Evening star., 1936-06-10

B S cally the nj, ,
platform could be
abbreviated considerably to include
fundamental principles and the hum
dred and one subjects of current leg
islation would conform to those prin-
riples. While the pressure to be spe-
cific on certain points is always in
tense, it is doubtful if the platform
finally adopted omits consideration of
anything that is likely to be cam
psign issue.
The three blanks which are giving
most trouble relate to the gold stand
ard. agriculture and minimum wages.
The planks on social security and old
age pensions are in satisfactory form
already. The farm plank will cause
controversy 1t cannot. from the view
point of the leaders here, escape the
fact that cash benefits are for the
time being necessary. but at the same
time all plans or methods of aiding
agriculture are supposed TO come
within the financial ability of the
Federal Government to meet the eX-
pense. 1t would not be surprising if
the farm plank took into account the
emergency situation in world agricul-
tural conditions rather than perma-
nent policy.
World Sterilization Urged.
AS for the monetary plank. here. too
the unsettled conditions throughout
the world make it inadvisable to write
a formula into platform plank.
What is being urged is a declaration
in favor of international stabilization
Of currencies, leaving the American
Government free to deal with the sit
uations as they arise and not requir-
ing any fixed gold content until there
is some kind of international agree
n1ent Producers Of farm commodi-
ties would be protected against any
adverse effects of such fixing of the
gold content.
The minimum wage issue is perpleX-
ing because it has acquired embar-
rassments of Republican origin
Herbert HooVers pronouncement in
favor of minimum wage amendment
to the Federal Constitution so as to
add power to the State governments
to deal with the matter has impressed
Gov. Landon. Senator Borah on the
other hand, doubts that any amend
ment is necessary. Likewise, union
labor does not want any wage fixing
If it is to apply to men as we'll as
women.
To define exactly wnat is min
inum wage is one thing. because it
has to be related to the value of the
services rendered, whereas a sub
sistence income based wholly on the
desire of the State to prevent cit
izen-man or woman-from becoming
public charge is quite another prop
osition. 1t would be possible under
the already existing police power of
a State to enact statute that pro-
hibits any individual from accepting
employment at less than a subsistence
income of standard fixed by
State commission, but this would
mean authority derived from the
power of State to prescribe for the
health of its citizens and to prevent
the financial burden of the State
itself from becoming excessive.
The task is to draw an amendment
that does not become enmeShed in
the tangles of wage fixing at all, but
seeks to establish a subsistence level
from humanitarian standpoint. The
argument is that no constitutional
amendment is necessary. but the plat
form makers are being urged to agree
to recommend that such an amend
ment to the Constitution by adopted
II it should later be found necessary
On foreign affairs there is little
likelihood of disagreement. as the
purpose to keep America free from
ENHANCEMENT that might lead to war
Aside from the platform making
the feature of the moment is the way
the delegations one by one, are clean
ing house. Some of the leaders of
the past being deposed are not sufi-
ciently progressive and some have Just
worn out their welcome in State pol
itics. On the whole, the desire to
renovate the party of organization is
taking on the proportions of a crusade.
Certainly the Landon campaign is
becoming a reform movement in Re
publican national politics
The Keynote Speech.
Senator Steiwers keynote speech
produced variety of comments. His
general argument was liked very much
by the delegates and they are the
people who will use the speech in their
home precincts. Those persons out
side the political realm who wanted
brief speech of details or one that
would be delivered in a Rooseveltian
voice were naturally disappointed.
ic fYor arfo NJ all
Is what the delegates think of key
note speech. 1t is written for them pri-
marily. 1t gives them a cue as to
how to meet arguments in the cam
paign. Thus running through the
Oregon Senator's speech was con-
slant hammering on the money
spending and extravaganza. The Lam
don slogan, for instance, is to be
deeds not deficits" so that the SteiWer
address fitted in with the probable
tack that will be taken by the Repub-
iican nominee.
Mr.. SHELLS speech as permanent
chairman is not unlike the Steiwer
address in its blistering attack on
New Dealism. What former President
Hoover says tonight will probably be
along a somewhat different line and
the delegates are waiting eagerly to
hear = the man Senator Steiwer de-
'scribed last night as "the President
with a conscience" The convention
will not get the platform for debate
until some time Thursday afternoon
or night after which nominating
speeches will be made. The prospect
is the balloting will be on Friday and
that the convention will adjourn Fri
. cay night. T.