Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1919-05-22

l AmOuS Ju6 luuuSLTl6S 10 WHICH Spe-
cial consideration should be given. is
that of the manufacture of dyestuffs
and related chemicals. Our complete
dependence upon German supplies be.
fore the war made the interruption OF
trade cause Of exceptional economic
disturbance.
The close relation between manu-.
facturers Of dyestuffs on the one hand,
and of explosives and poisonous gases
on the other, moreover, has given the
industry an exceptional significance
and value. Although the United
States will gladly and unhesitatingly
Join in the program of international
disarmament, it will nevertheless be a
policy Of obvious prudence to make
certain Of the successful maintenance
Of many strong and we'll equipped
chemical plants.
The United States should moreover
have the means Of properly protecting
itself whenever our trade is discrimi-
mated against by foreign nations in
order that We may be assured o: that
equality of treatment which We hope
to accord and to promote the world
over. Our tariff laws as they now
stand provide no weapon of retalia-
ton in case other governments
should enact legislation unequal in its
bearing on our products as compared
with the products Of other countries.
Will you not permit me. turning
from these matters. to speak once
more and very earnestly Of the bro
posed amendment to the constitutions
which would extend the suffrage to
women and which passed the house of
representatives at the last session OF
the congress? 1t seems to me that
every consideration of Justice and
public advantage calls Tor the i'm.
mediate adoption of that amendment
and its submission forthwith to the
legislatures Of the several states.
Throughout all the world this long de-
layed extension of the suffrage is look
ed for; in the United States, longer,
believe, than anywhere else, the
necessity for it and the immense adj
vantage of it to the national life has
been urged and debated by women
and men who saw the need for it and
urged the policy of it ~hen it. required
steadfast courage t. be so much be-
fore hand with the common convic-
ton; and for one covet for our cGiln-
try the distinction of being among the
first to act in a great reform.
The telegraph and telephone lines
owners so soon as the re-transfer can
be effected without administrative
confusion, so soon, that is, as the
change can be made with least posi-
BILE inconvenience to the public and
to the owners themselves. The rail.
roads will be handed over to their
owners at the end of the calendar
year; if I were in immediate contact
with the administrative questions
which must govern the retransfer OF
the telegraph and telephone lines /
could name the exact date for their
return also. Until l am in direct con
tact with the practical questions in,
volved can only suggest that in the
case Of the telegraphs and telephones ,
as in the case Of the railways it is -
clearly desirable in the public interest
that some legislation should be con-
sidered which may tend to make OF
these institutions instrumentaltes OF
our modern life uniform and CO
ordinated system which will afford
those who use them as complete and
certain means of communication witt
all parts of the country as has SO long
been afforded by the postal system oil
the government and at rates as un.
form and ineligible. /
The rehabilitation of the military
forces of the country has progressed
to such a point that it seems to me
entirely safe now to remove the ban
upon the manufacture and sale 0.
wines and beers, but I am advised ,
that without further legislation. /,
have not the legal authority to remove
the present restrictions. I, therefore,
recommend that the act approved i
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
the distribution of agri.
cultural products and for other pur
poses," be amended or repealed in so
far as 1t applies to wines and beers.
sincerely trust that I shall very
soon be at my post in Washington
again to report upon the matters
which made by presence at the peace
table apparently imperative and to put L
myself at the service of the congress
In every matter of administration or
counsel that may seem to demand ex
ecutive action or advice. II
WOODROW WILSON.