So many problems are calling for solution that a recital of all of them, in the face of the known limitations of a short session of Congress, would seem to lack sincerity of purpose. It is four years since the World War ended, but the inevitable readjustment of the social and economic order is not more than barely begun. There is no acceptance of pre-war conditions anywhere in the world. In a very general way humanity harbors individual wishes to go on with war-time compensation for production, with pre-war requirements in expenditure. In short, everyone, speaking broadly, craves readjustment for everybody except himself, while there can be no just and permanent readjustment except when all participate. The civilization which measured its strength of genius and the power of science and the resources of industries, in addition to testing the limits of man power and the endurance and heroism of men and women--that same civilization is brought to its severest test in restoring a tranquil order and committing humanity to the stable ways of peace. If the sober and deliberate appraisal of pre-war civilization makes it smee a worth-while inheritance, then with patience and good courage it will be preserved. There never again will be precisely the old order; indeed, I know of no one who thinks it to be desirable. For out of the old order came the war itself, and the new order, established and made secure, never will permit its recurrence. It is no figure of speech to say we have come to the test of Our civilization. The world has been passing--is today passing through of a great crisis. The conduct of war itself is not more difficult than the solution of the problems which necessarily follow. I am not speaking at this moment of the problem in its wider aspect of world rehabilitation or of international relationships. The reference is to our own social, financial, and economic problems at home. These things are not to be considered solely as problems apart from all international relationship, but every nation must be able to carry on for itself, else its international relationship will have scant importance. Doubtless our own people have emerged from the World War tumult less impaired than most belligerent powers; probably we have made larger progress toward reconstruction. Surely we have been fortunate in diminishing unemployment, and our industrial and business activities, which are the lifeblood of our material existence, have been restored as in no other reconstruction period of like length in the history of the world. Had we escaped the coal and railway strikes, which had no excuse for their beginning and less justification for their delayed settlement, we should have done infinitely better. But labor was insistent on holding to the war heights, and heedless forces of reaction sought the pre-war levels, and both were wrong. In the folly of conflict our progress was hindered, and the heavy cost has not yet been fully estimated. There can be neither adjustment nor the penalty of the failure to readjust in which all do not somehow participate. The railway strike accentuated the difficulty of the American farmer. The first distress of readjustment came to the farmer, and it will not lie a readjustment fit to abide until he is relieved. The distress brought to the farmer does not affect him alone. Agricultural ill fortune is a national ill fortune. That one-fourth of our population which produces the food of the Republic and adds so largely to our export commerce must participate in the good fortunes of the Nation, else there is none worth retaining. Agriculture is a vital activity in our national life. In it we had our beginning, and its westward march with the star of the empire has reflected the growth of the Republic. It has its vicissitudes which no legislation will prevent, its hardships for which no law can provide escape. But the Congress can make available to the farmer the financial facilities which have been built up under Government aid and supervision for other commercial and industrial enterprises. It may be done on the same solid fundamentals and make the vitally important agricultural industry more secure, and it must be done. This Congress already has taken cognizance of the misfortune which precipitate deflation brought to American agriculture. Your measures of relief and the reduction of the Federal reserve discount rate undoubtedly saved the country from widespread disaster. The very proof of helpfulness already given is the strongest argument for the permanent establishment of widened credits, heretofore temporarily extended through the War Finance Corporation. The Farm Loan Bureau, which already has proven its usefulness through the Federal land banks, may well have its powers enlarged to provide ample farm production credits as well as enlarged land credits. It is entirely practical to create a division in the Federal land banks to deal with production credits, with the limitations of time so adjusted to the farm turnover as the Federal reserve system provides for the turnover in the manufacturing and mercantile world. Special provision must be made for live-stock production credits, and the limit of land loans may be safely enlarged. Various measures are pending before you, and the best judgment of Congress ought to be expressed in a prompt enactment at the present session. But American agriculture needs more than added credit facilities. The credits will help to solve the pressing problems growing out of war-inflated land values and the drastic deflation of three years ago, but permanent and deserved agricultural good fortune depends on better and cheaper transportation. Here is an outstanding problem, demanding the most rigorous consideration of the Congress and the country. It has to do with more than agriculture. It provides the channel for the flow of the country's commerce. But the farmer is particularly hard hit. His market, so affected by the world consumption, does not admit of