Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-05-20
GENERAL LABOR
PLAN OUTLINED
IN THE MESSAGE
Enactment of Woman Stuff
rage Amendment is
Again Requested.
DISCUSSION ON
PEACE IS DELAYED
Wilson's Action Regarding
Prohibition Expected to
Cause Debate.

Washington, May 20.-President
Wilson in his message to congress to-
day recommended repeal of the war
time prohibition law-so far as it ap-
plies to wine and beer only; an
enounced definitely that the railroad
lines would be returned to private
ownership; urged a revision of the
war tax particularly to abolish the
manufacturers and retail sales eX-
cises; and outlined generally a pro-
gram respecting labor.
These were the high spots" OF the
presidents message cabled from Pa
ris.
Besides that, he again urged en-
actment of the woman suffrage con-
stitutional amendment; recommended
that the tariff laws be supplied with
teeth to protect American industry
against foreign attack; spoke for leg
islation to facilitate American enter
prise through the expansion of ship
ping and backed Secretary. Lanes
program for land for returning SOL
diers. -,
81 I Peace Not Discussed.
s-'s,.. OF the Paris peace conference and
merely said 1t would be premature
20 discuss them or express a judg-
ment. He also avoided discussion OF
domestic legislation at length because
of his long absence from Washing
ton.
Congress heard a unique document;
the only one of it's kind ever trans
mitted across the ocean from a pres
ident on foreign shore. For the
first time in six years it heard a pres
idential message read by reading
clerk instead of assembling to hear
the president deliver an address In
person.
The recommendations for the re-
peal of war time prohibition and for
return of the rail and wire systems,
while not unexpected by some, con-
tanned the greatest element of sur
prise and provoked the most wide
spread comment of the many tasks
set before congress by the president.
In his reference to prohibition, the
president did not enter extensively
into the consideration involved. De-
mobilization, he said, merely 'has
progressed to such a point that it
seems to me entirely safe now to re-
and sale of wines and beers" This
ban laid several months ago to be-
come effective on July I, could only
be removed, the president said, by
congressional enactment.
Announcement a Surprise.
His Recommendation regarding re-
turn Of the railways and wire lines
was the first authoritative declaration
by the administration of its future
members who had interpreted the de-
velopments of the past few months to
mean that Mr.. Wilson eventually
would propose some form of perma.
nent government operation. On the
contrary the directness of the presi.
dents declaration on that point LEFT
no doubt that he was through with
any possible scheme Of permanent re.
tention.
"The telegraph and telephone
lines," said the message, will OF
course be returned to their owners
as soon as the transfer can be effect.
ed without administrative confusion
The railroads will be handed over tc
their owners at the end Of the calen.
dar year."
In the case of each the presiden,
asked for legislation to make easier
the readjustments necessitated by the
change.
In his recommendation for read
justment of taxation the president
made it clear that he did not expec,
a fundamental readjustment Of the
ss Democratic tariff rates that have
been operative for the past six years
He asked for tariff changes only tc
dyestuffs industry. Some reductions
were advocated in wartime excess
profits taxes and the present take,
on retail sales. the president though,
could ,be dispensed with entirely.
NRepublicans May Fight.
What will be the reply Of the Re.
publican congress to these proposals
became at once the topic Of discus.
sion everywhere about the capitol II
returning the railroads it is gener.
ally conceded the Republican leader,
viii readily give the president theil
co-operation. But as to prohibition
and tariff and internal revenue tax.
alton the case was more doubtful.
These are problems on which nc
very clear sentiment apparently ha,
been found in either Of the grea1
parties, M ssts. /, "a.
The Recommendations regarding la,
Dor were general but the presiden
* called attention to the need for 4
partnership between capital and la.
bor and genuine 'democratixatior
Il Of industry. j5 .. & II
Onptariff revision the preside lent SAID
the United States should have thu
means OF properly protecting itsel
when there was danger OF ,discrimina
i 1ion against 1t by foreign nations.
4 HOstllittcss Possible.
Though We axsa - sfar - Dossihl'