The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1919-06-12
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

/ sS~S~eH~F~-S
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
! President Wilson has proposed a
program that, if enacted into law in
the spirit in which he and the coun-
| try desire it to be realized, will ex-
tend and perpetuate the best accom-
plishments of his administration
and superadd to them equally i'm
portant and necessary reforms. In
proposals, the republican majority
has fine opportunity to 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 legis-
lation and suggests procedure as to
nomic, fiscal, commercial and indus
trial. First in the order of presen-
tation-and doubtless first in his
own minds his request for pro-
gressive treatment by statute of the
relations between capital and labor
He pleads for "a new organization,
"a genuine characterization Of indus
ment of new Federal agencies to at
ford advice and information and as
sistance to private enterprise in
harmonizing employer and emplOye.
He shows that congress can exer-
else authority, within it's jurisdic-
ton, to bring about these new con-
ditions just as it established an
guard life and health in dangerous
Industries and attempted to prevent
the exploitation of juvenile workers.
He advocates the continuance of the
Federal employment service and the
authorization of Secretary Lanes
plans for settling soldiers and sail
ors 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 abol-
ton of some present taxes will be
taken as evidence of his purpose to
lessen the burden put, upon the peo-
pie by the war as W much ~; and as rapid
dations 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 belief that these can be revised
and reduced. He favors the reten-
tion Of excess profits taxes and in
of direct levy. Taxation of various
manufactures and upon sales at re-
tail, he suggests, ought to be abol-
ished Additional means of income
should be sought, he says, to take
the place Of taxes and excuses now
collected from the makers and vend-
ers of liquor
The message points out the need
of changes in the present tariff,
principally to afford protection for
industries crippled. by the war and
those new enterprises which, like
the making of dyes and chemicals,
were established as a consequence of
tariff commission are offered by the
president as the best guide to legis-
lation on the tariff.
II, for one, covet for our country
the distinction of being among the
first to act in a great REFORM" says
the president on the subject of
congress to grant. Democrats in the
senate and house are certain to meet
the presidents expectations in re-
gard to suffrage.
The president makes it clear that
although the railroads, telephones
and telegraphs are to be returned to
Il owners, the old policy Of
is evidently the presidents intent
that the reversion of these utilities
shall be accompanied with laws in
surfing the public of better service,
more nearly uniform rates. and a
greater measure of control than in
the past. The presidents own preg--
some iesslstio ON should o be c &c
cred which may tend to make of
these indispensable instrumentalities
of our modern life a 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
rates as uniform and ineligible"
With the passing of the emer-
gency which was urged to justify a
ban upon the manufacture and sale
of wines and beers-the country's
participation in the war and the
materials to guarantee victory
there is now, in the presidents view,
no need of such restrictions. Ac-
cordingly, he has recommended their !
removal.
Within slightly more than 1000
words President Wilson has COM
pressed his views and wishes and
biggest problems of our internal
government. Congress knows his
mind and its members ought to un-
derstand the public needs and de-
mands. 1t is now to be seen wheth- |
er the republican majority is ready
or equal to matching the construc-
tive efforts and performances of the
democrats during the last eight |
years.