The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-05-20

/ order that we may be assured Oh Ina
equality Of treatment which we nope
! to accord and to promote the WORN
over. Our tariff laws as they now
stand provide no weapon OF retaila
| ton in case other governments
should enact legislation unequal IN
its bearing on our products as com
pared with the products or otnei
| countries. Though we are as far az
! possible from desiring to enter upon
any course of retaliation, we mus
! frankly face the fact that hostlie
| legislation by other nations is nol
/ beyond the range of possibility, AND
| that il may have to be met by coun
ter legislation. This subject has for
tunately been exhaustively invests
! gated by the United States tariff
commission. A recent report OF that
commission has shown very clearly
that we lack and ought to have the
instruments necessary for the assur'
anee of equal and equitable treat
ment. The attention Of the congress
has been called to this matter on
past occasions, and the past meas
ures which are now recommended by
TALLY the same that have been sug-
gested by previous administrations.
/ recommend that this phase OF
the tariff question receive the early
attention of the congress.
VIII you not permit me. turning
from these matters, to speak once
more and very earnestly of the pro-
posed amendment to the constitution
which would extend the suffrage to
women, and which passed the house
of representative at the last session
of congress? 1t seems to me that
every consideration of justice and
Of public advantage calls for 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
delayed extension of the suffrage is
looked for; in the United States
longer, believe, than anywhere
else, the necessity for it and the I'M
mense advantage Of it to the ma
tional life has been urged and de-
bated by women aud men who saw
the need for it and urged the policy
of it when it required steadfast
courage to be so much beforehand
with the common conviction, and l.,
for one, covet for our country the
distinction OF being among the first
to act in a great reform.
The telegraph and telephone lines
will, of course, be returned to their
owners SO soon as the retranster
can be effected without administra-
tive confusion-so soon, that is, as
the change can be made with least
possible inconvenience to the public
and to the owners themselves. The
railroads will be handed over to their
owners at the end of the calendar
year; if / were in immediate contact
with the administrative questions
which must govern the retransfer of
telegraph and telephone lines. |
could name the exact date for their
return also Until ] am in direct con-
tact with the practical questions In
volved, can only suggest that in
the case of the telegraphs and tele-
phones, as in the case OF the rail-
ways, it is clearly desirable in the
public interest that some legislation
should be considered which may tend
to make of these indisp ensable in
strumentalities Of our modern life a
uniform and co-ordinated system
which will afford those who use them
a complete and certain means OF
with all parts OF the
country as has SO long been afforded
by the postal system of the govern
ment, and at rates as uniform and
Ineligible.
Expert advice Is, of course, avail
able in this very practical matter.
and the public interest is manifest.
Neither the telegraph nor the tele-
phone service Of the country can be
said to be in any sense national
system. There are many confusions
and inconsistencies of rates. The
scientific means by which commune
cation by such instrumentalities
could be rendered more thorough and
has not been made full
use of. An exhaustive study of the
whole question of electrical commu-
and of the means by which
the central authority of the nation
can be introduced to unity and i'm
prove it, if undertaken by the appro-
pirate committees of the congress.
would certainly result indirectly,
even il not directly, in a great pub
lie benefit.
The rehabilitation of the military
forces of the country has progressed
to such point that 1t seems to me
entirely safe now to remove the ban
upon the manufacture and sale of
wine and beers. But l am advised
that without further legislation I
have not the legal authority to re-
move the present restrictions. /
therefore recommend the act APP
proved November 81, 1918. entitled
IAN act to enable the secretary of
agriculture to carry out, during the