the price adjustment to meet carrying charges. In the last half of the year now closing the railways, broken in carrying capacity because of motive power and rolling stock out of order, though insistently declaring to the contrary, embargoed his shipments or denied him cars when fortunate markets were calling. Too frequently transportation failed while perishable products were turning from possible profit to losses counted in tens of millions. I know of no problem exceeding in importance this one of transportation. In our complex and interdependent modern life transportation is essential to our very existence. Let us pass for the moment the menace in the possible paralysis of such service as we have and note the failure, for whatever reason, to expand our transportation to meet the Nation's needs. The census of 1880 recorded a population of 50,000,000. In two decades more we may reasonably expect to count thrice that number. In the three decades ending in 1920 the country's freight by rail increased from 631,000,000 tons to 2,234,000,000 tons; that is to say, while our population was increasing, less than 70 per cent, the freight movement increased over 250 per cent. We have built 40 per cent of the world's railroad mileage, and yet find it inadequate to our present requirements. When we contemplate the inadequacy of to-day it is easy to believe that the next few decades will witness the paralysis of our transportation-using social scheme or a complete reorganization on some new basis. Mindful of the tremendous costs of betterments, extensions, and expansions, and mindful of the staggering debts of the world to-day, the difficulty is magnified. Here is a problem demanding wide vision and the avoidance of mere makeshifts. No matter what the errors of the past, no matter how we acclaimed construction and then condemned operations in the past, we have the transportation and the honest investment in the transportation which sped us on to what we are, and we face conditions which reflect its inadequacy to-day, its greater inadequacy to-morrow, and we contemplate transportation costs which much of the traffic can not and will not continue to pay. Manifestly, we have need to begin on plans to coordinate all transportation facilities. We should more effectively connect up our rail lines with our carriers by sea. We ought to reap some benefit from the hundreds of millions expended on inland waterways, proving our capacity to utilize as well as expend. We ought to turn the motor truck into a railway feeder and distributor instead of a destroying competitor. It would be folly to ignore that we live in a motor age. The motor car reflects our standard of living and gauges the speed of our present-day life. It long ago ran down Simple Living, and never halted to inquire about the prostrate figure which fell as its victim. With full recognition of motor-car transportation we must turn it to the most practical use. It can not supersede the railway lines, no matter how generously we afford it highways out of the Public Treasury. If freight traffic by motor were charged with its proper and proportionate share of highway construction, we should find much of it wasteful and more costly than like service by rail. Yet we have paralleled the railways, a most natural line of construction, and thereby taken away from the agency of expected service much of its profitable traffic, which the taxpayers have been providing the highways, whose cost of maintenance is not yet realized. The Federal Government has a right to inquire into the wisdom of this policy, because the National Treasury is contributing largely to this highway construction. Costly highways ought to be made to serve as feeders rather than competitors of the railroads, and the motor truck should become a coordinate factor in our great distributing system. This transportation problem can not be waived aside. The demand for lowered costs on farm products and basic materials can not be ignored. Rates horizontally increased, to meet increased wage outlays during the war inflation, are not easily reduced. When some very moderate wage reductions were effected last summer there was a 5 per cent horizontal reduction in rates. I sought at that time, in a very informal way, to have the railway managers go before the Interstate Commerce Commission and agree to a heavier reduction on farm products and coal and other basic commodities, and leave unchanged the freight tariffs which a very large portion of the traffic was able to bear. Neither the managers nor the commission tile suggestion, so we had the horizontal reduction saw fit to adopt too slight to be felt by the higher class cargoes and too little to benefit the heavy tonnage calling most loudly for relief. Railways are not to be expected to render the most essential service in our social organization without a air return on capital invested, but the Government has gone so far in the regulation of rates and rules of operation that it has the responsibility of pointing the way to the reduced freight costs so essential to our national welfare. Government operation does not afford the cure. It was Government operation which brought us to the very order of things against which we now rebel, and we are still liquidating the costs of that supreme folly. Surely the genius of the railway builders has not become extinct among the railway managers. New economies, new efficiencies in cooperation must be found. The fact that labor takes 50 to 60 per cent of total railway earnings makes limitations within which to effect economies very difficult, but the demand is no less insistent on that account. Clearly the managers are without that intercarrier, cooperative relationship so highly essential to the best and most economical operation. They could not function in harmony when the strike threatened the paralysis of all railway transportation. The relationship of tile service to public welfare, so intimately affected by State and Federal