The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-12-02
TEXT OF MESSAGE

(Continued From Page OneJ stons; all of which must be abandon ed upon the conclusion of peace un- less the provisions of this act are ex- tended.
 During this- period the congress will have an opportunity to make sim liar, permanent provisions and regu- lattons with regard to all goods des- tined for interstate commerce and to exclude them from interstate ship ment, if the requirements of the law are not complied with. Some such regulation is imperative1y necessary. The abuses that have grown up i1l r the manipulation of prices by the withholding of foodstuffs and other necessaries of life cannot otherwise be effectively prevented. There can be no doubt of either the necessity or the legitimacy of such measures.
 As l pointed out in my last mes sage, publicity can accomplish great deal in this campaign. The aims of the government must be clearly brought to the attention of the consuming public, civic organiza- tions and state officials, who are in position to lend their assistance to our efforts. You have made avail able funds with which to carry on this campaign, but t:lere is no proyd- sion in the law authorizing their ex- penditure for the purpose of mak- ing the public fully informed about the efforts of the government. Speci- fife recommendation has been by the attorney general in this regard. I would strongly urge upon you it's inn mediate adoption, as it constitutes one Of the preliminary steps to this cam paign.
 also renew my recommendation that the congress pass a, law regulat- ing cold storage as it is regulated. for example, by the laws of the state of New Jersey, which limit the time dur ing which goods may be kept in stor- age, prescribe the method of dispos- ing of them if kept beyond the per mitted period, and require that goods released from storage shall in all l eases bear the date of their receipt. It would materially add to the ser Viceability of the law, for the purpose we now have in view, if it were also prescribed that all good released from storage for interstate shipment should have plainly marked upon each pack age the selling or market price at which they went into storage. By this means the purchaser would always be able to learn what profits stood be- tween him and the producer or the wholesale dealer.
 I would also renew my recom- mendation that all goods destined for interstate commerce should in every case, where their form or package makes it possible, be plainly marked with the price at which they left the i hands of the producer.
 We should formulate law re- quirfng a federal license of all cor porations enEaged in interstate com lnerce and embodying in the license or in the conditions under which it is to be issued. specific regulations de- signed to secure competitive selling 1 and prevent unconscious ble profits in 1 the method of marketing.
 Such @ law would afford a welcome Q l opportunity to effect other much ! needed reforms in the business of in terstate shipment and in the methods l of corporations which are engaged in it; but for the moment I confine my recommendation to the object | immediately in hand, which is to l lower the cost of living.
 No one who has observed the march i of events in the last year can fail l to note the absolute need of a defi-
 
 prOvement in the conditions of labor. i There can be no settled conditions l leading to increased production and a 1 reduction in the cost of living if la i Dor and capital are to be antagonists
 instead of partners
 1 Sound thinking and an honest desire ! to serve the interests of the whole nations as distinguished from the in 1 terests of a class, must be applied to l the solution of this great and press l ing problem. The failure of other nations to consider this matter in a vigorous way has produced bitterness and jeaIousies the food of radicaIisrn. 1 The only way to keep men from agitating against grievances is to re- move the grievances. An unwilling
 ness even to discuss these matters
 produces only dissatisfaction and
 gives coElfort to the extreme elements
 in our country which endeavor to stir
 up disturbances and in order to pro- yoke governments to embark upon a