The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-12-06
PRESIDENT WILSON GIVES CONGRESS
HIS VIEWS ON MANY VITAL SUBJECTS

DUVI vuNI OOUUIOIO
to omit that act of justice Besides the i'm
the women 81 the country have been the
moving spirits in the systematic economics
by which our people have voluntarily as
/ sisted to supply the suffering peoples of the
w0cld and the armies upon every front with
food and everything else that we had that
might serve the common caHse The details
Of such a story can never be fully written.
but we carry them at our hearts and thank
God that we can say that we are the kins-
men Of SUCH
Great Triumph Comes.
And now we are sure of the great triumph
for which every sacrifice was made. 1t has
come-come in its completeness, and with the
pride and inspiration Of. these days of
achievement quick within Us we turn to the
tasks of peace again-a peace sure against
the violence Of irresponsible monarchs and
| ambitious military coteries-and make ready
for new order. for new foundations of JUS
| tice and fair dealing
We are about to give order and organize
ton to this peace. not only for ourselves, but
for the other peoples of the world as well,
SO far as they will suffer US to serve them.
It is international justice that seek, not
domestic safety merely. Our thoughts have
dwelt of late upon Europe. upon Asia, upon
the near and the far East, very little upon
| the acts of peace and accommodation that
wait to be performed at our own doors.
Relations With Neighbors.
While we are adjusting our relations with
the rest of the world, is it not of capital
importance that we should clear away all
grounds of misunderstood ng with our i'm
mediate neighbors and give proof of the
friendship we really feel? I hope that the
members of the senate will permit me to
speak once more Of the unratified treaty o.
friendship and adjustment with the republic
| of Colombia. I very earnestly urge upon
them an early and favorable action upon
that vital matter. l believe that they will
feel with me that the stage Of affairs is now
set for such action will be not only just
but generous, and in the spirit of the new
age upon which we have SO happily entered.
Readjustment Problem.
So far as our domestic affairs are con-
cerned the problem of our return to peace
| is a problem of economic and industrial re
adjustment. That problem is less serious for
us than it may turn out to be for the ma
tions which have suffered the disarrange-
mentS and the losses Of war longer than
Our people. moreover. do not wait to be
coached and led. They know their own bust
ness. are quick and resourceful at every re-
adjustment, definite in purpose and self re-
liant in action. Any leading strings we
might seek to put them in would speedily
become hopelessly tangled because they would
All that we can do as their legislative and
executive servants is to mediate the process
of change here, there and elsewhere we
may. l have heard much counsel as to the
plans that should be formed and personally
conducted to happy contamination, but from
no quarter have l seen any general scheme
of reconstruction emerge which I thought
it likely we could force our spirited bushes.
men and self reliant lsborers to accept with
due pliancy and obedience.
Take Harness Off.
While the war lasted we set up many
agencies by which to direct the industries of
the country in the services it was necessary
for them to render, by which to make
sure of an abundant supply of the materials
needed, by which to check undertakings that
could for the time be dispensed with and
stimulate those that were most serviceable in
war, by which to gain for the purchasing
departments of the governments a certain
control over the prices of essential articles
and materials. by which to restrain trade
with alien enemies. make the most of the
available shipping, and systenxtize financial
transactions. both public and private. SO
that there would be no unnecessary conflict
or aonfusion-by which, in short. to put
every material energy of the country in har-
ness to draw the common load and make Of
us one team in the accomplishment of q
great task. But the moment we knew the
armistice to have been signed we took the |
harness off. Raw materials upon which the |
government had kept its hand for fear there |
should not be enough for the industries that |
supplied the armies have been released and |
put into the general market again. Great |
industrial plants whose whole output and ma
chinery had been taken over for the uses of |
the government have been set free to return |
to the uses to which they were put before |
the war. 1t has not been possible to remove |
so readily or so quickly the control of food
stuffs and Of shipping. because the world has
otII IN haf faA frnv ID
ships are still needed to send supplies to our
men oversee and to bring the men back as
fast as the disturbed conditions on the other
side OF the water permit; but even there
restraints are being relaxed as much as pos
sible and more and more as the weeks go by
Marvellous Record Made.
Never before have there been agencies in
existence in this country which knew SO much
Of the field of supply of labor and of indus
trade board, the labor department, the food
and the fuel administration
have known since their labors become thor
oughly systematized: and they have not been
isolated agencies: they have been directed by
men who represent ae permanent depart
ments of the governmnt and so have been
the centers Of unified and cooperative &C.
lion. It has been the policy of the executive,
therefore. since the armistice was assured
which Is in effect complete submission of
|
bodies at the disposal of the business men
If the country and to offer their intelligent
mediation at every point and in every matter
where it was desired. 1t is surprising how
last the process of return to a peace footing
has moved in the three weeks since the fight
ng stopped. 1t promises to outrun any in
JURY that may be instituted and any aid ,
hat may be offered. It will not be easy to ,
lirect 1t any better than it will direct itself. .
The American business man is of quick ini- {
iative. !
Employment Considered. Id
The ordinary and normal processes of pri-
ate initiative will not, however, provide i'm
Mediate employment for all men of our re-
urning armies. Those who are of trained 7
apacity. those who are skilled workmen, !
hose who have acquired familiarity with es-
ablished businesses those who are ready and ?
Wiling to go to the farms, all those whose :
ptitudes are known or will be sought out by I
will find no difficulty, it is safe 8
o say. in finding place and employment. U
'ut there will be Others who will be at a 8
oss where to gain livelihood unless pains t
re taken to guide them and put them in the I
vay OF work. There will be large floating
esidium Of labor which should not be left q
Wholly to shift for itself. 1t seems to me G
therefore, that the development of +
ublic works of every sort should be prompt .
: resumed, in order that opportunities q
hould be created for unskilled labor in par t
ocular. and that plans should be made for t
UGH development Of our unused lands and t
ur natural resources we have hitherto o
acked stimulation to undertake o
Farms for Soldiers.
I particularly direct your attention to the /;
nranticQhla uybir fho 80 |