Evening star., 1948-06-22
Plank Repeats
1914 Program
On Civil Rights
(Tert OF Platform on Page A-6.)
By J. A. o'Leory.


star staff Correspondent
PHILADELPHIA, June o.
The 1948 Republican platform
made public today, turns its
back on isolationism, and prom
ises more domestic reforms than
the party leaders have been able
to put through in the present
Congress.
The platform. the official text OF
which came off the mimeograph
machines at o'clock this morning
l. Stands by the bipartisan for
eign policy which Senator Vanden-
berg has enabled the Democratic
administration to develop.
2. Recommends Federal aid for
low-rent public housing, which was
sidetracked when Congress ad-
journed without passing the Taft
ILilC1lOCl = w dS1lCl oll1.
Civil Rights Program Repeated.
3. Repeats in substance the
>party's 1914 civil rights program
to punish lynching, abolish the poll
tax, discourage racial discrimina-
ton in employment and a state
ment of opposition to the idea of
segregation in the armed forces.
President Truman recommended a
similar program this year, but the
Republican controlled Congress ad-
journed without getting action.
4. Contains strong plank in
support of the aspirations of the
new Jewish State of Israel.
5. Pledges an attack on imitation
by progressive reduction of Gov
ernment expenses" and stimulation
and production as the surest way to
lower prices.
6. Declares for a "well-paid and
efficient Federal career service"
Pledges Curb on Reds.
7. Pledges vigorous enforcement
of existing laws against Commun-
lists and such new legislation as may
be necessary. ---....-
8. Promises continued support Of
National defense and adequate ad-
justment of veterans benefits on a
cost of living basis.
9. Fayors return to the States of
title to oil-rich tidelands-a con-
troversial issue which was left url-
finished when Congress adjourned.
. Senator Lodge of Massachusetts,
chairman of the Platform Commit
tee, told reporters as he handed out
the document early this morning
that, "in the main it is frank and
forward looking"
He estimated it to be the most
concise platform the Republicans
ever drew up-under 1000 words,
not counting the Introductory sum-
mary, which duplicates the detailed
pledges.
1t will be taken before the con-
vention tomorrow, and its drafters
expect it to.be adopted without con-
troversy.
Last Minute Changes Made.
During nine hours Of closed door
committee session yesterday, some
last-minute changes were made in
the tentative draft prepared over
the week end by smaller group.
Spokesman for the new interna-
tional viewpoint in Republican
thinking went to the platform meet
ing with some fear that the dwind-
ling corps of Midwest isolationists
might not back the Vandenberg-t type
foreign policy statement. AS the
final touches were made in the plat
form after midnight, the advocates
of international cooperation admit
ted that differences of opinion led
to some alterations in the original
draft.
Both Chairman Lodge and former
Senator Edge of New Jersey said
however. the discussion was never
acrimonious, and that the altera-
tions did not weaken the interna-
tional tone of the foreign policy
planks.
One OF the original, sentences
dropped from the final draft prom
ised to implement with appropria-
tions any commitment made by leg
islative enactment" Another phrase
taken out referred to control OF
atomic energy.
U. N. Stand Unchanged.
Untouched, however. were the dec
larations for a stronger United Ma
tions and for collective security
against aggression.
The Republicans made "a bid for
the farm vote with a promise of per-
manent price props, "sounder" soil
saving program. and support of CO.
operatives.
They also pledged intensified re-
search to find new uses for possible
future farm surpluses, and to en-
courage an agricultural system OF
1See PI,ATFORM Page A-5)