The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1922-12-11
THE PRESIDENTS
MESSAGE

III ings mtssage to congress- II
IL well worth more than the eursory
reading that the writer has so far
been able 10 give u II Ia worth
the close attention and study OF
every citizen.
II takes up. and calls for action
upon. half dozen vital questions.
~ these problems were settled, and
settled right. America. and. the
world. would be nearer harmony
ana peace by good many steps
than thoy are today. For II Amer
lea had her own house In order and
could BRING to bear upon world
problems united purpose. she
could WELD tremendous influ-
enee. But until our own grave
domestic concerns are arranged to
general satisfaction, We cannot ea-
ptet 10 exert much influence, nor
should we. upon the affairs OF our
neighbors.
First OF all. and II Is so pointed
TO by President Harding. comes the
veal OF the farmers. who are now
In bad way the nation over. The
immediate remedy advocated by the
president Is enlarged and longer
term credit through extended farm
loan bureau powers.
But the farmer cannot be made
permanently prosperous through en-
iarged borrowings. says the ma
tion's executive--and his words
show a wisdom bespeaking study
and understanding that show him
to be 4 broader and bigger man
than the majority have yet given
him credit for being. even among
his own party.
The farmer must be given an
earning power In proportion to the
importance of his industry. so that
he, can pay back what he Is forced
TO borrow lie must be released
from the handicap OF inadequate
transportation.
!, takes courage 10 stand up and
tell the transportation magnates
that their systems are broken down,
their rolling stock worn and In
adequate, In the face OF their fran
tic declarations that everything IL
all rlght. Harding. In seeking JUS
tiee for the unorganlzed tillers Of
the soil. Is eriticizing a strongly
intrenched and organized interest.
u is not what one would expect
from politician. II marks more a
statesmanlike understanding OF tho
necessities: without regard for its
Political effect upon second term.
The immigration question. Amer
ieanlsation and the need OF a child
labor amendment are all big r-ob-
lens. and are so treated In the
message, but transportation that
win actually aid the producers. aud
adequate enforcement OF the pro-
hihition law are the imminent prob
lens. and are thus recognized by
the. president.
All good citizens will agree with
their president that Is humillaiing
"a. In ~ hA land flnnta aA
as Il Is daily being flouted by men
and women OF high station. as well
as the degraded and criminal, alike
In the hamlet and the metropolis
all over the land.
The contempt shown for this one
law Is sapping the general respect
for all law.
Out OF the conference OF gov
ernors OF the states with the fed
sral executive and his advisers,
which is proposed by the president
should come some suggestions. Ger
tsiniy II the majority OF public
opinion in the United States favors
strict prohibition. there should be
Nd difficulty in enforcing the law
AGAINST a criminal minority. But II
w. have made an emotional mis-
toke. and misguaged our real des'
ifos. tho honest thing to do is 10
admit the truth. repeal the law. or
modify n. and indulge our alcoholic
cravings openly.
We are In serious danger, is pre-
sent conditions prevail. of becom-
inx either q nation of defiant law
breakers. or q national OF hypo-
crites--neithsr Of which conforms
With the American ideal.
But read the presidents message,
It deals with things that are OF
la