regulation, demands the effective correlation and a concerted drive to meet an insistent and justified public demand. The merger of lines into systems, a facilitated interchange of freight cars, the economic use of terminals, and the consolidation of facilities are suggested ways of economy and efficiency. I remind you that Congress provided a Joint Commission of Agricultural Inquiry which made an exhaustive investigation of car service and transportation, and unanimously recommended in its report of October 15, 1921, the pooling of freight cars under a central agency. This report well deserves your serious consideration. I think well of the central agency, which shall be a creation of the railways themselves, to provide, under the jurisdiction of the Interstate Commerce Commission, the means for financing equipment for carriers which are otherwise unable to provide their proportion of car equipment adequate to transportation needs. This same agency ought to point the way to every possible economy in maintained equipment and the necessary interchanges in railway commerce. In a previous address to the Congress I called to your attention the insufficiency of power to enforce the decisions of the Railroad Labor Board. Carriers have ignored its decisions, on the one hand, railway workmen have challenged its decisions by a strike, on the other hand. The intent of Congress to establish a tribunal to which railway labor and managers may appeal respecting questions of wages and working conditions can not be too strongly commended. It is vitally important that some such agency should be a guaranty against suspended operation. The public must be spared even the threat of discontinued service. Sponsoring the railroads as we do, it is an obligation that labor shall be assured the highest justice and every proper consideration of wage and working conditions, but it is an equal obligation to see that no concerted action in forcing demands shall deprive the public of the transportation service essential to its very existence. It is now impossible to safeguard public interest, because the decrees of the board are unenforceable against either employer or employee. The Labor Board itself is not so constituted as best to serve the public interest. With six partisan members on a board of nine, three partisans nominated by the employees and three by the railway managers, it is inevitable that the partisan viewpoint is maintained throughout hearings and in decisions handed down. Indeed, the few exceptions to a strictly partisan expression in decisions thus far rendered have been followed by accusations of betrayal of the partisan interests represented. Only the public group of three is free to function in unbiased decisions. Therefore the partisan membership may well be abolished, and decisions should be made by an impartial tribunal. I am well convinced that the functions of this tribunal could be much better carried on here in Washington. Even were it to be continued as a separate tribunal, there ought to be contact with the Interstate Commerce Commission, which has supreme authority in the rate making to which wage cost bears an indissoluble relationship Theoretically, a fair and living wage must be determined quite apart from the employer's earning capacity, but in practice, in the railway service, they are inseparable. The record of advanced rates to meet increased wages, both determined by the Government, is proof enough. The substitution of a labor division in the Interstate Commerce Commission made up from its membership, to hear and decide disputes relating to wages and working conditions which have failed of adjustment by proper committees created by the railways and their employees, offers a more effective plan. It need not be surprising that there is dissatisfaction over delayed hearings and decisions by the present board when every trivial dispute is carried to that tribunal. The law should require the railroads and their employees to institute means and methods to negotiate between themselves their constantly arising differences, limiting appeals to the Government tribunal to disputes of such character as are likely to affect the public welfare. This suggested substitution will involve a necessary increase in the membership of the commission, probably four, to constitute the labor division. If the suggestion appeals to the Congress, it will be well to specify that the labor division shall be constituted of representatives of the four rate-making territories, thereby assuring a tribunal conversant with the conditions which obtain in the different ratemaking sections of the country. I wish I could bring to you the precise recommendation for the prevention of strikes which threaten the welfare of the people and menace public safety. It is an impotent civilization and an inadequate government which lacks the genius and the courage to guard against such a menace to public welfare as we experienced last summer. You were aware of the Government's great concern and its futile attempt to aid in an adjustment. It will reveal the inexcusable obstinacy which was responsible for so much distress to the country to recall now that, though all disputes are not yet adjusted, the many settlements which have been made were on the terms which the Government proposed in mediation. Public interest demands that ample power shall be conferred upon the. labor tribunal, whether it is the present board or the suggested substitute, to require its rulings to be accepted by both parties to a disputed question. Let there be no confusion about the purpose of the suggested conferment of power to make decisions effective. There can be no denial of constitutional rights of either railway workmen or railway managers. No man can be denied his right to labor when and how he chooses, or cease to labor when he so elects, but, since the Government assumes to safeguard his interests while employed in an essential public service, the security of