The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-12-11
THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS

THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS
President Harding's annual address to
Congress shows that he has paid close at
tention to the causes of unrest throughout
the nation, which made itself strongly felt
in the recent elections, and wants to put the
administration On record as favoring legis-
lative reforms demanded by the people,
Prohibition enforcement, transportation and
relief for the farmers, three subjects of
great Importance to the national welfare
are given prominence. On the question of
railroads, the President makes several con-
structive suggestions. "Manifestly," he de-
clares, 1--WE have need to begin on plans to
coordinate all transportation facilities. We
should more effectively connect up our rail
lines with our carriers by sea. We ought
to reap some benefit from the hundreds of
millions expended on inland waterways, prov
ing our capacity to utilize as well as ex-
pend. We ought to turn the motor truck
into railroad feeder and distributor, in
stead of destroying competitor" The
public is convinced, however, that the truck
is a welcome relief from high rail rates, and,
while not desiring destroying competitor"
for the railroads, is glad of the freedom
from railroad dominance.
The President called attention to the de-
terioration in equipment of the railroads and
their inability to serve the nations needs,
the lack of transportation having caused
loss of items of millions" to shippers His
suggestion that all freight cars be inter
changed, or pooled strikes at one of the
most vexatious features of the transporta-
ton problem, and one that frequently aleads
to car shortages. The sensible thing to do
would be to send cars where they are needed
and thus speed up distribution of freight
The Presidents recommendation that the
railway labor board be abolished and its
functions entrusted to the interstate com
merce commission, and also his proposal thai
the tribunal for dealing with wage disputes
between the carriers and their employees be
invested with power to enforce its decisions,
may be regarded as admission of the labor
boards failure to function as expected.
The President stated that the farm loan
bureau has already proved its usefulness,
but it may well have its powers enlarged
to provide ample farm production credits
have the time limitation so adjusted that
the farmers may enjoy the same loan facili-
ties the federal reserve banks allow manu-
faeturers and mercantile borrowers How
ever as the President points out, federal
aid to farmers is more or less temporary and
permanent prosperity depends on cheaper
and better transportation.
Mr. Harding calls for the strict enforce
ment of prohibition, as the law of the land,
and states that he does not believe the
statutes for the enforcing the eighteenth
amendment are contrary to public opinion.
Neither does he think the amendment will
ever be repealed Nevertheless, he realizes
the necessity for creating stronger senti-
ment for obeying the prohibition law and
his proposed governors conference will be
for the purpose of devising more adequate
system of enforcement. There can be no
doubt that the public is thoroughly aroused
by the fragrant defiance of prohibition,
chiefly by professional violators, and will
welcome any means that will make the Law
more strictly observed.
The recommendations for more efficient
control of immigration, constitutional
amendment to restrict issues of tax-exempt
securities, an amendment to give the federal
government authority over child labor, a
study by Congress of production costs and
prices charged to consumer and plan for
modifying the resources of the nation for
national defense, are among other topics
discussed, many of which are Endorsed by
the enlightened sentiment of the country.