THE SINGLE TAX. THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE. Chairman-William J. Wallace, 391 Mt. Prospect Avenue, Newark, New Jersey. Secretary-Robert C. Macauley, 1247 North Thirteenth Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Treasurer-E. Yancey Cohen, Palisade, New Jersey. Headquarters-201 West Thirteenth Street, New York, New York. 842 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Representatives from Pennsylvania-James A. Robinson, 842 North Broad Street, Philadelphia; James H. Dix, Brookline, Montgomery County; Joseph Jennings, Lansdale, Montgomery County; George A. Haug, 3531 North Marvine Street, Philadelphia; Robert C. Macauley, 1247 North Thirteenth Street, Philadelphia. THE NATIONAL CONVENTION convened at the Auditorium Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, Saturday, July 10, 1920, and adjourned Wednesday, July 14th. Robert C. Macauley, 1247 North Thirteenth Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was made temporary chairman; and James H. Dix, of Norristown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, was made the permanent chairman. Nominated for President: Robert C. Macauley, 1247 North Thirteenth Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; for Vice-President: Richard C. Barnum, of Cleveland, Ohio. Adopted on July 12th the following PLATFORM: We, the Single Tax party, in National Convention assembled, recognizing that the earth was created for all the people for all time, and that all have an equal and inalienable right to live on it and to produce from it the things that they requir for their welfare and happiness; Recognizing that all wealth, whatever its form, is produced only by labor applied to land, or to the products of land, and that the denial of the equal access to land is a denial of the right to produce and thus a denial of the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, as proclaimed by the Declaration of Independence; Recognizing further that under our tax laws and our system of land tenure a small number of the people own most of the land of our country, and exact tribute in the form of ground rent from all the rest of the people in exchange for the mere permission to work and to produce, thus not only reaping where they have not sown but also holding idle the greater part of the earth's surface and restricting the amount of wealth we otherwise easily could and would produce; Recognizing further that the value of the land, as expressed in its ground rentals or in its capitalized selling price, is a' community value created by the presence of the people and, therefore, belongs to the people and not to the individual; We, therefore, demand that the full rental value of the land be collected by the Government instead of all taxes, and that all buildings, implements and improvements on land, all industry, thrift and enterprise, all wages, salaries, incomes, and every product of labor be entirely exempt from taxation. And we pledge ourselves that, if entrusted with the power to do so, we will express in law and enforce to the utmost such measures as will make effective these demands, to the end that involuntary poverty and want may be abolished and economic and civic freedom for all be assured. STATE PARTY OFFICERS, CANDIDATES AND THE REPUBLICAN. THE STATE COMMITTEE-1921. Chairman-William E. Crow, Uniontown, Fayette County. were The Republican State Committee held a special meeting at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel, Philadelphia, Saturday, June 18, 1921. The Party rules amended, giving women representation on the State Committee. Mrs. Barclay H. Warburton, of Philadelphia, and Mrs. Thomas Robins, of Philadelphia, were elected to the offices of Vice-Chairman and Assistant Secretary, respectively. The appointment of an executive and a finance committee, each consisting of not more than fifteen members, was authorized. Thomas S. Crago, of Waynesburg, Greene County, was nominated for the office of Representative-at-Large in Congress, the vacancy having been occasioned by the death of Honorable Mahlon M. Garland, on November, 19, 1920. THE STATE COMMITTEE-1922. Chairman-W. Harry Baker, Harrisburg, Dauphin County. The officers given above were elected at the regular biennial meeting of the State Committee, which was held at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel, Philadelphia, Saturday, June 10, 1922. At this meeting, Honorable George Wharton Pepper, 1730 Pine Street, Philadelphia, was elected Republican National Committeeman from Pennsylvania, to succeed Honorable Boies Penrose, who died December 31, 1921. In accordance with law, Honorable Robert S. Gawthrop, of West Chester, Chester County, who was appointed Judge of the Superior Court by Governor Sproul, April 12, 1922, was nominated as the Republican candidate for Judge of the Superior Court, the vacancy having been