The Issues

The Republican platform, like almost everything else about the G.O.P. convention, was straight Eisenhower. Mild in its criticism of the Democrats, it pointed with pride to the achievements of the last 3 1/2 years, and broad-brushed plans for the future. In only one respect did the Platform Committee turn down a strong presidential hint: instead of the short, concise statement he would have liked, Ike and the G.O.P. delegates got a document of 13,500 words, twice the length of the 1952 Republican platform. 1,500 words longer than the 1956 Democratic effort.

Wordiness was not the only common denominator of this year's party platforms. The Democratic platform had ripped heavily into the G.O.P. record, was studded with such words as "betrayal," "vote-buying," "bluster and bluff." But when the Democrats got right down to stating their objectives, they and the Republicans turned out to be in remarkable agreement in most areas. Only when they explained how they proposed to achieve their respective goals did the Republicans and Democrats demonstrate that there are still fundamental, if steadily narrowing, differences between them. Items:

Civil Rights. Both decry discrimination because of race, color or creed and the use of force to implement the Supreme Court's desegregation decisions. But the Democrats merely "recognize the Supreme Court . . . as one of the three constitutional . . . branches of the Federal Government," and note that its decisions "have brought consequences of vast importance to our Nation as a whole." The Republicans "accept" the decisions, and say that public-school discrimination must be "progressively eliminated . . . with all deliberate speed."

Agriculture. Both agree that farmers are entitled to a full share of the national prosperity; that the soil bank, commodity loan and rural electrification programs should be continued; that new foreign markets must be sought for U.S. farm products; that the plight of low-income farmers must be remedied. Beyond these, the issues are struck. The Democrats urge restoration of rigid price supports at 90% of parity, aim toward 100% of parity with a variety of proposals for more federal farm legislation. (Notably avoided: any mention of the ill-famed Brannan Plan, long the official policy of the Truman Administration.) The Republicans stand by the farm policies of Eisenhower and Agriculture Secretary Ezra Taft Benson, favor a "versatile, flexible program to meet . . . rapidly changing conditions" and "full freedom instead of ... more regimentation."

Foreign Policy. Both support self-determination for all peoples, freedom for Communist satellites, U.S. aid for underdeveloped countries, a strong United Nations, an unequivocal ban on U.N. membership for Red China, regional mutual security pacts such as NATO and SEATO, the Good Neighbor policy, bipartisan conduct of foreign affairs, a release of U.S. prisoners in China, and reciprocal trade hedged by selective but vaguely defined protective tariffs. At issue: in the explosive Middle East, the Democrats advocate sale of "defensive weapons" to Israel; the Republicans pledge themselves to "support the independence of Israel against armed aggression."

National Defense. Both agree that the U.S. must continue to maintain a military establishment powerful enough to deter aggression. At issue: the Democrats charge the Administration has settled for "second best" defense; the Republicans believe the U.S. "has the strongest striking force in the world." The more specific Republican plank calls for a jet-powered, long-range Air Force, the most effective guided missiles, a modern Navy with a powerful air arm, an Army with unequaled mobility and firepower, and bases "strategically dispersed at home and around the world."

Fiscal & Tax Policies. Both pledge a balanced budget, tax reductions for lower-income groups, tight antitrust law enforcement. At issue: the Democrats propose tax relief through a $200 increase in personal-income tax exemption; the Republicans promise that there will be tax cuts "in so far as consistent with a balanced budget." The Democrats want to use "all practical means" to make long and short-term credit available to small businesses; the Republicans pledge loans at "reasonable rates" to small businesses that have "records of permanency but are in temporary need."

Labor. Both support the right to organize, full employment, federal aid for depressed areas. At issue: the Democrats advocate outright repeal of the Taft-Hartley Act and a return to something more like the Wagner Act; the Republicans suggest modification and improvement of Taft-Hartley. The Democrats also propose an increase in the national minimum wage from $1 to $1.25 an hour; the Republicans mention no increase, but want to extend the minimum-wage-law protection to more workers.

Natural Resources. Both advocate bigger and better soil, water and timber conservation programs, more support for the national-park system, more outdoor recreational facilities. At issue: the Democrats advocate more public-power projects and more Government control over the nation's resources; the Republicans believe their development must come through federal-state-local "partnerships," with all interested parties assuming equal responsibility.

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