USA > New York > History of the state of New York, political and governmental, Vol. VI > Part 38
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
"Agriculture .- The farmer is the backbone of the nation. National greatness and economic independence demand a population distributed between industry and the farm, and sharing on equal terms the pros- perity which it holds is wholly dependent upon the efforts of both. Neither can prosper at the expense of the other without inviting joint disaster. The crux of the present agricultural condition lies in prices, labor, and credit.
"The Republican party believes that this condition can be improved by: Practical and adequate farm representation in the appointment
476
POLITICAL AND GOVERNMENTAL HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
[1920
of governmental officials and commissions; the right to form coopera- tive associations for marketing their products, and protection against discrimination ; the scientific study of agricultural prices and farm production costs at home and abroad, with a view to reducing the frequency of abnormal fluctuation ; the uncensored publication of such reports ; the authorization of associations for the extension of personal credit ; a national inquiry on the coordination of rail, water, and motor transportation with adequate facilities for receiving, handling, and marketing food; the encouragement of our export trade; an end to unnecessary price-fixing and ill-considered efforts arbitrarily to reduce prices of farm products which invariably result to the disadvantage both of producer and consumer; and the encouragement of the pro- duction and importation of fertilizing material and of its extensive use.
"The Federal Farm Loan act should be so administered as to facilitate the acquisition of farm land by those desiring to become owners and proprietors, and thus minimize the evils of farm tenantry, and to furnish such long-time credits as farmers may need to finance adequately their larger and long-time production operations.
"Industrial Relations .- There are two different conceptions of the relations of capital and labor. The one is contractual, and empha- sizes the diversity of interest of employer and employe. The other is that of copartnership in a common task.
"We recognize the justice of collective bargaining as a means of promoting good-will, establishing closer and more harmonious rela- tions between employers and employes, and realizing the true ends of industrial justice.
"The strike or the lockout, as a means of settling industrial dis- putes, inflicts such loss and suffering on the community as to justify government initiative to reduce its frequency and limit its conse- quences.
"We deny the right to strike against the government; but the rights and interests of all government employes must be safeguarded by impartial laws and tribunals.
"In public utilities we favor the establishment of an impartial tribunal to make an investigation of the facts and to render a decision
477
NATIONAL PARTY PLATFORMS
1920]
to the end that there may be no organized interruption of service necessary to the lives, health, and welfare of the people. The decisions of the tribunal should be morally but not legally binding, and an informed public sentiment be relied on to secure their acceptance. The tribunal, however, should refuse to accept jurisdiction except for the purpose of investigation, as long as the public service be inter- rupted. For public utilities we favor the type of tribunal provided for in the Transportation act of 1920.
"In private industries we do not advocate the principle of compul- sory arbitration, but we favor impartial commissions and better facili- ties for voluntary mediation, conciliation, and arbitration, supple- mented by the full publicity which will enlist the influence of an aroused public opinion. The government should take the initiative in inviting the establishment of tribunals or commissions for the purpose of voluntary arbitration and of investigation of disputed issues.
"We demand the exclusion from interstate commerce of the products of convict labor.
"National Economy .- A Republican Congress reduced the esti- mates submitted by the administration almost $3,000,000,000. Greater economies could have been effected had it not been for the stubborn refusal of the administration to cooperate with Congress in an economy program. The universal demand for an executive budget is a recognition of the incontrovertible fact that leadership and sincere assistance on the part of the executive departments are essential to effective economy and constructive retrenchment.
"The Overman act invested the President of the United States with all the authority and power necessary to restore the Federal gov- ernment to a normal peace basis and to reorganize, retrench, and demobilize. The dominant fact is that eighteen months after the armistice the United States government is still on a war-time basis, and the expenditure program of the Executive reflects war-time extravagance rather than rigid peace-time economy.
"As an example of the failure to retrench which has characterized the post-war-time administration, we cite the fact that not in- cluding the War and Navy departments, the executive departments and other establishments at Washington actually record an increase
478
[1920
POLITICAL AND GOVERNMENTAL HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
subsequent to the armistice of 2,184 employes. The net decrease in payroll costs contained in the 1921 demands submitted by the admin- istration is only one per cent. under that of 1920. The annual ex- penses of Federal operations can be reduced hundreds of millions of dollars without impairing the efficiency of the public service.
"We pledge ourselves to a carefully planned readjustment on a peace-time basis and to a policy of rigid economy, to the better coordination of departmental activities, to the elimination of unneces- sary officials and employes, and to the raising of the standard of indi- vidual efficiency.
"The Executive Budget .- We congratulate the Republican Con- gress on the enactment of a law providing for the establishment of an executive budget as a necessary instrument for a sound and busi- nesslike administration of the national finances; and we condemn the veto of the President which defeated this great financial reform.
