The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1921-12-16
PRESIDENT READS
ANNUAL MESSAGE
WNU LW
PART U. S. MUST PLAY IN WORLD
AFFAIRS RECEIVES ATTEN-
TON IN MESSAGE
Importance of This Nation Helping In
Restoration OF Normally Is EN-
phaslzed by Chief Exeou-
tive In Address

formed congress Tuesday In his first
annual message that "a mort crafty.
ing world accomplishment" by the
arms conference"is not improbable. "
The message was delivered by the
president In person, in the chamber of
the house and In the presence of the
delegates to the conference and most
of the dipomats regularly stationed In
Washington.
The message was In part as follows
Mr.. Speaker, and Members of Con
gress:
IL is very gratifying privilege to
come to the congress with the repub-
lie at peace with all the nations of the
world. More, 1t is equally gratifying
to report that our country is not only
free from every impending menace of
war, but there are growing assurances
of the permanency of the peace which
we so deeply cherish.
For approximately ten years we
have dwelt amid menaces of war or
as participants in wars actualities.
and the inevitable aftermath, with its
disordered conditions, has added to the
difficulties Of government, which ade-
quately can not be appraised except
by those who are In immediate contact
and know the responsibilities. Our
tasks would be less difficult. II we
had only ourselves to consider, but so
much Of the world is involved, the die
ordered conditions are so well nigh
universal. even among nations not en-
gagged In actual warfare, that no per-
manent readjustments can be effected
without consideration of our inescnpa-
Bile relationship to world affairs In
finance and trade. Indeed, we should
be unworthy Of our best traditions If
wa were unmindful Of social, moral
and political conditions which are not
or direct concern to us, but which do
appeal to the human sympathies and
the very becoming interest of a people
blessed with our national good fortune.
1t Is worth while TO make alluelon
here to the character of our govern
ment, mindful as one must be that an
address to you is no less a message to
all our people, for whom you speak
most intimately Ours Is popular
government through political parties.
We divide along political lines, and
would ever have 1t so. do not mean
that partisan preferences should hind
er any public servant in the PERFORM
ance of a conscientious and patriotic
official duty. We saw partisan lines
utterly Obfterated when war impelled.
and our faith in the republic was
revived anew. We ought not find these
partisan lines obstructing the expedi-
tious solution of the urgent problems
IF peace.
The previous congress-, deeply con-
'erned on behalf of our merchant ma
line, In 1920 enacted the existing ship |
ping bill, designed for the upbuilding |
If the American merchant marine.
Among other things we provided to en-
'eas, the executive was directed to
live notice for termination of all ex-
sting commercial treaties, in order to
ldmit of reduced duties on imports
arrfed In American bottoms. During
he life of the act, no executive has
ompHed with this order of the con-
'ress. When the present administrn-
ion came into responsibility 1t began
n early Inquiry into the failure to ex-
cute the express purpose of the
ones act. Only one conclusion has
cen possible. Frankly, members of
he house and senate eager as I am
0 join you in the making of an Ameri-
an merchant marine commensurate
nth our commerce, the announcement
( our cOmemrcal treaties would in
olive us In a chaos Of trade relation
hips and add indescribably to the con-
1sion of the already disordered COM
lercial world. Our power to do so is
OF disputed, but power and ships,
'ithout comfy of relationship, viii
OF give us the expanded trade which
inseparably linked with great mer- !
liant marine. Moreover, the applied :
sduction of duty, for which the treaty
were necessary, en-
outraged only the carrying of dutiable
lports to our shores. while the ton r
lge which unfurls the flag on the r
as is both free and dutiable, and the I
lries which make a nation eminent n
trade are outgoing rather than In :,
ming.