The Delta independent., 1917-12-07

10 me to be needed for the support
uf the war and for the release OF our
whole force and energy.
| 1t will be necessary to extend In
certain particulars the legislation OF
The last session with regard to alien
enemies, and also necessary, believe.
10 create very definite and particu-
Jar control over the entrance and de-
parture of all persons into and from
the United States.
Legislation should be enacted defin-
ing as a criminal offense every wfllful
violation of the presidential proclama-
tions 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
at the expense of the government IN
the detention camps. and 1t would be
the purpose OF the legislation ! have
suggested to confine offenders among
them in penitentiarios ard other sim
liar Institutions where they could be
made to work as other criminals do
Calls for Curb on Profiteerino.
that the Congress must 20 further in
authorizing the government TO set linn
its TO prices. the law OF supply and
demand, | am sorry 10 say. has been
replaced by the law OF unrestrained
selfishness. While we have elimin-
ated profiteering in several branches
of industry 1t 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.
II 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
imm ediately resumed and affirmative
ly and eonstructively dealt with at the
earliest possible moment The press
ing need OF such legislation is daily
becoming more obvious.
The legislation proposed at the last
session with regard to regulated com
der to provide for our foreign trade
more effective organization and
method 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 II Will
be impossible to deal In any but a
very wastefui and extravagant fashion
with the enormous appropriations OF
the public moneys which must con-
tinue to be made II the war In to be
properly sustained. unless the House
will consent to return to Its former
practice OF Initiating and preparing all
appropriation bills through y single
committee. In order that responsibility
may be centcred, Expenditure stand
ardiscd and made uniform and waste
and duplication ~ much ~ possible
avoided.
AddittonaI legislation may also be-
come necessary before the present
Congress again adjourns In order to
effect the most efficient coordination
and operation Of the railway and other
transportation systems Of the country.
but to that I shall, II circumstances
should demand. call the attention OF
the Congress upon another occasion
II have overlooked anything that
ought 10 be done for the more effec-
tive conduct of the war. your own
counscls VIII supply the omission.
What ! am perfectly clear about 10
that in the present session OF the
Congress our whole attention and
energy should be concentrated on the
vigorous, rapid and successful prose
cution OF the great task OF winning the
war.
We can do this with all the greater
seal and enthusiasm because We know
that for Us this Is q war OF high prin-
eiple. debased by no selfish ambition
Of conquest or spoiiation: because We
hnow, and all the world knows. that
We have been forced into II to save the
very Institutions we live under from
corruption and destruction.
The purposes OF the Central Pow
ers strike straight at the very heart
Of everything we believe In: their
methods OF warfare outrage every
principle OF humanity. and OF knightly
honor; their intrigue has corrupted
the very thought and spirit OF many
OF our people; their sinister and Sc
cret diplomacy has sought to take our
very territory away from us. and dis
rupt the union of the states. Our
safety would be at an end, our honor
forever sullied and brought into con
tempt were we to permit their tri-
umph. They are striking at the very
existence of democracy and liberty.
II is because II IL for us war OF
high, disintercsted purpose. in which
all the free peoples Of the world are
banded together for the vindication
OF right. war for the preservation OF
our nation and OF all that IL held dear
Of principle and Of purpose. that we
fsIt IxAa ufrat ats.sa -
which ia righteous and of irronroac oh