Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1919-12-05
Synopsis OF President Wilson'S
Message.

Need Of "a definite program to bring
about an improvement in the conditions
Of labor" formed the burden Of President
Wilson's message to the first regular session
Of the Sixty-sixth Congress Tuesday last,
and only casual reference was made to
the failure Of the Senate to ratify the
peace treaty, which, it is understood, will
be the subject Of future message.
The President also says that the matter
Of the railroads and the readjustment Of
their affairs growing out Of Federal control
will be the subject Of later message.
The outstanding features of his message
are recommendations for the establish
ment Of budget system. a more compre-
hensive system Of auditing national ex-
penditures. recognition and relief for ex-
service men. encouragement of food pro-
duction and good roads, extension of the
food control act. more drastic laws to deal
with the enemies Of the government, Fed
eral licenses for corporations doing an in
terstate business. simplifcation Of the in
come and profit taxes. and concise dis
cussion Of industrial problems.
This was the first message that Presi-
dent Wilson has sent to the opening of a
session Of Congress that he has not deliv-
cred in person. but in the first paragraph
he stated that in its preparation he had
had the advice Of the heads of the several
executive departments. who have kept
in close touch with affairs In their detail
and whose thoughtful recommendations |
earnestly second"
OF the ten printed pages which the mes
sage filled, three were given over to the
question Of labor. The President said it
was the duty Of Congress to help find a
method that will bring about genuine
characterization Of industry. based on the
full recognition Of the right Of those who
work, in whatever rank. to participate in
some organic way in every decision which
directly affects their welfare"
Reference to the failure Of the United
States to ratify the peace treaty is made
in the discussion Of political restlessness,
concerning which the President wrote:
THE causes of this unrest. while various
and complicated. are superficial rather
than deep-seated. Broadly, they arise from
or are connected with the failure on the
part of our government to arrive speedily
at just and permanent peace. permitting
return to normal conditions; from the
TRANSMISSION Of radical theories from seeth-
ing European centers pending such delay,
from heartless profiteerine resulting in the
increase of the cost OF living, and, lastly,
from the Vaccinations Of passionate and
malevolent agitators. With the return to
normal conditions this unrest will rapidly
disappear"
THE establishment of the principles
= regarding labor, laid down in the covenant
Of the league Of nations" said the mes
sage, offers US the way to industrial peace
and Cancellation. No other road lies open
to US. Government must recognize
the right Of men to bargain collectively
for humane objects. - Labor must nc
longer be treated as a commodity.
THE right of individuals to strike is in
violate. continues the message, land ought
not to be interfered with by any process
Of government, but there is a predominant
right and that is the right Of the govern
ment to protect all Of its people and tC
assert its power and majesty against the
challenge of any class"
The President was referring to the gov.
ernment's recent injunction against the
coal strike.
The message closed with pointed ref
erence to radicalism, red doctrines and
referred to Russia today. with its blood
and terror" as painful object lesson Of
the power Of minorlties."
There are those in this country" said
the message. who threaten direct action
to force their will upon majority. -"
1t makes little difference what minority II
is, whether capital or labor. or any Other
class, no sort Of privilege will ever be per.
mitted to dominate this country"
Orderly processes. the message declared
were the only ones by which relief and
reform might be obtained.
Those who would propose any othe
method Of reform are enemies Of this coun
try" the message said
Let those beware who take tn,
shorter road Of disorder and revolution"