The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-12-15
Press Comment
WiIson', - Nsssaas.

phraslng and effective statement FOR
which the president is deseryediy en-
inent II Is largely devoted To = con-
sideration Of home affairs, and the
war settlement Is not menti0ned-notl
even referred 70. except In tho most
general sort ~ wa----rhe message does
not go into great Detail IN the recon-
mendation OF measures. but appears
more IN the llEht OF an exposition OF
the principles 81 democracy aud pop
ular government. There are. however
q few specific recommendations.
Passage of a. adequate budget bill
or. rather. the budget BILLS urged
upon congress IN the interest OF econ
omy and efficiency IN government Be-
fore its adjournment last summer. the
congress passed a budgetary measure.
but this was vetoed by the president
on account 81 = constitutional defect.
The bin was amended and repassed IN
the house and IL now pending IN the
senate. The completion OF its enact
ment will require no great difficulty
me Importance Of economy II stress
cd BY the president IN order that the
burden 81 taxation be lightened and
the public debt decreased In addition
to the ordinary expenses OF the gov
eminent. we are reminded that per-
haps fso0. COCO 900 more IN the way Of
payments TO the railroads. and Of
about $500 900, 900 In floating debt.
victory notes and war savings Ger
fificatcs. will have 20 be provided for
within tho next two or three years.
II n the presidents idea that all these
"a. a
be retired before the refunding q the
latter il undertaken.
Recommendation is made that In
come and profits taxes be simpllfied,
but tho president does not 20 into the
taxation question deliberately. prob
ably for the reason that he realizes
that congress would not be in har-
lnony with the views he might urge.
He avoids the tariff. but suggests ne
development OF the dye industry, be-
cause % It's close relationship 20 the
problem Of national defense
on one matter the president seems
90 feel that congress viii lend a lis
tening ear-that % making more ad-
equate provision for sick and disabled
soldiers Of the late world War. In
his ne urges generosity in arranging
for the medical care. vocational train
ing and placing OF these heroes. such
provision being. az best but a feeble
expression Of the. nations gratitude
Recommendation IL also renewed OF
legislation IN the interest Of agricul-
tire and for the regulation OF cold
storage.
The fate q Armenia IS evidently
near 20 the presidents heart and ne
suggests the authorization BY con-
gross OF loan 20 that country similar
% those advanced to thes allied nations
during the war. But the president has
evidently heard Of Armenia's progress
toward a rapproachement with the
bolsheviks. hence ne urges that any
assistance offered by America should
be expended under the supervision OF
an American commissioner. in order
that u be not used 90 promote radi-
caiism.
on the Philippine situation. the mes
eaEe is particularly strong. II sets ont
the fact that the requirements OF this
country have been met BY the ISLANDS.
that a stable government has been or
Eanized and Is functioning and that
the time IA ripe for the redemption OF
our promise Of complete indepen-
dence. Having fulfilled the condition
precedent and being so 'honorabiy
covetous" OF Independence. the presl-
dent reasons that II Is but Just TO ;he
people OF the islands and IN keeping
with the good faith % the country
that they forthwith be granted their
freedom. The president does not ad-
vert 20 the feet. but the complications
or the international situation seem 10
afford another strong argument for
The release Of American control OF the
Philippines.
We repeat. the message is a fine
document Those who have not al
ready done 80 should read H. II is
sane. temperate and timely. II i not,
perhaps. the greatest Of the Wilson
papers. but II T. a fitting finale 20 a
marvellous record Chattanooga News