Middletown transcript., 1922-12-16
THE PRESIDENTS
ANNUAL MESSAGE
Addresses Joint Session OF Con-
gress on Many Subjects
PLANS A "DRy" PARLEy
volstead Repeal Forecast - Thinks
The Nation Should Adapt Itself
To The Changing
Conditions.

Washington-Presid Harding de-
livered his annual message to Con-
gress in person. The message deals |
with nearly a score of subjects, chief |
among them prohibition, farm credits,
the transportation problem, child Ia
Dor and immigration.
Again and again the President was
applauded as he outlined his recon-
mendations to the Senate and House
members assembled in joint session
in the hall of the House. His hearers
responded particularly to his discus
sion of rural credits and the Ameri-
canization of aliens.
There was a craning of necks when
the President launched into his dis
cussion of prohibition enforcement,
and one of his declarations on the sub
ject-that suggesting that rigorous
and literal enforcement of the dry
law would concentrate public atten-
ton on any requisite notifications
was applauded.
The Executive announces his pur-
pose to invite the Governors OF the
States and Territories to an early
conference with the Federal execu'
tive authority with a view to adopt
Ing definite policies of national and
State co-operation in administering
the prohibition laws. He says the
day is unlikely to come when the
prohibition amendment will be re-
pealed and that the nation should
adapt its course accordingly.
President Harding tells Congress
that if the statutory provisions for
prohibition enforcement are contrary
to deliberate public opinion, which he
does not believe, the rigorous and lit
eral enforcement will concentrate pub
lie attention on any requisite modifica'
tion.
"Such a course" he adds, conforms
with the law and saves the humiliation
of the Government and the humiliation
of our people before the world ano
challenges the destructive forces en-
gaged in widespread violation, officia
corruption and individual demoraliza
ton"
With regard to the transportation
problem, Mr.. Harding proposes tha
the Railroad Labor Board be abolished
with the substitution of labor diVl
sion in the Interstate Commerce Com
mission with ample power to requir
its rulings to be accepted by botl
parties to disputed question.
The executive also proposes tina
the law require the carriers and thel
employees to institute means an
methods to negotiate between then
selves their constantly arising dife1
ences, limiting appeals to the Govern
ment body to disputes of such cha
acter as are likely to affect the publ
welfare.
Coordination of all transportatio
facilities is urged by the Presiden
These would include not only inlan
waterways. but motOrtruck transpo
tation as we'll He inveighs again'
the system of paralleling the raj
roads with truck roads, thus DRAWN
freight from the steam lines, instea
of making the motortruck a feed'
for them. AS to the carriers ther
selves, Mr.. Harding suggests as wa!
of increased economy and efficient
there by merger of lines into sy
tens, interchange of freight cars, Il
consolidation OF facilities and Il
economic use Of terminals. He d
clared that the managers of the lin
are without that intercarrier c
operative relationship 80 highly {
sential to the best and most econol
ical operation" adding that they cou
not function in harmony when the
cent strike threatened the paralys
of all railway transportation.
More extended credit for the far
ers is strongly urged by the executi'
who declares that the very proof
helpfulness already given is t
strongest argument for the permane
establishment of widened credits.
saws the Farm Loan Bureau may W
have its powers enlarged to provi
ample farm production credits as W
as enlarged land credits.
Two Constitutional amendments ;
proposed. One would give Congr'
authority ever child labor and
other would restrict the issues of t
exempt securities, which are declal
to be drying up the sources of F
eral taxation and encouraging unr
ductive and extravagant expenditu
by States and municipalities.
Enactment Of legislation proyid
for registration of aliens and for m
thorough examination of emigrants
the ports of embarkation is urged.
President says there is "recrud'
ence of hyphenated Americanism VIII
we thought to have been stamped
when we committed the nation,
and soul, to the World War; and
that advocates of revolution are al
Ing the hospitality of American sho
finding their deluded followers am
those who take on the habiliments
an American without knowing
American soul"