The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-12-06
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WSAlAE0 u blS p6UR1Cs sOlE euOEIM-
GUS material wealth, our institu-
tons, our whole form Of society,
cannot be considered fully success
full until their benefits reach the
merit OF every individual. This
Is not q suggestion that the Gov.
eminent should, or could, assume
for the people the inevitable bur
dens Of existence. There is no
method by which we can either
be relieved Of the results OF our
own folly or be guaranteed
successful life. There is an in-
escapable personal responsibility
for the development Of character,
OF industry, Of thrift, and OF self
control These do not come from
tfre Government, but from the
neOpIe themselves. But the Gov-
eminent can and should always be
expressive Of steadfast determine
ton. always VigiIant, to maintain
conditions under which these
virtues are most likely to develop
and secure recognition and re-
ward. This ID the American policy.
It Ii In accordance with this
principle that we have enacted
laws for the protection Of the
public health and have adopted
prohibition In narcotic drugs and
Intoxicating liquors. For p1r-
poses Of national uniformity we
ought to provide, by constitution
amendment and appropriate leg1s-
lation, for q Limitation of child
labor. and In all cases under the
exclusive jurisdiction Of the Fed
eral Government 8 nninimum wage
law for women, which would I'M
enforcement IA the influence %
public opinion.
For Federal Aid.
Having In mind that education
Is peculiarly 3 local problem, and
that Il should always be pursued
with the largest freedom Of choice
BY studerftn and parents, never.
theless, the Federal Government
might well give the benefit Of its
counsel and encouragement more
freely In this direction. il any
one doubts the need Of concerted
action by the States Of the Ma
ton for this purpose. II u only
necessary to consider the appalling
figures of illiteracy representing
3 condition which does not vary
much In all parts Of the Union
do not favor the making OF apy
urouriatfons from the National
Treasury to Is expended directly
on local education, but 4 do con-
slider Il & fundamental require
merlt Of national activity which,
accompanied by allied subjects o.
welfare. II worthy OF separate
department and place Ia the
Cabinet The Humanitarian Hlde
OF government should not be re-
pressed, but should be cultivated.
Mere intelligence however, =
not enough. Enlightenment must
Is accompanied BY that moral
power which Is the product Of the
home and or religion. Real educa-
ton and true welfare Tor the peo-
pie rest inevitably on this founda-
ton. which the Government can
approve and commend. but which
the people themselves must create.
Restricted Immigration.
American institutions rest solely
on good citizenship. They were
created by people who had q back
ground Of self-government. New
arrivals should be limited to our
capacity to absorb them into
the ranks Of good citizenship.
America must be kept American.
For this purpose, it Is necessary to
continue s. policy OF restricted i'm
migration. 1t would be well to
make such immigra ton Of q selec-
tive nature with some inspection
at the source, and based either on
q prior census or upon the record
Of naturalization. Either method
would insure the admission OF
those with the largest capacity and
best intention Of becoming citizens.
am convinced that our present
economic and social conditions
warrant q limitation OF those to be
admitted. We should find addi-
tional safety in a law recurring the
immediate registration of all aliens.
Those who do not want to be par
takers of the American spirit ought
not to settle In America.
Care Of Veterans.
No more important duty falls on
the Government Of the United
States than the adequate care Of
its veterans. Those suffering dis
abilities incurred in the service
must have sufficient hospital relief
and compensation. Their depend
ents must be supported. Rehabili-
tation and vocational training
must be completed. ALI of this
service must be clean, must be
prompt and effective, and it must
be administered In spirit Of the
broadest and deepest human SYM
pathy. If investigation reveals
Snfcr4fes No raf7Vv4iVRfcf1se.
ton or need OF legislation, orders
correction of administration, and
should be given the highest pref
erence.
At present there are $500 va
cant beds in Government hospitals.
recommend that all hospitals be
authorized at once to receive and
care for, without hospital pay, the
veterans of all wars needing such
care, whenever 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 pre-
sent to the Congress a legislative
program too extensive for detailed
discussion here. 1t Is a carefully
matured plan. While some of 1t
do not favor, with much of it /
am in hearty accord, and I recon-
mend that most painstaking eff
fort be made to provide remedies
for any defects in the administra-
ton of the present laws which
their experience has revealed. The
attitude of the Government toward
these proposals should be one of