society -itself demands his retirement from the service shall not be so timed and related as to effect the destruction of that service. This vitally essential public transportation service, demanding so much of brain and brawn, so much for efficiency and security, ought to offer the most attractive working conditions and the highest of wages paid to workmen in any employment. In essentially every branch, from track repairer to the man at the locomotive throttle, the railroad worker is responsible for the safety of human lives and the care of vast property. His high responsibility might well rate high his pay within the limits the traffic will bear; but the same responsibility, plus governmental protection, may justly deny him and his associates a withdrawal from service without a warning or under circumstances which involve the paralysis of necessary transportation. We have assumed so great a responsibility in necessary regulation that we unconsciously have assumed the responsibility for maintained service; therefore the lawful power for the enforcement. of decisions is necessary to sustain the majesty of government and to administer to the public welfare. During its longer session the present Congress enacted a new tariff law. The protection of the American standards of living demanded the insurance it provides against the distorted conditions of world commerce The framers of the law made provision for a certain flexibility of customs duties, whereby it is possible to readjust them as developing conditions may require. The enactment has imposed a large responsibility upon the Executive, but that responsibility will be discharged with a broad mindfulness of the whole business situation. The provision itself admits either the possible fallibility of rates or their unsuitableness to changing conditions. I believe the grant of authority may be promptly and discreetly exercised, ever mindful of the intent and purpose to safeguard American industrial activity, and at the same time prevent the exploitation of the American consumer and keep open the paths of such liberal exchanges as do not endanger our own productivity. No one contemplates commercial aloofness nor any other aloofness contradictory to the best American traditions or loftiest human purposes. Our fortunate capacity for comparative self-containment affords the firm foundation on which to build for our own security, and a like foundation on which to build for a future of influence and importance in world commerce. Our trade expansion must come of capacity and of policies of righteousness and reasonableness in till our commercial relations. Let no one assume that our provision for maintained good fortune at home, and our unwillingness to assume the correction of all the ills of the world, means a reluctance to cooperate with other peoples or to assume every just obligation to promote human advancement anywhere in the world. War made its a creditor Nation. We did not seek an excess possession of the world's gold, and we have neither desire to profit Unduly by its possession nor permanently retain it. We do not seek to become an international dictator because of its power. The voice of the United States has a respectful hearing in international councils, because we have convinced the world that we have no selfish ends to serve, no old grievances to avenge, no territorial or other greed to satisfy. But the voice being beard is that of good counsel. not of dictation. It is the voice of sympathy and fraternity and helpfulness, seeking to assist but not assume for the United States burdens which nations must bear for themselves. We would rejoice to help rehabilitate currency systems and facilitate all commerce which does not drag us to the very levels of those we seek to lift up. While I have everlasting faith in our Republic, it would be folly, indeed, to blind ourselves to our problems at home. Abusing the hospitality of our shores are the advocates of revolution, finding their deluded followers among those who take on the habiliments of an American without knowing an American soul. There is the recrudescence of hyphenated Americanism which we thought to have been stamped out when we committed the Nation, life and soul, to the World War. There is a call to make the alien respect our institutions while he accepts our hospitality. There is need to magnify the American viewpoint to the alien who seeks a citizenship among us. There is need to magnify the national viewpoint to Americans throughout the land. More there is a demand for every living being in the United States to respect and abide by the laws of the Republic. Let men who are rending the moral fiber of the Republic through easy contempt for the prohibition law, because they think it restricts their personal liberty, remember that they set the example and breed a contempt for law which will ultimately destroy the Republic. Constitutional prohibition has been adopted by the Nation. It is the supreme law of the land. In plain speaking, there are conditions relating to its enforcement which savor of nation-wide scandal. It is the most demoralizing factor in our public life. Most of our people assumed that the adoption of the eighteenth amendment meant the elimination of the question from our politics. On the contrary, it has been so intensified as an issue that many voters are disposed to make all political decisions with reference to this single question. It is distracting the public mind and prejudicing the judgment of the electorate. The day is unlikely to come when the eighteenth amendment will be repealed. The fact may as well be recognized and our course adapted accordingly. If the statutory provisions for its enforcement are contrary to deliberate public opinion, which I do not believe the rigorous and literal enforcement will concentrate public attention on any requisite modification. Such a course, conforms with the law and saves the humiliation of the Government and the humiliation of our