The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-12-04
STATES NATION
IS PROSPEROUS
AND DHASPEACE
Proposes Revolving Fund to
Finance Producers AssOcia.
tions Temporarily
ASKS FOR CRUISER BILL
Opposes Putting Government
in Control of Muscle Shoals
and Dams
ASKS FOR CRUISER BILL

and Dams
Washington, Dec. 4.-(R-In
what probably will be his valedic-
tory to Congress, President Coolidge
today emphasized once more his de-
sire for an increase in Americas
naval strength, urged farm relief
program which would meet approval
of the administration, made sugges-
tions for legislation covering the
most important subjects, and ended
by declaring the nation was in an
era of prosperity and peace such as
never before had been experienced.
For farm relief, Mr.. Coolidge re-
iterated his suggestion for the Gre
alton Of a federal farm board in
order that the government might aid
in promoting orderly marketing and
in handling surpluses clearly due
to weather and seasonal conditions.
He suggested revolving fund from
government money, until producers
associations had erected stabilizing
organizations to finance themselves
through regular credit institutions.
Temporary expediences, he said,
though sometimes capable Of ap-
peasing demands of the moment,
cannot permanently solve the sur
plus problem and might seriously
aggravate it. Hence putting the
government directly into business,
subsidies and price fixing, and the
alluring promises of political action
as a substitute for private initiative,
should be avoided"
Following the lines of his Armis-
tice Day speech, the presidents mes
sage repeated his desire for passage
of the Is cruiser bill now pending
in the Senate.
Is Not Militaristic
"The bill before the Senate with
the elimination Of the time clause
should be passed." he said, referring
to the section which provides that
the ships must be laid down within
three years.
II wish to repeat again for the
benefit 1of the timid and the sus-
picious," said the. president, "that
this country is neither militaristic
nor lmperlallGClc.
MANY people at home and abroad,
who constantly make this charge,
are the same ones who are even more
solicitous to have US extend assist
ance to foreign countries. When
such assistance is granted, the in
evitable result is that we have for
eign interets. For us to refuse the
customary support and protection
of such interests would be in dero-
cation of the sovereignty Of this
nation. Our largest foreign inter-
ests are in the British Empire,
France, and italy. Because we are
constantly solicitous for those in
terests, doubt if anyone would sup
pose that those countries feel we
harbor toward them any militaristic
or imperialistic design.
Opposes Federal Control
The president also reiterated his
opposition to putting the govern
ment into the power or nitrate bus
mess in connection with legislation
affecting the Colorado river or
Muscle Shoals. OF the Colorado
river he said q summary Of the re-
port Of board appointed to study
that project showed It preferred the
Black Canyon site. He added that
he felt warranted "in recommending
a measure which will protect the
rights Of the states, discharge the
necessary government functions, and
leave the electrical field to private
enterprise"
In connection with Muscle Shoals,
President Coolidge suggested divi-
sion Of the property into "its two
component parts Of power and nj
trate plants" by which it would be
possible to dispose of: the power,
reserving the right to any concern
that wished to make nitrates to use
any power that might be needed for
that purpose" He opposed building
another dam at public expense, say
ing future operators should provide
for that themselves.
Reviewing the efforts Of the ad-
ministration to economize in public
expenditures, the president declared
that instead Of 4 deficit Of 94,O00,-
600 which was expected last June
for the current fiscal year, "the COM
bination Of economy and good times
now indicates q surplus of about
$37,O0O,00 He said, however, that
there would be no large enough sur.
plus for further tax reduction.
Liquor Law Binding
The question Of prohibition was
disposed Of by Mr.. Coolidge in brief
form: