Evening star., 1922-12-08
Asks Reforms
in Congress
Message.
SEES SCANDAL
in DRY LAWS
Proposes Steps to
Enforce PrOhibi-
ton Act.

Strcssing the problem of transporta-
ton as of exceeding Importance. Pres
ident Harding, in his address to Con-
sress today. outlined plan of far
reaching legislation dealing with the
railroads.
The message which dealt with near
ly score of subjects. emphasized
prohibition, farm credits, child labor
and immigration.
More Power Asked For.
He proposed that the railroad Labor
Board be given power to enforce its
decisions. both upon the railroads and
upou the employees.
Hc proposed. too, that the labor
board &c made division in the In
rcrstate Commerce Commission.
AZ an alternative to the latter propo-
>iiin,,. il the Railroad Labor Board is
10 be continued as d separate tribunal.
the President recommended that the
makeup of the board be changed so
that partisan membership may be
abolished. through the elimination Of
three members nominated by the em-
ployeS and three by the railway man
ayers. Further. he proposed that the
Railway Labor Board have it's head
quarters in Washington. where it
could be in close contact with the
rate-makins body. the Interstate Com
merCe Commission.
Merger of Lines SuREested.
As means of bringing about more
economical operation. the President
suggested the merger of railroad lines
into systems. as provided in the trans
portation arf.
Government operation" said the
President. discussing the transporta-
ton situation. 'doesn,. afford the cure.
1t was government operation winch
aCains. which we now rebel. and we
arc still liquidating the cost of that
supreme folly"
Necessity of prompt action to aid
the American farmers through addi-
,ional credit facilities. was impressed
upon Congress by the President. He
declared, however. that while increas-
ed ere dit facilities would help to
solve the problems of the farmer. per-
ruauent agricultural good fortune de-
pended upon better and cheaper trans
portation.
To Enforce Dry Act.
The President announced his inten-
tion of inviting the governors of the
states and territories to d conference
the enforcement of the prohibition
act His proposal, he said, is to bring
about a better understanding and bet
Ter cooperation between the state
and federal authorities in this matter.
Conditions surrounding the enforce
ment of prohibition must be bettered,
he said.
In plain speaking" said the Presi-
dent, there are conditions relating to
it's enforcement which SAVIOR of ma
wide scandal. 1t is the most
demoralizing factor in our public
life"
The President declared that the day
is unlikely to come when the eight
zenith amendment to the Constitution
will be repealed. He added. however.
Hat if the prohibition enforcement
act provisions are contrary to delib-
.ratc public opinion. (which ] do not
believe. the rigorous and literal en-
forCement will concentrate public at
I. ntion on any requisite modification"
Would Abolish Child Labor.
a constitutional amendment provid-
ing for the abolition of child labor
and prohibiting the issue of tax
exempt securities were proposed by
the President.
At the close of his message the
President discussed foreign relations,
pointing to the treaties growing out
of the Washington conference on
limitation of armaments and declar-
ing that the four-power Pacific treaty
has brought new confidence in a
maintained peace.
Il can well believe it might be
made model for like assurances
wherever in the world any common
interests are concerned.
Against Internationnlism.
The President said that although
the United States had expressed hos
sssnf .
all. there is less difference about the
part this great republic shall play
in furthering peace and advancing
humanity than in the manner of
playing 1t. We ask no one to assume
responsibility for us-we assume no
bear for themselves, unless national
ity is hopelessly swallowed up In in
ternationalism."
Galleries Packed.
Seldom have the galleries been
more closely packed than today. while
unusually large numbers of persons
waited in the corridors and outside
"f the Capitol building.
President Harding has never been
welcomed at a joint session win
more vigorous applause than he re-
rcived today. When he came to the
capitol at the opening of the third
and extraordinary session OF the pres
ent Congress to deliver his ship sub
sidy message it was received In a
manner which approached coolness.
The applause which greeted his pres
ence today was in distinct contrast.
On the floor members of the cabinet
and members of the Senate occupied
the two front rows and were led in
by Senators Lodge and Underwood.
Members of the diplomatic corps
were escorted to a block of seats on
the republican side of the House by
Chairman Porter and other members
Of the foreign affairs committee, act
ing as a reception committee. The
diplomatic gallery was filled with
wives and other woman members of
the official representatives of foreign
governments,
Noted AssemblaGe.
Seldom has there been a larger num-
her of persons in the Presidents own
gallery than today. Among these
were Mrs. William H. Taft. wife Of the
Chief Justice; Mrs. Wallace. wife Of
the Secretary of Agriculture; Mrs.
Fall, wife of the Secretary of the In
terror: Mrs. Work. wife Of the POST
master General: Mrs. F. w. Upham Of
Chicago. Mrs. Scobey. wife of the di-
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