The Elbert County tribune., 1919-05-23
WOULD REPEAL OR AMEND WAR;
TIME PROHIBITION
ACT.
REPEAL LUXURY TAX
RETURN OF RAILROADS, TELE-
GRAPH AND TELEPHONE TO
PRIVATE OWNERSHIP.
western Newspaper Union New. Service.

| message to Congress across Atlantic,
establishing a new history, for the
first time for an American executive.
The message, given as follows, covers
main recommendations
gentlemen of the Congress: deep
ly regret my inability to be present
at the opening of the extraordinary
session of Congress. 1t still seems to
be my duty to take part In the coun-
sells of the peace conference and con-
tribute what / can to the solution of
the innumerable questions TO whose
| settlement ii has had to address itself.
For they are questions which affect
the peace of the whole world, and
| from them, therefore, the United
States cannot stand apart.
81 deemed 1t my duty to call the
| Congress together at this time because
| Ii was not wise to postpone longer the
provisions which must be made for
the support of the government.
Il shall take the liberty of address
| ing you on my return on the subjects
which have most engrossed our atten-
| ton and the attention of the world
during these last anxious months
since the armistice of last November
was signed. the international settle
matter of the present treaties of
peace and of our national action in
the immediate future.
THE question which stands at the
front of all others in every country
amid the present great awakening is
the question of labor, and perhaps
can speak of 1t with as great advan-
tage while engrossed in the consdera-
tion of interests which affect all coun-
tries alike as | could at home and
amid the interests which naturally nf~
| feet my thought, because they are the
interests of our own people.
''By the question of labor l do not
mean the question of efficient indus
trial production the question of how
labor is TO be obtained and made eff
fective in the great process of sus-
tanning populations and winning sue
cess amidst commercial and industrial
rivalries. l mean that much greater
and more vital question how are the
men and women who do the daily la
Dor of the world to obtain progressive
Improvement in the conditions of their
labor.
"There is now in fact real COM
munity of interest between capital and
labor, but 1t has never been made evil
dent in action. 1t can be made opera
tive and manifest only in new or
ganizatiOn of industry. The genius of
our business men and the sound, prac-
| teal sense of our workers can certain
ly work such a partnership out when
once they realize exactly what 1t Is
that they seek and sincerely adopt
common purpose with regard to it.
"The object of all reform In this es-
/ GpnfiAl ha M
democratization of Industry, based up
on a full recognition of the right of
those who work, in whatever rank, to
| participate in some organic way in ev-
cry decision which directly affects
their welfare or the part they are to
play In industry. Some positive legis-
lation Is practicable.
''The Congress has already shown
the way to one reform which should
be worldwide by establishing the eight
hour day as the standard day in ev-
cry field of labor over which 1t can ex-
ercise control. 1t has sought to find
the way TO prevent child labor, and
will, hope and believe, presently find
| 1t.
agencies of international counsel
and suggestion are presently to be ere
| ated In connection with the league of
nations in this very field but it is ma
tional action and the enlightened pol
| Icy of individuals. corporations and so
cieties within each nation that must
| bring about the actual reforms. The
| members of the committees on labor
| in the two houses Will hardly need sug-
| gestions from me as to what means
| they shall seek to make the federal
government the agent of the whole ma
| ton in pointing out, and, If need be,
| guiding the process of reorganization
and reform.
Peculiar and very stimulating CON
ditions await our commerce and indus
trial enterprise in the immediate
future. Unusual opportunities will
| presently present themselves to our
merchants and producers in foreign
markets, and large fields for profit
able investment will be opened to our
free capital.
Our Rev merchant ships which
have In some quarters been feared asI
destructive rivals. may prove helpful
| rivals, rather, and common servants.
very much needed and very welcome.
Our great shipyards, new and old, will
be so opened to the use of the world
that they will prove immensely seAg-
iceable to every maritime people In
restoring the tonnage wantoEly de
stroyed in the war.
America has great and honorable
service to perform in bringing the
commercial and industrial undertake
ings of the world back to their old
scope and swing again, and putting a
solid structure of credit under them.
All our legislation should be friendly
TO such plans and purposes.
"And credit and enterprise alike
will be quickened by timely and help
full legislation with regard to taxation.
/ hope that the Congress will find iti
possible to undertake an early recon
sideration of federal taxes I'M order to