Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-12-12

have just addressed to you? 1t is not.
1t is in fact the inevitable logic of
what l have said Austria Hungary is
for the time being not her own mis-
tress, but simply the vassal of the
German government. We must face
the facts as they are and act upon
them without sentiment in this stern
business. The government of Austria
Hungary is not acting upon its own
initiative or in response TO the wishes
and feelings of its own peoples, but as
the instrument of another nation. We
must meet it's force with our own and
regard the central powers as but one.
The war can be successfully conducted
in no other way.
AS to Turkey and Bulgaria.
"The same logic would lead also to
a declaration of war against Turkey
and Bulgaria They also are the tools
Of Germany, But they are mere tools
and do not yet stand in the direct path
of our necessary action. We shall go
wherever the necessities OF this war
carry us. but II seems to me that we
should go only where immediate and
practical considerations land US and
not heed any others
"The financial and military meas
ures which must be adopted will suC-
gest themselves as the war and lts un-
dertakings develop. but | vii! take the
liberty of proposing 70 you certain
other acts of legislation which seem
to me TO be needed for the support of
the war and for the release OF our
whole force and energy.
"It will be necessary to extend in
certain particulars the legislation of
the last session with regard to alien
enemies; and also necessary. be
lieve, to create a very definite and
particular control over the entrance
and departure of all persons into and
from the United States
Legislation should be enacted de-
fining as criminal offenSe every willfu
violation of the presidential proclama-
tons relating TO alien enemies promul-
gated under section 4067 of the Re
viSed Statutes and providing appropri-
ate punishments; and women as well
as men. should be included under the
terms of the acts placing restraints
upon alien enemies. 1t is likely that
as time goes on many alien enemies
will be willing to be fed and housed
~ the expense of the government in
he detention camps and it would be
the purpose Of legislation l have sug-
gested TO cOnfine offenders among
them In penitentiaries and other sim
liar institutions where they could be
made to work as other criminals do
Go Further in Fixing Prices.
Recent experience has convinced
me that the congress must go further
in authorizing the government to set
limits to prices. The law Of supply
and demand. am sorry e say. has
been replaced by the law Of unrcstrain-
ed seIfiShnesS. While we have elm
mated profiteering In several branches
of industry 1t still runs impudently
rampant In others. The farmers. for
example complain with great deal of
Justice that while the regulation of
food prices restricts their incomes. no
restraints are placed upon the prices
of most of the things they must them
selves purchase. and similar iniquities
obtain on all sides.
1T is imperatively necessary that the
consideration of the full use of the
water power Of the country and also
the consideration of the systematic
and yet economical development Of
such of the natural resources of the
ctf -.
of the federal government should be
Immediately resumed and affirmatively
and constructively dealt with at the
earliest possible moment The press
ing need of such legislation is daily be-
coming more obvious.
A Word to the Lawmakers.
THE legislation proposed at the last
session with regard to regulated COM
hinations among our exporters. In or
der to provide for our foreign trade a
more effective organization and meth
cd OF cooperation, ought by all means
to be completed at this session.
And beg that the members of the
house 81 representatives will permit
me to express the opinion that it will
be impossible 10 deal in any hut very
wasteful and extravagant fashion with
the enormous appropriations of the
public moneys which must continue 10
be made If the war is to be properly
sustained. unless the house will con
sent to return to it's former practice
Of initiating and preparing all aDpro-
priatOn bills through single commit
tee. in order that responsibility may
be centered, expenditures standardized
and made uniform and waste and du-
plication as much as possible avoided.
Additional legislation may also he
come necessary before the present con
gress again adjourns in order TO effect
the st efficient coordination and Op-
GRAFTON of the railway and other trans
portation systems of the country; but
to that I shall. il circumstances should
demand. call the attention of the con-
gress upon another occasion.
Concentrate on Winning War.
"If | have overlooked anything that
ought to be done for the more effective
conduct of the war, your own counsels
will supply the omission What am
perfectly clear about is that in the
present session of the congress our
whole attention and energy should be
concentrated on the vigorous. rapid
and successful prosecution of the great
task of winning the war
I'VE can do this with all the greater
L.