occasioned by the resignation of Honorable John B. Head, on April 12, 1922. The Committee authorized the appointment of a platform and a rules committee, which the Chairman had not appointed at the time of going to press. CANDIDATES-1922. The Republican Party candidates nominated at the primaries held on Tuesday, May 16, 1922, were, as follows: For United States Senate: David A. Reed, 909 Amberson Avenue, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, (for the unexpired term ending March 4, 1923); David A. Reed, 909 Amberson Avenue, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, (for the full term beginning March 4, 1923); George Wharton Pepper, 1730 Pine Street, Philadelphia, for the unexpired term ending March 4, 1927); Governor: Gifford Pinchot, Milford, Pike County; Lieutenant Governor : David J. Davis, 213 South Hyde Park Avenue, Scranton, Lackawanna County; Secretary of Internal Affairs: James Fleming Woodward, 1500 Fifth Avenue, McKeesport, Allegheny County. THE DEMOORATIO. THE STATE COMMITTEE—1981. Chairman-Bruce F. Sterling, Uniontown, Fayette County. Secretary-Edward B. Zimmerman, Shamokin, Northumberland County, Headquarters 9 North Second Street, Harrisburg, Dauphin County. The Democratic State Committee held a special meeting at the Penn-Harris Hotel, Harrisburg. Dauphin County, Wednesday, July 20, 1921. John P. Bracken, of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, was nominated for the office of Representative-atLarge in Congress, the vacancy having been occasioned by the death of Honorable Mahlon M. Garland, November 19, 1920. At a special meeting on Friday, June 10, 1921, the party rules were amended, making any qualified elector without regard to sex eligible to membership on any State, State Executive, Division or County Committee, and also provided that said bodies and committees were authorized and empowered to establish and create such auxiliary bodies and committees from among the Democratic men and women of the State for advisory and campaign purposes as may by it be deemed advisable. By this authority the following Women's State Committee was appointed: Chairman-Mrs. Clarence Renshaw, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County. Secretary-Mrs. J. H. K. Burgwin, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County. Treasurer--Mrs. Thomas Ross, Doylestown, Bucks County. Headquarters 411 Blackstone Building, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County. THE STATE COMMITTEE-1922. Chairman-Austin E. McCollough, Lancaster, Lancaster County. Vice-Chairman-Mrs. Clarence Renshaw, Union National Bank Building, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County. Secretary-Edward B. Zimmerman, Shamokin, Northumberland County. The regular biennial meeting and election of officers of the Democratic State Committee was held at the Penn-Harris Hotel, Harrisburg, Tuesday, June 13, 1922. At this meeting, Henry C. Niles, of York, York County, was nominated as the Democratic candidate for the office of Judge of the Superior Court. Chairman McCollough appointed Bruce F. Sterling, Uniontown, Fayette County; Henry C. Niles, York, York County; Edward C. Highbee, Uniontown, Fayette County; Mrs. Jeane Kane Foulke Browne, West Chester, Chester County, and Miss Mary Archer, Reading, Berks County, who, with the party candidates, constituted a platform and resolutions committee. The platform, which follows, was adopted at a special meeting of the State Committee held in Harrisburg, Tuesday, June 20, 1922. CANDIDATES-1922. The Democratic party candidates nominated at the primaries held on Tuesday, May 16, 1922, were, as follows: For United States Senate: Samuel E. Shuil, 800 Main Street, Stroudsburg. Monroe County, (for the unexpired term ending March 4, 1923); Samuel E. Shull, 800 Main Street, Stroudsburg, Monroe County, (for the full term beginning March 4, 1923); Fred B. Kerr. 104 East Pine Street, Clearfield, Clearfield County, (for the unexpired term ending March 4, 1927); Governor John A. McSparran, Furniss, Lancaster County; Lieutenant Governor: Robert E. Pattison, Jr., Narberth, Montgomery County: Secretary of Internal Affairs: A. Marshall Thompson, Gibsonia, R. D. No. 2, Allegheny County. PLATFORM-1922. The voters of Pennsylvania are confronted with a political situation without parallel in the history of the State. The administration of the State has been inefficient and corrupt, the expenditures far in excess of the receipts, and the exact condition of its finances undiscoverable even by the officials charged with their custody. All well meaning citizens of every party have equal interest to discover, repudiate and punish the faithless public servants who have brought shame and loss to the Commonwealth. Thorough reform may be had only through new agents, who are under no known or secret obligation to the bosses and beneficiaries of the existing