The St. Mary banner., 1922-12-16
HARDINC'S ADDRESS
BEFORE CONGRESS
Farm Credits and New Rail
Act Urged By Presi-
dent.

Washington.-Pres Harding, ad-
dressing congress in person FRIDAY,
On the state of the union, placed the
transportation situation, prohibition
enforcement and farm credits in the
forefront of the national problems
pressing for solution.
Also he took occasion to reply d.
rectly to those who, he said, had
assumed that the United States had
taken itself "aloof and apart unmind-
full of world obligations. He declared
those gave scant credit for the help
ful part" we had assumed in interna-
tional relations, referring particularly
to the arms conference.
Of the prohibition situation, the
executive asserted there were condl-
tions of enforcement which SAVIOR of
nationwide scandal" He made no
recommendation on this score, but
announced his purpose to call an
early conference Of the governors OF
the states and territories with the
federal authorities to formulate def
mite policies of national and state CO.
operation in the administering OF the
laws.
Declaring there was no problem
exceeding in Importance the one OF
transportation, Mr.. Harding told con-
gress there was need to begin work
on plans to coordinate all transporta-
ton facilities-rail, water and motor.
AS to the relief of the railroad prob
lem he suggested merger of lines into
systems, a facilitated interchange OF
freight cars and a consolidation OF
facilities 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 authority to enforce
it's decisions. He voiced preference
for abolition of the. railroad labor
board and the placing of its functions
for an enlarged interstate commerce
commission. Should the decision be
to continue this board in existence,
however, he suggested that the parti-
san membership be abolished to the
end that the tribunal be impartial and
the headquarters moved from Chicago
to Washington so there might be direct
contact with the commission.
The only specific recommendation
of the executive for enactment of
;1l1 oh nrf
OF congress, related to the permanent
establishment of widened farm credits.
He urged both ample farm production
credits and enlarged land credits
through enlargement of the powers
of the farm loan board and reminded
congress that special provisions must
be made for live stock production
credits.
Other recommendations included:
Registration of aliens; more rigid
alton ports; federal assistance in the
education of aliens; a constitutional
amendment giving congress authority
over child labor.
A constitutional amendment restrict
ing the issue of tax exempt securities
by the federal government, the states.
municipalities and counties.
A study by congress of the wide
spread difference between production
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 national
government in constructive measures
calculated to promote the unification
Of steam, water and electric powers
in the eastern industrial region
Favorable consideration of reclama-
ton and irrigation projects where
waste land may be made available
for settlement and productivity.
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 replanting encour-
aged.