Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1921-04-21
''END TECHNICAL
war" HARDING
President in First Address to
Congress Shows Opposition
to the League.
VOICES PLEA FOR ECONOMY

ivOlOkO ILlh UT IUUNUWI
Chief Executive Of Nation Points With
Caution to After-War Effects-Aid
= Demanded for Heroes Of
World Conflict.
Washington, D. G., April 12.-In his
message to congress, President War
rem 6. Harding said in part:
MEMBERS OF THE CONGREs5You
have been called in extraordinary session
to give your consideration to national
problems far too pressing to be long ne
elected. We face our tasks of legislation
and administration amid conditions as
difficult as our government has ever con-
templated. Under our political system
the people Of the United States have
charged the new congress and the new adj
ministraton with the solution-the read
9ustments. reconstruction and restoration
which must follow in the wake of war.
1t 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 re-
solved to undertake our work with high
hope. and invite every factor in our citi-
xenship to join in the effort to find our
normal, onward way again.
The American people have appraised
the situation. and with that tolerance
and patience which go with understanding
they will give to us the influence of de-
liberate public opinion which ultimately
becomes the edict Of any popular govern
ment. They are measuring some of the
stern necessities. and will join in the give
n to Pr rrytNt <nI- t. ~
establishment.
Homo Problems First.
First in mind must be the solution Of
phases of them are Unexpectedly linked
with our foreign relations. The surest
procedure In every government Is 70 put
Its own house In order
know of no more pressing problem at
home than to restrict our national ex-
penditures within the limits of our ma
tional income, and at the same time
measurably lift the burdens Of war taxa
ton from the shoulders of the American
people.
Our current expenditures are running
at the rate Of approximately $5,OOO, 900, 900
q year, and the burden Is unbearable
There are two agencies to be employed
in correction:
One is rigid resistance in appropriation
and the other is the utmost economy in
administration.
Let us have both.
Must ReadJust Taxes.
The first substantial relief from the tax
burden must come for the present from
the readjustment of internal taxes and
the revision or repeal of those taxes
which have become unproductive and are
SO artificial and burdensome as to defeat
their own purpose.
A prompt and thoroughgolng revision
of the internal tax laws, made with due
regard to the protection of the revenues.
II IN my judgment requisite to the
revival Of business activity In this coun-
try.
The urgency for an instant tariff en-
actment, emergency in character and un-
derstood by our people that 1t is for the
emergency only cannot be too much en-
phasized. I believe In the protection Of
American industry, and 1t is our purpose
to prosper America first
The maturer revision OF our tariff laws
should be based on the policy Of protec-
ton, resisting that selflshness which turns
to greed but ever concerned with that
productivity at home which is the source
OF all abiding good fortune.
A very important matter Is the estab-
lishment of the governments business on
business basis.
There can be no complete correction of
the high living cost until government cost
is notably reduced
Let me most heartily commend the enact
ment of legislation providing for the ma
tional budget system.
One condition in the business world may
well receive your inqdiry. Deflation has
been in progress. but has failed to reach
the mark where 1t can be proclaimed to
the great mass of consumers
pnIy, of IT,
been recorded but high cost of living
has not yielded in like proportion.
1 have asked the federal trade commits
sion for a report of its observations and
1t attributes, in the main, the failure to
adjust consumers cost to basic production
costs to the exchange Of information by
'open-price associations" which operate,
evidently within the law, to the very
great advantage of their members and
public
Wants Helpful Probe.
Without the spirit of hostility or haste
In accusation of prof1teering. some suit
able inquiry by congress might speed the
price readjustment to normal relationship,
with helpfulness to, both producer and
consumer. A measuring rod OF fair prices
will satisfy the country and give US a
business revival to end all depression and
oIolplOylcul
The great interest of both producer and
consumer-indeed all Industrial and COM
mercial life. from agriculture to finance
in the problems of transportation will find
its reflex in your concern to aid re-estab-
lishment. to restore efficiency. and bring
transportation cost into helpful relation
ship rather than continue 1t as hind
rance to resumed activities.
On the subject of railroads the Presi-
dent said in part.
Efficient operation Eat cost within that
which the trac will bear. /. Railway
rates and costs Of operation must be re-
duced." 1.-THE remaining obstacles
which are the heritance Of capitalistic ex-
ploitation must be removed and labor must
join management In understanding that the
public which pays is the public to be
served and simple justice is the right and
will continue to be the right of all the
people,"
Roads Trade Arteries.
The highways are not only feeders
to the railroads and afford relief from
their local burdens; they are actually