Evening star., 1936-06-27

taken more ser
louSly than the
platform of 1882, n.u,s ,.
for the new one
is written on the record of the last
three years and with purposes that
Erov out of the New Deals approach
10 governmental problems after three
years Of controversy.
Many things were promised again,
rs In 1892, such as reduction of ex-
penses and retrenchment, sound
currency, and vigorous enforcement
81 the antitrust laws, but there is
bne pledge made which is certain to
overshadow all others and probably
will be the first to be carried out in
the American form Of government.
Federal Power Is Issue.
While processing, of course, that
the changes are to be made within the
letter and the spirit of the Constitu-
tion, the plank which insists that the
Constitution be amended so as to give
greater powers to the National Gov
ernment represents the most vital
program Of amendment that has been
projected since the Constitution was
written.
No other amendments to the Con-
btitution have sought to invade either
the rights reserved to the States or
the rights reserved to the people. The
New Deal now proposes that the
Federal Government be given powers
equal to that Of the 48 States, that
531 men, and in many instances a
majority of 267, shall have authority
equal to the 4S legislatures. and that
the Federal judiciary be given powers
equal to that of the 48 State judicial
systems.
This profound transformation of
the American dual system Of Govern
ment Is asked for on the ground not
merely Of emergency but to adjust
American life to presumably changed
conditions, the inference being that
$50 years of the American Constitu-
tional system have proved futile to
solve questions Of national scope.
Well Phrased for New DeaIism.
The platform is adroitly and skill
fully Eorded. In fact the New Deal
platform Is a far more coherent docu-
ment. better phrased and more effec-
lively presented than the Republican
platform in'Cleveland. To put it an
other way, the New Deal platform ex-
presses New Deahsm much more
eficiently and directly than the
Cleveland platform expressed the
spirit Of the new restless ReptIb-
Hcanism that nominated Gov. Landon.
If one is ready to accept the thesis
of paternalistic government and to
believe that the responsibility of the
citizen TO earn his own living has been
superseded by the philosophy that the
Government owes the citizen a living
and financial support, the New Deal
platform will be found to reflect salts
factorily that view on every point.
Everything from floods and dust
stroms to regulation of maximum
hours and minimum wages is grouped
together as the growing obligation Of
the Federal Government wherever
the States do not assert It, Clearly
the platform plank is so worded that
constitutional amendment that
achieves the objects stated would
make the Federal Government the
disciplinary overlord of the States
and, in effect, end State sovereignty
and independence in America.
Amendment Vote Separate.
Fortunately under our present sys-
tenn Of Government, constitutional
changes must be voted on in elections
separate and distinct from presiden-
tial and congressional contests, so
that the American people can pass
explicitly on the wording Of a pro-
posal TO alter the Constitution But
an overwhelming victory at the polls
next Autumn Will hasten the passage
by two-thirds vote of both Houses
Of Congress Of an amendment en-
bodying the ideas contained in the
New Deal plank on constitutional
changes.
The issue in the coming campaign
has. therefore, developed into q fight
20 preserve the spirit Of the dual
system Of Government, even though
1t was supposed a few weeks ago that
the New Dealers, In the interest Of
political expediency, were going to
avoid making such an issue. The Re-
publcsnS have been waiting for this
very challenge, so that they ought to
thank the New Deal for its frank and
unequivocal declaration.
Weak Points Omitted.
The platform naturally omits any
mention Of weak points In New Deal
armor. There is, for instance, the ex-
PLANTATION Of why 10000. 900 persons
are still unemployed, why, II recov-
sry Is here, more money Is going to
be spent in 1887 by the Federal Gov
eTnment than in 1886 and why the
antitrust laws have not been en-.
forced against the monopoiies that
grew out Of the N. r. A. codes. But
no convention platform puts It's worst
foot forward
The New Deal platform OF 1886 Is
clearer and better than 1882 from a
liberal and radical standpoint. 1t is
broad enough to permit slow change
IN the character OF governmental
power or rapid change II the public
In November shows itself in accord.
But one thing is certain-the New
Deal has, with the exception Of a
few phrases Of conservative aSsur-
ance as TO its alleged aim TO keep
business on the road to freedom and
prosperity" shown no sign of re-
treat. The platform says expert
meutation. reform, reorganization.
further use Of public funds and Gov
eminent paternalism are firmly es-
tsbiished in the New Deal and the
country is asked to approve or dis
approve at the polls. Clearly the
events Of the week indicate that the
coming election viii affect tie cestiny
of America as has no other election
since the Civil War.
tCopSright. 19SbJ