Evening star., 1948-06-23
By the Assoeiotsd Press

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PHILADELPHIA, June 23.-The
le48 Republican platform went
before the convention for rati-
fication today.
Labeled by its chief drafter as "a
fortnight, forward looking guide to
the American future" the 2,4O0-
word document: (a) Pledges the
party to lead America in global CO.
operation for peace; (b) calls for
far-reaching domestic legislation,
and (c) plunges Congress into the
thick of the presidential campaign.
The conventions resolutions chair
man, Senator Lodge of Massachu-
sets, was due to present the plat
form formally to the assembled dele
gates at today's morning session.
Backed by the partys White House
asoirants, it appeared certain to sail
through the convention without a
serious hitch.
Vandenberg Praises Plank.
Senator Vandenberg called the
foreign policy plank magnificent"
Gov. Dewey and Harold E. Stassen
said they hadn't had a chance to
study the entire platform in detail
but gave it their blessing. Senator
Taft said he likes especially the
public housing and civil rights
planks.
sThe next big question is this:
Will President Truman call the
Republican-controlled Congress into
special session this summer with a
message challenging the Republic
ans to carry out the partys plat
form promises?
The President has called this the
second worst" Congress in history.
He has the power to call it back
anytime. And some politicians think
he may exercise that power.
Issues May Face Congress.
These might be some OF the issues
put before the Congress:
Initiation - The COP platform,
charging that the Democratic ad-
mlnistration has deliberately en-
couraged higher prices" pledged an
attack on imitation with reduced
Government costs, stimulation of
factory output, debt reduction and
q sound currency.
Mr.. Truman called Congress into
special session last fall with anti
imitation legislation as one of his
chief objectives. The Republicans.
however, turned down his bid for
standby power to reimpose price,
rationing and wage controls and
passed instead voluntary anti
imitation measure.
!. Housing-The President has called
for legislation embodying vast Gov
eminent aids for home building,
including Government construction
Of low-rent houses. The Senate
passed such a bill, under the spon-
sorship of Senator Taft. But 1t
died after some House Republicans
called the public housing sections
"a kew to socialism"
The new platform says I'VE recon-
mend Federal aid to the States for
local slum clearance and low
rental housing programs only where
there is need that cannot be met
either by private enterprise or by
the States and localities"
Truman Urged Aid to Aged.
Social security-the 1914 Repub-
lican platform and Mr.. Truman
called for extension of old-age in
surance and unemployment bene-
f1ets to all working people not al
ready covered. Congress has not
broadened the coverage.
The new platform says, con
sistent with the vigorous existence
of our competitive economy, we
urge: Extension of the Federal old
age and survivors insurance pro-
gram and increase of the benefits to
more realistic level" Mr.. Truman
proposed that the benefits be in
creased by at least so per cent.
Civil rights-The 1914 Republican
platform and Mr.. Truman have
called for about the same thing
anti-lynch, anti-poll tax and anti
discrimination legislation. No bill on
this subject got through Congress.
The new platform calls for Fed
eral outlawing of lynching and poll
taxes. and "the equality of all in
dividuals in their right to life. lib
erty and the pursuit Of happiness.
1t does not specifically call for a
Fair Employment Practices Commits
sion.