South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-12-09
4 MESSAGE OF HOPE

Ia the four months until March 9Th next, con-
has READ opportunity Of enacng constructive
legislation which wiz do much redeem It's failure
the past two years.
Pres't IIardings message. setting forth the state
OF the nation. is the same time indictment
OF the past and promise for the future The pres
sing need Of important legislation Is a rebule to
congress IN having failed 20 attend to such matters
before and it is indication that the executive
viii force leadership q congress that has had no
leadership.
The presidents message is one Of the most force
full utterances that has come from the white House
Tie taking full cognizance Of the state Of unrest
OF the PEOPLE. so clearly and forcefully demon
strated IN the November elections and ne faces the
various problems clear headodly and squarely
Outstanding in his message are his recommenda-
lions on the nations transportation problem pro-
hlbiion and relief for the farmer.
ON the transportation problem he proposes the
abolition of the railroad labor board, and the unfit
cation Of lines into systems bring about greater
coordination OF facilities. The abolition OF the labor
board is included in the recommendation that its
functions be transferred to an enlarged commerce
commission There certain functions which
such federal body should handle to maintain in
dustral peace. and in asking the abolition OF the
present board and the transfer Of these functions
10 another federal tribunal much better fitted to
handle such problems, Prest Harding gives Iromise
u better times.
on the prohibition question the president is frank
indeed. Conditions Of enforcement OF the present
statutes SAVIOR of nationwide scandal" IS his
raisnment OF TIE breakdown OF the enforcement
efforts OF the government, Wet forces may
a ray Of hope in the suggestion that a rigorous
and literal enforcement Of the dry law Will
srate opinion on any requisite modification"
These forces may see In this pronouncement that
the president Is actually in favor Of a modification
90 the present laws It is far less such attitude
than it is a declaration that the laws must be
been Aouted throughout the length and breadth
OF the nation has OF last aroused the nations
executive sworn to enforce the laws of congress,
10 demand proper enforcement That fair test
of whether the prohibition law should be modified
cannot be made until it has had a fair test under
adequate enforcement conditions is more logical
Interpretation.
But in setting forth 20 a congress which has less
than four months to serve. that the country have
legislation which should have been enacted long
before because conditions but slightly different
now from two years ago Pres't Harding has given
promise Of a bright future lie has made a frank
confession OF the needs Of tho nation, and he has
placed the responsibility for recognizing those needs
in appropriate legislative action squarely upon
gress. This dying congress will not be able to do
IN few short months what II has failed do in
two years but Il can az least make n start which
viii do much atone for its inaction of the past
new congress. chastened by the rebuke OF the No
vember election should afford the leadership
sary to carry the work now started