The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-12-31

then the calibcr OF our diplomats In those countries.
Although not a great deal has been definitely accom-
plishcd. the administration has established a foundation
for reduction Of military and naval expenditures in
Hoovers public uttcrances. The year saw the pre ,i,i
ton conference which will soon begin, including the un-
preccdented personal conferences between Premier RAM
say Macdonald and President Hoover in washington.
Everywhere, in foreign or domestic affairs, one OBJ
serves the beginnings Of efforts which. If successful. will
result In substantial achievements. Only q few OF the
more important can be summarized in this space.
After inauguration. Hoover lost no time in calling
the special session OF congress to deal with the farm relief
problem and a revision Of the tariff. The administra-
ton bill providing a federal farm board with wide powers
and a s5OoyOOO0oo loan fund became a law without undue
delay. The board has been actively functioning for sew
eral months, although It Is too carly to predict how ef-
fcctivcly It will contribute to solution Of the agricultural
problem.
III December. on President Hoover's recommendation.
congress in regular session promptly passed q $l6o.0o0O00
ta: cut measure which will 80 into effect this year.
Tariff legislation. the other Of the three most important
legislative measures which the administration sought. Is
badly begged. That may be due to Mr.. HoovcrS unwil-
lingness to make known his opinion of the tariff bills
cooked up by the house ways and means and senate fl
nance committees or Of the drastic revisions Of the
Hawley- Smoot measure which have been made on the
senate floor. But tariff legislation has been begun and Is
rather sure to be completed, In one fashion or another.
During the summer the administrators firm intima.
ton that 1t would stand for no more dallying obtained
ratification In Paris Of tho Franco American debt agree
ment. France had to pay $40o.O00Ooo at once in case
the agreement wasn't ratified and Hoover and Secretary
OF State Stimson refused to forget about 1t. But only
that much has been actually accomplished. for many be-
lievc that there must be still further revision Of foreign
debt FINDINGS.
The president recently directed the affixing Of Amer
icas signature to the world court protocol on the theory
that the senatc's reservations had been met. but this
may net be submitted to the senate for some time and
q fight looms after which our adherence probably will be
ratified.
The beginnings Of what may be far-reachine reforms
have been made in regard to the vexing and long stand-
lng problem Of law enforcement. The president ap-
pointed a committee OF extraordinarily high grade under
INC Guardianship OF George WiCkerSh0m. Drimari1V in
response to widespread dissatisfaction with prohibition
enforcement conditions but also to investigate enforce
fnent ana observance OF all laws. Dealing directly with
prohibition he has commend the transfer of the en-
forcemcnt job from the treasury to the department Of
justice and the question Is now before congress.
Acting in the wake OF the stock market crash and
anxious to restore public confidence as well as to spur
business as much as possible, Hoover summoned leaders
OF business and industry to Washington in November and
talked "buiness as usual to them. He warned against
wage reductions and urged all Unsuitable programs of
expansion with the promise that the government would
join iii the general movement. The effect of Hoovers
emergency measures cannot be judged with e~xactitudc.
nut ne believes that confidence was rcestablished and
prevented.
Thanks largely to Hoover. there has also appeared
IN National Business survey conference under the chair
mansnip Of Julius II. Barnes, which recently appointed
an executive committee including q score Of Americas
most important men in business and industry. The conf
mittec will rccomrnend courses OF action for the stabil-
lzation Of business. Here. too. one finds significant be-
ginnings.
These have been the years most important develops
nents from the Hoover standpoint. although ono might
mention various other Hoover beginnings in the tacklng
OF problems such as the appointment Of his commissions
70 study the public lands and child welfare problems.
But the test OF the administration has hardly begun,
with congress and inasrnuch Is congress has been tied
UP and tangled up mostly with the tariff there has been
no chance to set going.
Meanwhile. however. congress has done some things Of
It's own 'That Is. the senate has. for the house Il con-
way committee bcgaN n rather th0nnal0h Onin3 AxfAn4 ~