Evening star., 1952-07-13
Platforms
Balance Sheet on Democrats lo48 Promises
Shows Tepid Success in Realizing Aims
By Richard FrykIund

By Richore
There Is at least one cynic at each
political convention who along about
platform writing time makes this
traditional comment about the par
tvs laborious efforts to turn out a
statement of principles:
Platforms are to get in on. not
to stand on"
The public. in general. goes along
with the cynics. People feel that
platforms are elaborately constructed
vote-traps designed to be forgotten
as soon as the party wins the elec-
ton.
Four years ago the Democrats
drew up a platform and swept into
control of the presidency and both
houses Of Congress. AS the Demo-
Gratis prepare to meet eight days
hence and draw up another platform,
the voters have chance to pin the
1948 winners down and match the
platform with the performance.
The Democratic platform, in the
highest tradition Of politics. was full
of bombast. denunciation. quibbling
and dodging. It was written that
way for a good reason. reason
recognized by both parties since plat
forms were first erected. A platform
must be broad enough to cover all
of the factions that make up the
party. 1T must be vague where to
be specific would ALLEVIATE some party
rr,.o,,n S,,,,ef roll1y tho TNortU in
ringing phrases and soothe the party
with delicate compromises. What
satisfies fully no group may give
reasonable satisfaction to all groups.
It is possible to pick out 48 fairly
clear planks in the l948 Democratic
platform. It would surprise the
cynics to know that the Administra-
ton made at least an attempt to
stand on 38 Of these planks. Some
of the tries stalled after action on
them in one House Of Congress, but
in 80 instances, some sort Of law
was approved to carry through on
the promises. There were 10 COM
plete blanks.
Here are the most important
planks in the 1948 Democratic plat
form compared with the perform
ance in the last four years.
Agriculture
Price supports: The Democratic
platform pledged the party to set
up a permanent system of flexible
price supports for agricultural prod
ucts, to maintain farm income on
parity with farm operating costs a. :"
The performance did not follow the
pledge. Price supports were contin-
ued, but they were made rigid, at 80
per cent of parity, instead Of flexible.
Soil conservation: The platform
pledged "an intensified soil conserva-
ton program. >.
The limit on soil conservation pay
ments was raised and the program
was extended.
Oleomargarine "We favor the re-
peal OF the discriminatory taxes on
the manufacture and sale of oleomar-
garine."
The tax was removed.
Welfare Education
Social security: I'VE favor extern
sion Of the social security pro-
gram" ga
Coverage under social security was
extended and benefits were increased
by from 20 to more than 100 per
cent.
Housing: 1--WE shall enact compre-
hensive housing legislation, including
provision for slurn clearance and
low-rent housing projects. initiated
by local agencies"
A comprehensive public housing
and slum clearance program was ap-
proved. but construction under the
program was cut back when the
Korean war started. Middle-income
and defense housing bills also were
passed.
Education: eve advocate Federal
aid for education. =. :"
No action was completed.
Foreign Policy
Foreign aid: The platform prom
ised to extend the Marshall Plan and
to support regional arrangements
within the United Nations Char
The Marshall Plan was continued
under reduced appropriations. It