The Elk Mountain pilot., 1917-12-13
war with Austria a-Hungary. Does it

1t is In fact the inevitable logic of
what 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
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 Its 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.
1.-THE same logic would lead also to
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 20
wherever the necessities of this war
carry us, but 1t seems to me that we
should go only where immediate and
practical considerations land us and
not heed any others.
ures which must be adopted will sug-
gest themselves as the war and its un-
dertakings develop, but I will take the
liberty Of proposing to 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, l be-
fieve, to create n 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 willful
violation Of the presidential prOclama-
tions relating to alien enemies promul-
gated under section 4O67 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. It Is likely that
as time goes on many alien enemies
will be willing to be fed and housed
at the expense Of the government in
the detention camps. and 1t would be
the purpose of legislation I have sug-
gested to confine offenders among
them In penltentiarfes 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. i am sorry to sny, has
been replaced by the law Of unrestrain-
ed selfishness. While we have elm
mated profiteering in several branches
of industry. It still runs impudently
rampant In others. The farmers. for
example, complain with a 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.
ut 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
country as are still under the control
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.
1.-THE legislation proposed at the last
session with regard to regulated COM
binatiOns 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 Of representatives will permit
me to express the opinion that it will
be impossible to deal In any but very
wasteful and extravagant fashion with
the enormous appropriations of the
public moneys which must continue to
be made. II the war is to be properly
sustained. unless the house will con-
sent to return to its former practice
Of initiating and preparing all appro-
priation bills through a single commit
tee, in order that responsibility may
be centered. expenditures standardized
and made uniform and waste and du-
plication as much ms possible avoided.
additional legislation may also he
come necessary before the present con-
gress again adjourns in order to effect
the most efficient coordination and op-
GRAFTON Of the railway md other trans
portation systems of the country: hut
to that I shall. II circumstances should
demand. call the attention Of the con-
gress upon another occasion.
Concentrate on Winning War.