Norwich bulletin., 1919-05-21
lBv the Associated Eressl

Washington, May 90.-President
Wilson in his cabled message to Con-
sress today recommended repeal of
The wartime prohibition law so far as
u applies TO wine and beer only: an
rouncsd definitely that the rail sys-
TENS and telegraph and telephone lines
would he returned TO private owner
ship: urged a revision of war taxes
and outlined generally a programme
respecting labor.
He again urged enactment of the
woman suffrage constitutional amend
ment. recommended that the tariff
avs be supplied with teeth to pro-
tcct american industry against foreign
attack: spoke for legislation to facili-
tate American expansion of American
shipping and backed Secretary Lanes
programme for land for returning
soldiers.
OF the peace conference and the
league Of nations he merely said it
would be premai ure 10 discuss them
or express judgment. He also avoid
ell discussion oS domestic legisla ton at
lenhtn because of his long absence
from Washington.
Congress heard a unique document,
the only one OF its kind transmitted
across the ocean from President on
e foreign shore. For the first time in
six years j. heard 2 presidential mes
sage read by -eadinE CLERK instead
OF assembling "a hear the President
deliver an ADDRESS in person.
The recommendations fo- the re-
peal Of wartime prohibition and for
return of the rail- and wire systems,
While not unexpected by some, con-
tanned the greatest element Of sur
prise and provoked the most wide
spread comment. of the many tasks
set before Congress by the President
In his reference TO prohibition he
said that demobiliEation had progress
el TO such a point tnal il seemed "en-
tirely safe now 20 remove the ban up
on the manufacture and sale of wines
and beers" This bar. laid several
months ago 10 become effective on
July I. could only be remnved. he said
By Congressional enactpent
His recommendation regarding re-
liap OF the railways and wire lines
was the first authoritative declaration
Is the Administration Of it's future
policy and greatly surprised many
members who had Interpreted the de-
veiopments Of the past few months to
mean that he eventually would pro
pose some form of permanent Govern
ment operation. On the contrary the
directness of his declaration on that
point left no doubt that he was through
vi" any possible scheme of perma-
ncnt retention.
The telegraph and telephone lines,
said the message will, of course, be
returned to their owners as soon as
The transfer can be effected without
administrative confusion $ThC
-oilroads will be handed over to theii
owners at the end of the calendar
year"
In the case of each, the President
asked for legislation to make easier
the readjustments necessitated by thu
change.
In his recommendation for read.
jlstment OF taxation, the Presiden
made IL clear that he did not expec
4 fundamental readjustment of tn,
Democratic tariff rates that have beer
operative for the past six years. HI
asked for tariff changes only to pro
' tcct special nsw interests like tn,
dyeSndhs industry. Some reduction:
were advocated in wartime exces,
prefits taxes and the present taxes OF
retail sales. the President though
could be dispensed with entirely
What would be the reply of the Re
publican Congress TO these proposals
became at once the topic of discussion
everywhere about the capitol. In re
turning the railroads. it is general,
-onccdcd the Republican leaders will
readily give the President their CO
operation. But as to prohibition ant
tarin and internal revenue taxation
he case is more doubtful. These ar
problems on which no very clea
sentiment apparently has been formet
~ either OF the great parties.
The recommendations regarding la
Dor we're general but the Presiden
called attention to the need for
partnership between capital and labo
and genuine characterization of in
iustry
On tariff revision he said the Unite
States should have the means of prop
erly protecting itself when there wa
sanger OF discrimination against
sy foreign nations.
-1'rvIEr We are as far as possibl
trcni desiTins 10 enter upon a cours
% retaliation he said, we mus
'rsnkiy fAcr the fact that hostile leg
isiaUoH by other nations is not beyen
the range OF possibilities and that /
nay have TO be met by center legis
adon.
Although the United States wi
gladly and unhesitatingly join in tn
pruErSmme Of international disarma
nient il will, nevertheless, be a polio
Of obvious prudence TO make certai
% the successful maintenance of man
strong and well equipped chemic;
plants.
TEXT OF MESSAGE
Washington May 20. The text ,
President Wilson's message, read
the Sixty sixth Congress, was as TO
lows:
Gentlemen Of the Congress:
4 deeply regret my inability to /
present at the opening of the extraoi
binary session of the Congress.
still seems to be my duty 10 tai
part in the counsels of the peal
conference and contribute what
can 10 the solution of the innumel
able questions OF whose settlement
has had TO address itself. For tn,
are questions which affect the pea,
Of the whole world and from ther
therefore, the United States cam
stand apart. l deemed it my duty
call the Congress together at this tin
because it was not wise to postpoi
longer the provisions which must
made for the support of the Govern
nenL Many of the anpropriatior