The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1923-12-13

of our own folly or be guaranteed a sue
cessful life. There is an unacceptable per.
sonal responsibility for the development
OF chara ter, of Industry. of thrift, and
Of self-control. These do not come from
the government. but from the people
themselves. But the government can and
should always be expressive of steadfast
determination, always yigilant, to ma n
tain conditions under which these viz
tues are most likely to develop and Sc
cure recognition and reward. This Is
the American policy.
II is in accordance with this principle
that we have enacted laws for the pro-
te"tion of the public health and have
adopted prohibition in narcotic drugs and
IntoXi ating liquors. For purposes of ma
tional uniformity we ought to provide,
by constitutional amendment and appro-
p"'ate legislation, for a limitation of child
labor, and in all cases under the ex-
elusive jurisdiction of the federal gov
eminent a minimum wage law for wom-
en-, which would undoubtedly find suti-
cient power of enforcement in the in
fuence Of public opinion,
immigration.
American Institutions rest solely on
good citizenship. They were created by
people who had a background of self
government. New arrivals should be linn
tied to our capacity to absorb them into
the ranks of good citizenship. America
must be kept American. For this purpose
restricted immigration. Ii would be well
TO make such immigration of a selective
nature with some inspection at the source,
and based either on a prior census or
upon the record of naturalization
Veterans.
Nc more important duty falls on the
government of the United States than the
adequate care of it's veterans. Those
suffering disabilities incurred in the serv-
ice must nave sufficient hospital relief
and compensation. Their dependents must
be supported. Rehabilitatio ton and voca-
tional training must be completed. All
of this service must be clean, must be
prompt and effective, and IL must be ad-
ministered In a spirit of the broadcast and
deepest human sympathy. If investiEa-
ton reveals any present defects of ad-
ministration or need of legislation. orders
will be given for the immediate correc-
ton of administration, and recommended
lions for legislation should be given the
highest preference. Bait | do not favor
the granting OF a bonus.
Coal.
The cost of coal has become unbear-
ably high, II places a great burden
on our industrial and domestic life.
u ttoe P pn The welfare prina Of requires Win 4 5edT t6s
enormous deposits in existence, failure
of supply ought not to be tolerated.
Those responsible for the conditions in
this industry should undertake its re-
form and free it from any charge of
proiteering.
The report of the coal commission
will be before the congress. 1t COM
prises all the facts. 1t represents the
mature deliberations and conclusions
of the best talent and experience that
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 ownership that
VIII secure greater continuity OF pro-
duction and greater public protection.
Reorganization.
A special joint committee has been
appointed to work out a plan for a re-
organization OF the different depart
ments and bureaus of the government
more scientific and economical than the
present system. with the exception Of
the consolidation Of the War and Navy
the plan has the general sanction Of
the President and the cabinet. 1t is
important that reorganization be en-
acted into law at the present session.
Agriculture.
Aided by the sound principles adopt
ed by the government the business OF
the country has had an extraordinary
revival. Looked at as a whole. the
nation is In the enjoyment of remark
able prosperity. Industry and COM
agriculture is successful. eleven staples
having risen In value from about S.
zoo ooo. o0o w years ago to about 81
range cattle are still low in price. and
some sections of the wheat area. not
ably Minnesota. North Dakota, and on
west haze many cases of actual dis
tress. With his products not selling
on a parity with the products of in
dustry. every sound remedy that can
be devised should be applied for the
character. n type. OF citizenship. and
a public necessity that must be pre-
served and afforded every facility for
regatning prosperity.
The distress is most acute among
those wholly dependent upon one crop,
wheat acreage was greatly expanded
and has not yet been sufficiently re-
duced. A large amount is raised for
export. which has to meet the compe-
tition in the world market of large
amounts raised on Ian much cheaper
and much more productive.
No complicated scheme of relief. no
plan for government fixing Of prices, no
resort TO the public treasury will be OF
any permanent value i'm establishing ag-
riculture. Simple and direct methods put
into operation nv the farmer himself are
the only real sources for restoration.
Muscle Shoals.
The government is undertaking to de.
Velop a great water power project known
as Muscle Shoals, on which 1t has ex-
pended many million dollars. The work
Is still going on. Subject to the right
10 retake in time OF war. I recommend
that this property with a ~location for
auxiliary steam plant and rights OF way
be sold. This would end the present bur.
den of expense and should return TO the
treasury the largest price possible to Sc
cure.
Highways and Forests.
Highway and reforestation should con-
tinue TO have the interest and support OF
the government Everyone Is anxious for
good highways. I have made a liberal
proposal In the budget for the continuing
to the states by the federal gov
eminent Of II share for this necessary
public Improvement. No expenditure OF
public money contributes so much TO the
NATIONAL wealth as for building good
roads.
Reforestation has an importance far
above the attention II usually secures. A
special of the senate Is in.
yestigating this need. and I shall well
come a constructive policy based on
their report.
Monroe Doctrine.
1t is 100 years since our country an
nounced the Monroe doctrine. This prin.
ciple has been ever since. and Is now, one
or the main foundations of our foreign re.
latlons. 1t must be maintained. But In
MAINTAINING II we must not forget thai a
great change has taken place. We are no
longer a weak nation. thinking mainly OF
defense. dreadins foreign imposition. We
are great and powerful. New mowers
was to protect ourselves. Added TO tEat,
our duty now is TO help give stability te
the world. We want idealism. We wa nj
that vision which lifts men and nations
above themselves. These are virtues nv
reason OF their own merit. But they must
not be clustered; they must not be i'm.
PRACTICAL, they must not be Ineffective
America has taken her place in the worId
AS a r~epublic-free, independent. power.
fui. The best service that can be rem.
Gered to humanity is the assurance thai
this place Will be maintained