-
yond these limits.
I'VE favor assistance within Federal
authority to enable farmers to ad-
just and balance production with de-
mand. at a fair profit to the farmers"
they continue
The currency plank makes no men
tion Of the gold standard. 1t leaves
no doubt, however, that the Demo-
Gratis are planning to continue a policy
OF managed currency" They say in
this connection:
I'VE approve the objective of
permanently sound currency SO sta
bilized as to prevent the former wide
fluctuations in value which injured
in turn producers, debtors, and prop
erty owners on the one hand, and
wage earners and creditors on the
other. a currency which will permit
full utilization of the countrys re-
sources. We assert that today we
have the soundest currency in the
world"
This plank may or may not satisfy
some Of the followers of the Lemke-
Coughlin third party ticket. It is
couched in language that seems flex-
ible enough. The plank makes no
mention of the silver question. and in
this 1t differs from the currency plank
OF the, 1882 Democratic platform.
Former Plank Recalled.
The platform four years ago said:
we advocate a sound currency. to
be preserved at all hazards. and an
international monetary conference
called on the invitation of our Gov
eminent to consider the rehabilitation
OF silver and related questions"
Dealing with Government finances.
the platform declares:
We. are determined to reduce the
expenses of government. We are being
aided therein by the recession In un-
employment. As the requirements of
relief decline and national income
advances, an increasing percentage
Of Federal expenditures can and will
be met from current revenues, secured |
from taxes levied In accordance with
ability to pay. Our retrenchment, tax
and recovery programs thus reflect our
firm determination to achieve a bal |
snced budget and the reduction of the |
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