Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-05-20
TELLS CONGRESS IN
MESSAGE TO PERmI 1T
BEER and LIGHT WINE
Washington, May 2O.-President Wilson to-
day called upon the Goth congress to amend or
to repeal the war time prohibition measure lnso-

'fOnlD1ClOn IIledSuIc. lIlSO-
far as it applies to wines
and beers.
In his message-the first
that he has not delivered in person
since taking up the reins of the gov
ernment-the President asserted his
belief that the demobilization of the
army had progressed to such an ex-
tent that it would be entirely safe"
to remove the ban upon the manufac-
ture and sale of wines and beers. He
plainly indicated that had he the au-
thority he would take the necessary
action himself, btu lacking it he urged
the congress to act.
The | resident also urged:
l. Adoption of the equal suffrage
amendment.
2, Certain revision of the tariff
laws.
g. Repeal of the so-called luxury
taxes and continued high levies on
incomes, excess profits and estates.
4. Legislation to safeguard the pub
lie interest before the telephone and
telegraph systems are turned back
to private ownership.
5. Laws to facilitate American en-
terprise in foreign trade
Al a
in finding jobs for which they are
| fitted
The message does not touch upon
the international situation. but the
President promises to address the
congress upon these matters on his
return.
1T would be premature to discuss
them or to express a judgment about
them before they are brought to their
completed formulation by the agree
mentS which are being sought at the
table of the conference" the Presi-
dent asserts
The Presidents only reference to
the league of nations is but a passing
one but at the same time it reflects
his confidence that the league will be
cOnsummated
Dealing with the necessity for ma
tiona action to bring about an en-
lightened labor policy, the President
observes;
Agencies of international counsel
and suggestion are presently to be
created in connection with the league
of nations in this very field but it is
national action that must bring about
the actual reforms"
Recommending the repeal of the
taxes upon retail sales, the President
pointed out that they are unequal in
incidence" on industries and individ-
uals and that their collection is diff
fiCult and expensive While they
were justified by the pressing war
time necessities, he observed, they
can scarcely find sufficient justifca.
tion under the easier circumstances
Of peace
In urging certain tariff changes, the
President points out the close rela-
ton that has existed between the
manufacturers of dyestuffs on the one
hand, and explosives and poisonous
gases on the other. He then says:
Although the United States win
gladly and unhesitatingly join in the
program of international disarmament
it will nevertheless be a policy OF
obvious prudence to make certain of
rhe successful maintenance of many
strong and well equipped chemical
plants The German chemical indus.
try, with which we will be brought iil.
to competition, was and may vel! be
again, a thoroughly knit monopoly,
capable of exercising competition
of peculiarly insidious and danger.
Gus kind"
Gentlemen of the Congress:
| deeply regret my inability TO be
present at the opening of the extra
ordinary session of the Congress It
tn seems to be my dutv'to take part
in the c0unsels of the peace confer.
Cnce and contribute what can to the
solution of The ihnumerable questions
to whose settlement it has had to adj
dress itself TOR. they are questions
which affect the peace OF the whole
world and from them therefore the
United States cannot stand apart
deemed il my duty TO call the Con-
gress together at this time because
/ it was not wise to postpone longer the
provisions which must be made for
the support of the government Many
Of the appropriations which are abb
solutely necessary for the mainte-
nance of the government and the full.
Gllr,nyt Of ,rar{aI obiiya tinna