The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-04-12
HARDING'S MESSAGE
Continued from preceding page.)

welfare of the ex-service man should
be placed under one directing head,
so that the welfare of these disabled
saviors of our civilization and freedom
may have the most efficient direction.
1t may be well to make such an Off
! cial the director general of service to
war veterans and place under his di-
rection all disqualification, vocational
| training, war insurance, rehabilita-
/ tion. and all pensions.
The immediate extension and util-
! izatton of the governments hospital
| facilities in the army and navy will
| bring relief to the acute conditions
4 most complained of and the hospital
! building program may be worked out
| to meet the needs likely to be urgent
at the time of possible completion.
The whole program requires the
most thoughtful attention of congress.
| for we are embarking on the perform
anee of sacred obligation which in
wolves the expenditure of billions in
! the half century before us. Congress
must perfect the policy of generous
gratitude and conscientious admins
tration must stamp out abuses in the
very beginning. We must strengthen
| rather than weaken the moral fibre of
| the beneficiaries and humanize all eff
forts so that rehabilitation shall be at
tended by experimentation.
Suggests Welfare.Dept.
During the recent political canvass
the proposal was made that depart
ment of public welfare should be
created. 1t was Endorsed and COM
mended so strongly that I venture to
call it to your attention and to suggest
favorable legislative consideration
Governments obligation affirna-
lively to encourage development of the
highest ar lost efficient type of citi-
Zenship Is moderately accepted, al
most universally Government rests
f.1fN
maintain itself on a level that keeps
it out of touch and understa nding with
the community it --rves. Enlightened
governments recognize this and are
giving their .~-~>- Ion effect in poll
cies and programs. Certainly no gov
erpment is more L~5irTu than
to reflect the human attitude, the pur-
pose of making better citizens-phy-
sically, intellectually, spiritually. To
this end 1 am cON--i-7c67 that such a
department in the ver 1ment would
be of real value. 7Uld be made
to crystalline much of rather vague
generalization about social justice into
solid accomplishment. Events of re-
cent year have profoundly IMPRESSED
thinking people with the need If reg
ognized new social forces and 1T7iu-
tons, to equip our citizens for dealing
rightly with problem life and So
cial order.
In the realms of education. public
health, sanitation, conditions of work
ers in industry, child welfare, proper
amusement and recreation, the elimi-
nation of social vice, and many other
subjects, the government has already
undertaken a considerable range of
activities. I assume the maternity bill,
already strongly approved, viii be en-
acted promptly, thus adding to our
manifestation of human interest. But
these undertakings have been scat
tered thru many departments and bu-
reaus without coordination and with
much overlapping of functions which
fritters energies and magnifies the
cost. Many subjects of the greatest
importance are handled by bureaus
within government departments which
logically have no apparent relation 10
them. Other subjects which might
well have the earnest consideration OF
federal authority, have been neglected
or inadequately provided for. To bring
these various activities together in a
single department, where the whole
field could be surveyed and where
their interrelationships could be prop
erly appraised, would make for in
creased effectiveness, economy and in
te1ligence of direction.
In creating such a department 1t
should be made plain that there is no
purpose 70 invade fields which the
state have occupied. In respect to edu-
cation for example, control and ad-
uinistration have rested with the
states, yet the federal government has
always aided them. National appro
priations in aid of educational pur-
poses the last fiscal year were no less
than SOS, 100000. There need be no
fear of undue centraliza ton or of
creating a federacy bureaucracy to
dominate affairs better to be left in
state control. We must, of course,
avoid overlapping the activities by the
several states and we must ever resist
the growing demand on the federal
treasury for the performance serv-
ice for which the state is obligated to
it's citizenship.
The Race Question.
Somewhat related to the foregoing
human problems is the race question.
Congress ought to wipe the stain of
barbaric lYnching from the banners of
a free and orderly, representative de-
neeracy. We face the fact that many
millions of people of African descent
are numbered among our population,
and that in a number of states they
constitute a very large proportion of
the total population. It is unnecessary
to recount the difficulties incident to
this condition, nor to emphasize the
fact that it is condition which can
not be removed. There have been
suggested. however. that some of its
difficulties might be amelioriated by
of it. a study of its many aspects and
an effort to formulate. if not a policy
at least a national attitude of mind
calculated to bring about the most sat |
isfactory possible adjustment of re-
Iations between the races and of each [
race to the national life. One pro- /
posal is the creation of a commission
embracing representatives of both |
races, to study and report on the en-
tire subject. The proposal has real
merit. I am convinced that thru in |
Independence eff the races and the +!
maintenance of the rights of citizen |
ship lies the road to righteous adjust |
ment
Favors Lesser Armaments.
1t is needless to call your attention |
to the unfinished business inherited !
from the preceding congress. The APP |
preparation bills for army and navy
will have your early consideration.
Neither branch of the government |