The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-05-30
WHAT THE PRESIDENT PROPOSES

tan Editorial Supplied by W. J. Cochran
TN HIS LATEST MESSAGE to congress Presi-
dent Wilson proposed program that, II en-
acted into law in the spirit in which he and
the country desire it to be realized. will extend
and perpetuate the best accomplishments OF his
administration and superadd to them equally
important and necessary reforms In leglslat-
ing upon these progressive proposals, the re-
publican majority has fine opportunity 10
make good the assertion of their leaders last
fall that they would support the president more
Loyalty than their democratic opponents would.
The president recommends legislation and
suggests procedure as to eight major problems
social, economic, fiscal. commercial and IN
dustrial. First in the order of presentation
and doubtless first in his own minds his re
quest for progressive treatment by statute OF
the relations between capital and labor. He
pleads for "a new organization" "a genuine
democratization of industry" He recommends
the development of new federal agencies to
afford advice and information and assistance
to private enterprise in harmonzng employer
and employe. He shows that congress can
exercise authority, within its jurisdiction, to
| bring about these new conditions Just as II
established an eight-hour day, adopted laws
to safeguard life and health in dangerous in
dustries and attempted to prevent the eXplolta-
! ton of juvenile workers. He advocates the
continuance of the federal employment serv-
| ice and the authorization of Secretary Lanes
plans for settling soldiers and sailors and their
dependents on public lands.
AT a time when, more than ever before,
taxation is an affair of every citizen President
| Wilson's appeal for reduction of many and
abolition of some present taxes will be taken
| avid Of bic N lessen the burden
put upon the people by the war as much and
as rapidly as may be. With his recommenda-
| tions he couples specifications The income
| tax, the excess profits tax and the estate tax
are to be the principal sources of governmental
revenue, but he expresses the hope and belle1
that these can be revised and reduced. He
favors the retention of excess profits taxes and
inheritance taxes as permanent forms OF direct
levy Taxation of various manufactures and
upon sales at retail, he suggests, ought to be
abolished. Additional means of income should
be sought, he says to take the place OF taxes
and eXcises now collected from the makers and
venderS of liquor.
The message points out the need of changes
in the present tariff principally to afford pro
lection for industries crippled by the war and
those new enterprises which, like the making
of dyes and chemicals, were established as
consequence of the war. The scientific lnveStl-
cations and recommendations of the tariff com
mission are offered by the president as the
best guide to legislation on the tariff.
81 for one, covet for our country the dis
tincton of being among the first to act IN a
great REFORM" says the President on the sub
iect of woman's suffrage, which he urges con
gress to grant. Democrats in the senate and
house are certain to meet the presidents eX-
pectations in regard to suffrage.
The president makes it clear that although
the railroads, telephones and telegraphs are
to be returned to their owners, the old policy
of "laissez fare" belongs to the past 1t is
evidently the presidents intent that the rever
sion of these utilities shall be accompanied
with laws insurng the public of better service,
more nearly uniform rates and a greater
measure Of control than in the past The presl-
dents own pregnant language on this point is
that "some legislation should be considered
which may tend to make OF these indispensable
instrumentaities Of our modern life uniform
and co-ordinated system which will afford
those who use them as complete and certain
means of communication with all parts OF the
country as has so long been afforded by the
postal system of the government, and at rates
as uniform and intelligible."
With the passing of the emergency which
was urged to Justify ban upon the manufac-
ture ana sale OF wines ana DeerS-lne country ,
participation in the war and the need of all
foodstuffs and labor and materials to guaran-
tee victory-there is now, in the presidents
view. no need of such restrictions. According
ly. he has recommended their removal.
Within slightly more than 1000 words Pres
ident Wilson has compressed his views and
wishes and recommendations as to some Of the
biggest problems Of our internal government.
Congress knows his mind and its members
ought to understand the public needs and de
mands. 1t is now TO be seen whether the re
publican majority is ready or equal to match
ing the constructive efforts and performances
of the democrats during the last eight years.