Evening star., 1926-12-07
The Presidents Message.

RopOrtlng upon lnc Sldto VI Xix
Union, President Coolidge today sends
to Congress a message which Is con
siderably the longest he has yet sub
mitted and in some respects the most
interesting. It Is notable not for any
sensational or surprising feature. but
for its clear review of the conditions
affecting the people and its recon-
mendations for the advancement OF
legislation looking to the correcting
Of those failures or absences OF law
which remain to be adjusted to meet
national requirements.
Recognizing that in the short ses
sion mo great amount OF legislation
Is possible" the President neverthe
less submits a budget of proposals
that. with diligence and abstentior
from partisan debate leading to nc
conclusion, can be accomplished by
Congress- Favoring personally re-
fund of a portion Of the surplus OF
Federal revenues estimated at 1888.
100000 by the end Of the fiscal year
he urges this measure Of temporary
relief from the tax burden. with the
alternative of the application Of the
surplus to the reduction Of the debt
Having stated his own view, he leaves
1t to Congress to determine which
policy is to be pursued, either being
in the nature eventually Of tax re-
duction.
Reviewing a long list Of measures
adopted during the past five years for
the relief and aid Of the farmers. the
President points out that further con-
sideration should be given to the
needs of the agriculturists Of the
country. He advances no definite
plan, though stressing the question of
farm marketing. His words in con-
clusion on this subject are significant:
IF sound solution of a permanent
nature can be found for this problem,
the Congress ought not to hesitate to
adopt it." The word Sound" is the
crux of the matter.
American merchant marine the Presi'
dent urges that the great need Is not
for more ships but for more freight.
American merchants are altogether
too Indifferent, he says, about using
American ships for the transportation
Of goods which they send abroad or
bring home. He repeats his recon-
mendation that the operation Of the
fleet should be placed under single
responsible head, leaving the Ship
ping Board free to deal with matters
of policy and regulation.
Paragraphs Of the message which
Are of particular interest to millions
uf radio users deal with the necessity
for legislation to regulate broadcast.
ing, now in chaos.
In respect to the national defense
the President notes that the one weak
point in the whole line is our still
htupendous war debt. Debt reduction
therefore is a measure of protection.
An offer to carry further the limita-
tion of all types of warships, accord.
ing to the Washington conference
ratio. is still pending at Geneva.
In respect to prohibition the Presi.
dent lays particular stress upon the
fact that the States are jointly
charged with the Nation in providing
for the enforcement Of the eighteenth
amendment, and he repeats in the fol-
lowing words his views previously ex-
pressed regarding observance Of the
fundamental law:
Some people do not like the amend
ynent. Some do not like other parts
OF the Constitution. Some do not like
any Of 1t. Those who entertain such
sentiments have a perfect right tC
seek through legal methods for a
change. But for any of our inhabit-
ants to observe such parts of the
Constitution as they like. while dis
regarding others. is a doctrine that
will break down all protection Of life
and property and destroy the Amer
Jean system of ordered liberty.
Taken as a whole. the message Is
hn important survey of national con
ditions, a businesslike record of ma
tional progress and an encouraging
review of needs that can readily be
met by concerted legislative action
No problems that are beyond solution
present themselves. Prosperity pre-
walls. Constructive economy is the
watchword of the administration. The
American people are indeed blessed
with good government.