Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 October 1912 — Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 [ADVERTISEMENT]

the Indiana Railroad Commission, had a hearing, upon the petition of the people (initiative) and as a result the "Coal Road” has been ordered to establish suitable passenger service for the accomodation of the patrons of that road. In Rensselaer a few years ago, the Jasper County Telephone Company asked an advance in rates. The people objected. The Company contended that It was entitled to the advance. The city council said "show us your books" and if your business is in such condition as to justify it, we will grant a franchise, and the rates as you request. But the company refused to show its books and the rates have not been raised. A commission with full power over Corporations to inquire into their business, to know the amount of actual capital a » well as the “watered stock" can so regulate corporations as to be absolutely fair, both •to the corporations and the people who are dependent on-then, for we *re dependent, and hence the necessity of control. It is upon this principle that many stares are controlling the business of corporations. We have the twocent fare law In many states, due to legislation and upon the principle above stated. Why should the National Government not control “big business?” It would give the corporations doing interstate business what they are entitfled Jto, from the standpoint of the interest .°f the people who must deal with j flhem, and upon whom they in •turn must depend.

The Progressive policy is states-man-like. It seeks to build up, not to tear down. It seeks to build up. not in the interest of the corporation alone, or in the interests of the people alone, but for both the corjx>ration and the people, fairlv. INDIANA I’IUKiRKSSIVK PI,AT- | FORM. I The Progressive party of Indiana Relieves that the people should rule and that their demands should be respected and compiled with; that denial of just demands H a denial of tree government; that the Republican and Democratic party organizations have become fossilized into rigid machines controlled by the political adventurers acting tor spec-ia* interests and controling all of the machinery of government to the extent that the people no longer have any voice therein and their just demands are disregarded. To the end, therefore, that tne people may have freer and better government, that they may possess the power to . control party organization. that they may enforce their I will through their representatives, secure justice and the enjoyment of political and industrial equality, we ! present the following demands to the accomplishment of which we promise unflinching and tireless effort: 1 1. The initiative, whereby a certain reasonable percentage of the voters of the state may petitioif for the submission of a proposed law directly to the people for their approval or rejection. The same principle Should be made applicable to smaller districte. 2. The referendum, whereby a stated percentage of the voters may secure the submission of laws passed by the law-making bodies to the whole body of voters for acceptance or rejection. | 3. The recall, applied to all elective, executive, administrative, and legislative ofUcers. 4. Direct primaries for the nomination of all elective oflieers and ol all officials of party organization, be ibe held by all parties on the same day, which day shall be a registration day, these primaries to be governed by the corrupt practices act I ~ ; Continued on Fourth Page.