"Reorganization of Federal Departments and Bureaus .- We ad- vocate a thorough investigation of the present organization of the Federal departments and bureaus, with a view to securing consolida- tion, a more businesslike distribution of functions, the elimination of duplication, delays and overlapping of work, and the establishment of an up-to-date and efficient administrative organization.
"War Powers of the President .- The President clings tenaciously to his autocratic war-time powers. His veto of the resolution declar- ing peace and his refusal to sign the bill repealing war-time legislation, no longer necessary, evidenced his determination not to restore to the nation and to the States the form of government provided for by the Constitution. This usurpation is intolerable and deserves the severest condemnation.
"Taxation .- The burden of taxation imposed upon the American people is staggering; but in presenting a true statement of the situation we must face the fact that, while the character of the taxes can and should be changed, an early reduction of the amount of revenue to be raised is not to be expected. The next Republican administration will inherit from its Democratic predecessor a float- ing indebtedness of over $3,000,000,000, the prompt liquidation of which is demanded by sound financial considerations. Moreover,
479
NATIONAL PARTY PLATFORMS
1920]
the whole fiscal policy of the government must be deeply influenced by the necessity of meeting obligations in excess of $5,000,000,000 which mature in 1923. But sound policy equally demands the early accomplishment of that real reduction of the tax burden which may be achieved by substituting simple for complex tax laws and pro- cedure; prompt and certain determination of the tax liability for delay and uncertainty; tax laws which do not, for tax laws which" do, excessively mulct the consumer or needlessly repress enterprise and thrift.
"We advocate the issuance of a simplified form of income returns; authorizing the Treasury department to make changes in regulations effective only from the date of their approval; empowering the Com- missioner of Internal Revenue, with the consent of the taxpayers, to make final and conclusive settlements of tax claims and assess- ments barring fraud; and the creation of a Tax board consisting of at least three representatives of the taxpaying public and the heads of the principal divisions of the Bureau of Internal Revenue to act as a standing committee on the simplification of forms, procedure, and law, and to make recommendations to the Congress.
"Banking and Currency .- The fact is that the war, to a great extent, was financed by a policy of inflation through certificate bor- rowings from the banks, and bonds issued at artificial rates sustained by the low discount rates established by the Federal Reserve board. The continuance of this policy since the armistice lays the adminis- tration open to severe criticism. Almost up to the present time, the practices of the Federal Reserve board as to credit control have been frankly dominated by the convenience of the treasury. The results have been a greatly increased war cost, a serious loss to the millions of people who in good faith bought Liberty bonds and Vic- tory notes at par, and extensive post-war speculation, followed to-day by a restricted credit for legitimate industrial expansion. As a matter of public policy we urge all banks to give credit preference to essential industries.
"The Federal Reserve system should be free from political influ- ence, which is quite as important as its independence of domination by financial combinations.
480
[1920
POLITICAL AND GOVERNMENTAL HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
"The High Cost of Living .- The prime cost of the high cost of living has been first and foremost a fifty per cent. depreciation in the purchasing power of the dollar, due to a gross expansion of our currency and credit. Reduced production, burdensome taxa- tion, swollen profits, and the increased demand for goods arising from a fictitious but enlarged buying power have been contributing forces in a greater or less degree.
"We condemn the unsound fiscal policies of the Democratic administration which have brought these things to pass, and their attempts to impute the consequences to minor and secondary causes. Much of the injury wrought is irreparable. There is no short way out, and we decline to deceive the people with vain promises or quack remedies. But as the political party that throughout its history has stood for honest money and sound finance, we pledge ourselves to earnest and consistent attack upon the high cost of living by rigorous avoidance of further inflation in our government borrowing, by courageous and intelligent deflation of over-expanded credit and currency, by, encouragement of heightened production of goods and services, by prevention of unreasonable profits, by exer- cise of public economy and stimulation of private thrift, and by revision of war-imposed taxes unsuited to peace-time economy.
"Profiteering .- We condemn the Democratic administration for failure impartially to enforce the anti-profiteering laws enacted by the Republican Congress.
"Railroads .- We are opposed to government ownership and opera- tion or employe operation of the railroads. In view of the con- ditions prevailing in this country, the experience of the last two years, and the conclusions which may fairly be drawn from an obser- vation of the transportation systems of other countries, it is clear that adequate transportation service both for the present and future can be furnished more certainly, economically, and efficiently through private ownership and operation under proper regulation and control.
"There should be no speculative profit in rendering the service of transportation; but in order to do justice to the capital already invested in railway enterprise, to restore railway credit, to induce future investment at a reasonable rate, and to furnish enlarged facili-
481
NATIONAL PARTY PLATFORMS
1920]
ties to meet the requirements of the constantly increasing develop- ment and distribution, a fair return upon actual value of the rail- way property used in transportation should be made reasonably sure and at the same time provide constant employment to those engaged in transportation service, with fair hours and favorable working con- ditions, at wages or compensation at least equal to those prevailing in similar lines of industry.
