Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-12-08
Whose existence has been fully COR
robozated In many ways independent
OF Stefansgon's account.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

N wal not expected that the mes.
'sage addressed to congress by the
president on the opening Of the last
session Of the present congress would
contain much in the way Of specific
Recommendation fdr new legislation.
Except on extraordinary occasions tho
short session OF congress Is devoted
less to the formulation of new poll
cies and the enactment OF new legis-
lation than to finishing the mass Of
work left over from for
NOR sessions. Ordinarily there 10
time for little else. In addition We
have 1t this time a situation, not at
all unusual under u system, Of the
executive and legislative branches Of
the government being dominated by
opposing political elements, with the
resultant discordance Of views with
reference to many important policies.
Still further, this being the closing
period of the presidential term, the
existing official is merely holding over
in compliance with constitutional
form until the few months expire
when his Successor can assume the
duties of tho office.
II is not to Ue expected that much
in the way of legislation will be
achieved at this session beyond lou-
tine work. For the president to rec
on1nend much else, except Of an
emergency nature, would merely to
have been to invite the rejection OF
his recommendations. 1t is quite in
keeping with the facts. therefore, that
the president, in his closing para
graph. describes his communication
as a confession of faith rather than
a series OF recommendations.
All mention Of the League Of Ma
tons is omitted. This was undoubt-
eddy the wiseset course that the pres
ident could have followed. 1t avoids
the p~rovocat;on which any reommen-
dalton would have given for a discus.
sion before this congress which, un-
der the, circumstances, must be fruit
less.
The message emphasizes the need
for economy in the conduct of the
governments the. presidents convic-
ton that uncertain and indirect meth
DDS OF appropriation SHOULD be avoid.
ed. n that direct and specific ap'
preparations be made insteat. and the
need for the simplification Of the in.
come and profits taxes. Method.
whereby this is t be accomplished
are left to congress without recon.
mendation. n.E"
The recommendation for Philippine
independence is not at all likely to bt
followed by this congress. The view,
of the president and Of congress OF
the subject are not in accord, ant
the whole subject is too replete Will
elements Of uncertainty and contro
very to make agreement on a Phil
ippine Independence bill a possibilit!
within the e three months.
The recommendation for a loan t.
Armenia SCENE much more likely tt
receive attention. The little republic
has been brought into being unde
trying conditions. The United State
has had its share. of responsibility il
this work This nation cannot stan,
by ind!fferently and refuse to the lit
tie nation which is in part its proteg
a reasonable measure Of aid in es
tablishing itself on a sound working
basis. The manne in which such al,
may best be offered will admit Of dis
cussion. On the main principle Their
fis not likely to be much dispute.