Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1921-04-21
lines Of motor traffic in interstate COM

should be amended and strengthened.
The federal agency OF administration
should be elevated to the Importance
and vested with authority comparable
to the work before 1t.
Linked with rail and highway Is
the problem of water transportation
inland, coastwise and transoceanic.
Big Merchant Marine.
It Is not necessary to say 1t to con-
gress, but / have thought this to be
fitting occasion to give notice that
the United States means to establish
and maintain a great merchant marine.
This republic can never realize its
righteous aspirations in commerce. can
never be worthy the traditions of the
early days Of the expanding republic
until the millions Of tons of shipping
which we now possess are co-ordinated
with our inland transportation and our
shipping has government encourage
ment. not government operation. in
carrying our cargoes under our nag,
over regularly operated routes. to ev-
cry market in the world agreeable to
American exchanges.
Urges v. S. Air Laws.
1t has become pressing duty Of
the federal government to provide for
the regulation of air navigation; other
wise independent and conflicting legis-
lation will be enacted by the various
states which will hamper the develop
ment Of aviation.
recommend the enactment of legis.
lation establishing bureau of aero
nautics in the Navy department to CEN
tralize the control OF naval activities
in aeronautics. and removing the re-
striction on the personnel detailed to avia-
ton In the navy
Our very immediate concern Is for
the crippled soldiers and those deeply
needing the helping hand Of govern
ment. Conscious of the generous In
tent of congress. and the public con-
Germ for the crippled and dependant,
I invited the services OF volunteer
committee to inquire into the admin
istration of the bureau OF war risk
insurance. the federal board for voca-
tional training and other agencies Of
government in caring for the ex-sol-
diers, sailors and marines of the World
war.
1t is needless to call your attention to
the unfinished business inherited from the
preceding congress. The appropriation
bills for army and navy will have your
early consideration.
Neither branch Of the government can
be unmindful Of the call for reduced ex-
penditure TO rthese departments of our
national defense. The government Is in
accord with the wish to eliminate the bur-
dens of heavy armament. Tho United
States ever will be in harmony with such
a movement toward the higher attain
ments Of peace.
But we shall not entirely discard con-
tingencies for defense until there Is re-
moved the need to defend. We are ready
to cooperate with other nations to ap-
proximate disarmament, but merest pru-
dence forbids that we disarm alone.
Spurns Superauthority.
The aim to associate nations to prevent
war, preserve peace and promote civiliza-
ton our people most cordially applauded.
We yearned for this new instrument of
Justice, but we can have no part In a
committal to any agency of force in un-
known contingencies; we can recognize no
superauthority.
Manifestly the highest purpose of the
League OF Nations was defeated in link
ing 1t with the treaty of peace and making
1t the enforcing agency Of the victors of
the war. International association for
permanent peace must be conceived solely
as an instrumentality Of Justice. unasso-
ciated with the passions OF yesterday, and
not so constituted as to attempt the dual
functions of political instrument OF the
conquerors and Of an agency of peace.
There can be no prosperity>tor the fun
damental purposes sought to be achieved
by any such association so long as 1t Is
mitted to the attainment Of the special
aims of any nation or group of nations
1t would be unwise to undertake to
make statement of future policy with
respect to European affairs in such a
declaration of state of peace. In corr
recting the failure of the executive in
negotiating the most important treaty
nize the constitutional powers of the
senate we would go to the other ex-
IRENE. equally objectionable. II congress
or the senate should assume the func-
ton of the executive. Our highest duty
is the preservation of the constitutional
powers of each. and the promotion of the
spirit of cooperation so essential to our
common welfare.
Situation Is Involved.
1t would be idle to declare for sepa-
rate treaties Of peace with the central
powers on the assumption that these
alone would be adequate, because the
situation is SO involved that our peace
engagements cannot ignore the old
world relationship and the settlements
already effected, nor Is 1t desirable to
do so in preserving our own rights and
contracting our future relattonhips.
Neither congress nor the people needs
my assurance that request to nego-
tiate needed treaties of peace would be
as superfuous and unnecessary as 1t is
technically ineffective, and know In
my own heart there is none who would
wish to embarass the executive in the
performance of his duty when we are
all SO eager to turn disappointment and
delay into gratifying accomplishment
Wants Senate Advice.
In an all-impelling wish to do the
most and best for our own public and
maintain its high place among nations,
and at the same time mako the fullest
offering Of justice to them, I shall in
vlte in the most practical way the adj
vice of the senate. after acquainting II
with all the conditions to be met and
obligations to be discharged. along with
our own rights to be safeguarded. Pru-
dence In making the program ad conf
dent cooperation in making it effective
cannot lead us far astray.
We can render no effective services ia
humanity until we prove anew our own
capacity for cooperation In the co-or-
dination of powers contemplated in the
Constitution, and no covenants which ig-
more our associations in the war can
be made for the future.
No helpful society OF nations can be
founded on justice and committed to
peace until the covenants re-establist-
Ing peace are sealed by the nations which
were at war. To such accomplishments
to the complete re-establishment of peace