The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1960-09-09
1900 Montana Democratic Platform


produce more and better school opportunities
by a sounder financial structure. In attacking
the problem Of school district reorganization,
we will endeavor to make certain that no
school which has legitimate reason for its
existence will be closed
This Party supports the recommendations
of the Montana Legislative Council with re-
gard to the administration OF state school
lands in it's attempt to bring more equit-
able and fair return to the school children
of the state.
We recognize that there has been dis
tinct lag in the salaries paid to county super
intendents of schools and that the salaries
paid to these officials must be adjusted so
that they are commensurate with the educa-
ton, the experiences and the responsibilities
of this office. In the next few years when
additional problems of reorganization will
face schools, we believe that We must
be able to attract and to keep the services of
strong administrators at the county level
We believe in the principle of federal sup
port to education without federal control
We commend those school trustees, edu-
Gators and all other Montana citizens whose
interest in the education of our youth has
led them to bend every effort to make pos
sible improved school programs and capable
personnel We pledge our efforts towards
improving the educational system of Mon
tana, that we may develop and keep in our
state those who make dedicated contribu
ton in the teaching of our children.
We endorse the Western Interstate Com
pact Commission for Higher Education and
recommend sufficient funds be made avail
able for full participation within the pro-
gram.
~
We believe that appointive boards, bu-
reaus, and commissioners of this state must
be made responsible to the people and
answerable to the people. Presently they are
answerable to no one.
To protect the people from the unwarrant-
ed usurpation of power by state commissions
we recommend the passage of an Admins
tration Procedure Act
Meetings of public bodies supported by
public funds should be open to the public.
Social Legislation
The Democratic Party believes in the dig
nifty of man and it pledges it's support to
programs designated to protect, preserve,
and lend dignity to the human being.
Social legislation enacted by Democrats
in the past has served the needs of the past
The decade we are starting has brought us
new social problems First and foremost is
adequate medical care for our elder citizens
The increased longevity of the u. S. popu-
lation leads us to insist that the health needs
OF our older citizens be adequately met. We
believe that the people want to prepay their
own medical care program under the social
security act
In keeping with the rising costs of living,
we pledge adequate welfare assistance par
t1cularly for medical and hospital care to the
aged, dependent and crippled children, and
the blind.
Veterans Affairs
Being ever mindful of the obligation the
nation and state owes to- the veteran who
served in the defense of this country his
widow and orphans, we renew our pledge
and energies towards these goals.
An increase in the income limitations
which now unjustly deprive the veteran, his
widow and orphans, from adequate and lust
compensation.
The establishment of ward at the Miles
CITY veterans Administration Hospital for
the care and treatment Of patients with
mental disabilities.
standing committee in the Senate of
the United States to handle veterans legis-
lation.
That Montana maintain a full time Ma
tional Guard and Reserve program in the
interest OF national defense
Continuance of the Veterans Direct Home
Loan program and extension of the Veterans
Housing program
We commend our Congressional deIega-
ton for their successful efforts in securing
2 modernization and expansion program at
me veterans Administration Hospital at Fort
HARRISON and urge that thic ,,,-cr,~,,,, h.