Evening star., 1960-07-25

some instances with those pro-
poSalS. They said this was
merely the result of having
considered them along with
suggestions from many other
sources.
The plank did not specify
any defense spending total.
Neither did the Nixon -Rocke-
teller statement, although Gov.
Rockegeller previously had said
$3.5 billion additional should
be provided for the defense
budget.
The farm plank took a con-
siderably broader and more
specific course than the Nixon
Rockefeller proposals. 1t rec
commended greatly increased
program to take croplands out
OF production as a means of
improving farmers income and
reducing vast surpluses.
1t outlined a "large-scale
land conservation reserve pro-
gram on a voluntary and eoui-
table rental basis with full
consideration to the impact on
local communities"
Increased Payments
Representative Laird of Wis
consin. agriculture subcommit-
tee chairman, explained that
this envisioned retirement of
about 80 million acres from
production and would increase
rental payments by the Govern
ment. He estimated that that
Nixon Rockefeller proposal for
doubling the present program
would affect about 80 million
acres.
Except for two words, the
plank's reference to price sup
ports was indentical in langu-
age with the Nixon-Rockefeller
statement. The plank pledged
use OF price supports at lev
els best fitted to specific COM
modities in order to widen mar
kets, ease production controls
and help achieve increased
farm family income"
The Nixon-Rockefeller YER
sion used the words equitable
farm income" instead of lin
creased farm family income"
The labor plank came out in
substantially the form pre-
viously disclosed by subcom-
mlttee members. Senator Bush
OF Connecticut, subcommittee
chairman, said a move by a
New York member, Miss Will
ma S. Silverstein to insert a
Nixon Rockefeller paragraph
into the plank was defeated.
Strike Procedure
Our program" that para
graph stated, while reaffirm-
ing our efforts to support and
strengthen the processes of free
collective bargaining, shall pro-
vide for improved procedures
for the resolution of disputes
endangering the national well
fare"
Members felt this might be
interpreted as too much of an
Endorsement Of compulsory ar
bitration. AS written, however,
the plank goes along with the
idea of making more flexible
the present comparatively rigid
Government procedures for
handling strikes which create
a national emergency.
A high point in the labor
plank, and one not touched on
in the Nixon Rockefeller agree
ment. is the section upholding
the union shop. That is an ar
rangement allowed in the Taft
Hartley Act whereby employers
and labor unions can negotiate
contracts to require employees to
belong to unions.
The plank recommended an
increased and expanded mini
mum-wage law but mentioned
no amount. 1t requested "as-
surance of equal pay for equal
work regardless of SEX"
Rejecting "artificially induced
economic growth forced by
massive new Federal spending
and loose money policies, an
other plank counted on the
proved productivity of our free
economy" to maintain that
objective.
Broad Tax Reform
1t favored a broadly based
tax reform to foster job-making
and growth-making investment
for modernization, use of the
full powers of the Government
to prevent "the scourgeS of de-
preston and imitation" 1t
sought elimination of feather
bedding practices by labor and
business" Senator Bush said
the reference to featherbedding
practices was similar to views
Gov. Rockefeller and others
had expressed to him.
The plank's emphasis on the
free enterprise system and a
free economy closely resembled
the Nixon Rockefeller state
ment, although in different
language. According to Senator
Bush, it was written before that
declaration. The plank did not
state any percentage rate de-
sirable for economic growth.
The Der ocratic platform
promised to work for a 5 per
cent annual increase in eco
nomic output.
One of Gov. Rockefeller's
major proposals, listed also in
the Nixon-Rockefeller state
ment. was included. 1t was for
creation Of two top positions to
assist the President in national
security and international af-
fairs and in the area Of gov
ernmental planning and man
agement. particularly in do