New Britain herald., 1921-04-12

Washington April 12.-Following sl, custom inaugurated by George Washington, abandoned by Thomas Jefferson and revived by Woodrow Wilson, President Harding delivered his first message to congress today in person. The two houses assembled in joint session in the house chamber to hear the executive outline his views with regard to the many domestic and foreign problems pressing for solution.
 Put End to War
 President Harding today announced that he would approve a "declaratory resolution" by congress with quali- fication esential to protect all our right which would end the technical state of war against the Central Powers of Europe"
 The president added, however, that 'it would be idle to declare for separate treaties of peace with the Central Powers on the assumption alone that these would be adequate because the situation is so involved that our peace engagements cannot ignore the old world relationships and the settlements already effected, nor is it desirable to do so in preserving our own rights and contracting our future rekiC1OnSh1pS.
 Opposes Present League
 Although declaring unreservedly against the existing league of na- tions." the president said:
 The wiser course would seem to. be the acceptance of the confirmation of our rights and interests as already. provided and to engage under the existing treaty, assuming of course that this can be satisfactorily ac- complish by s,ich explicit reserva- tions and notifications as will secure our absolute freedom from inadvisa- ble committm and safeguard all our essential interests An associa ton of nations, the pres ident said, could not be founded until the world was at peace.
 President Harding's principal rec concentrations included the follow ing:
 Foreign Relations.
 No separate peace treaties with the Central Powers lon the assumption alone that this would be adequate" ''The wiser course would seem to be '. to engage under existing treaty assuming of course that this can be satisfactorily accomplished by such explicit reservations and notifications as will secure our absolute freedom of inadvisable commitments and safe guard all our essential inter- ests. '. No helpful society of na- tions can be founded on justice and committed to peace until the cove nants re-esta blishing peace are sealed by the nations which were at war
 Taxation. Readjustment of internal taxes and revision or repeal "of those taxes which have become unproductive and are so artificial and burdensome as to defeat their own purpose Tariff. Instant tariff enactment, "emer- gency in character and understood by our people that it is for the emer- gency only.'' |
 Railroads. Efficient operation "at cost with in that which the traffic can bear. Railway rates and cost of operation must be reduced. =. The remain ing obstacles which are the heritance of capitalistic exploitation must be removed and labor must join manage $ ment in understanding that the public which pays is the public to be served and simple justice is the right and VIII continue to De the T1SnC or all the people,
 Good Roads.
 The strengthening of laws govern ing federal aid.
 Merchant Marine.
 Private monopolies tending to prevent the development of needed facilities should be prohibited. Gov owned facilities wherever possible without unduly interfering with private enterprise or government needs, should be made available for general usages."
 Aviation. { Regulation by the federal govern nent and encouragement of aviation for development of military and civil purposes.
 Service Men.
 ''ThannA merican people expect con ! .esa to voice the grati- |
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 to it's defenders in !
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 of government
 g relief to
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