people before the world, and challenges the destructive forces engaged in widespread violation, official corruption and individual demoralization. The eighteenth amendment involves the concurrent authority of State and Federal Governments, for the enforcement of the policy it defines. A certain lack of definiteness, through division of responsibility is thus introduced. In order to bring about a full understanding of duties and responsibilities as thus distributed, I purpose to invite the governors of tile States and Territories, at an early opportunity, to a conference with the Federal Executive authority. Out of the full and free considerations which will thus be possible, it is confidently believed, will emerge a more adequate, comprehension of tile whole problem, and definite policies of National and State cooperation in administering the laws. There are pending bills for the registration of the alien who has come to our shores. I wish the passage of such an act might be expedited. Life amid American opportunities is worth the cost of registration if it is worth the seeking, and the Nation has the right to know who are citizens in the making or who live among us anti share our advantages while seeking to undermine our cherished institutions. This provision will enable us to guard against the abuses in immigration, checking the undesirable whose irregular Willing is his first violation of our laws. More, it will facilitate the needed Americanizing of those who mean to enroll as fellow citizens. Before enlarging the immigration quotas we had better provide registration for aliens, those now here or continually pressing for admission, and establish our examination boards abroad, to make sure of desirables only. By the examination abroad we could end the pathos at our ports, when men and women find our doors closed, after long voyages and wasted savings, because they are unfit for admission It would be kindlier and safer to tell them before they embark Our program of admission and treatment of immigrants is very intimately related to the educational policy of the Republic With illiteracy estimated at front two-tenths of 1 per cent to less than 2 per cent in 10 of the foremost nations of Europe it rivets our attention to it serious problem when we are reminded of a 6 per cent illiteracy in the United States. The figures are based on the test which defines an Illiterate as one having no schooling whatever. Remembering tile wide freedom of our public schools with compulsory attendance in many States in the Union, one is convinced that much of our excessive illiteracy comes to us from abroad, and the education of the immigrant becomes it requisite to his Americanization. It must be done if he is fittingly to exercise the duties as well as enjoy the privileges of American citizenship. Here is revealed tile Special field for Federal cooperation in furthering education From the very beginning public education has been left mainly in the hands of the States. So far as schooling youth is concerned the policy has been justified, because no responsibility can be so effective as that of tile local community alive to its task. I believe in the cooperation of the national authority to stimulate, encourage, and broaden tile Work of tile local authorities But it is the especial obligation of tile Federal Government to devise means and effectively assist in the education of the newcomer from foreign lands, so that the level of American education may be made the highest that is humanly possible. Closely related to this problem of education is the abolition of child labor. Twice Congress has attempted the correction of the evils incident to child employment. The decision of the Supreme Court has put this problem outside the proper domain of Federal regulation until the Constitution is so amended as to give the Congress indubitable authority. I recommend the submission of such an amendment. We have two schools of thought relating to amendment of the Constitution. One need not be committed to the belief that amendment is weakening the fundamental law, or that excessive amendment is essential to meet every ephemeral whim. We ought to amend to meet the demands of the people when sanctioned by deliberate public opinion. One year ago I suggested the submission of an amendment so that we may lawfully restrict the issues of tax exempt securities, and I renew that recommendation now. Tax-exempt securities are drying up the sources of Federal taxation and they are encouraging unproductive and extravagant expenditures by States and municipalities. There is more than the menace in mounting public debt, there is the dissipation of capital which should be made available to the needs of productive industry. The proposed amendment will place the State and Federal Governments and all political subdivisions on an exact equality, and will correct the growing menace of public borrowing, which if left unchecked may soon threaten the stability of our institutions. We are so vast and so varied in our national interests that scores of problems are pressing for attention. I must not risk the wearying of your patience with detailed reference. Reclamation and irrigation projects, where waste land may be made available for settlement and productivity, are worthy of your favorable consideration. When it is realized that we are consuming our timber four times as rapidly as we are growing it, we must encourage the greatest possible cooperation between the Federal Government, the various States, and the owners of forest lands, to the end that protection from fire shall be made more effective and replanting encouraged. The fuel problem is under study now by a very capable fact-finding commission, and any attempt to deal with the coal problem, of such deep concern to the entire Nation, must await the report of the commission. There are necessary studies of great problems which Congress might well initiate. The wide spread between production costs and prices