The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-12-02
Gives Considerable Atten-
ton to Rail Problem
Asks Thorough Study
GIVES PRAISE TO
YANKEE FIGHTERS
Republicans Are Silent,
Democrats Noisy in
Their Demonstration
address on Page q
(By Associated Press,

Washington, Dec. .2.-In an address
to congress in joint session today
President Wilson formally announced
his intention TO go to Paris for the
peace conference, saying the allied
governments have accepted princi~
Piles enunciated by him for peace
and it is his paramount duty to be
present.
In Touch With Home
The President said he will be In
close touch by cable and wireless
and that congress will know all that
he does on the other side.
Referring to his announcement
that the French and British govern
ments had removed all cable re-
strictions upon the transmission OF
news Of the conference to America.
the President said he had taken over
the American cable systems on ex-
pert advice so as TO make a unifiaa
system available. He expressed the
hope that he would have the co-op-
Grafton Of the public and of congress
saying through the cables and wire-
leEs constant counsel and advice
would be possible.
The Railroad Problem
Much of the address was devoted
to the railroad problem for wis., the
resident said he had no solutich to
s7fferr Ho recommended careful
study by congress, saying 1t would
&c disservice to the country and to
tF@rka da e.
old conditions under private manages
ment without notifications.
Willing to Release Control
The President declared he stood
ready to release the railroads from
government control whenever a sat
istactory plan OF readtustment could
be worked out.
The President said he hoped to see
a formal declaration of peace by
come"
Reconstruction
No definite program of reconstruc-
ton can be outlined now, the Presi-
dent said. but as soon as the arrnis-
tice was signed, government control
OF business and industry was re-
leased as far as possible. He ex-
pressed the hope that congress would
not object to comforting upon the,
war trade board or some other agen-
cy the right OF fixing export priori-
ties TO assure shipment OF food TO
starving people abroad.
Taxation
AS to taxation, the President en-.
dorsed the plan for Ievying $1,000
100000 in 1919 and for notifying the
public in advance that the 1920 levy
viii be $4,000, 100000.
ShipbuiIdina
The new three-year naval building
program was endorsed because, the
President said. it would be unwise
to attempt to adjust the American
program to future world policy as
yet undetermined.
Paying tribute to the peoples
conduct in the war. he spoke partie-
ulariy OF the work of women and
again appealed for woman suffrage
by federal amendment.
FaVors Woman Suffrage
Declaring he had no "private
thought or purpose" in going 10
France, but that he regarded &c as
his highest duty. the President add
ed:
at is now my duty to play my full
part in making good what they
(American soidiersl suffered their
life's blood to obtain.
Appliance and Silence
Democratic representatives aross
and applauded vociferousIy when
the President announced his inten-
ton of going in person to the peace
conference. The Republican side
was silent and so were many senat-
ors on both sides of the chamber.
The President concluded after
speaking 40 minutes, and left the
the Democratic side. Interruptions
OF the address for questions which
had been threatened by some Repub~
hcan members of the honse did not
materialize