Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1917-12-20

ckOdT away WIFI d LnOTOuSu manu- al
impediments to success and we must
make every adjustment of law that
will facilitate the full and free use of
our whole capacity and force as a
fighting unit.
One very embarrassing obstacle
that stands in our way is that we are
at war with Germany, but not with
her allies. l therefore very earnestly
recommend that the congress imme-
diately declare the United States in a
state of war with Austria Hungary.
Does it seem strange to you that this
should be the conclusion of the argu-
ment Il have just addressed 70 you?
1t is not. It is in fact the inevitable
logic Of what have said. Austria.
Hungary is for the time being not her
own 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 government Of
Austria-Hungary Is not acting upon
its own initiative or in response to
the wishes and feelings of it's own
peoples but as the instrument of an
other 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. The same logic would lead also
to declaration of war against Tur-
key and Bulgaria. They also are the
tools Of Germany. But they are mere
tools and, do not yet stand in the d.
rect path Of our necessary action. We
shall go wherever the necessities of
this war carry us, but it seems to me
that we should go only where imme-
date and practical consideration lead
us and not heed any others
The financial and military measures
which must be adopted will suggest
themselves as the war ana its under
takings develop, but l will take the
liberty Of proposing to you certain
other acts Of legislation which seem
to be so 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, 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 defin-
ing as criminal offense every wilful
violation of the presidential proclama-
tions relating to alien enemies promul-
gated under Section 4067 of the re-
vised statutes and providing appro-
pirate punishments land women as
we'll as men should be included under
the terms of the acts placing re-
straints upon alien enemies. It is like
ly that as time goes on many alien
enemies will be willing to be fed and
housed at the expense Of the govern
ment in the detention camps and it
will be the purpose of the legislation
l have suggested to confne offenders
among them in penitentiaries and 9TH
er similar institutions where they
could be made to work as other Grim.
inals do.
Recent experience has convinced me
that the congress must go further in
authorizing The government to set lin
Its to prices. The law Of supply and
demand, am sorry to say, has been
replaced by the laws OF unrestrained
selfshness. While we have eliminated
prohiteering in several branches of in
dustry, It stAl runs impudently ram
pant In others. The farmers, for exam
pie, 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
solves purchase land similar Unequal
tiles OBTAIN on all sides,
D.. 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
country as are still under the con-
troll of the federal government should
be Immediately resumed and affirma-
lively and constructively death with
at the earliest possible moment. The
pressing need of such legislation is
daily becoming more obvious.
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 1t 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, IL the war Is to be properly
rulnn. kHo la,no I'LL 49,,