"We endorse the Transporation act of 1920, enacted by the Republican Congress, as a most constructive legislative achievement.
"Waterways .- We declare it to be our policy to encourage and develop water transportation service and facilities in connection with the commerce of the United States.
"Regulation of Industry and Commerce .- We approve in gen- eral the existing Federal legislation against monopoly and combina- tions in restraint of trade, but since the known certainty of a law is the safety of all we advocate such amendment as will provide American business men with better means of determining in advance whether a proposed combination is or is not unlawful. The Federal Trade commission, under a Democratic administration, has not accomplished the purpose for which it was created. This com- mission, properly organized and its duties efficiently administered, should afford protection to the public and legitimate business interests. There should be no persecution of honest business, but to the extent that circumstances warrant we pledge ourselves to strengthen the law against unfair practices.
"We pledge the party to an immediate resumption of trade rela- tions with every country with which we are at peace.
"International Trade and Tariff .- The uncertain and unsettled condition of international balances, the abnormal economic and trade situation of the world, and the impossibility of forecasting accu- rately even the near future, preclude the formulation of a definite program to meet conditions a year hence. But the Republican party reaffirms its belief in the protective principle and pledges itself to a revision of the tariff as soon as conditions shall make it necessary for the preservation of the home market for American labor, agricul- ture, and industry.
482
POLITICAL AND GOVERNMENTAL HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
[1920
"Merchant Marine .- The national defense and our foreign com- merce require a merchant marine of the best type of modern ship, flying the American flag, manned by American seamen, owned by private capital, and operated by private energy. We endorse the sound legislation recently enacted by the Republican Congress that will insure the promotion and maintenance of the American mer- chant marine.
"We favor the application of the Workmen's Compensation act to the merchant marine.
"We recommend that all ships engaged in coastwise trade and all vessels of the American merchant marine shall pass through the Panama canal without payment of tolls.
"Immigration .- The standard of living and the standard of citizen- ship of a nation are its most precious possessions, and the preserva- tion and elevation of those standards is the first duty of our govern- ment. The immigration policy of the United States should be such as to insure that the number of foreigners in the country at any time shall not exceed that which can be assimilated with reasonable rapidity, and to favor immigrants whose standards are similar to ours.
"The selective tests that are at present applied should be improved by requiring a higher physical standard, a more complete exclusion of mental defectives and of criminals, and a more effective inspec- tion applied as near the source of immigration as possible, as well as at the port of entry. Justice to the foreigner and to ourselves demands provision for the guidance, protection, and better economic distribution of our alien population. To facilitate government super- vision, all aliens should be required to register annually until they become naturalized.
"The existing policy of the United States for the practical exclu- sion of Asiatic immigrants is sound and should be maintained.
"Naturalization .- There is urgent need of improvement in our Naturalization law. No alien should become a citizen until he has become genuinely American, and adequate tests for determining the alien's fitness for American citizenship should be provided for by law.
"We advocate, in addition, the independent naturalization of
483
NATIONAL PARTY PLATFORMS
1920]
married women. An American woman, resident in the United States, should not lose her citizenship by marriage to an alien.
"Free Speech and Alien Agitation .- We demand that every American citizen shall enjoy the ancient and constitutional right of free speech, free press, and free assembly and the no less sacred right of the qualified voter to be represented by his duly chosen represen- tatives; but no man may advocate resistance to the law, and no man may advocate violent overthrow of the government.
"Aliens within the jurisdiction of the United States are not entitled of right to liberty of agitation directed against the government or American institutions.
"Every government has the power to exclude and deport those aliens who constitute a real menace to its peaceful existence. But in view of the large numbers of people affected by the Immigration acts and in view of the vigorous malpractice of the Departments of Justice and Labor, an adequate public hearing before a competent administrative tribunal should be assured to all.
"Lynching .- We urge Congress to consider the most effective means to end lynching in this country, which continues to be a terri- ble blot on our American civilization.
"Public Roads and Highways .- We favor liberal appropriations in cooperation with the States for the construction of highways which will bring about a reduction in transportation costs, better market- ing of farm products, improvement in rural postal delivery, as well as meet the needs of military defense.
"In determining the proportion of Federal aid for road construction among the States, the sums lost in taxation to the respective States by the setting apart of large portions of their area as forest reserva- tions should be considered as a controlling factor.
