The Washington times., 1924-12-03
sULL TEXT OF PRESIDENT COOLGES MESSAGE TO CONGRESS

law Teuuereu uLIIe more hIl.
name for the purpose of permit
ting those already here greater
latitude in securing admission OF
members of their own families.
But l believe this law in princi.
pie Is necessary and sound. and
destined to increase greatly the
public welfare. We must main.
tain our own economic position
we must defend our own national
integrity.
1t Is gratifying to report that
the progress Of industry. the
enormous increase in Individual
productivity through labor Saving
devices, and the high rate az
wages have all combined to fur.
nish our people in general with
an abundance yet only Of the
necessaries but q the conveniences
OF life that we are by a natural
evolution solving our problems
Of economic and social justice.
Negro Race Improving.
These developments have
brought about q very remarkable
Improvement In the condition Of
the negro race. Gradually, but
surely, with the almost universal
sympathy Of those among whom
they live, the colored people are
working out their own destiny. 4
firmly believe that 1t is better for
all concerned that they should be
chcerfully accorded their full con-
stitutional rights, that they should
be protected from all OF those i'm
positions to which, from their po-
sition, they naturally fall a prey,
especially from the crime Of
lynching, and that they should re-
ceive every encouragement to be-
come full partaRers in all the
blessings Of our common Ameri-
can citizenship.
Lauds Civil Service.
The merit system has long been
recognized as the correct basis
for employment in our civil serv-
ice. l believe that first, second
and third class postmasters, and
without covering In the present
membership the field force of pro-
hibition enforcement, should be
brought within the classified serv-
ice by statue law. Otherwise the
Executive order Of one administra.
ton is changed by the Executive
order Of another administrator,
and little real progress Is made.
Whatever its defects, the merit
system is certainly to be preferred
to the spoils system.
Departmental Reorganization.
One way to save public money
would be to pass the pending bill
for the reorganization Of the va
rious departments. This project
has been pending for some time,
and has had the most careful Con-
sideration of experts and the
thorough study of a special Con-
gressional committee. This legis-
lation is vital as a companion
piece to the budget law. Legal
authority for a thorough reorgan-
ization Of the Federal structure
with some latitude Of action to the
Executive in the rearrangement
of secondary functions would make
for continuing economy in the
shift of Government activities
which must follow every change
In q developing country. Beyond
this many Of. the independent
agencies Of the Government must
be placed under responsible Cabi-
net officials, IL we are to have
sufficient safeguards of efficiency,
economy, and probity.
Army and Navy.
Little has developed in relation
to our national defense which
needs special attention. Pro-
gress is constantly being made in
air navigation and requires en-
enlargement and development.
Army aviators have made a sue
cessful trip around the world,
for which / recommend suitable
recognition through provisions
for promotion, compensation, and
retirement. Under the direction
of the Navy a new Zeppelin has
been successfully brought from
Europe across the Atlantic to
our own country.
Due to the efficient supervision
of the Secretary of War the
Army of the United States has
been organized with small body
of Regulars and a moderate Ma
tional Guard and Reserve. The
defense test of September 10,
demonstrated the efficiency OF the
operating plans. These methods
and operations are well worthy
of congressional support.
Under the limitation of arrna-
ments treaty large saving in
nrRf10Ny
crease in maintenance Of the
Navy has been accomplished.
We should maintain the policy
of constantly working toward
the full treaty strength OF the
Navy. Careful investigation is
being made in this department
of the relative Importance Of air.
craft, surface and submarine
vessels, in order that we may not
fail to take advantage Of all
modern improvements for our ma
tional defense. A special com.
mission also Is investigating the
problem Of petroleum oil for the
Navy, considering the best policy
to insure the future supply OF
fuel oil and prevent the threat
ened drainage of naval oil re-
serves. Legislative action is re.
CURED to carry on experiments
in oil shale reduction, as large
deposits of this type have been
set aside for the use of the
Navy.
Against Imperialism.
We have been constantly be-
sought to engage in competitive
ornaments. Frequent reports
will reach us Of the magnitude
of the military equipment of
other nations. We shall do
well to be little impressed by
such reports or such actions,
Any nation undertaking to main
tain a military establishment
with aggressive and imperialistic
designs will find itself severely