The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-12-02

ClpatlOQ In the Du1lOlQ& OF gOOQ ROADS,
! under the terms of existing law and
under the direction Of present agen-
cies; the need of further action on
! the part of the states and the federal
government to preserve and develop
| our forest resources, especially thru
the practice of better forestry meth
DDS on private holdings and the ex-
tension of the publicly owned for
ests; better support for country
schools and the more definite direc-
| ton of their courses of study along
| lines related to rural problems; and
fuller provision for sanitation in rural
districts and the building up of needed
hospital and medical facilities in these
localities. Perhaps the way might be-
cleared for many of these desirable
reforms by a fresh, comprehensive
survey of rural conditions by a con-
ference composed of representatives
OF the farmers and of the agricultural
agencies responsible for leadership.
| Political Restiessness.
l would call your attention to the
widespread condition of political rest
lessness in our body polite. The
causes of this unrest, while various
and complicated, are superficial rath-
er than deep seated. Broadly, they
arise or are connected with the fail
ure on the part of our government to
arrive speedily at a just and perma-
nent peace permitting return to nor
NAL conditions, from the TRANSMISSION
of radical theories from seething
European centers, pending such de-
lay from heartless profiteering re-
sulting in the increase of the cost of
living, and lastly from the machina-
tlons of passionate and malevolent agi-
tators. With the return to normal
conditions, this unrest will rapidly dis
appear. In the meantime, it does
much evil 1t seems to me that in
dealing with this situation congress
should not be impatient or drastic,
but should seek rather to remove the
causes. 1t should endeavor to bring
our country back speedily to peace
basis with ameliorated living condl-
tons under the minimum of restric-
lions upon personal liberty that is
consistent with our reconstruction
problems. And it should arm the fed
eral government with power to deal
in its criminal courts with those per
sons who by violent methods would
abrogate our time-tested institutions
With the free expression of opinion
and with the advocacy OF orderly polit
lcal change, however fundamental,
there must be no interference, but to-
wards passion and malevolence tend
ing to incite crime and 'insurrection
under guise Of political evolution
there should be no leniency. Legisla
ton to this end has been recommend
ed by the attorney general and should
be enacted
In this direct connection would
call your attention to my recOmmen-
dations on August 8, pointing out leg
islative measures which would be
effective in controlling and bringing
down the present cost Of living which
contributed so largely to this unrest
On only one OF these recommends
lions has the congress acted. If the
government campaign is to be effec
tive it is necessary that the other
steps suggested should be acted OF
at once.
| strongly urge the necessity of the
extension of the present food control
act as to the period of time in which
1t shall remain in operation. The at
tOrney-general has submitted a bill
providing for an extension OF us act
for period Of months. AS it now
stands it is limited in operation tC
the period of the war and becomes
imperative upon the formal proclama
ton OF peace. 1t is imperative that
it should be extended at once. The
department of justice has built up ex
tensive machinery for the purpose OF
enforcing its provisins: all of which
must be abandoned upon the conclu
sion of peace unless the provisions OF
this act are extended.
Asks Commerce Regulation.
During this period the congress will
have an opportunity to make similar
permanent provisions and regulations
with regard to all goods destined for
Interstate commerce and to exclude
the:h from interstate shipment, il
the requirements of the law are not
complied with. Some such regulation
is imperatively necessary. The hold
ing Of foodstuffs and other necessar
les Of life cannot otherwise be effec
lively prevented. There can be nc
doubt of either the necessity or the
legitimacy of such measures.
! AS pointed out in my last message
publicity can accomplish a great deal
IN this campaign. The aims OF the
government must be clearly brought tC