The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1915-11-24
WILSON PREPARING
ANNUAL MESSAGE
PUTS ASIDE VIRTUALLY ALL
OTHER PUBLIC BUSINESS TO
DEVOTE TIME TO DOCUMENT

Washington, Nov. 21.-President
Wilson will put aside virtually all
other public business this week to
devote his time to his third annual
message to congress which he plans
to read personally at joint meet
of the senate and house Decem-
Der 7. He has given out instructions
that none but important engage
ments be made for him. Even Tues
days cabinet meeting may be can
celed, although it is possible that the
president may decide to read a pre-
liminary draft of the message then.
The president is working hard to
have the message in the hands of
the public printer before Thanksgiv=
ing day. He has decided on the chief
features after careful consultation
with close advisers and is now writ
ing it out on his Typewriter. No at
tempt is being made to deal with all
the public questions pressing for So
luton, for the president plans to
read special messages to congress as
occasions arise.
Representative Fitzgerald, chair
man of the house appropriations
committee, held long conference
with the president tonight and urged
him to include in the message an
outline of methods considered best
for raising revenues for national de-
fense.
Mr.. Fitzgerald wishes the presi-
dent to indicate generally how he
thinks the needed money can be
raised and it is considered probable
that this will be done. Other ad-
visers of the president, however,
have told him that since revenue
measures must originate in the
house, he ought not to appear to try
to usurp that power.
Mr.. Fitzgerald, Senator Under
wood and number of other lead
ers of congress on the Democratic
side are known to be opposed to a
bond issue to pay fc- army and navy
increases, for the reason that the
expenditures will have to be con-
tinued from year to year.
Although the president may not
refer to all of the subjects in his
message the programme the admin
istration hopes to see disposed of
during the coming session includes:
Strengthening the army and navy
in accordance with plans outlined by
Secretaries Garrison and Daniels.
A merchant marine bill.
Rural credits legislation.
Ratification of the Haitien, Colom-
bian and Nicaraguan treaties.
The bill to give a greater measure
of self government to the Philippines
and promising ultimate independ-
ence.
Conservative measures which fail
ed at the last session.
Amendment of the antitrust laws
so as to allow the use of common
selling agencies abroad by American
exporters. ... .-.' ..
Legislation to protect the Ameri-
can market against "dumping" cheap
foreign goods following the war.
Amendment of the Sherman anti
trust law to. give the federal govern
ment more power to prosecute plots
to blow up factories and ships.
The administration also is inter-
ested in the efforts to establish a
budget system for coordinating ex-
penditures and revenues of the gov
ernment and in cloture rule for the
senate. The president, however, is
not expected to take a direct part
in the cloture fight.
Chairman Carter Glass of the
house banking and currency COM
mittee talked with the president to-
night about banking conditions.