Imperial Valley press., 1927-11-18
ny United Press Leased Wire

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. lS-Pres
ident Coolidge, in a speech almost as
broad as a message to congress, last
! night warned the Union League
Club of Philadelphia that the nation
must face squarely the great test of
prosperity.
He outlined various constructive
enterprises requiring needful ex
! penditures and told his hearers these
would restrict the amount of tan
reduction possible in the near flu
ture.
\ political tone was lent the
meeting by former Governor Sproul
of Pennsylvania, who in introducing
, the president, told him - wanted
YOU to see what these worthwhile
people think of you, how they trust
you, how they approve of you and
how they will stand by You, Mr.
President, as a national leader in
whatever course You may choose to
outline for your future.
we have demonstrated that we
are able to meet adversely and ov.
ereome it, the president said
THE test which now confronts us
lis prosperity. History is Uttered
with stories of nations destroyed by
their own wealth.
Mr.. Coolidge traced in terms of
praise the history of the United
States from the time of the Civil
War to the present, attributing its
spectacular success to the govern
ment S policy of protecting but not
interfering undulv with industry.
I'VE have adopted and very gen
orally maintained for a period OF
more than 100 years system OF
protective tariffs,' he said. "This
has enabled us to develop our nat.
ural resources, build up our great
industries, furnish employment to
our increasing population and mar.
kets for our various products of
farm and factory
The president said any material
reduction in the tariff would newt
ably result in deflation of agri-
cultural and industrial values and
in reduction of wages. He then
launched upon discussion of cur
rent governmental policies.
Economy Reduces Taxes
Because of the past insistence
on economy in national expendi-
lures, we are in position to have
further moderate ta:7 reduction" "
the president said. ''But let it be
remembered that tax reduction Is
possible solely on account of econ
omv.'
Listing items of national expense
which will make gradual tax reduc-
tion necessary, Mr.. Coolidge men,
toned flood control, national high
way construction, waterway projects
in the Mississippi Valley, st. Lawr-
enee river, Columbia basin and Col
orado river, and more equipment for
the navy and the air force.
Ion the sea we shall round out
our navy with more submarines and
more cruisers and private ownership
should provide it with an auxiliary
merchant marine of fast cruiser
boats" he said. "On land we shall
be building up our air forces, es-
pecially by encouraging commercial
aviation.
.'Our rise in the world has given
us new problems, new responsible
tiles, both domestic and foreign.
The entire life of the nation, all its
economic activities, have become so
interrelated that maladiustment in
any one of them is sufficient to
cause serious disarrangement in all
the rest.
owe have become one nation. We
can only survive by most elabor-
ate system of concerted action.
National Debt Menace
The president branded as "a men
ace to our credit $4,000, 100000
national debt. He called it the
"greatest weakness in our line of
national .defense' but reminded his
listeners that one-third of the finan-
cial obligations resulting from the
World War have been settled since.
1.-The work of restoring the ma
tional finances has met with large
success,' he said. "The burden of
taxation has been extremely heavy
but it has been borne with great
courage. Three times it has been
materially reduced. Millions of tax
payers have been entirely relieved
and heavy reduction granted to
others.
Mr.. Coolidge praised the character
of American people as demonstrat,
ed during the World War and the
years of financial recuperation.
"The great mass of our people,
whatever their possessions, are con
scientious and industrious, seeking
to serve humanity. They know that
the doctrine of ease is the doctrine
of surrender and decay the presi-
dent declared "Thc heart of the
nation is sound.''
Turning to foreign aspects of
American relations, the president
said.
"We wish to promote peace. We