Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-12-06

lions which international faith and
honor require should be discharged.
Our government has a liquidared
claim against Germany for the ex-
pense of the army of occupation of
over 1856, 600, 900. Besides this, the
Mixed Claims Commission have be-
fore them about 1880 claims of
American citizens, aggregating about
81, 225, 900, 900. These claims have
already been reduced by a recent
decision, but there are valid claims
reaching well toward $500, 900, 600.
Our thousands of citizens with cred
its due them of hundreds of millions
of dollars have no redress save in
h action of our government. These
are very substantial interests. which
it is tho duty of our government to
protect as best it can. That course
L propose to pursue.
1t is for these reasons that we
have a direct interest in the eco
nomic recovery of Europe. They
are enlarged by our desire for the
stability of civilization and the well
fare of humanity. That we are
making sacrifices to that end none
can deny. Our deferred interest
alone amounts to a million dollars
every day. But recently we offered
to aid with our advice and counsel.
We have reiterated our desire to see
France paid and Germany revived.
We have proposed disarmament.
VIZ have earnestly sought to COM
pose differences and restore peace.
We shah preserve in w~ell-doing, not
by force, but by reason.
Foreign Papers
Under the law the papers pertain
ing to foreign relations to be printed
are transmitted as a part of this
message. other volumes of these
papers will follow.
Foreign Service
The foreign service of our govern
ment needs to be recognized and
improved.
Shipping
The entire we'll being of our coun-
try Is dependent upon transportation
by sea and ldnd. Our government
during the war acquired a large
merchant fleet which should be
transferred. as soon as possible, to
private ownership and operation un-
der conditions which would secure
two results: First. and of prime i'm
portance, adequate means for ma
tional defense; second, adequate SER
vice to American commerce.. Until
shipping conditions are such that
our fleet can be disposed of advan-
t~ageously under these conditions, it
will be operated as economically as
possible under such plans as may be
devised from time to time by the
shipping board. We must have a
merchant marine which meets these
requirements, and we shall have to
pay the cost of it's service.
Public Improvements
h time has come to resume in a
moderate way the opening of our in
t%racoastal waterways; the control of
hood waters of the Mississippi and
of the Colorado rivers; the improve
ment of the waterways from the
Great Lakes toward the Gulf of
Mexico; and the development of
the great power and navigation pro-
ject of the st. Lawrence river, for
which efforts are now being made
to secure the necessary treaty
with Canada. These projects can
not all be undertaken at once,
but all should have the immedi-
ate consideration of the congress
and be adopted as fast as plans
can be matured and the necessary
funds become available. This is not
incompatible with economy, for their
nature does not require so much a
PoolAC CAptiioAthA 90 ii SCIAldL "a
vestment which will be reproductive,
as evidenced by the marked increase
in revenue from the Panama Canal.
Upon these projects depend much
future industrial and agricultural
progress. They represent the pro-
lection of large areas from flood and
the addition of a great amount of
cheap power and cheap freight by
use of navigation, chief of which
is the bringing of ocean-going ships
to the Great Lakes.
Another problem of allied char
acter is the superpower develop
ment of the northeastern states,
consideration of which is proceed
ing under the direction of the de-
partment of commerce by joint con-
ference with the local authorities.
Railroads
Criticism of the railroad law has
been directed, first, to the section
laying down the rule by which rates
are fixed and providing for payment
to the government and use of ex-
cess earnings; second, ito the method
for the adjustment of wage scales;
and third, to the authority permit
ting consultations.
1t has been enormously assumed
that the act undertakes to guaran-
tee railroad earnings. The law re
quires that rates should be just and
reasonable. That has always been
the rule under which rates have
been fixed. To make a rate that
does not yield a fair return results
in confiscation, and c~oniscatory
rates are of course unconstitutional.
Unless the government adheres to
A. x,1o 80 n,a1rfpn n ratio that will
WELD a fair return, it must abandon
rate making altogether. The new
and important feature of that part
of the law is the recapture and re-
distribution of excess rates. The
constitutionality of this method is
now before the supreme court for
adjudication. Their decision should
be awaited before attempting fur
Their legislation on this subject.
Furthermore, the importance OF this
feature will not be great If con-
~solidation goes into effect.
Fiscal Condition
Our main problems are domestic
problems. Financial stability is the
first requisite of sound government:
we can not escape the effect or
world conditions. We can not avoid
the inevitable result of the economic
disorders which have reached all ma
tions. But we shall diminish their
harm to us in proportion as we con-
tinue to restore our government
finances to a secure and %endurable
position. This we can and must do
Upon that firm foundation rests the
only hope of progress and prosperity.
From that source must come relief
for the people.
b is being accomplished by a