The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-10
Congress at
Work Again
Regular Session Convened and
Prompt Action Taken on
Some of Presidents
Recommendations


President Harding of his opening
address at joint session of the
senate and house made notable by
the presence Of delegates to the
armament limitation conference.
Proposals for a flexible tariff, az
Unstable by the, president or the
tariff commission for an industrial
tribunal and for constitutional
amendment to stop the food Of tax
free securities, were the presidents
outstanding statements on domes-
tic affairs. Turning to the internat-
ional field the president said Of the
armament limitation conference
that "a most gratifying world ac-
complishnent is not improbable"
He also urged enactment Of the
measure for funding the allied debt,
proposed food relief for starving
Russia, expressed satisfaction over
the nations being ct peace and
held out promise Of aid to the
world in war restoration.
4 great reception was given the
president by what was said to be
one of the largest audiences ever
janmed into the house chamber.
Demonstrations Of full minute
each occurred when he entered at
1890 O'Clock and again when he
concluded at 1920, the entire aud
ience standing and applauding. APP
plause also broke into his address
frequently, especially from house
members when he discussed topics
of administration policy and with
especial volume when he advanced
his plan for a tribunal to weigh
disputes between capital and labor
and declared that labor organiza-
tions should not be permitted to
exact unfair terms Of employment
or subject the public to actual dis
tress."
The audience, which included the
cabinet, diplomatic corps and many
high officials, besides the foreign
delegates, also responded warmly
when, with manifest feeling, the
president urged aid for starving
peoples Of Russia and proposed
gift Of 100000 bushels OF. corn
and 100000 bushels Of seed grain
Presentation later Of more de-
tailed views on the shipping situa-
ton was promised by the executive
in declaring that he opposed abro-
cation Of commercial treaties pro-
vided by the Jones act. Such alb
rogatio1s, he said, would cause
chaos" A suggestion for a plan
of reimbursement" 10 ship opera
tors was accepted as an advance
statement of his previously an
nounced views as to ship subsidies.
The presidents recommendation
were received by republican leaders
with widespread expressions Of ap-
Droval, although some declared that
one or more Of the executives pro-
posals would be difficult If not i'm
possible of early enactment
Prompt response came to por-
tions Of the presidents recommen-
dations. Immediately after the
joint session the senate passed a
bill, urged by Secretary Hoover of
the department Of commerce as
head Of the American Relief ad-
ministration, authorizing donation
to the administration of surplus
medical and other stores of the
army.
Legislation to meet the presi-
dents recommendation for f1eX-
ible tariff rates also was proposed
imediately by Senator Smoot Gre
rublican) of Utah. He introduced
amendments to the pending tariff
bill which would authorize the
president by proclamation to re-
duce or increase tariff rates based
upon American valuation. Hear
ings On the tariff bill will be re-
sumed tomorrow by the senate fl
nance committee.
In accord with the presidents re-
quest for prompt action on the
allied debt funding bill the senate
finance committee held two meet
ings today in an effort to get the
bill before the senate Immediately.
The president in his message also
emphasized need for agricultural
relief. He urged improved methods
of distribution and marketing of
farm products, advocating legisla-
tive assistance to cooperative mar
keting. Railroad freight rates, the
executive added, were subjects OF
just complaint by farmers.
Other recommendations of the
president included reclamation and
irrigation development, especially
Of Southern swamp lands; high
way improvement and measures to
aid the unemployment situation.
The president expressed salts
faction over the tax revision law,
enacted in the closing hours OF the
extra session, and its "billicn dollar
reduction in the tax draft on the
people" and urging economy and
efficiency, declaring the budget
system 1.-The greatest reformation in
governmental practices since the
beginning Of the republic.
Party responsibility in govern
oent was stressed by the president
in what some of his hearers re-
garded as thinly yelled dislike over
! the bloc" development in con-
gross.
Marriage Licenses.