Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-04-13
tContlnucd From Ttrs. pose3

but made M recommendation whcth-
or Cabinet official should 10 placed
at its head.
Declaring that rates and operating
expenses of the railroads must Dc
lowered. Mr.. Harding asked that
I Congress investigate the whole trans
portation problem, IIe recommended
coordination OF all governmental
2 mon. strengthening of tho Federal
lnws affecting highway construction
nisd maintcnance, enactment q: bud.
get legislation. and = congressional
inquiry into lynching md race rela-
tions in general.
Cancels Cabinet Meeting,
Mr.. TiardinE's definite stand against
the league covenant was not 4 sur
prise 10 Repubilcnn leaders OF the
Senate, although the exact wording
OF the declaration was an unsettled
question until shortly before the ex-
ecut!ve LEFT Cor the Capitol TO deliver
his address. The first draft OF the
manuscript was completed soon after
midnight, and when tho proofsheets
came from the public printer this
morning tho F-c sidcnt Cancelled the
regular Tuesday Cabinet meeting and
Summoned Republican members OF the
Foreign Relations Committee to the
White House.
In conference with the committee
members, the President considered the
foreign relations section OF the adj
dress for more than an hour, hearing
the advice OF mild rcservationists as
well as irrcconcilablcs before finally
putting his manuscript into his poe
kct for the ride to the Capitol With
out exception, the Senator'S present
expressed 3ftcrwarS their Satisfnc-
ton with the Presidents views,
though there was wide divergence
OF views among them regarding tho
likelihood OF an early ratification OF
the Versailles treaty with the league
aid other portions omitted.
seGn
1t was pointed out that tho treaty
was not now before the Senate. hav-
Ing been returned to the White House
after the second failure to ratify IT.
and that MIR. Harding had shown no
Indication that ne meant to resume
It in the near future. In his address
today, he did not specifically declare
his Intention 10 do SO, merely saying
that in preference to separate treaties
with Germany and Austria. the
wiser course would seem to be the
hcceptance of the confirmation Of
our rights and interests as already
provided, and to engage under the
existing treaty. assuming. OF course.
that this can he satisfactorily ac-
compliShcd by explicit rcserVat Ions"
Mind Open ON Question.
by some Senators the words Of the
President were taken 10 mean that
his mind still was open on the ques
uion OF reserved ratification. and that
he merely suggested that course as
preferable to Il separate peace. The
point stressed by him in that conncc-
tion, and emphasized recently in
other administration quarters. was
that the United States must lind some
way TO reach diplomatic agreement
with both Germany and the allies
which would fully protect such adj
Vantages as this government gained
under the unratined pact Of Ner
SaillcS.
Ia his Endorsement OF the peace
declaration, the President expressed
# hn nf
Senators to attach to the dcclaratory
resolution n general expression Of
the Americar governments policy to-
ward future European wars. This
proposal has taken various forms.
but the amendment most favored in
recent discussion would declare that
If European peace and civilization
again were Threatened the United
States would regard IL menace to
its own safety and would take steps
to prevent a world catnstrophe.
knos Agrees With Harding.
Pennsylvania. author OF the. peace
resolution TO be urged by the Re-
publican leaders, indicated tonight
that he was in agreement with the
president and would oppose the policy
declaration.
AIR. Harding gave Congress no cx-
position OF his views on the iorma-
merely renewing in his address NJ
pledge TO wcr. for such an organ
ization ,with all the diplomatic means
available.
TcAt of Message.
The text Of President Harding
message to Congress follows:
You nave been called into extra
ordinary session 10 give your con-
sideration TO national problems far
TOO pressing 10 be long neglected
We face our task OF legislation and
M ms - INV,
difficult as our sp.ernmGnt has ever
contemplated. - ;.
Under our political system the peo-
pic OF the United states have charged
the new Congress and the new ad-
minstra;ion with the solution-the
readjustmcnt, reconstruction and
restoration which must follow in the
wake Of war.
II may De regretted that we were
so lily prepared for wars aftermath
SO little made ready to return TO the
ways o: peace but we are not 10 be
discouraged Indeed we must he 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,
onward way again.
The American people have APP
praised The situation and with that
tolerance ana patience which so with
understanding they will give TO us
the influence OF deliberate public
opinion which ultimately becomes
the edict Of any popular government,
Thee are measuring some of the stern
necessities, and VIII join in the give
and-take which is so essential TO
firm establishment.
First in mind must be tho solution
OF our problems a. home, even though
GONE phases OF them are inscparabiy
linked with our foreign relations. The
surest procedure IN every government
is 10 put its own house in order.
] know OF no moro pressing PROB
lem al home than 10 restrict our ma :
tional expenditures within the lin
It's of our nationa! income. ana at the
same time measurably lift ;he bur
dens OF war taxation from the shout
ders OF The American people.
Must Care for War Debt,
One cannot be unmindful that
economy is much rnployed cry.
most frequently stressed in pre-
e!Hction appeals. but 81 is ours to
make it an outstanding and ever-
impeding purpose in hom logisla-
t.,