Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-03

participating nations. out OF the Varl-
GUS steps looking toward international
peace, the President says, should come
material reduction of ornaments the
world over. While declaring that the
preservation of internal order and
freedom from encroachment is the first
purpose of government" President
Hoover expresses concern at the grow
ing expense in this country for national
defense. He points out that in 1914
the total expenditure for national de-
tense of this country was $267, 900, 900,
and that in 1924, five years after the
World War. it was $6l2,000,o0O. and
that during the current fiscal year the
expenditures will reach to more than
$750,000,00O.
Larger Figures in Future.
Programs now authorized" the Pres
ident says, will carry it to still larger
figures in future years. While the re-
Enumeration paid to our soldiers and
sailors is justly at higher rate than
that of any other country in the world,
and while the cost of substance is
higher, yet the total of our expenditures
is in excess of those of the most highly
militarized nations of the world"
Upon the London naval conference
will depend such moderation as we can
make in naval expenditure" the PreSi-
dent declares. If the conference fails,
the United States will be confronted
with naval construction program dur
ing the next six years which will cost
upward of 81 .200,000,000. The recon-
mendation of the President is that
Congress give earnest consideration to
the possibilities of prudent action
which will give relief from our con-
tinuouSly mounting expenditures" for
national defense.
portion of the message is given over
to a discussion of the general economic
situation of the country and the need
of economic adjustment following the
recent stock market crash. The Presi-
dent takes an optimistic view of the
situation. while at the same time urg-
ing the closest cooperation on the part
of business and industry and labor and
the Government to stabilize conditions.
He reciteS the effort he has already
made through the White House CONFER
ences with leaders of industry, labor
and agriculture to bring about a mobl-
ization of the resources of the country
to meet the situation. The response,
he says, has been most satisfactory.
I'VE have canvassed the Federal Gov
eminent and instituted measures of
prudent expansion in such works that
should be helpful and upon which the
different departments will make some
early recommendations to Congress"
the President continues.
IT am convinced that through these
measures we have re. established conf
dence. Wages should remain stable. A
very large degree Of industrial unem-
ployment and suffering which would
otherwise have occurred has been pre-
vented. Agricultural prices have re-
f1ected the returning confidence. The
measures taken must be vigorously pur-
w
stored
Aid From Many Quarters.
The President holds out to the coun-
try and business generally the hope Of
aid from many quarters. His message
proposes not only a reduction Of the
Federal income taxes which must be
paid this coming year but also tariff
revision that will aid agriculture and
those industries which have been hit by
foreign competition, increased activity
in public building, programs Of inland
waterway construction and the further
construction of highways, the creation
of full-time water power commission
so as to expedite consideration of appli-
cations for permits to develop water
power, Strengthening of the national
banking laws and consolidation of the
railroads
Prohibition and law enforcement gen.
orally are discussed in the message at
considerable length.
THE enforcement of the laws enacted
to give effect to the eighteenth amend
ment is far from satisfactory, and this
is in part due to the Inadequate organi-
Zation of the administrative agencies of
the Federal Government" says the
President.
The President calls attention to the
fact that he has already asked Congress
to appoint a joint committee to collab-
crate with executive agencies in the
preparation of legislation to remedy
some of the evils. It would be helpful
il such committee could be appointed,
he says.
THE subject (of the enforcement of
the prohibition laws has been earnest
1y considered by the Law Enforcement
Commission and the administrative off,
Gals of the Government" continues the
President. Our joint conclusions are
that certain steps should be taken at
once. First, there should be an imme-
date concentration OF responsibility
and strengthening of enforcement agen-
cies of the Federal Government by
transfer to the Department of Justice
OF the Federal functions Of detection
and to considerable degree of prose-
cution which are now lodged in the
Prohibition Bureau in the Treasury, and
at Tie same LlIUe the COnLIOl OIL
distribution of industrial alcohol and
1egalized beverages should remain in
the Treasury"
Relief for Courts.
Secondly. the President says provi-
sion should be made for relief of con-
gestion in the Federal courts by modi-
tying and simplifying procedure. And,
thirdly, there should be a codification
Of the laws relating to prohibition. His
fourth recommendation is that the
services engaged in preventing snug
Cling of all kinds should be reorgan-
lied and consolidated.
President Hoover is intent upon max
ing the District of Columbia "the model
Of city law enforcement in the Nation
He says in this connection:
While conditions here are much
better. than in many other cities, they
are far from perfect. and this is due in
part to the congestion of criminal cases
in the Supreme Court of the District,
resulting in long delays. Furthermore,
there is need for legislation in the Dis
trict experimenting the national pro-
hibition act, more sharply defining and
enlarging the duties and powers of the
District Commissioners and the police
OF the District, and opening the way for
better cooperation in the enforcement
of prohibition between the District Off
EldlS anu the pEOnlDlLlOil OFFICIALS G. Tic
Federal Government. 1t is urgent that
these conditions be remedied."
The President points out that a spirit
of the people in support of law is essen
tial If law enforcement is to be ad-
Vanced in this country.l
However, much we may perfect the
mechanism, still if the citizen who is
himself dependent upon some laws Tor
the protection of all that he has and all
that he holds dear. shall insist on Sc
Letting the particular laws which he