The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1919-05-23

Washington, May 21.-PreSident
Wilson's message, cabled from Paris,
was read to congress today Dy
Patrick J. Halligan, the reading
clerk of the house Of representatives.
The president in his message urged
legislation to end labor unrest; lift
ing of the war ban on the manufac-
ture and sale of wines and beers and
adoption of woman suffrage.
The president said it would be pre-
mature to discuss the peace treaty un-
til it is signed. He also declared
that we must see to it that our sol
diers are assisted in every practical
way to find employment. He also
suggested that undevelOped lands be
turned over to the soldiers and wants
congress to support the plan. The
president asked congress. to make the
federal taxes as little burdenSome as
they can be made.
Following is the text OF the mes
sage:
Gentlemen of the congress: L deep
ly regret my inability to be present at
the opening Of the extraordinary SEES
sion of the congress. 1t still seems to
be my duty to take part in the cOun-
sells Of the peace conference and con-
tribute what I 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 can
not stand apart. I deemed it my duty
to call the congress together at this
time because it was not wise to post
pOne longer the provisions which must
be made for the support of the govern
ment. Many of the appropriations
which are absolutely necessary for the
maintenance of the government and
the fulfillment of it's varied obligations
for the fiscal year 1919-1920 have not
yet been made; the end of the present
fiscal year is at hand; and action upon
these appropriations can no longer be
prudently delayed. 1t is necessary,
therefore, that / should Immediately
call your attention to this critical
need. 1t is hardly necessary for me to
urge that it may receive your prompt
attention.
81 shall take the liberty of address
ing you on my return on the subjects
which have most engrossed our atten-
ton and the attention of the world
during these last anxious months,
since the armiStice of last November
hn inf
ments which must form the subject
matter of the present treaties of peace
and of, our national action In the i'm
mediate future. 1t would be prema-
ture to discuss them or to express q
judgment about them before they are
brought to. their complete formulation
by the agreements which are now be-
ing sought at the table of the confer
ence. l shall hope to lay them before
you in their many aspects so soon as
arrangements have been reached.
Domestic Legislation.
T Il hesitate to- venture any opinion
or press any recommendation with re-
gard To domestic legislation while alb
sent from the United States and out
of daily touch with intimate sources
of information and counsel | am con-
scious that l need, after so long an alb
sence from Washington, to seek the
advice of those who have remained in
constant contact with domestic prob
lens and who have known them close
at hand from day to day; and l trust
that it will very soon be possible for
me to do so. But there are several
questions pressing for consideration to
which l feel that | may, and indeed
must, even now direct your attention.
if only in general terms. In speaking
of them l shall, l dare say, be doing
little more than speak your own
thoughts. I hope that I shall speak
your own judgment also.
'The question which stands at the
front of all others in every country
amidst 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 | could at home and
amidst the interests which naturally
most affect my thought, because they
are the interests of our people.
by the question of labor I do not
mean the question of efficient indus
trial production, the question of how
labor is to be obtained and made effec-
tive in the great process of sustaining
populations and winning success
amidst commercial and Industrial RI
valries. mean that much greater end
more vital question, how are the men
and women who do the daily labor of
the world to obtain progressive i'm.
provement in the conditions of their
labor, to be made happier, and to be
served better by the communities and
the industries which their labor sus.
tains and advances? How are they
to be given their right advantage as
citizens and human beings2
L.