which consumers pay concerns every citizen of the Republic. It contributes very largely to the unrest in "agriculture and must stand sponsor for much against which we inveigh in that familiar term--the high cost of living. No one doubts the excess is traceable to the levy of the middleman, but it would be unfair to charge him with all responsibility before we appraise what is exacted of him by our modernly complex life. We have attacked the problem on one side by the promotion of cooperative marketing, and we might well inquire into the benefits of cooperative buying. Admittedly, the consumer is much to blame himself, because of his prodigal expenditure and his exaction of service, but Government might well serve to point the way of narrowing the spread of price, especially between the production of food and its consumption. A superpower survey of the eastern industrial region has recently been completed, looking to unification of steam, water, and electric powers, and to a unified scheme of power distribution. The survey proved that vast economies in tonnage movement of freights, and in the efficiency of the railroads, would be effected if the superpower program were adopted. I am convinced that constructive measures calculated to promote such an industrial development--I am tempted to say, such an industrial revolution-would be well worthy the careful attention and fostering interest of the National Government. The proposed survey of a plan to draft all the resources of the Republic, human and material, for national defense may well have your approval. I commended such a program in case of future war, in the inaugural address. of March 4, 1921, and every experience in the adjustment and liquidation of war claims and the settlement of war obligations persuades me we ought to be prepared for such universal call to armed defense. I bring you no apprehension of war. The world is abhorrent of it, and our own relations are not only free from every threatening cloud, but we have contributed our larger influence toward making armed conflict less likely. Those who assume that we played our part in the World War and later took ourselves aloof and apart, unmindful of world obligations, give scant credit to the helpful part we assume in international relationships. Whether all nations signatory ratify all the treaties growing out of the Washington Conference on Limitation of Armament or some withhold approval, the underlying policy of limiting naval armament has the sanction of the larger naval powers, and naval competition is suspended. Of course, unanimous ratification is much to be desired. The four-power pact, which abolishes every probability of war on the Pacific, has brought new confidence in a maintained peace, and I can well believe it might be made a model for like assurances wherever in the world any common interests are concerned. We have had expressed the hostility of the American people to a supergovernment or to any commitment where either a council or an assembly of leagued powers may chart our course. Treaties of armed alliance can have no likelihood of American sanction, but we believe in respecting the rights of nations, in the value of conference and consultation, in the effectiveness of leaders of nations looking each other in the face ace before resorting to the arbitrament of arms. It has been our fortune both to preach and promote international understanding. The influence of the United States in bringing near the settlement of an ancient dispute between South American nations is added proof of the glow of peace in ample understanding. In Washington to-day are met the delegates of the Central American nations, gathered at the table of international understanding, to stabilize their Republics and remove every vestige of disagreement. They are met here by our invitation, not in our aloofness, and they accept our hospitality because they have faith in our unselfishness and believe in our helpfulness. Perhaps we are selfish in craving their confidence and friendship, but such a selfishness we proclaim to the world, regardless of hemisphere, or seas dividing. I would like the Congress and the people of the Nation to believe that in a firm and considerate way we are insistent on American rights wherever they may be questioned, and deny no rights of others in the assertion of our own. Moreover we are cognizant of the world's struggles for full readjustment and rehabilitation, and we have shirked no duty which comes of sympathy, or fraternity, or highest fellowship among nations. Every obligation consonant with American ideals and sanctioned under our form of government is willingly met. When we can not support we do not demand. Our constitutional limitations do not forbid the exercise of a moral influence, the measure of which is not less than the high purposes we have sought to serve. After all there is less difference about the part this great Republic shall play in furthering peace and advancing humanity than in the manner of playing it. We ask no one to assume responsibility for us; we assume no responsibility which others must bear for themselves, unless nationality is hopelessly swallowed up in internationalism.
