The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1919-05-20
By The Associated Pres)

WhSflNGlON, May ~ PRESS
dent Wilson in his message TO con-
gress today. recommended repeal oi
the wartime prohibition law-so far a.
It applies to wine and beer only-an.
nouneed definitely that the railroad
,ystems and telegraph and telephone
lines would be returned 70 private
ownership; urged a revision OF war
taxes. particularly TO abolish the man
ufacturers' and retail sales excises.
and outlined generally a program re-
specting labor.
These were & e high spots" OF the
presidents message cabled from Paris.
Besides that he again urged enact
rent OF the woman suffrage corsti,u-
tionsl amendment; recommended that
the tariff laws be supplied with ice,h
10 protect American industry against
foreign attack; spoke for legislation
to facilitate American enterprise
through the expansion of shipping and
backed Secretary Lanes program for
land for returning soldiers.
No Discussion of League.
Ot the Paris peace conference and
The league of nations. the president
merely said it would be premature 10
discuss them or express judgment He
also avoided discussion OF domestic
legislation at length because of his
long absence from Washington
Congress heard a unique document.
the only one OF its kind ever trans. :
mitted across the ocean from a presi-
dent on a foreign shore. For the first
time in six years il heard a pre.iden-
tial message read BY a reading clerk
instead OF assembling to hear the pres
idcnt deliver an address In person.
The recommendations for 'h- rrrral
OF wartime prohibition and for return
oi the rail ard wire system vh'lc
not unexpected by some. con,l,a ,hc
greatest element Of uirprise and nro-
rotcd the most widespread co.arcnt
OF the many tasks set before congress
by the president.
No Details on Prohibition.
In his reference TO prohibition, the
president did not enter extensively
into the considerations involved. De-
mobilization. he said, merely "has
progressed to such point that IL
seems TO me entirely safe now 10 re-
move the ban upon the manufacture
and sale OF wines and beers" This
ban laid several months ago "a be-
come effective on July |. could onl,
he removed, the president said. by con-
RreSsional enactment.
His recommendation regarding re-
turn OF the railways md wire lines
was the first authoritative declara-
ton by the administration OF II, future
policy and greatly surprised many
members who had interpreted the de-
velopments OF the last few months 10
mean that Mr.. Wilson eventually
would propose some form OF nerra-
nent governmen, operation On The
contrary the directneSs OF the rfesi-
dents declaration on that point 'cft
no double that he was through viii,
any possible scheme Of permanent re-
tentior
All Utilities 10 be Returned.
The telegraph and telephone lines"
said the message will Of course Be !
returned to their owners as soon @
the transfer can be effected without
administrative confusion. The rsit.
roads will be handed over TO theip
owners at the end Of the calendss !.
year" Y;
In the case Of each. the president
asked for legislation TO make essieg
the readlus,ments necessiiaicd BY iNe
change F
In his recommendation Tor fead.
iustmeni Of taxation. ,le prs,idepl
made i clear that ne did not expeet
fundamental rssdiusiment .pf ~
democratic tariff rates ths4 haze -
operative hs last six ysasA H 80