political machine. The Democratic Party of Pennsylvania, rising above factional and selfish considerations, furnishes the only practical instrument for the accomplishment of necessary reforms. The Republican Nominee for Governor now presumptiously assumes his own election by appointing a commission to investigate and report to him, after the November Election, on the conduct of the business of the State. In lieu of which we demand that the reports and accounts of the Departments be published immediately, so that instead of an unofficial committee the whole citizenship of the State shall have, before the Election, the information to pass upon the public affairs of the State and recommend through the officials they elect what shall be the future conduct of public affairs. We promise a thorough and impartial investigation and revision of the State's Administration, that corruption may be uncovered and punished; that wasteful and unnecessary expenditures may cease; that unneeded bureaus may be abolished and sinecure officials dismissed; and that the way may be made clear for the reduction of taxation. We further promise to restore to a basis of common honesty the administrative affairs of Pennsylvania. Control over local affairs by the State has gone too far. The State should aid and supplement local administration, but in too many directions it is now a dominating factor to such an extent that local voice and interest in local affairs have almost disappeared. We promise that this condition shall be remedied. State, county and local taxation has too many forms, is not based on modern standards, handicaps productive energy and business, and increases the cost of living. It weighs most heavily on those least able to pay, and rests lightly on classes of property and privilege well able to bear a fairer share of the public burden. The obsolete and unsystematic medley of taxation calls for a scientific and systematic reform by statute, and when necessary, by constitutional amendment. We favor amendment of the State Constitution so as to permit graduated inheritance and other taxes. There is no more important function of government than the maintenance of the public school system. We pledge ourselves to maintain everything constructive and useful in the school system and where possible improve upon it. We also pledge ourselves to eliminate waste and duplications and all unnecessary interference in local control. The salaries of teachers must be maintained, and the State should pay a larger proportion thereof in relief of local taxation. The payments of the State must be made promptly and regularly when due. We approve a comprehensive budget system and pledge ourselves to the enactment thereof. The constitution contemplates that appropriations should be made by the Legislature and not by the Governor, as has been, in effect, the practice for the last twenty years. If the Democratic nominees are entrusted with power, appropriations will be kept within the estimated revenues of the State or the bills will be vetoed and the Legislature recalled to perform their constitutional duty. A complete and adequate law for the enforcement of the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States must be provided, and conflict between State and National Laws avoided. We favor a system of Old Age Pensions, based on economical, equitable and humanitarian principles, to the end that aid may be given to the needy aged in their own homes rather than in public institutions, and the protection of women and children in industry by proper laws and conscientious enforcement. In addition to the necessity for reforms in Pennsylvania, the duty also presses to select representatives in the Nation's Congress who will guard that local selfgovernment which is the defense of the unalienable rights of free men, which have not yet been surrendered by this Sovereign State. The ursupation of the powers of government by combinations of privileged groups, now dominant in the Republican party, threatens to destroy the Republic and supplant our Constitutional Democracy by a conscienceless plutocracy. The Republican answer to the cry of the tax-burdened people for relief is the proposition that the prices of the necessaries of life shall be raised still higher by tariff duties designed to further swell the unearned fortunes of the backers and pets of the ruling politicians. The Republican Administration and Congress have wasted months in voluble folly while commerce is paralyzed and civilization disintegrates. The ills of America and the misery of the World might even now be in progress of permanent relief but for the repudiation of our Government's duty to its own people and to the World. The Democratic candidates are pledged against that infidelity to political truth which is the Nation's present shame. The Democratic party offers no bribe to any individual