, 1921-12-15

THE Federal highway act, which
became a law November 9 as an
amendment to the Federal-aid act.
carried out the Presidents recon-
m%endations with regard to needed
and essential changes in the Federal
road aid act. particularly with a view
to centralizing authority in the
States and insuring the upkeep Of
Federal-aid roads. The act made an
appropriation Of seventy-five million
for Federal aid in road building for
the fiscal year ending June 80, 1922.
and OF five million for forest roads
and trails for the same fiscal year,
and ten million for the same pur-
poses for the fiscal year ending June
80, 1928. This is a of the
highest importance. 1t provides
much-needed amendments to the
Federal road aid act, insures a con-
tinuance of Federal aid and partici-
patton in road building throughout
the country, will insure the continual
ton OF this highly important work
and will aid in giving employment to
many thousands of persons.
1.-The Republican platform de-
clared. the supreme duty of the ma
ton is the conservation of human re-
sources through an enlightened mea-
sure of social and industrial justice
The President, having in mind this
party declaration of national duty.
in his message to Congress at the be-
ginning of the present session. said:
81 assume that the maternity bill,
already strongly approved. will be
enacted promptly, thus adding to our
manifestation OF human interest
There has been considerable diff
ference OF opinion with regard to this
measure, in the Congress and in the
| country, both as to the. policy in
voked and with regard to its provi-
, sions. The newly enfranchised
, women voters, SO far as their views
we're expressed, were almost unani-
mously favorable to the measure. 1t
appealed to the conscience and SYM
patty OF all as a measure asserting
! national leadership for the purpose
of stimulating the States and COM
munities in the tremendously import
ant work of the protection OF
maternity and infancy. The bill pro-
vides for cooperation between the
National Government and the several
States and authorizes an approprfa-
ton of approximately 100000 for
the current fiscal year. which may be
increased in the sum of $1,000, 600
a year for five years.
1.-THE measure as reported by the
committee and passed by h House
differed quite materially from the
bill as it passed the Senate, and the
bill as thus amended was promptly
adopted by the Senate. The enact
ment of this measure is not only
creditable to the Congress as adding
to our manifestation Of human IN
terest,' as stated by the President In
his message, but as a prompt fulfill
ment of our platform pledges.
1.-THE emergency tariff on agricul-
tural products, a measure the enact
ment Of which checked, to a certain
( extent at least, the threatened flood
ing of our markets at a time when
the reaction from high war prices
had brought many of the agricultural
products of the country to a price far
below the cost of production. Con-
ditions which no legislation could
change or modify have continued
their depressing effect on many
staple agricultural products. n yet
the emergency tariff promptly passed
and recently extended has
" SO steadied the markets as to pre-
vent wide fluctuations and furtner
low levels Of prices which, whiie IN
fnitely harmful to the producer
would have brought but little, II any.
benefit to the ultimate consumer. An
important feature of this measure Is
the dye-embargo provision, essential
to the development OF the exceeding
" important dye and chemical iu-
dustries Of the country. The recent
extension of this act will carry It's
benefits to the time when permanent
provision may be made in the enact
ment of the Fordney tariff bill.
1.-THE immigration restriction bill
provides in 1 practical and workable
way for the staying OF the great
volume of the tide Of immigration
threatened as an after effect OF the
war, While America regrets to even
partially close her gates against
those who In good faith and with
GOOD intentions seek u shores, his
measure was necessary as q means OF
preventing a flood tide of immigra-
ton, not all OF q desirable character
and beyond our capacity to speedily
asSimilate.
"The so-called packers bill to
regulate interstate and foreign com-
merce In livestock and dairy pro-
ducts, poultry. and eggs, Is wise,
sound and sensible measure bringing
70 q close a lon1-drawn-out contr0-
versy relative to legislation %effecting
the meat-packing and allied and assoc
l.ciated industries and activities
which. while avoiding the radical and
dangerous experiments which had
been urged does plaza In the hands.
rot the Secretary OF Agriculture au-
thority to regulate these industries In
the public interest.
1.-THE bill preventing gambling In
grain futures, while permitting 4hesS
dealings In grain, which are believed
+! to be legitimate and useful, II not