Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-04-17
Hardinc's Domcstic prorrnm

d ECAUSE of the broader interest in the
II foreign policies of the new administra-
tion and OF the whole worlds concern in
them, the sweeping and all-nclusive char
acter of the Presidents proposals for do
mestc legislation may possibly not be gen.
orally emphasized. The fact is that four
Gfths of the first message to Congress deals
with matters of domestic interest and COW
ers wide field, even though the executive
was careful not to mention the soldier bonus
or the proposed sales tax or suggested
amendments to the transportation act.
In spite Of these significant omissions,
however Mr.. Harding has given Congress
enough work to do to keep that body in
session far beyond the date when most lead
ers hoped for q recess and Ia breathing space
before the regular session begins in Deem
Der. II there were no International rela-
lions to bother about and no hangover
appropriation bills to dispose Of the House
and Senate would still find themselves face
TO face with enough measures of admins
tration origin to hold them in Washington
until far into the autumn.
A brief survey of the Presidents purely
domestic recommendations might prove
timely. In the first place there is the fiscal
program, including an emergency and per-
manent tariff bill. There is internal taxa
ton which must be made to yield not less
than 5 $4,000 100000 during each of the COM
ing two years unless there is a sharp cut in
expenditures. 1t has required many long
months of debate in the past to pass gen.
eral tariff revision measure.
The President is little vague regarding
antitrust legislation, but apparently he ex
poets some action in that direction in order
that maintained prices by unnatural meth
DDS" may be outlawed. He has called upon
the Federal Trade Commission for advice
in that connection and the recommendations
Of that body may be transmitted to Con-
gress in due course, more definitely indicat-
ing what the President has in mind.
Although much is left unsaid regarding
the railroad problem, the President pro-
nounces railroad rate and railroad operat-
ing costs too high and intimates that means
must be found of reducing both. This will
open up big question, If it is taken lit
orally by Congress. Regarding transporta7
ton in general, he insists that the merchant
marine be- rescued and placed upon a sound
basis, also that the government no longer
participate in highway construction until
system of maintenance in good. roads is
devised by the States.
The Smith-Towner bill, which gives the
government broad authority over the public
school system Of the country, and the Shop
pard-Towner bill, commonly known as the
maternity" bill, are approved in spite of
the widespread opposition to both. They
might be consolidated, the President init
mates, and all such activities OF the govern
ment placed under new department OF
public welfare.
The President sees the need for Federal
control OF radio communication and of
the cables He wants the air services of the
army and navy developed, but not CONSOLE
dated. He pleads for disarmament, but only
with agreement on the part of other powers
Finally, he denounces "barbaric lynching"
and proposes commission of whites and
blacks to work out more desirable rela-
tionship between the races