The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07

Jects or welfare, Is worthy or sepa- rate department and g place in the cabinet. The humanitarian side of government should not be repressed, but should be cultivated.
 Mere intelligence, however. is not enough. Enlightenment must be &C., companied by that moral power which is the product of the home and of religion. Real education and true welfare for the people rest in- evitably on this foundation, which the government can approve and commend. but which the people themselves must create.
 Immigration.
 k American institutions crest solely on good citizenship. They were created by people who had back ground of self-government. New ar rivals should be limited to our ca pacity to absorb them into the ranks of good citizenship. America must be kept American. For this purpose, 1t is necessary to continue policy of restricted immi grafton. It would be well to make such immigration of a selective nature with some in- spection at the source, and based
 
 record of naturalization. Either method would insure the admission of those with the largest capacity and best intention of becoming citi- zens. l am convinced that our pres ent economic and social conditions warrant limitation of those to be admitted. We should find additional safety in a law requiring the imme- diate registration of all aliens. Those who do not want to be partakers of the American spirit ought not to settle in America.
 Veterans.
 No more important duty falls on the government of the United States than the adequate care of its veter- ans. Those suffering disabilities in- cured in the service must have suf- ficient hospital relief and compensa- tion. Their dependents must be sup ported. Rehabilitation and voca- tional training must be completed. All of this service must be clean, must be prompt and effective, and it must be administered in 8 spirit of the broadest and deepest human sym pathy. If investigation reveals any present defects of administration or need of legislation, orders will be given for the immediate correction of administration, and recommenda- tions for legislation should be given the highest preference.
 At present there are $500 vacant beds in government hospitals. I rec omn.end that all hospitals be author ized at once to receive and care for, without hospital pay. the veterans of all wars needing such care, when ever there are vacant beds, and that immediate steps be taken to enlarge and build new hospitals to serve all such cases.
 The American Legion will present to the Congress a Legislative pro- gram too extensive for detailed dis cussion here. It is a carefully ma tured plan. While some of it I do not favor, with much of it I am in hearty accord, and I recommend that a most painstaking effort be made to provide remedies for any defects in the administration of the present laws which their experience has re- vealed. The attitude of the govern ment toward these proposals should be one of generosity. But I do not favor the granting of a bonus. Coal.
 The cost of coal has become un- hearably high. It places a great bur den on our industrial and domestic life. The public welfare requires
 
 the enormous deposits in existence, failure of supply ought not to be tol- erated. Those responsible for the conditions in this industry should undertake it's reform and free 1t | from any charge of. profiteering. l The report of the coal commission will be before the Congress. II com prises all the facts. It represents the mature deliberations and conclusions Of hag a ever made a national survey of the production and distribution of fuel do not favor government ownership or operation of coal mines. The need is for action under private owner ship that will secure greater con- tinuity of production and greater public protection. The federal gov ernment probably has no time authority to regulate wages, prices or profits in coal al the mines or among dealers, but by ascertaining and publishing facts it can exercise great influence.
 The source of the difficulty in the bituminous coal fields is the inter influence of operation which causes great waste of both capital and labor That part of the report dealing with this problem has much significance, and is suggestive of necessary reme- dies. By amending the car rules. by encouraging greater unity of owner ship, and possibly by permitting com mon selling agents for limited dis tricts on condition. that they accept adequate regulations and guarantee that competition between districts be unlimited, distribution, storage, and continuity ought to be improved.
 The supply of coal must be con stant. In case of it's prospective inter-