Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-05-20
President Surprises Con-
Eress by Recommends
toni in Message.
SWITCHES ATTITUDE
ON u. S. CONTROL
Prssidsnt's Recommendation for Re.
turn Of Railroads and Wire Lines at
End Of Fiscal Year Not Expscted--
Tariff Rsadjustmsnts and Repeal Of
ssms Of Luxury Taxes Also Urged.
Republicans to Cooperate in Part.

Wilson in his message to congress to-
day recommended repeal of the war
time prohibition law-so far as it ap-
plies to wines and beer only; announc..
ed definitely that the railroad systems
ard telephone and telegraph lines
would be returned; urged revision Of
the war taxes. particularly to abolish
the manufacturers and retail excise
taxes, and outlined generally pro-
gram respecting labor.
These were the high spots" in the
presidents message cabled from Paris.
Besides that he again urged enactment
of the woman suffrage constitutional
amendment; recommended that the
tariff laws bs supplied with teeth to
protect American industry against
foreign attack; spoke for legislation to
facilitate American enterprise thru the
expansion OF shipping, and backed Sec
rstsry Lanes program of land for re-
R6e9s1i64 the Paris peace confer
ence and the league Of nations, the
president merely said it would be pro-
maturo to discuss them or express q
judeniant, He also avoided q discuss
sion OF domestic legislation at length
due 70 his absence froR -ths~~t'sned
States.
Document Unique.
Congress heard unique document
the only one OF its kind ever trans
mitted over the ocean from q presi-
dent on foreign soil. For the first time
In ell
reading clerk instead OF listening to
an address in person by the president.
The recommendations for the repeal
Of war time prohibition and for re-
turn Of the rail- and wire systems,
while not unexpected by some, con-
tained the greatest element Of surprise
and provoked the most widespread
comment Of the many tasks set before
congress by the president.
Dry Rule Not Needed.
In his reference to prohibition the
president did not enter extensively into
the consideration Of the question. DE-
mobilization" he said, has progress
ed to such point that 1t seems to me
entirely safe to remove the ban on the
manufacture and sale of wines and
beers." This ban laid severel mon this
, ago to become effective July /, could
only be removed by congressional en-
actment.
6aeks Up on Rail Control.
His recommendation regarding re-
turn OF the railway and wire lines was
the first authorative declaration Of
future policy and greatly surprised
many members. who had interpreted
the development the past few months
to mean the .president eventually
would propose some form OF permanent
government operation. On the con-
tnary the directness on that point left
no doubt that ne was thru with any
possible scheme Of permanent main
tenance.
The telephone and telegraph lines"
said the message, will Of course be
returned to their owners as soon as the
transfer can be effected without un-
necessary confusion. The railroads
win be handed over d the end Of the
calendar year"
In the case Of each the president
asked for legislation to make easier
: y: =! ;,ce :::s..ncc.s aeeess:.atsd hy the
change.
Tarin Read dlustmsnts Needed.
In his recommendation for readjust-
ment Of taxation the president made
It clear that he did not expect a fund
amental readjustment Of the democratic
tariff rates that have been in opera
tion for the past six years. He asked
for tariff changes. only to protect
special new interests like the dyes In
dustry. Some reductions were advo-
Gated in excess profit taxes and the
present taxes on retail sales
VIII Havs Partial Co. operation.
What will be the reply Of the repub-
licans to these proposals became at
once the topic OF discussion every
where about the capitol. In returning
the railroads il generally was con-
reded the republicans would give
their desperation. ( But as to
prohibition and tariff internal taxes
the case was more doubtful. These are
problems on which no very clear under
standing has been reached.
The recommendations regarding
labor were generously treated by the
president. He called attention to the
need for a partnership between labor
and capital and q genuine "democra-
.ttsAtion Of industry"
n On tar!ff revision the president said
the United States should have the
means 9of protecting itself when there
vas danger OF discrimination against
Il. sss
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