Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-06-05

The presidents s telegram was IN IepI.
to one he received yesterday from tn
heads of seventeen railroad labor organ
Izations protesting against the adjourn
ment Of congress when no constructiy
legislation had been enacted TO preyen
profiteering or to reduce the high cost
living.
The president scored congress for it
failure to deal directly with the cost o
living" and for its failure to ''revis
the tax laws, which in their present form
are indirectly responsible in part for tn
high cost of living"
1T is perfectly evident to all that tn
motive which has actuate'
this congress is political expediency,' tn
president declared.
ANSWER TO PROTEST
MADE ON JUNE 3.
The presidents telegram was as fol
lows:
Il received your telegram of June 3.
You call my attention to matters
that 1 presented to the present con-
gress in a special message delivered at
n joint session of the two houses on
Ang. 8. 1919.
I'm nine months this congress has.
however, taken no important remedial
action with respect to the problem
of the cost of living on the lines in
dicated in that address or on any
other lines.
Not only has the present congress
failed to deal directly with the cost of
living, but 1t has failed even to give
serious consideration to the urgent
appeal oft repeated by me and by the
secretaries of the treasury to revise
the tax laws which in their present
form are Indirectly responsible in part
for the high cost OF living.
"The prOtraeted delay in dealing
with the problem of the railroads, the
problem of the government-owned
merchant marine and other similar
urgent matters has resulted in un-
necessary burdens upon the public
treasury and ultimately in legislation
unsatisfactory that I could accept
it. II at all, because 1 despaired of
anything better.
THE present congress has not only
prevented the conclusion of peace in
Europe, but has failed to present any
constructive plan for dealing with the
deplorable condition there. the con-
tinuance of which can only reflect
upcl US.
ain the Hight of the record of the
present congress / have no reason
whatever to hope that its continuance
in session would result In construc-
tive measures for the relief of the
economic condition to which you call
attention.
ct must be evident to all that the
dominating motive which has aetu-
ated this congress is political expedi-
ency rather than lofty purpose to
serve the public welfare.
WOODROW WILSON"
May SPELL VETO
FOR MARINE BILL.
The presidents letter was taken as a
indication that he might veto the mer
chant marine bill, which was fnall
passed last night, since he specihcall
mentioned this act as one Of those unset
isfactorily drawn.
The letter also was regarded as a fore
rapEer of what may be expected fror
y6e whitehouse and other high demo
cratic sources from now on and throug
the convention.
When news of Wilson's letter reache
the capital, congressman and senators a
once began seeking an opportunity to re
ply in speeches.
Leaders indicated they feared that VIII
son may veto legislation rushed throug
ia the last few days.
Wilson has ten important bills nov
before him, including several appropria
tion bills.
IL he should veto these it would be al
most impossible to repass them in tn
last minutes and the president has In
1icated that he will call an extra session
unless all appropriation bills are passed
LETTER TO PRESIDENT
SENT FROM CHICAGO.
The telegram Of the railroad brother
hood leaders was siGne.l by Warren s
Stone. w. 5. Carter. L. Z Sheppard. 5
E. Heberling. W. G. Lee. W. II. John
sion, J. W. Kline, A. franklin, J. J
Hines, P. J. NoOnal. Martin F. Ryan
f. J. Manion, z. F. Gravle. H G Fitz
gerald, Timothy Shea, B. NJ. Jewell ant
". W. Healt.
The telegram follows:
''As the responsible heads of railr0a
labor organizations representing NOR
than two million workers, we protes
most earnestly and most empha.icall
against the proposed adjournment Cf con
gress next Saturday, in accordance Wit
the plan reported in tie public press.
I'VE call attention TO the fact that de
spite the revelations as 10 profteering
congress has done nothing to check tn
evil or TO punish the evildoers; that tn
cost Of living continues to advance with
out a single remedial measure hayinl
been passed, and that there has not bee
even serious consideration of constructiv
legislation dealing with the serious prob
lem of industrial unrest.
In the circumstances, it appears to b
Incredible that the responsible leaders o
~ government at Washington can assen
to this seeming agreement to continue
ton Of a do-nothing policy which mean
that the grave economic problems of tn
people are to be made the plaything o
politics and politicians for the next fv
months.
1T invites political chaos and bushes
disaster. Congress should remain in ses
sion"
The protest of the railroad labor lead
ers was dated at Chicago on June 3. an,