Norwich bulletin., 1921-04-13
Domestic Problems.

Washington, April t2.-F1nal rejection of the Versailles league of nations by the American government was proclaimed to the world today by President Harding In a solemn pronouncement of the foreign policies of his administration, Speaking before the new congress as- senbled to write program of political and economic reconstruction, the Presi- dent declared acceptance of the league would be nothing short of a betrayal of the mandate of the November elections. Instead, he asked fer a congressional declaration of peace and for ratification of those portions of the Versailles treaty which protect specifically American rights and interests in tue war settle nnent. f.
 sIn the existing league of nations. world government. with it's super powers, this republic will have no part" he said. Tt is only fair to say to the world in general and to our associates in war in particular that the league covenant can have no sanction by us" s.., 7
 The declaration was answered by tremendous demonstration. in which re publican senators and representatives led, while, most Of their democratic colleagues sat silent and unsmil:g.
 After weighing the words of the chief executive. the senatorial group of treaty rreconcilables tonight were claiming. a cor1Jlete victory, predicting that even the portions of the treaty endorsed by Mir. Harding never would receive senate approval. -'.-
 In his recommendations for domestic legislation the president gave greatest at- tertfon to tariff and tax revision. ani to the railway situation. though he endors7d s.R xzyI1f fs1f, O. sionai leaders declared might nrelong the special session until the snow flies. He also took occa sion in his address of nearly an hour to declare his faith in a maintained merchant marine and In the principle armament reduction without asking for legislation on either subject.
 An emergency tariff to correct serious disorders h American industry WIS placed at the head of the presidents re- cues,s, and within an hour after he fir- ished speaking. the house' ways and means committee agreed to report tonlor- row on the emergency measure passee= at the last rsnsylon and vetoed by Presidert Wilson. For tke permanent tariff bill that is to be ftarned later. Mr. Harding made no specific suggestions except that it follow the principe of protection.
 Similarly the president refrained from ietailei recommendations on taxation, contenting himself with general dis cussion of the situation, With an added reminder that his party pledged itself In the last campaign to repeal the excess profls tax. He also recalled the cam paign promise to organize a separate gov- crnTnent department of public welfare, but made no recommendation whether cab lnet official should be placed at its head.
 Declaring that rates and operating A,.. ho1 1n-S a~aI Mir. Harding asked that congress investi- gate the whole transportation problem. He recommended coordination of all gov ernmental agencies dealing with former service men. strengthening of the federal laws affecting highway construction and maintenance, enactment of budget legis. lStfon. and congressional inquiry into lynehing and race relations in general
 Presidents Message
 President Harding,s address te ca gross was as fellows:
 Members of the congress:
 You have been called in extraordinary session to give your consideration to ma. tional problems far too pressing to b' eng neglected. We face our tasks e1 egislation and administration amid con 1itions as difficult as our governmen aas ever contemplated. Under our polit cal system the people of the Unites States have charged the new congress and the new administration with the so iution-the readjustments, reconstructiol and restoration which must follow in tn wake of war.
 It may be regretted that VIC were Q lily prepared for wars aftermath, 8, little made ready to return to the way of peace, but we are not to be discourag, sd. Indeed. we must be the more hrmi, resolved to undertake our work with higI hope, and invite every factor in ou citizenship to join in the effort to fin, our normal. onward way again.
 The American people have appraised the situation. and with, that tolerapc and patience which go with understand ing they will give to us the influence o deliberate public opinion which ultimate ly becomes the edict of any popuia government. They are measuring som Vf the stern necessities, and will joi h the give and take which is 50 essen tion to firm establishment.
 Problems at Home
 First In mind must be the solution 0 sur problems at home, even though som phases Of them are inseparably linke with our foreign relations. The sures procedure in every government is to pu It's own house in order.
 know of no more pressing problem a home than to restrict our national in come and at the same time measurabl lift the burdens of war taxation fro1 the shoulders of the American people.
 one cannot be unmi;ilful that econon1 Is. much-ernployed cry, most frcQue~t ly stressed in prediction appeals. hy t Is ours to make it an outstanding ar s7er-impeAihg purpose in both Igisia D and administration. The unrestrafne tendency to needless expenditure and tn attending growth of public indnh' ednes extending from federal authority t9 tha of state and municipality and includ;n the smallest politica! subdivision, COT stituta the most dangerous phase ( guvernment today. The nation canno restrain except in it's own activities, bl It can be exemplar in a wh ,icsome re versal.
 Liquidation of War Debt
 The staggering loti Of war debt mus be cared for in orderly funding an gradual liquidation. We shall haste the solution and aid effectively in liftin the tax burdens If we strike reso.utei at expenditures. It is far more easit said than done. In the fever of war ou expenditures were r) little questioned. tn emergency was 3 impelhng, a9propri. tion was so unimreded that we little not cd the millions and counted the tfeasuI