The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-12-13
HARDING
MESSAGE TO
CONGRESS
President Takes Up
Transportation Sit
uation, Prohibition
Enforcement a n d
Farm Credits

uH1ON, pldSSd Lie IL athSt1oA sste1N8' fN'
situation, prohibition enforcement
and farm credits in the forefront
of the national problems pressing
for solution.
Also he took occasion to reply
directly to those whom he said
had assumed that the United States
had taken itself .aloof and apart,
unnindful of world obligations. .
He declared these gave "scant cred
it, for the helpful part" Ameri-
Ca had assumed in international
relations, referring particularly to
the arms conference.
OF the prohibition situation the
executive asserted there were con-
;ditions of enforcement which sa-
.vor of nationwide scandal" He
made no recommendations on this
score but announced his purpose
to call an early conference of the
governors of the states and terri
tories with the federal autaori-
ties to formulate definite policies OF
national and state cooperation in
the administering of the laws.
Declaring there was no prob
lem exceeding in importance the
one of transportation, Mr.. Hard
ing told congress there was need
to begin on plans to coordinate ali
transportation facilities-rail, wa
ter and motor. As to the relief of
the railroad problem he suggested
merger of lines into systems, a.fa-
.cilitated interchange of freight
cars and a consolidation Of fa-
cilities generally.
Turning to the recent railroad
strike, the president proposed that
the federal tribunal dealing with
disputes between the carriers and
their workers be given ample au-
thority to enforce its decisions. He
voiced preference for abolition OF
the railroad labor board and the
placing of its functions under an
enlarged interstate commerce COM
mission. Should the decision be
to continue this board in exist
ence, however, ne suggested that
the partisan membership be abol-
ished to the end that the tribunal
be impartial and the headquarters
moved from Chicago to Washing
ton SO there might: be direct con-
tact with the commission.
The only specific recommends
ton of the executive for enact
ment of legislation, at this, the
short session of congress, related
to the permanent establishment of
widened farm credits. He both
advocated ample farm production
credits and enlarged land credits
throughs enlargement Of the pow
ers Of the farm loan board and
reminded congress that special pro-
vision must be made for live
stock. production credits.
Other recommendations includ-
ed:
Registration of aliens.
More rigid examinations of i'm
migrants at embarkation points.
Federal assistance in the educa-
ton of aliens.
A constitutional amendment Civ
ing. congress authority over child
labor.
A constitutional amendment re-
stricting the issue Of tax exempt Sc
,curities by the federal government,
the states, municipalities and
counties.
A study by congress of the wide
spread difference between produc-
ton costs and prices to consumers.
The survey of a plan to draft all
the resources of the nation, human
and material for national defense.
A fostering interest by the ma
'tional government in constructive
measures calculated to promote
the unifcation of steam. water and
electric powers in the Eastern in
dustrial region.
Favorable consideration Of rec
lamation and irrigation projects
where, waste land may be made
available for settlement and pro-
ductivity.
Cooperation between the federal
government, the various states and
the owners of forest lands to the
end that protection from fire should
be made more effective and re-
planting encouraged.
With this session limited to less
than three months. there was a
general realization that congress
could deal between now and March
4 with only one or two of even the
most important of the problems
presented by the president. To
what extent this situation would
bear on the ultimate decision Of
Mr.. Harding as to an extra session
of the new congress was a mat
ter of some conjecture at the cap
itol.
Leaders of the agricultural
groups in the house and senate are
determined that recommendation
of the Necutive-that dealing with
farm credits-shall be translated
into law at this session.
They also are anxious that there
should be some solution of the
railroad problem that would bring
about lowered freight rates. but
Chairman Cummins Of the senate
interstate commerce committee
said legislation along the lines rec