Evening star., 1936-05-29

nderDood & Underwood Photo,
to the voters we must be prepared to
tell them how we propose to deal with
the conditions, and the only condi-
tions, which really imperil constitu-
tional government. With anything
like economic justice in this country.
this Government and the great prin-
ciples upon which it rests, are not in
the slightest danger of fundamental
change.
On my desk Is a letter from an in
dependent oil company which says:
The Standard Oil and four other
companies are out to secure the mo-
nopoly of the worlds oil production.
They have 1t now in the United
States. We, who are known as in
dependents, are permitted now to fol-
low the oil business with the grace
of the Standard oil Co. and its as
sociates."
These oil companies, or some of
them, have been extremely active in
this convention campaign. Their
representatives will sit in the conven-
ton. Some of us shall be interested
TO know where they throw their in
fluencei
If the Republican party can find
no way to control the economic power
which these companies exert upon
every person in the land, regardless
Of State lines, shall we hope to make
effective with the voters our argu-
ment that State rights under the
Constitution must be maintained?
These oil companies are now, as pri-
vate corporations, exerting a power
over the private citizen in the re-
spective States which the Constitu-
ton has declared the Government
does not possess.
Corporation Rights
Exceed Those OF Government.
The Supreme Court has declared the
Federal Government has no power to
control production nor any way to
affect farm prices on the farm. That,
1t is declared, Is a matter with which
the States alone may deal. But five
corporations, in no wise hindered by
State lines, may, and do, control pro-
duction and affect farm prices by
fixing prices on the implements with
out which production can not 60 for.
ward. What the Government may not
do afiirmatively, or negatively, may
not do for want Of power, private
corporations are permitted to do re-
gardless Of State lines or State rights
There are no State lines and no
State rights and no private rights ap-
parently as against the practices and
exploitation Of combines and monop-
olies. As to them this is one vast
consolidated empire, the richest prey
that human greed ever seized upon.
They sweep across State lines, defy
State sovereignty, and undermine and
destroy the prosperity of the citizen
upon which the whole State rests.
They shut the door of opportunity
to millions and fix the prices that
every housewife in the State must
pay to maintain the family. The Fed
eral Government can not send an
agent within the State to interfere.
either for veal or woe, with the daily
affairs of the people, and upon such
principle alone can a Federal union
endure. But we cannot long main
tain Government with 48 States
for purposes of Government and an
empire for purposes Of exploitation.
If we are to repossess the confidence
of the people of this country. we must
advise them in no uncertain terms
what we are going to do about it,
and do it.
Tbs Government was made for, and
can be adapted only to, free men and
free women, men and women with
equal opportunities in life, with free
dom to choose an avocation, or pro-
fession, and pursue 1t under general,
Just and equal laws, and regimenta-
ton, private or public, means inevi-
tably a change in the whole structure
of Government. Our Government will
not work under either scheme.
What viii Republican
Party Do to Combat Situation?
This depression was something more
than an economic breakdown. 1t was
also q warning-a warning that an
economic set-up which leaves one
half the Nation in the midst of vast
plenty with the bare necessities Of life,
Is compatible neither with sound
nor free Government. What
is the party going to do about it?
Will 1t, under the malign influence of
politics, packed by cor
porate and n1onopolistic interests, dis.
regard this question or seek to cir
cumvent straight and effective action?
Or will 1t meet 1t in the open?
The high place In the counsels Of
the party which corporate and mo-
interests have long occupied
is known to all the world. At one
time these influences were challenged
by q great Republican leader. They
have again been able, however, to
bring about a condition where the
supreme party problem is this: Can,
and will, the party drive these forces
from its counsels, disregard their sat-
tellites, and break their grip upon its
policies and its deeds? II we are In
this respect prepared to disregard the
supreme interests Of the people, 1t
will be vain during the campaign to
discuss constitutional questions and
the validity Of constitutional govern
ment or to offer direct insult to the
peoples understanding by telling them
we are not able to protect them.
Time Ripe for Party
To Dissolve Partnership.
The party has paid dearly for the
demoralizing presence Of these in
fiuences. At the beginning of this
great campaign it is enjoying less
power In national affairs than at any
time IN its history. In the name of
The people and in the name Of the
party. the time Is ripe for an account
Ing and . dissolution Of the partner
.hip.
Recently I received q letter from q
distinguished person In which he said:
syxyJ,x, kaa,s ,,y1 ty,{s f7c1,k aoainsf mn.