The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-12-06
HARDING HINTS
AT GRATIFYING
ACHIEVEMENT
President Inforns Congress
World Accomplishment
by Conference Not I'm
probable"
SCENE UNPRECEDENTED
(By Associated Press

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6.-President
Harding informed congress today in
his first annual message that "a most
gratifying world accomplishment" by
the arms conference is not improb.
able"
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 diplomats regularly stationed in
Washington.
At the outset the president dis
cussed world conditions saying "A
world restoration program" would
to be worked out "by the nations
more directly concerned"
The United States will help, he
added "unselfishly because there is
compensation in the consciousness OF
assisting; selfishly because the com
merce and international exchanges in
trade, which marked our high tide Of
fortunate advancement are possible
only when the nations of all contin-
ents are restored to stable order and
normal relationship"
Turning to domestic problems, the
president recommended urgently early
enactment of the permanent tariff and
foreign debt Tefunding bills. He also
announced that later on he would
make some reComme endations about re
newed consideration of the tax pro
gram, involving further reductions and
the abolition of hindeTing burdens. He
also suggested consideration by con
gTess OF an amendment to the consti-
tuition to end the issue of non-taxable
! bonds.
Merchant Marine
With regard to the merchant mar
inc. MIR. Harding said it was the pur-
! pose to present plan which contem-
plates no greater draft on the public
| treasury and which, though yet too
crude TO offer it today gives such
promise of expanding our merchant
marine that it will argue its own ap-
prOyal."
I Proper encouragement for the CO.
operative marketing programs as
means of assisting in the relief Of
present conditions in agriculture was
suggested by the executive.
[ He also told congress that "it should
/ give its earnest attention" TO a gen
eral policy of trans portation Of dis
tributed industries and highway con-
! struction to encourage the spread of
the population and restore the proper
balance between city and country,
Other recommendations Included
plans 'Of conference of common coun-
Gil of mediation. arbitration and judi
cial determination. in controversies
between capital and labor.
Federal aid by way of advances for
| reclamation of lands where state and
private participation is assured, an ap-
preparation necessary to supply the
relief administration in Russia with
100000 bushels of corn and 100000
bushels of seed grain.
Scene Unprecedented.
The scene presented in the house
chamber was unprecedented in that
never in the history of the nation has
a message been delivered to congress
by the chief executive with members
of a great International conference in
attendance. Seats were at a premium.
Arrangements had been made b.
the state department for places for
delegates from foreign nations TO the
arms conference, their wives and dele
cation attaches. Many of them were
allotted seats on the floor with mem
Ders of congress. A large proportion
of the spectators were women. AMI
their furs, pUmeS and garb We're
! bright spots in the gallery. Secretarr
, Hughes was given d warm reception
, when he arrived at the head Of the
, cabinet. There was more applause
when the conference delegates enter-
ed The audience rose and applauded
, Mrs. Harding when she appeared in
the executive gallery with Brigadier
General Sawyer and friends. General
d. r. !, ,i1 hN
, dents secretary, George B. Christian,
had seats to the left of the rostum.
; Supreme court justices were in ses-
: sion and did not attend.
z, The audience rose and appiauded
for a full minute until Speaker Gil
- lett's gavel called for silence when the
president was announced at 70 30.
The presidents remarks drew ap
plause at the outset, and his speech
frequently was interrupted by ap-
plause.
Except for the initial outburst. the
presidents discussion of tariff ques
+ tions and his outlining Of a proposed
= plan for flexible system by presiden
tial proclamation brought forth nc
= applause.
), Applaud Labor Stand
The presidents statement in behal
, of those "resuming the normal way
y of employment" rather than those ids
and pressing for payment of indebted
: ness. was received with apparent gen
y eral satisfaction
The presidents statements regard
.r ing agriculture and railroad rates wer'
!, delivered without demonstration, bu
there was considerable applause whel
the executive declared for regulation
0 of labor organizations. The demon
strations became pronounced when tn
4 president declared that labor organi
zations should not be permitted to ex
II act unfair terms or cause distress t.
0 the public. The suggestions for an in
dustrial tribunal were followed Intent
0. ly but without applause except from
0. few Republicans at the close of TIL
ar subject
+. The president lowered his voice an
spoke more slowly when he dealt wit
It distress in Russia. There was ger
eraI applause when he said the obi