nor special privilege to any class. Its appeal is to the conscience and right purpose of the honest voter. In the holy work of recalling Pennsylvania to that righteousness which exalteth a nation, all good citizens must join. The obligation is above party loyalty. It is the duty of patriotism. THE PROHIBITION. THE STATE COMMITTEE-1921. Chairman Byron E. P. Prugh, Harrisburg, Dauphin County. The Prohibition State Committee held its regular annual meeting at Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Wednesday, June 1, 1921. Byron E. P. Prugh, of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, was nominated for the office of Representative-at-Large in Congress, the vacancy having been occasioned by the death of Honorable Mahlon M. Garland, November 19, 1920. The following resolutions were adopted as supplementary to the 1920 State Party Platform: RESOLUTIONS-1921. 1. That we express, our emphatic disapproval of the Amended Brooks Law, called the Woner Bill, which continues the licensed saloon in our State. We declare that under the Eighteenth Amendment there should be no legislation that would in any way give comfort to the liquor outlaw or make enforcement of prohibition more difficult. This mother of vice and crime and anarchy should be utterly abolished. 2. That we have learned with sorrow that members of our Legislature so far forgot their oath of offfice to "support, obey, and defend" the Constitution of the United States, as to defile our beautiful Capitol with booze. 3. That we call upon our Congress to strengthen the law against the beverage liquor traffic wherever a weak spot is found to the end that we may the sooner obtain the prohibition demanded by the Constitution. 4. That we call upon the President of the United States to order officials charged with the enforcement of the Volstead Act to use unflagging zeal in their efforts to apprehend and punish violators. 5. That we respectfully ask our Federal and State Courts to consider whether it would not in the end be a real kindness in meting out penalties to violators of the prohibition laws to sentence them to the full limit of the law in order that others might be deterred from yielding to the temptation to violate it because of the great profits accruing to sales. 6. That we urge upon Prohibition party voters the great importance of standing firmly by our party at the ballot box. We believe our party is more needed than ever before to make prohibition an unqualified success. Every county should have a Prohibition ticket in the field at the coming election. Our splendid gains wherein we nearly trebled the party vote last Fall should be conserved and increased. If petitions are not circulated for candidates, then candidates should be agreed upon by the county committees and full information sent to every registered Prohibitionist and all urged to go to the primary and write their names on the blank ballot there. The primary purpose of our party is complete destruction of the liquor traffic and our organization should be maintained until this be fully accomplished. State Headquarters should have liberal financial support. 7. That we congratulate our fellow citizens of the W. C. T. U. upon the splendid campaign they waged last fall. In the past having always accorded women full recognition in our party councils, and having the same fundamentals as the W. C. T. U. we earnestly urge these women and all other l'ke-minded women and men to become one with us and help us build up a truly great and patriotic party. If Pennsylvania is to be redeemed, the corrupt political machines that have her by the throat must be destroyed. 8. That second only to prohibition enforcement is the recognition, expansion, and enforcement of the rights of labor in its relations with capital and with the whole public. Full and clearly defined rights should be established in place of special privileges. The rule of the plutocrat or the soviet or of any combination between them must not be substituted for the rule of the whole people. We stand for industrial peace. We believe the time has come for the Government to assume responsibility for the protection of the public against the waste of industrial warfare, and to that end we demand legislation defining the rights of labor and the creation of industrial courts which will guarantee both to labor and to employing capital equal and exact justice and to the general public protection against the paralysis of industry due to this warfare. 9. That we record our unfaltering opposition to any weakening or repealing of our Sabbath laws. Under false pleas for liberty and recreation for the masses, certain vultures would satisfy their greed for gold by turning the Sabbath day into a day of toil for multitudes and of ungodly gain for themselves. We are unalterably opposed to this as against "the general welfare" and not to be allowed. |