Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1919-12-20
THE PRESIDENTS
ANNUAL MESSAGE
TO CONGRESS
LABOR UNREST AND HIGH
COST OF LIVING is
DISCUSSED.
General Recommendation for
Return Of the United States
To Peace Basis.

Washington. diversified program
to restore peace time business stat
us, revise the tax system, curb un-
rest, reduce the cost of living and rec
tify labor and farming conditions, was
recommended by President Wilson
Tuesday In his message to the new
session of congress.
The president asked for new tariff
laws based on the nations changed
relation to the rest of the world, sug-
gested that the income and excess
profits tax schedules be simplified,
advocated steps to improve rural CON
ditions and promote production, and
declared for a genuine democratiza-
ton Of industry" to protect both la
Dor and capital.
The presidents principal recommen-
dations were:
Establishment of a budget system
for the national finances.
Reorganization OF the taxation sys-
TEN, with simplificatiOn OF the income
and excess profits.
Readjustment of the tariff system,
If necessary. to meet changed world
conditions and make the system con-
form with the fact that the United
States is ''the greatest capitalist in the
world"
Recognition and relief for veteran
soldiers of the world war; particularly
in the way Of government farms, as
proposed by Secretary Lane.
Proper measures to foster the dye
stuffs industry built up during the war
to keep the United States independent
of foreign supply.
An enlarged program for rural de-
velopment, in recognition of the farm
ers' part in the war.
Measures which will remove the
causes of political restlessness in our
body polite
At this point the president made his
most extensive reference to the peace
treaty by saying the causes for the
unrest ARE superficial rather than
deep-seated," and that they arise
from or are connected with the failure
on the part of our government to ar
rive speedily at just and permanent
peace, permitting return to normal con-
ditions, from the TRANSMISSION of radical
theories from seething European cen
ters pending such delay from heartless
profiteering, resulting from the in
crease 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
Several recommendations, some re-
newals Of previous ones, we're made
by the president to bring down the
cost of living. Among them we're ex-
tension of the food control law to peace
times for the emergency; regulations
for transportation of foods in inter
state commerce; a coal storage law
modelled after the law in New Jersey;
a law requiring markets to show the
length of time foods are kept in stor.
age, and a law to secure competitive
selling and prevent uncomfortable
profits" by federal license Of corpora
tons selling food in interstate com
merce.
Clerks Read Message.
For the second time only since the
president established the practice OF
addressing congress in person his mes
sage was read today by the clerks.
To the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives:
81 sincerely regret that can not be
present at the opening of this session
of the congress. / am thus prevented
from presenting in as direct way as
could wish the many questions that
are pressing for solution at this time
Happily, I have had the advantage OF
the advice of the heads of several
executive departments who have kept
in close touch with affairs in their
detail, and whose thoughtful recon-
mendations ! earnestly second.
In the matter of the railroads and
the readjustment of their affairs grow
mig out of federal control / shall take
the liberty Of a later date of address
ing you.
Il hope that congress will bring to
a conclusion, at this session, legisla
ton looking to the establishment OF
a budget system. That there should
be one single authority responsible for
the making Of all appropriations, and
that appropriations should be made
not independently of each other, but
with reference to one single Compre-
hensive plan Of expenditure proper.
~. related to the nations income, there
can be no doubt. / believe the bur
den Of preparing the budget must, In
the nature Of the case. II the work Is
to be properly done and responsibility
concentrated instead Of divided, rest
upon the executive. The budget SO
prepared should be submitted to and
approved or amended by a single com