Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-01-10

TFo dUII,
plant disease, insect pests, problems Of
maintaining soil fertility, and many
things affecting the cost of essential food
products.
Our farmers have met with serious
losses and disbursements which will
inevitably result in decreased production
This situation is one which deserves the
careful thought and consideration of ev-
cry citizen in the State. Agricultural
problems do not involve the former alone
but vitality affect every food consumer.
The prosperity of our citizenship Is de-
pendent, very largely, upon a permanent,
successful agriculture.
1t is the business of the state to pro-
mote as far as possible the welfare, pros
1erity and happiness of It's citizens, AMI
the solution of the problems confronting
agriculture will do this In a large meas
ure
SIMPLIFICATION
IN DRAINAGE LAWS.
1t is well known that the drainage
laws Of the state need to he codided and
simpliied At present there is on the
statute books a large number of acts
many of them conflicting, and some OF
them with conflicting and uncertain
amendments. SO much of the best aRrl-
cultural region of the State Of Indiana
has been reclaimed by drainage, that 1t
now becomes of the utmost Importance
to have a simple and easily workable
program for the maintenance of such
bitches as have already been constructed
rs well as simpler and easier plan
and procedure for the construction Of
lew bitches. The present proceeding
both for the construction of new bitches
and the maintenance Of the old ones, is
cumbersome, indefinite and difficult u
put in operation.
| recommend that the Legislature au
thorize the appointment of commission
whose duty il shall be to codlfy and
simplify the drainage laws Of the state
SO rs TO overcome their present defects
and to present such codihcatiOn TO the
next Legislature.
CALLS ATTENTION
TO LABOR PROG RAM.
l assume that the labor interests Of
indiana will present certain Legislation
for your consideration. While / do not
know what specific recommendations they
may have, I suggest that insofar as their
program IS advisable and reasonable It
should have your most careful attention.
The time has come when we must un-
deTstand the need Of efficiency in all
lines of activity. We must appreciate
the fact that for every dollar Of pay re-
ceived we must give equal value In serv-
ice. Lessened production means higher
cost OF living.
We must deal with all these problems
with common sense a. mutual trust.
They must be met upon he broad plane
III equal respect for a VINO are per
forming their part We and with the
sincere desire 20 gauge our actions by
an exalted standard OF human justice
and human sympathy.
1t is a matter of personal qualification
to me, as I am sure IL is to you, that the
wOLlen OF Indiana as well as the other
States OF the Union, have been granted
the fun right Of franchise since your
last meeting.
The splendid and efficient way in which
they met their new responsibilities at
the recent election would alcne justify
their right to have part in the affairs
Of government.
FULL PARTICIPATION
FOR WOMEN.
Many problems affecting womanhood
and child welfare will come up for your
deliberation. These will deserve your
most earnest and serious consideration.
Some may he special questions pertain
ing to the new status in which women
are placed by reason Of their new re,
sponsibilities others may be general
questions, such as school laws, child
labor laws, laws affecting the care and
Development Of defective, delinquent and
dependent children and laws protecting
infant life and the mothers OF the race.
All these questions are Of vital i'm
pOrtance to the people of the State, and
their proper solution will mean much to
health and happiness Of our homes.
l am pleased with the way the woman
hood Of our country Is taking hold OF
these serious and pertinent matters.
Their able and constructive suggestions
looking to the solution of these human
problems will prove a valuable contri-
button 10 the work ahead OF us.
/ respectfully suggest to the General
Assembly that yoC give 10 the women of
Indiana full participation In any prlvi-
~
YOU may create ut this session. and II Is
my hope that their excellent qualifca-
tons for public service may be fully
utilized.
OWE DEBT
TO SOLDIERS.
We all rejoice and take great pride In
the fact that Indiana has been chosen as
the seat for the permanent headquarters
Of the American Legion.
You should lend Il sympathetic ear to
such measures as may he presented TO
you by the noble defenders OF our State
and Nation. The services rendered by the
heroes Of all OF our wars must be re-
membered with gratitude and with the
fun realization Of the tremendous debt
we owe to them for their valiant and
patriotic service in the time OF the coun-
try's need.
It Is my hope that the members Of the
General Assembly will give generous at
tention to the problems Of housing, health
and recreation.
am greatly pleased TINT our State
authorities have been 80 forward look
ing in that they have instituted a sys-
TEN Of state parks which will contribute
largely towIrd a better citizenship In
this and succeeding generations. The
parks established are so located rs to
afford recrea tional places in different
parts of the State and convenient to dlf-
ferent units Of citizens.
In the south We have beautiful City
Falls and the Mccormick Creek Parks,
each rich in scenic beauty and natural
wfldness. In the central part, we have
the wonderful Turkey Run Park with
its lofty poplars towering heavenward,
reminding ali visitors of the wealth OF
forests that originally covered central In
diana. In addition thereto Ii abounds
In beautiful glens and shady walks mark
ing II as one of natures beauty spots and
fortunate indeed are we that it has been
preserved from the despOilinS hand of
cOmnercialism.
FAVORS ACCESSION
or SAND DUNES.
On our extreme northern border, along
the shores Of Lake Michigan, there Is
another wonderful place Of natural
beauty and interest that should be pre-
served fer future generations. l refer to
the wonderful dunes that are famous for
their rare forn and their changing beauty.
Situated as they are, they could be easily
accessible to thousands Of visitors. This
is a project for the future, but some
steps should be taken at this session,
without involving the State In any great
expense, to pave the way for their acces-
sion to the State park system at some
future date and upon some satisfactory
basis, with other interests also concerned
in their preservation.
In all these things We must consistent
ly practice economy, but not such an
economy as may retard the health of
our people.
It has been nv purDose In this mes