The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1917-12-06

tree use Of our whole capacity anc
force as fighting Unit.
One very embarrassing obstacle that
stands in our way is that We are at
war with Germany but not with her
allies. / therefore very earnestly
recommend that the congress imme
diately declare the United States In
state of war with Austria Hungary.
Does 1t seem strange to you that this
should be the conclusion of the argu-
ment have just addressed to you? It
is not It is in fact the inevitable
logic Of what I have said. Austria
Hungary is for the time being not her
Cswn mistress 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 govern
ment of Austria Hungary is not act.
ing upon its own initiative or IN re-
sponse to the wishes and feelings OF
its own peoples, but as the instru-
ment 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
ether way. The same logic would
lead 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 go wher-
ever the necessities of this war carry
us, but it seems to me that we should
go only where immediate and practi.
cal considerations lead US and not
heed any Others,
The financial and military measures
which must be adopted will suggest
| themselves as the war and its under
takings develop, but 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.
1t will be necessary to extend II
certain particulars the legislation Of
the last session with regard to alien
enemies; and also necessary. believe
to create very definite and particu
lar control over the entrance and de
parture of all persons into and from
the United States.
| Legislation should be enacted de
fining as criminal offense every will
| full violation Of the presidential proc
lamation relating to alien enemies
promulgated under section 4067 Of the
Revised Statutes and providing ap
propriate punishments; and women Al
well as men should be included undel
the terms Of the acts placing re
straints upon alien enemies. It l,
likely that as time goes on many alier
enemies will be willing to be fed an(
housed at the expense Of the govern
ment in the detention camps and /
would be the purpose of the legisla
tion suggested to confine offenders
among them in penitentiaries and 9th
er similar institutions where the,
could be made to work as other Grim
inals do.
Must Limit Prices.
| Recent experience has convinced m,
that the congress must 60 further Il
authorizing the government to SCI
limits to prices. The law OF suppl,
and demand, am sorry to say. ha,
been replaced by the law Of unre
stricted selfishness. While we hav,
eliminated proiteering in severa
branches Of industry. 1t still runs i'm
pudently rampant in others. tn,
farmers, for example. complain witt
great deal Of justice that. while tn
regulation Of food prices restrict
their incomes, no restraints ar
placed upon the prices Of most Of th
things they must themselves pul
chase; and similar inequities obtail
on all sides.
It is imperatively necessary tina
the consideration Of the full use o
the water power Of the country an,
also the consideration of the system
attic and yet economical development
Of such Of the natural resources O
the country as are still under the cor
troll of the federal government shout
: be Immediately resumed and affirms
lively and constructively dealt wit
at the earliest possible moment. Tn
pressing need of such legislation /
daily becoming more. obvious.
The legislation proposed at the las
session with regard to regulated CON
binations among our exporters, in ol
der to provide for our foreign trad
3 more effective organization m
method Of cooperation ought by q
means to be completed at this sci
. sion.
And l beg that the members Of til
, house ct representatives will permi
J me to express the opinion that It vii
, be impossible to deal in any but
, very wasteful and extravagant fasl
. ion with the enormous appropriation
of the public moneys which must col
! tinue to be made. II the war is to b
! properly sustained, unless the hqus
: will consent to return to its forme
I practice Of initiating and preparin
) al appropriation bills through q sil
! gle COMMITTEES. in order that respons
bility may be centered, expenditure
/ standardized and made uniform, an
I waste and duplication as much 1
! possible avoided.
: Urges Strict Economy.
Additional legislation may also b
come necessary before the preser
congress again adiourns in order
8 effect the most efficient coordinate
and operation Of the railway and otl
! or transportation systems Of the cou
. try; but to that shall, II circur