Gilpin observer., 1919-05-22
WOULD REPEAL OR AMEND WAR.
TIME PROHIBITION
ACT.
REPEAL LUXURY TAX
RETURN OF RAILROADS, TELE-
GRAPH AND TELEPHONE TO
PRIVATE OWNERSHIP.
Western Newspaper Union New. Service.

message to Congress across Atlantic
first time for an American executive
The message, given as follows; covers
main recommendations
"Gentlemen of the Congress: deep
ly regret my inability to be present
at the opening of the extraordinary
session of Congress. 1t still seems to
be my duty to take part in the cOun'
sells of the peace conference and con
tribute what l can to the solution OF
the innumerable questions to whose
settlement it has had to address itself
For they are questions which affect
the peace of the whole world, and
from them, therefore, the United
States cannot stand apart.
Il deemed it my duty to call the
Congress together at this time because
it was not wise to postpone longer the
provisions which must be made for
the support of the government.
II shall take the liberty of address
ing you on my return on the subjects
which have most engrOssed our atten-
tiOn and the attention of the world
during these last anxious months
since the armistice of last November
was signed, the International settle
ments which must form the subject
matter of the present treaties OF
peace and of our national action in
the immediate future.
"The question which stands at the
front of all others in every country
amid the present great awakening is
the question of labor, and perhaps
can speak of it with as great advan-
tage while engrossed in the considera-
ton of interests which affect all cOun-
tries alike as l could at home and
amid the interests which naturally af-
feet my thought, because they are the
interests of our own people.
by the question of labor / do not
mean the question of efficient indus.
trial production; the question of how
labor is to be obtained and made ef-
fective in the great process of sus-
tanning populations and winning sue
cess amidst commercial and industrial
rivalries. l mean that much greater
and more vital question: how are the
men and women who do the daily la
Dor of the world to obtain progressive
Improvement in the conditions of their
labor.
There Is now in fact a real com
munity of interest between capital and
labor, but 1t has never been made evi
dent in action. 1t can be made opera.
tive and manifest only in new or.
ganizatiOn of industry. The genius OF
our business men and the sound, prac
tical sense of our workers can certain.
ly work such partnership out when
once they realize exactly what it Is
that they seek and sincerely adopt q
common purpose with regard to it
1.-THE object of all reform in this es
sential matter must be the genuine
characterization of industry, based up
on full recognition of the right OF
those who work, in whatever rank, to
participate in some organic way in ev.
cry decision which directly affects
their welfare or the part they are to
play in industry. Some positive legs
lation is practicable.
THE Congress has already shown
the way to one reform which should
be worldwide by establishing the eight
hour day as the standard day in ev
cry field of labor over which it can ex
ercise control. 1t has sought to find
the way to prevent child labor, and
will, / hope and believe, presently FIND
it.
agencies of International counsel
and suggestion are presently to be ere
ated in connection with the league OF
nations in this very field but 1t Is ma
tional action and the enlightened pol
ley of individuals, corporations and so
cieties within each nation that mus
bring about the actual reforms. The
members of the committees on Labor
In the two houses will hardly need sug
gestionS from me as to what mean,
| they shall seek TO make the fedora
government the agent of the whole ma
ton In pointing out, and, If need be
guiding the process of Reorganization
aud reform.
peculiar and very stimulating con
| ditions await our commerce and indus
trial enterprise In the immediate
future. Unusual opportunities vii
presently present themselves to ou
merchants and producers In foreigl
markets, and large fields for profit
uble investment will be opened to Ou
free capital. . =.
Our new merchant ships whicl
have In some quarters been feared n
destructive rivals, may prove helpful
rivals, rather, and common servants
| very much needed and very welcome
Our great shipyards, new and old, will
be so opened to the use of the worl
that they will prove immensely sery
iceable to every maritime people Il
restoring the tonnage wantonly dc
stroyed I'm the war.
America has great and honorabl
service to perform In bringing tn
commercial and industrial undertal
lngs of the world back to their oil
scope and swing again, and putting
solid structure of credit under then
All our Legislation should be friendl
10 such plans and purposes.
"And credit and enterprise ALL;
will be quickened by timely and hell
ful Legislation with regard to taxation
hope that the Congress will find
possible to undertake an early recoI
sideration of federal. taxes in order I