Milford chronicle., 1914-12-11
THE PRESIDENTS
ANNUAL MESSAGE
No More Business Legislation
He Declares.
URGES MERCHANT MARINE

to Open Gates Of Trade-Nation
Defenses Not Neglected - Again
Compulsory Military service-PeaC
the Nations Dearest Hope.
President Wilson departed from tn
prepared text Of his annual addres
to congress, which was devoted prii
cipally to answering those who cor
tend the United States is unprepare
for national defense, to give notice t
the business world that the legisia
tive program of his administration, a
it affects regulation OF business, wa
practically completed. He said it hat
resulted in a clear road for busines!
to travel to "unclouded success"
Honest business men, the presilen
declared, need have nothing to fear il
treading the way outlined in the trus
and currency bills. While the PIE i
dent dwelt briefly upon the subject his
words were interpreted as an assur
ance that no further important bust
ness legislation was contemplated.
The presidents exact remarks W.T.
relation to business legislation were
as follows
"Our program Of legislation wit
/ regard to the regulation of business is
now virtually complete. It has beer
/ put forth as we intended as a whole
and leaves no conjectures as TO whai
is to follow The road at last lies
clear and firm before business. 1t is {
road which it can travel without fea
or embarrassment. 1t is the road
ungrudged, unclouded success. In i |
every honest man, every man who be |
lieves that the public interest is par
Of his own interest, may walk witt |
perfect confidence"
In the text of his address the presi |
dent devoted most time to discussing
the question of national defense, de
ploring policy of "militarism,' buI
endorsing a development of the ma
tional guard and a military training
for citizens.
"Let there be no misconceptions
he said. THE country has been misin
formed We have not been unmindfu
Of the great responsibility resting or
us. We shall learn and profit by the
lesson of every experience and evcrl
new circumstances and what is neel
ed will be adequately done"
To peace in Europe the presiden
referred briefly. I'VE are the cham
pions of peace and Of concord" h:
said. And we should be very jealous
of this distinction which we have
sought to earn. Just now we shoul
be particularly jealous Of Il because
it is our dearest present hope tha
this character and reputation may
presently, in Gods providence, brinf
rs an opportunity such as has seldom
been vOuchsafed any nation, the or
Dortunity to counsel and obtain peace
n the world and reconciliation and 9
healing settlement of many a matte
hat has cooled and interrupted the
friendship of nations. This is the
ime above all others when we should g
wish and resolve TO keep our strength !
" self-possession, our influence by Q
preserving our ancient principles o.
ction."
Asserting that our main depend
nee in war must be upon a "citizenry 2
rained and accustomed to arms" the =
resident declared himself in favor OF 2
he training of young men, if only fol >,
he sake Of discipline and health, II +
he use Of modern arms, in drill ant ~
] camp routine. He also advocate, .,
he development and strengthening ;,
he national guard of the variou .,
-ates.
The question of the navy the presi
ent dismissed briefly. He said ships
ere our national bulwarks; that we =,
lOuld take leave to be strong on the nj
sas in the future as in the past" Blu nj
e asks, when will the experts tel in
3 what kind of ships to construct f,
hen the relative efficiency OF tn
nerent types is changing under Ou
sry eyes?
The shipping bill to build up a meE 7,
ant marine is declared to be impeI ca
lively needed and cannot wisely BE- ed
On this the president says We
"The government must open thes ia
ties of trade, and open them wide
en them before it is altogethe,
oftable to open them, or altogether
asonable to ask private capital t,
en- them at a venture. It is not wi
estion Of the government monopc la
ing the field. 1t should take action ba
make it certain that transportation
reasonable rates will be promptly IL
divided, even where the carriage l. q
at first profitable; and then, wher
2 carriage has become sufficiently 10y
1ftable to attract and engage pri HI,
Le capital, and engage it in abun
nee, the government ought to with al
NV. l very earnestly hope that the ~
lgress viii be of this opinion, ant
It both houses win adopt this ey
,dingly important bill" he'
The other points of special interest
the message are:
Legislation. The !
asures to unlock with proper safe mi, MI
Irds the resources of the nationa rou
main, and to encourage the use Of {
navigable waters outside of tia sasa s5