Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-12-09
LEAGUE TOUCHED ON
ONLY IN ABSTRACT
WAY BY PRESIDENT
by DAVID LAWRENCE
Ieased Wire Service to The Journal.)
lCnnyripht 1901

(SUpyElSulI 1SGO.I
WASHINGTON, Dec. 7.-President
Wilson deals with the treaty and
League of Nations only in the most
abstract way in his annual message
to congress.
He does, however, make specific
reference to the state of the nations
finances and seeks to put the burden
partly on the war, partly on the fail
ure of the last congress to reduce the
cost of living, and partly on the in
difference of the legislative body
to the recommendations made by the
Wilson administration in the last
session.
The president insists that our eco
nomic future depends upon the
maintenance of tax receipts at
sufficiently high level" and he en-
phasizes the fundamental fact that
seven and half billions of war in
debtedness mature within the next
two and half years..
Mr.. Wilson advocates economy,
but brings out a fact seldom realized
about the method of making appro-
priations, namely, the practice of
taking money out of the so-called re-
volving funds.
Touches on Railroad Ownership
The president couldn't resist the
temptation to. point out by implica-
ton. that although the Republicans
in the last congress boosted about
reducing the estimates of the execu-
tive departments by a billion dollars.
they turned around and authorized
the expenditure of over a billion dol
lar Gin addition to the amounts
shown in the usual compiled state
ments of appropriations"
The president takes a quiet fling
at the people who insisted upon the
prompt return OF the railroads to
private ownership, by pointing out
that the finances of the entire gov
er1ment have been disturbed "by the
extraordinary burdens thrown upon
the treasury by the, transportation
act" He declares that more than
six hundred million dollars already
has been paid to the railroads and
that further payments estimated to
aggregate about six hundred and fifty
millfan dollars still must be paid to
the railroads during the current year.
In other words, the president
points out that the railroads cost the
government in the neighborhood of
billion dollars. which wasn't men
toned very much when the Repub-
licans were talking about the amount
Of money they saved during the last
session.
Parting Shot at G.. O. p.
Mr.. Wilson's message was regard
ed by many who heard it as having
plainly the partisan touch. It was
looked upon as parting shot at
the Republicans who shouted econ
omy and now are confronted with
the serious sor Of meeting
other big obligations. Mr.. Wilson
approves Secretary Houston's pro-
gram for tax revision which will be
made public IN his annual report to-
morrow.
Specifically the president takes oc-
to be supervised by a special COM
mission and he lays on the doorstep
of congress a recommendation that
the Philippines be given their indie
pendence as a proof of Americas
sincerity in talking about self-deter-
mination for small nations.
The only reference to the tariff
is suggestion that the manufacture
of dyestuffs and related chemicals
be protected. Mr.. Wilson repeats
the recommendations he made to the
Republicans during the last congress,
the passage OIL COlu SUR
age law regulating the time that
goods may be kept in storage and
the marking Of prices on every COM
modify shipped interstate commerce,
including the selling or market price
at the time the goods went into
storage so that the purcha ser might
be able to learn the profits of the
middle man. He also refers again
to his recommendation in regard to
federal licenses for all Corporations
engaged in interstate commerce.
Treaty Va1edictory
The closing paragraph is looked
upon as valedictory on the treaty
question and an earnest desire of
fighting for the League of Nations.
In his conclusion, the president said:
"I have not so much laid before :
you series of recommendations,
gentlemen, as sought to utter a con-
fesson of faith. of the faith in
which l was bred and which it is
my solemn purpose to stand by I'M
til my last fighting day. I believe
this to be the faith of America, the
faith of the future and Of all the
victories which await national action
America or elsewhere"
The president did not go to con-
gress. Clerks read the message in
each of the two houses. Meanwhile.
Mr. Wilson himself chafed under the
advice of his physician and others
In the household who thought that
while he might be we'll enough to
read the address,, he ought not take
the risk of excitement or the con-
sequences of a wave of emotion in
addressing congress for the last