The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-12-08
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

There is little in the Presidents
message that was not forecasted
would be there. 1t is composed in the
Presidents graceful style. Only
once did President Wilson rise
above the ordinary plaoidity and APP
proach the vigorous in condemning
the acts OF naturalized citizens "who
have poured the poison of disloyalty
into the very arteries OF our national
life" No federal laws existing to
cover their cases, he recommends
that THE hand OF our power should
close over them at once" His right
eous indignation over the connivance
OF these citizens with foreign intrigue
will find a responsive echo in the
hearts OF every true American. They
have endangered our neutrality and
aimed to halt the functions OF indus
try in the land.
The preparedness program is the
dominating feature OF the message.
No new details are advanced, the
FaRhohNA pans va INNAGAdlANs
son and Daniels being endorsed,
which is reversion OF the position he
held towards national defense a year
ago. That. however, cannot be held
against him in doubt OF the sincerity
OF his present attitude Our intri-
cate foreign relations are sidestepped,
but the Mexican situation comes IN
for extended reference, with the
enuneiation OF a doctrine of Pan
Americanism and 4 vigorous adhesion
TO the Monroe doctrine, which his
policy at times has served to discredit.
We have been put to the test in
the case OF Mexico, and we have stood
the test" is more OF a declaration on
the part OF the President, and not a
statement OF fact The greater por-
ton OF this country does not agree
with any such conclusion.
Next TO preparedness in import
anee. If it is not OF higher concern,
is the revenue program outlined TO
meet the extraordinary demands on
the Treasury in covering up the de-
feits due TO uneconomical legislation.
the extravaganza OF the Sixty-third
Congress. and to meet the extra
charges due 10 increases in the army
and navy plans. Direct taxation will
be employed 10 raise the vast sums
needed, and the items are not pleas
ant to contemplate. We have been
told continually that the President
was inclined to a revision OF certain
schedules OF the Underwood bill, but
not breath against the integrity Of
that free trade measure is found in
the message. The recommendation
for the retention Of the present duty
on sugar was anticipated some time
ago. The government simply cannot
get along without the revenue from
this source. The sources OF taxation
suggested were incomes. gasoline.
naphtha. automobiles and internal ex-
plosion engines, fabricated iron and
steel. a stamp tax on bank checks.
and extension Of the war revenue bill.
Inc alternative ot bond issue was
distinctly frowned upon.
The legislative recommendation
OF the President include government
owned merchant ships; a rural credit
law; the Philippine and Porto Rico
bills. which failed Of final passage at
The last session; conservation legisia-
ton; law giving federal aid 20 in
dustrial and vocational education: and
the creation oi commission % in
quirs into the transportation problem.
No greater task has ever been SCI a
Congress Of the United States than
the solution of the problems and ques-
lions before The present body The
President has mapped out a course 90
pursue. but whether 30 viii be strictly
followed is doubtful indeed