Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-12-10
In Annual Address He Defends
Country as Being Prepared
for War and Gives Business
Word of Assurance.
Gets FREQUENT APPLAUSE
Particularly from Democrats
Advocates Ship Purchase Bill,
Powerful Navy, Trained Citi.
zenry instead of Big Army
People champions of Peace"

Washington, Dec s-President Wilson,
In his annual address to Congress to-day
coupled with a defense OF the country's
military preparedness a word OF assur-
ance to business that it would not be en-
barrassed by further legislation. He said
the trust and currency legislative program
OF his administration virtually had been
completed, leaving no conjecture a s to
what was to follow, and that there was a
clear and firm road ahead on which hon
est men might travel with perfect conf
dence.
For passage at this session the Presi-
dent urged measures to meet the changed
conditions due to the European war. par
tlcularly the government ship purchase
bill, measures to unlock resources of the
national domain and to encourage i'm
provement of navigable waters for gen.
Grafton Of power and the bill already
passed by the House to give "a larger
measure of self-government TO the people
of the Philippines"
When he entered the House chamber.
where Vice-P President Marshall and
Speaker Clark presided over a joint ses-
sion of the House and Senate, the Presi-
dent was greeted with an uproarious ova-
Throughout his address he frequently was
interrupted by applause, particularly from
the democratic side. demonstrations of ap-
proval reaching climax when, referring
to recent agitation over national defense,
he declared the administration had mot
been negligent of national defense; that
the attitude of the government would not
be altered. because some amongst us are
nervous and excited" Ind that policy Of
defense could easily and sensibly be
agreed upon"
FOR SHIPPING BILL
In advocating the ship purchase bill
the President said the war in Europe
had left foreign nations more dependent
upon the United States for supplies and
that the government should provide
ships that the nations goods might be
carried ITO the empty ma rkets."
1T is not n question of the govern
ment monopouzing the field" said he. at
should take action to make il certain
that transportation at reasonable rates
will he promptly provided, even where
the carriage is not at first profitable
and then, when the carriage has become
sufficiently profitable TO attract and en-
gage private capital and engage it in
abundance, the government ought to
withdraw"
The Philippine bill, the President as
serted, would nobly crown the record
IF these two years of memorable labor -
Concerning rural credits legislation
sought by so many, he expressed regret
that difficulties of the subject seemed
ito render it Impossible to complete a
PREPARATION FOR WAR
Members of the Senate and House
listened attentively to the outline Of the
Presidents program they did also Il
his discussion of economy and the as
sertlon that there should be sys.
tematic reorganization and reassemblinp
Of the parts of the government to secure
greater efficiency"
Mr.. Wilson spoke with great emphasis
and elaboration when he began dis.
cussion of the military situation and was
enthusia stically cheered, the galleries
joining in the applause, when he said
TT is said in son. .G.t rs that VIC
are not prepared g." .;. |'Hat is meant
by being prepared? /. .a u.,a,t that we
are not ready upon brief notice to put
nation in the field, a nation of men
trained to arms? OF course, we are
not ready to do that; and we shall
never he I'm time of peace so long as We
retain oH' pr.-ont political principles and
,nstitUtDI+
Proclaiua inc people of the United
States "chGmpons Of peace and of con-
cord the President einphatically OPP
posed a great standing army and was
again cheered when he asserted that in
time of national peril the country must
depend upon a citizenry trained and
accustomed to arms"
When the President concluded he was
surrounded by senators and members In
the speakers office anxious to extend
congratulations.
The text of President Wilson's mes