"Conservation .- Conservation is a Republican policy. It began with the passage of the Reclamation act signed by President Roose- velt. The recent passage of the Coal, Oil, and Phosphate Leasing act by a Republican Congress and the enactment of the Water-power bill fashioned in accordance with the same principle, are consistent landmarks in the development of the conservation of our national resources. We denounce the refusal of the President to sign the
484
[1920
POLITICAL AND GOVERNMENTAL HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
Water-power bill, passed after ten years of controversy. The Repub- lican party has taken an especially honorable part in saving our national forests and in the effort to establish a national forest policy. Our most pressing conservation question relates to our forests. We are using our forest resources faster than they are being renewed. The result is to raise unduly the cost of forest products to consumers and especially farmers, who use more than half the lumber pro- duced in America, and in the end to create a timber famine. The Federal government, the States, and private interests must unite in devising means to meet the menace.
"Reclamation .- We favor a fixed and comprehensive policy of reclamation to increase national wealth and production.
"We recognize in the development of reclamation through Federal action, with its increase of production and taxable wealth, a safe- guard for the nation.
"We commend to Congress a policy to reclaim lands and the establishment of a fixed national policy of development of natural resources in relation to reclamation through the now designated gov- ernment agencies.
"Army and Navy .- We feel the deepest pride in the fine cour- age, the resolute endurance, the gallant spirit of the officers and men of our army and navy in the World War. They were in all ways worthy of the best traditions of the nation's defenders, and we pledge ourselves to proper maintenance of the military and naval establishments upon which our national security and dignity depend.
"The Service Men .- We hold in imperishable remembrance the valor and patriotism of the soldiers and sailors of America who fought in the great war for human liberty, and we pledge ourselves to discharge to the fullest the obligations which a grateful nation justly should fulfill, in appreciation of the services rendered by its defenders on sea and on land.
"Republicans are not ungrateful. Throughout their history they have shown their gratitude toward the nation's defenders. Liberal legislation for the care of the disabled and infirm and their depen- dents has ever marked Republican policy toward the soldier and
485
NATIONAL PARTY PLATFORMS
1920]
sailor of all the wars in which our country has participated. The present Congress has appropriated generously for the disabled of the World War.
"The amounts already applied and authorized for the fiscal year 1920-21 for this purpose reached the stupendous sum of $1,180,571,- 893. This legislation is significant of the party's purpose in gen- erously caring for the maimed and disabled men of the recent war.
"Civil Service .- We renew our repeated declaration that the Civil Service law shall be thoroughly and honestly enforced and extended wherever practicable. The recent action of Congress in enacting a comprehensive Civil Service Retirement law and in work- ing out a comprehensive employment and wage policy that will guarantee equal and just treatment to the army of government workers, and in centralizing the administration of the new and pro- gressive employment policy in the hands of the Civil Service com- mission, is worthy of all praise.
"Postal Service .- We condemn the present administration for its destruction of the efficiency of the postal service, and the telegraph and telephone service when controlled by the government, and for its failure to properly compensate employes whose expert knowledge is essential to the proper conduct of the affairs of the postal system. We commend the Republican Congress for the enactment of legisla- tion increasing the pay of postal employes, who up to that time were the poorest paid in the government service.
"Woman Suffrage .- We welcome women into full participation in the affairs of government and the activities of the Republican party. We earnestly hope that Republican Legislatures in States which have not yet acted on the Suffrage amendment will ratify the amendment to the end that all the women of the nation of voting age may par- ticipate in the election of 1920, which is so important to the wel- fare of our country.
"Social Progress .- The supreme duty of the nation is the conser- vation of human resources through an enlightened measure of social and industrial justice. Although the Federal jurisdiction over social problems is limited, they affect the welfare and interest of the nation as a whole. We pledge the Republican party to the solution of
486
POLITICAL AND GOVERNMENTAL HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
[1920
these problems through national and State legislation in accordance with the best progressive thought of the country.
"Education and Health .- We endorse the principle of Federal aid to the States for the purposes of vocational and agricultural training.
"Wherever Federal money is devoted to education, such educa- tion must be so directed as to awaken in the youth the spirit of America and a sense of patriotic duty to the United States.
"A thorough system of physical education for all children up to the age of nineteen, including adequate health supervision and instruc- tion, would remedy conditions revealed by the draft and would add to the economic and industrial strength of the nation. National leadership and stimulation will be necessary to induce the States to adopt a wise system of physical training.
"The public health activities of the Federal government are scattered through numerous departments and bureaus, resulting in inefficiency, duplication, and extravagance. We advocate a greater centralization of the Federal functions, and in addition urge the better coordination of the work of the Federal, State, and local health agencies.
"Child Labor .- The Republican party stands for a Federal Child Labor law and for its rigid enforcement. If the present law be found unconstitutional or ineffective, we shall seek other means to enable Congress to prevent the evils of child labor.
"Women in Industry .- Women have special problems of employ- ment which make necessary special study. We commend Congress for the permanent establishment of the Women's bureau in the United States Department of Labor to serve as a source of information to the States and to Congress.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.