Albuquerque morning journal., 1922-12-13
THE PRESIDENTS CALL TO
CONGRESS

President Harding, in his message has
sent clarion call to Congress, together
with constructive program of proposed
legislation. 1t remains to be seen
whether Congress will abandon its aimless
pickering and partisan buncombe by ac-
complishing the major part of the bene-
ficial legislation which the President pro-
poses.
The President suggests that there is
need to begin with the coordination OF
transportation facilities and he asserts
that public interest demands that ample
power be conferred upon labor tribunal,
whether the present board or the sug-
gested substitute" to require its rulings
to be accepted by both parties to a dis
puted question. The President is, OF
course, right when he says that this
transportation problem cannot be waved
aside. The demand for lowered costs on
farm products and basic material cannot
be ignored" But the matter is not
likely to pushed at this session for want
of time, to say nothing of the opposition
by so large a radical bloc as the President
will have on his hands when the next
Congress convenes, with the railroad
labor leaders supporting La Toilette and
the latter's bloc against anything of a
really constructive sort.
The President favors the registration
of aliens and voices the necessity of teach.
ing newcomers respect for our institutions,
ito make sure of desirables only"
He wishes American citizens who are
tearing down the moral fibre of the Re-
public through their easy contempt for
prohibition to realize that they are setting
an example and breeding contempt for law
which, if not checked, will ultimately de-
stroy the nation. He declares pointedly
that there are conditions relating to pro-
hibition enforcement (which SAVIOR of
national scandal" and he adds, 1T is
the most demoraizing factor in our pub
lie life" He scorns the idea that the
Eighteenth Amendment ever will be re-
pealed, but if the statutory provisions
for its enforcement are contrary to de-
liberate public sentiment, which he does
not believe, "the rigorous and literal en-
forcement will concentrate on any re-
quisite modification" For the purpose
Of more definite policy of national and
state cooperation the President proposes
conference of governors.
Greater credit facilities for the farm
ers is declared essential, agricultural i'll
fortune having inevitable effects on the
nations prosperity. The unsatisfactory
condition Of transportation, its bearing on
he farmers, the effects of the rail and coal
strikes, the disparity between the cost OF
production and cost to consumer, are dis
cussed by the President with suggestions
that should be conducive to clearer pop
uiar thought on these subjects, with which !
public opinion, no less than Congress,
must deal.
Two constitutional amendments are
recommended both much needed; = one !
giving Congress jurisdiction over the reg
ulation of child labor and one to restrict
the issue of taX-eXempt securities by !
which taxation is evaded and enterprise
deprived of capital. /
On the whole, it is a constructive, even
though not spectacular, program, but
it is one that should commend itself to /
Congress and to the country alike.