Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-07-18
Text OF Democratic Platform Forecastng Fight Utilities Issue

Of the people. We place human
resources first among the assets
Of democratic society.
UNEMPLOYMENT.
The Democratic party wages
war on unemployment, one Of
the gravest problems Of our
times, inherited at its worst from
the last Republican administra-
ton. Since we assumed Office,
100000 additional persons have
gained regular employment in
normal private enterprise. All
our policies-flnancial, Industrial
and agricultural-will continue 70
accelerate the rate of this prog
reSs.
BY public action, where neces-
sary to supplement private re-
employment, we have rescued
millions from idleness that breeds
weakness, and given them q real
stake in their country's well-be-
ing. We shall continue to rec.
ognize the obligation of Govern.
ment to provide work for deserv-
ing workers who cannot be ab.
sorbed by private industry.
We are opposed to vesting in
the States and local authorities
the control Of Federally-financed
work relief. We believe that this
Republican proposal is q thinly
disguised plan to put the unem-
ployed back on the dole.
We will continue theoretically
to direct our efforts toward the
employment in private industry
of all those willing to work, as
well as the fullest employment
of money and machines. This
We pledge as our primary OBJ
jective.
To further implement this OBJ
jective, we favor calling, under
the direction of the President. a
national unemployment confer
ence of leaders of government,
industry. labor and farm groups.
There is work in our factories,
mines, fields, forests and river
basins, on our coasts, highways,
railroads and inland waterways.
There are houses to be built to
shelter our people. Building a
better America means work and
q higher standard of living for
every family, and a richer and
more secure heritage for every
American.
SOCIAL SECURITY.
The Democratic party, which
established social security for the
Nation, is dedicated to its extern
sion. We pledge to make the
Social Security Act increasingly
effective, by covering millions Of
persons not now protected under
its terms; by strengthening our
unemployment insurance system
and establishing more adequate
and uniform benefits. through
the Federal equalization fund
principle: by progressively ex-
tending and increasing the bene-
fits Of the old-age and survivors
insurance system. including pro-
lection Of the permanently dis
abled; and by the early relaiza-
ton Of q minimum pension for
all who have reached the age Of
retirement and are not gainfully
employed.
HEALTH.
Good health for all the people
is prime requisite of national
preparedness in its broadest
sense. We have advanced public
health, industrial hygiene and
maternal and child care. We are
co-ordinating the health func.
tons of the Federal Government.
We pledge to expand these efforts
and to provide more hospitals
and health centers and better
health protection wherever the
need exists, in rural and urban
areas. all through the co-opera-
tive efforts of the Federal, State
and local governments, the medi-
cal, dental. nursing and other
scientific professions and the
voluntary agencies.
YOUTH AND EDUCATION.
Today, when the youth of other
lands Is being sacrificed in war,
this Nation recognizes the full
value Of the sound youth pro-
gram established by the admin
iStration. The National Youth
Administration and Civilian Con-
servation Corps have enabled
our youths to complete their
education, have maintained their
health. trained them for useful