Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-05-20

Lieut. hlcU&t0 NJ CnU1Ds
treatment. The attention of the Con-
gress has been called to this matter
on past occasions, and the past meas
ures which are now recommended By
the tariff commission are substantsat-
~ the same that have been suggested
by previous administrations I recon-
mend that this phase Of the tariff
question receive the early attention of
the Congress.
Woman Suffrage.
VIII you not permit me, turning
from these matters, to speak once
more and very earnestly of the pro-
posed amendment to the Constitution
which would extend the suffrage to
women and which passed the House
of Representatives at the last session
of the Congress-? It seems to me that
every consideration Of justice and of
public advantage calls for tho i'm
mediate adoption Of that amendment
and its submission forthwith to tho
legislatures Of the several states.
Throughout all the world this long
delayed extension OF the suffrage IL
looked for; in the United States, long,
er, I believe, than anywhere else, the
necessity for 1t. and the immense ad-
vantage Of 1t to the national life, has
been urged and debated. by women
and mem who saw tho need for it and
urged the policy OF it when it re-
quired steadfast courage to be 30
much beforehand with the common
and I. fer one. coxet for
our country the distinction Of being
among the first to act in a great re-
form.
Railroads and Wire Lines.
The telegraph and telephone lines
will of course be returned to their
owners 80 soon al tho retransfer can
be erected without administrative
confusion. so soon. that Is, as the
change can be mado with least Dos.
sible Inconvenience to tho public and
roads will be handed over to their
owners at tho end Of the calendar
year; If I were in immediate contact
with tho administrative questions
which must govern tho retransfer OF
the telegraph and telephone lines. /
could name the exact date for their
return also. Until 1 am In direct
contact with tho practical questions
involved I can only suggest that in
tho case OF thu teleEraphs and tele-
phones, as In the case Of tho ra4l-
ways. It Ia clearly desirable in the
public interest that some legislation
should be considered which may tend
to mako Of these Indispensable in
strumsntalities Of our modern iife .
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 govern
ment, and. at rates az uniform and In
telligible. Expert advice il. Of course.
available in this very practical mat
ter. and the public interest is mani
fest. Neither the telegraph nor the
telephone service of the country can
be said to be in any sense a national
system. There are many Commissions
and Inconsistencies Of rates. The
scientific means by which communi-
cation by such instrumentalities
could be rendered more thorough and
satisfactory has not been made full
use Of And exhaustive study Of the
whole question of electrical commu-
nication and Of the means by which
the central authority Of the nation
can be used to unity and improve it,
if undertaken, by the appropriate
committees of the Congress. would
certainly result, indirectly even If not
directly. in a great public benefit.
, Wartime Prohibition.
The rehabilitation of the military
forces of the country has progressed
to such q point that it seems to me
entirely safe now to remove the
ban upon the manufacture and
sale Of wines and beers. but I
am advised that without further leg
1 nave uOL tuc ACkhA dothOII-
ty to remove the present restrictions.
/ therefore recommend that the act
approved November 81, 1918, entitled,
IAN act to enable the Secretary of
Agriculture to carry out. during the
fiscal year ending June 30. 1919, the
purposes of the act entitled An act
to provide further for the national
security and defense by stimulating
agriculture and facilitating the dis
tribution of agricultural products
and for other purposes" be amended
or repealed in SO far as it applies to
wines and beers.
Z sincerely trust that / shall very
soon be at my post in Washington
again to report upon the matters
which made my presease at the peace
table apparently imperative, and to
put myself at the service of the Cen-
grsss in every matter Of aAmiaistra-
ton or counsel that may seem to de-
mand executive actten or advice.j
WOODROW WILSON.
20 NeX, 1919, 80 - - /