The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-04-21
NO LEAGUE FOR U. S.
president Harding. in Message
TO Congress, Definitely
Rejects Id a.
HOME PROBLEMS COME FIRST
Tax Revision and Protection for Do
nestle Market Urged-Asks for
National Budget Plan.

Observation-Disclosures a custom
inaugurated by George Washington.
abandoned by Thomas Jefferson and
revived by Woodrow Wilson. Presi-
dent Harding delivered his first mes
sage TO congress in person. The two
houses assembled in joint session in
the house chamber to hear the eXecu-
tive outline his views with regard
to the many domestic and foreign
problems pressing for solution.
President Harding's address TO
congress was in part as follows:
Members OF the Congress: You
have been called in extraordinary
session to give your consideration 10
national problems far too pressing TO
be long neglected We face our task
OF legislation and administration
amid conditions as difficult as our
government has ever contemplated.
Under our political system the peo-
pie OF the United States have charg-
ed the new congress and the new
administration with the solution
the readjustment. reconstruction and
restoration which must follow in the
wake OF war.
II may be regretted that we were
so lily prepared for wars aftermath,
so little made ready to return TO the
ways of peace. but we are not TO be
discouraged. Indeed, We must be the
more firmly resolved to undertake
our work with high hope and invite
every factor in our citizenship to join
in the effort to find our normal, on
ward way again.
Home Problems First.
First in mind must be the solution
OF our problems at home. even though
some phases Of them are inseparably
linked with our foreign relations. The
surest procedure in every govern
ment is to put its own house in or
der
/ know of no more pressing prob
lem at home than to restrict our ma
tional expenditures within the limits
of our national income, and at the
same time measurably lift the bur
dens OF war taxation from the should
ers of the American people.
The Problem of Revenue.
The staggering load of war debt
must be cared for in orderly funding
and gradual liquidation. We shall
hasten the solution and aid effective
ly in lifting the tax burdens if we
strike resOlutely at expenditure. II
is far more easily said than done.
In the fever of war our expenditures
were so little questioned, the emer-
gency was so impelling, appropria-
tion was so unimpeded that We little
noted millions and counted the treas
ury ineXhaustible. II will strengthen
our resolution II We ever keep in
mind that a continuation of such
course means inevitable disaster.
Tax Revision as One Relief.
The most substantial relief from
the tax burden must come for the
present from the readiustment of in
ternal taxes and the revision or re-
peal of those taxes which have be-
come unproductive and are so artifi-
cial and burdensome as to defeat their
own purposes. A prompt and thor
Oughgoing revision OF the internal tax
laws. made with the regard to the
protection OF the revenue, is, in my
judgment. a requisite to the revival
of business activity in this country.
1t is earnestly hoped. therefore, that
the congress will be able to enact
without delay a revision of the rev.
enue laws and such emergency tariff
measures as are necessary to pro-
tect American trade and industry.
Protect the Home Market First.
One who values American prosper
ity and maintained American stand
ards of wage and living can have no
sympathy with the proposal that easy
entry and the flood of imports will
cheaper our costs of living IL is more
likely to destroy our capacity to buy.
Today American agriculture is me-
naced, and its products are down to
pre-war normals. yet we are endanger-
ing our fundamental industry through
the high cost of transportation from
farm to market and through the in
fluX of foreign farm products, because
We offer essentially unprotected, the
best market in the world. II would
be better TO err in protecting our
basic food industry than paralyZe our
farm activities in the world struggle
for restored exchanges.
Urges National Budget Plan.
a very important matter is the es-
adjustment of the governments bust
ness on a business basis. There was
federation of the easy going, unsys-
tematic method OF handling our fis-
cal affairs. when indirect taxation
held the public unmindful of the
federal burden. But there is knowl-
edge of the high cost OF government
today and high cost of living is insep-
arably linked with high cost OF gov
eminent. There can be no complete
correction OF the high living cost IN
til governments cost is notably re-
duced
Let IN most heartily commend the
enactment of legislation providing for
the national budget. Cong-es has al
ready recorded its belief. in the