Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-12-08
EXECUTIVE KEEPS
|. CLOSE TO AFFAIRS
IN UNITED STATES
Wilson Eschews Any Ref
erence to League of Ma
tons or Retirement.
RECOMMENDS NOTHING.
BUT C0NFESSES FAITH
House Will Make Effort to
Take UP Immigration
Bill Thursday.
URGES WORKABLE BUDGET
Cites Figures Regarding National
Debt and Suggests Course of
Rigid Economy BE Pursued.
URGES WORKABLE BUDGET
Cites Figures Regarding National
Debt and Suggests Course of
Rigid Economy BE Pursued.
lBy Associated Press I


WASHINGTON, Dec. 7.-Botb
houses Of Congress we're in brier
session today to hear President Will
sons annual message. IT was read
by the clerks Mr.. Wilson having
needed the advice OF his physician
not TO appear In person to present
his Recommendations
Galleries in both Senate and House
were crowded Both those drawn
by the chance that tho President
might appear in person or by the
possibility that his message might
touch upon the league OF nations
question or his own approaching re-
tirement to private life. were dis
appointed.
Mr. Wilson confined himself almost
wholly to domestic questions. Only
by inference did his message refer
TO the nearing close of his adminis-
tration. and that was in the con-
cluding paragraph.
The proposals he presented, the
President wrote. were not so much a
| series Of recommendations as n con-
fession Of the faith in which was
bred. and which it is my solemn pur-
pose TO stand by until my last fight
ing day"
Aside from hearing the Presidents
message. Congress made definite
progress on ut least one OF the prob
lens II faces during the brief ses-
sion. The House received a rule un-
der which an effort will be made
Thursday TO take up the immigration
Dill for prompt action. 1t would
limit general debate to four hours.
The two-day interval was allowed
to permit Representative Siegel. OF
New York, member OF the Immi-
grafton Committee, 10 frame n min
GRITTY report.
Other Matters Referred.
No other matter in either House
had passed today beyond the com
mittee stage. AT both ends OF tho
capitol. however. members were deep
In plans to deal with business de-
preston. unemployment and farmers
reiicf Discussions in tho Senate OF
the plight of farmers delayed the
reading or the Presidents message
in that body.
The Industrial situation also found
place IN the Presidents message.
recovery from war effects gave
promise OF early completion only in
our own fortunate country" said Mr.
wilson. and even hero 'halts and
Is impeded at times" a program OF
Immediately serriceable acts OF leg
'siation TO aid that recovery. "and
prove the indestructible recuperative
force of II great government of the
people should be undertaken, Mr..
Wilson said. adding:
'one OF these Is to prove that 81
great democracy can keep house as
81 fyt1
fashion as any other government"
flrst among the recommended steps
Mr wilson placed enactment OF q
workable budget system" He said
he had vetoed tho budget bill passed
at the last session reluctantly" and
because Of IA constitutional objec-
tion," but as It was later revised in
the House no believed 1t would, with
other measures. furnish foundations
Tor national budget system"
Cites National Debt Figures.
Mr.. Wilson cited figures as to tho
national debt, and urged rigid econ
omy" in which all branches OF the
government should cooperate.
the necessity OF economy in govern
Il cannot overemphasize." he said.
and the avoidance by Congress OF
practices which take money from the
Treasury by indefinite or revolving
fund appropriations"
This years estimates "strikingly''
Illustrated the Importance of spe-
cihc appropriations. the President
added. the transportation act having
disturbed" the relationship between
current receipts and expenditures to
the extent OF over $1,000 100000.
1T is obvious" the message con-
tinued. that these largo Payments
have already seriously limited the
governments progress in retiring the
floating debt"
The President renewed somo OF tho
recommendations he made at the
opening Of the last session. and add
cd:
II do not feel II, my privilege st
present to suggest the detailed and
particular methods by which theso
tcoatinued On 1ssess1 lHes.S