The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-07-18
Anti-War Plank Much
Stronger Than COPS
CONTINUED From Page u

aiding Great Britain and other ma
tions which have been attacked by
aggressor nations, the Democratic
and Republican platform commit
ments are almost identical.
The Democrats said:
"In, self-defense and in good con-
science, the worlds greatest de-
mocracy cannot afford heartlessly
or in a spirit Of appeasement to ig-
more the peace-loving and liberty
loving peoples wantonly attacked by
Ruthless aggressors. We pledge to
extend to these peoples all the ma
terial aid at our command, consis-
tent with law and not inconsistent
with the interests of our own ma
tional self-defense-all to the end
that peace and international good
faith may yet emerge triumphant"
The Republicans adopted plat
form in Philadelphia last month
which said that "our sympathies
have been profoundly stirred by in
vasion of unoffending countries and
by disaster to nations whose ideals
most closely resemble our own" and
their platform favored "the extern
sion to all peoples fighting for Iber-
ty, or whose liberty Is threatened, of
such aid as snail not be in violation
of international law or inconsistent
with the requirements Of our own
national defense"
Monroe Doctrine Upheld
Both parties reaffirmed the Mon
roe Doctrine, warning the dictators
to keep hands off the western hem
isphere, and both pledged to rearm
the nation sufficiently to carry out
this commitment.
A comparison of the two platforms
adopted by the Republican and
Democratic conventions indicated
that American voters in the months
between now and November 5 will
hear much campaign oratory about
the responsibility for Americas pres
ent unpreparednes.
Republicans asked a constitutional
amendment limiting presidential
tenure to two terms "to insure
against overthrow of our American
system of government" but the DEM
ocratic convention last night shouted
down an anti-thir dterm plank Of
fered by Rep. Elmer j. Ryan of
South st. Paul, MINI. Minnesota's
unit rule later forced Ryan to vote
for Mr.. Roosevelt's denomination
against his will.
Major Detectives
The Democratic plyatform, adopt
ed without debate except for Ryan's
gesture, in general pledged contin-
uance of the New Deal and outlined
these three major detectives:
81. To strengthen democracy by
defensive preparedness against ag-
erosion, whether by open attack or
secret inflltration;
"2. To strengthen democracy by
increasing our economic efficiency;
and
"3. To strengthen democracy by
improving the welfare of the people"
Both parties made strong bid
for the farm vote but the Demo-
Gratis promised continuation of par
ity payments, which the Republic
cans didn't mention. The G.. o. P.
would junk New Deal production
control schemes, but the Democrats
would continue them. Both would
continue soil conservation checks,
and carry on farm refinancing ven-
lures.
Organized old persons were wooed
with old age pensionSplanks in both
platforms. Democrats pledged they
would seek at an early date to
provide "a minimum pension for
all who have reached the age of
retirement and are not gainfully
employed" and the Republicans
promised extension of necessary
old age benefits on an earmarked
pay-as-you-go basis to the extent
that revenues raised for this pur-