Grand Forks daily herald., 1914-12-08
THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.

The country has become somewhat
accustomed to the presidential ad-
dress instead of the presidential mes
sage. On the whole, the innovation
seems 4. bc popular. The address Is
more intimate and less formal than
the message. and those who were
fearful that in some way the delivery
OF communication to congress by the
president in person would shatter the
republic and strike at the root of our
liberties because the thing had not
been done that way for century or
so are doubtless relieved to find that
the governments, at Washington still
lives.
In the address just delivered in con-
;:rcss President Wilson makes no re-
view of legislation accomplished dur
ing the year He dismisses the entire
subjec, with the comment that the
laws passed are accomplished facts.
that those who have had a hand in
shaping them are too close and too
intimately related to them to play the
part of historians toward them. and
turns his attention at once to the
problems now to be faced and the
WORK now to be done.
Naturally the European war and
The conditions brought about by 1t
come in for a share of attention.
There is emphasized the need OF prep
aration for service, the service of aid
ing Europe in its time of need, and
that Of supplying for our own people
and others who will appeal to us the
things whose production has been In
terrupted by the temporary breaking
down OF the European industrial sys-
tenn. Two things for which bills are
already in progress Of passage through
congress are believed to be OF great
Importance, namely the unlocking,
under proper safeguards. Of the re-
sources of the national domains. and
the cncoura cement OF the use of nav
gable waters outside Of that domain
for the generation of power. The pas
sage of these bills is urged.
The passage OF the Philippine bill
is also urged as a demonstration of
the fixed purpose Of this country to
aid our wards across the Pacific to the
utmost extent in their progress to-
ward self government
The shipping bill. providing for the
usc of public funds for the purchase
and equipment of ocean carriers to
supply the lack Of merchant ma
rine. has been favorite project with
the president. and the benefits which
he is convinced will follow from it's
passa Ee. He makes il clear that he does
not expect or desire government own
Ell ships to deprive private shipping OF
any of its trade. but that he hopes
that under the terms Of the bill the
government will supply transportation
which does not now exist and which
the country needs. will act as a pio-
neer in marking out new courses OF
trade. and will. whenever private en-
terprise is ready for such change
withdraw and leave the fields to that
private enterprise.
Reference TO the importance OF ru-
rnal credits and the proper survey
and charting of our coasts closes the
first part Of the address
The second part OF the address is
devoted to two subjects, economy and
national defense. On the first sub
ject the president is quite emphatic
in his reference TO the need for rigid
economy in the making of public ex-
penditures. but he does not urge that
appropriations shall necessarily be
small He points out that the coun-
try is growing and the scope OF its
governmental activities constantly en-
larging. hence that there will be con-
stant need for the expenditure of more
money. The thing on which he insists
is that the expenditures shall be wise
~ made. the country receiving full
value for every dollar, and this he be-
lieves is the true economy.
The discussion of national defense
will not be pleasing to the advocates
OF big army and navy. 1t is admit
ted that if preparedness for war con-
sists in being ready on brief notice
to place in the field a nation of men
trained to arms, we are not prepared.
Neither does he consider this sort of
preparedness at all desirable He be-
lieves that such thing would be con-
trary to the traditions and policy OF
the country. Concretely. he believe.
IN the enlargement and careful drill
OF the National Guard. that there NAV
be at all times great body OF citizens
with some sort OF military training
rather than large standing army OF
even large reserve. He believes that
the outside defense of the nation is in
Its navy. but he points to the Incl.
dents Of the present war to show tina,
at the present time the whole problem
U OF naval construction is shadowed ir
doubt, and that the experts are unable
Z to tell what sort Of vessels should b.
built, or how long they will be ef.
fective.
THE FRUIT OF A. h, G MEDIA