The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-05-20
WILSON WOULD
ALLOW SALE OF
wine and BEER
In a Sensational Message TO
Congress Today.
Announces Railroads and TeIe.
graph VIII Go Back.
URGES REVISION WAR TAXES
Also FavOrs the Woman Suf-
frage Amendment.
Place Teeth in Tariff Laws To
Protect Industries.
MAINLY A LABOR MESSAGE
Wilson Says Industrial Ques-
tiOn Heads All Others.
| Urges Workers Be Given Hand
in Control With Capital.
MAINLY A LABOR MESSAGE
Wilson Says Industrial Ques-
tiOn Heads All Others.
Urges Workers Be Given Hand
in Control With Capital.
Complete tcXt of the Presidents
address may be found on page s.

Washington. May 2O.-President
Wilson in his message to congress to-
day recommended repeal of the war
time prohibition Iaw-so far as II an
plies to wine and beer only: an
hounced, definitely that the railroad
systems and telegraph and telephone
lines would be returned to private
ownership; urged a revision of war
taxes, particularly to al olish the
manufacturers and retail sales ex-
cises, and outlined generally a pro-
gram respecting labor.
These were the high spots" of the
presidents message cabled from
Paris
Labor Paramount Issue.
1t was essentially a labor message,
the president stating at the outset
that this question Stands at the front
of all others in every country amidst
the present great awakening"
By calling for a new organization
of industry" by which workers may
have the opportunity for genuine
partnership" and participation in
control with capital. the president, it
is held. directly sponsors the slogan
today of so-called liberal. labor and
GltII0lllS III 6il COuHITltH-
Politicians here saw the deepest
significance in the presidents stand
in connection with the next campaign.
Senators Borah and Kenyon of the
progressive" group in the senate
have recently spoken in support of
new and greater consideration of
labor.
The president points out that the
change must come largely thru vol
untary and cooperative means be-
tween labor and capital; that '1egis-
lation can get only a very little way
in commanding what shall be DONE"
Besides that he again urged enact
ment of the woman suffrage cousti-
tutional amendment: recommended
that the tariff laws be supplied with
teeth to protect American industry
against foreign attack: spoke for leg
islation to facilitate American enter
prise thru the expansion of shipping
and backed Secretary Lanes program
for land for returning soldiers.
lie Avoids Peace League.
OF the Paris peace conference and
the league of nations. the president
merely said it would be premature to
discuss them or express a Judgment.
He also avoided discussion of domestic
legislation at length because of his
long absence from Washington.
Congress heard n unique document:
mitted across the ocean from a presi-
dent on A foreign shore. For the first
time in six years it heard presiden-
tial message read bv a reading clerk
instead Of assembling to hear the
president deliver an address in per-
son.
The recommendation for the repeal
of war time prohibition and for return
of the rail and wire systems. while not
unexpected by some. contained the
greatest element of surprise and pro-
voked the most widespread comment
Of the many tasks set before congress
by the president.
Prohibition Matter.
In his reference to prohibition the
president did not enter extensively in
to the considerations involved. De-
mobilization. he said merely. has
progressed to such a point that il
seems to me entirely safe now to re-
move the ban upon the mannfacture
and sale of wines and beers" This
ban. laid several months ago to be-
come effective on July !. could only
CONTINUED on Page Two.)