So many problems are calling for solution that a recital of all of them, in the face of the known limitations of a short session of Congress, would seem to lack sincerity of purpose. It is four years since the World War ended, but the inevitable readjustment of the social and economic order is not more than barely begun. There is no acceptance of pre-war conditions anywhere in the world. In a very general way humanity harbors individual wishes to go on with war-time compensation for production, with pre-war requirements in expenditure. In short, everyone, speaking broadly, craves readjustment for everybody except himself, while there can be no just and permanent readjustment except when all participate. The civilization which measured its strength of genius and the power of science and the resources of industries, in addition to testing the limits of man power and the endurance and heroism of men and women--that same civilization is brought to its severest test in restoring a tranquil order and committing humanity to the stable ways of peace. If the sober and deliberate appraisal of pre-war civilization makes it smee a worth-while inheritance, then with patience and good courage it will be preserved. There never again will be precisely the old order; indeed, I know of no one who thinks it to be desirable. For out of the old order came the war itself, and the new order, established and made secure, never will permit its recurrence. It is no figure of speech to say we have come to the test of Our civilization. The world has been passing--is today passing through of a great crisis. The conduct of war itself is not more difficult than the solution of the problems which necessarily follow. I am not speaking at this moment of the problem in its wider aspect of world rehabilitation or of international relationships. The reference is to our own social, financial, and economic problems at home. These things are not to be considered solely as problems apart from all international relationship, but every nation must be able to carry on for itself, else its international relationship will have scant importance. Doubtless our own people have emerged from the World War tumult less impaired than most belligerent powers; probably we have made larger progress toward reconstruction. Surely we have been fortunate in diminishing unemployment, and our industrial and business activities, which are the lifeblood of our material existence, have been restored as in no other reconstruction period of like length in the history of the world. Had we escaped the coal and railway strikes, which had no excuse for their beginning and less justification for their delayed settlement, we should have done infinitely better. But labor was insistent on holding to the war heights, and heedless forces of reaction sought the pre-war levels, and both were wrong. In the folly of conflict our progress was hindered, and the heavy cost has not yet been fully estimated. There can be neither adjustment nor the penalty of the failure to readjust in which all do not somehow participate. The railway strike accentuated the difficulty of the American farmer. The first distress of readjustment came to the farmer, and it will not lie a readjustment fit to abide until he is relieved. The distress brought to the farmer does not affect him alone. Agricultural ill fortune is a national ill fortune. That one-fourth of our population which produces the food of the Republic and adds so largely to our export commerce must participate in the good fortunes of the Nation, else there is none worth retaining. Agriculture is a vital activity in our national life. In it we had our beginning, and its westward march with the star of the empire has reflected the growth of the Republic. It has its vicissitudes which no legislation will prevent, its hardships for which no law can provide escape. But the Congress can make available to the farmer the financial facilities which have been built up under Government aid and supervision for other commercial and industrial enterprises. It may be done on the same solid fundamentals and make the vitally important agricultural industry more secure, and it must be done. This Congress already has taken cognizance of the misfortune which precipitate deflation brought to American agriculture. Your measures of relief and the reduction of the Federal reserve discount rate undoubtedly saved the country from widespread disaster. The very proof of helpfulness already given is the strongest argument for the permanent establishment of widened credits, heretofore temporarily extended through the War Finance Corporation. The Farm Loan Bureau, which already has proven its usefulness through the Federal land banks, may well have its powers enlarged to provide ample farm production credits as well as enlarged land credits. It is entirely practical to create a division in the Federal land banks to deal with production credits, with the limitations of time so adjusted to the farm turnover as the Federal reserve system provides for the turnover in the manufacturing and mercantile world. Special provision must be made for live-stock production credits, and the limit of land loans may be safely enlarged. Various measures are pending before you, and the best judgment of Congress ought to be expressed in a prompt enactment at the present session. But American agriculture needs more than added credit facilities. The credits will help to solve the pressing problems growing out of war-inflated land values and the drastic deflation of three years ago, but permanent and deserved agricultural good fortune depends on better and cheaper transportation. Here is an outstanding problem, demanding the most rigorous consideration of the Congress and the country. It has to do with more than agriculture. It provides the channel for the flow of the country's commerce. But the farmer is particularly hard hit. His market, so affected by the world consumption, does not admit of the price adjustment to meet carrying charges. In the last half of the year now closing the railways, broken in carrying capacity because of motive power and rolling stock out of order, though insistently declaring to the contrary, embargoed his shipments or denied him cars when fortunate markets were calling. Too frequently transportation failed while perishable products were turning from possible profit to losses counted in tens of millions. I know of no problem exceeding in importance this one of transportation. In our complex and interdependent modern life transportation is essential to our very existence. Let us pass for the moment the menace in the possible paralysis of such service as we have and note the failure, for whatever reason, to expand our transportation to meet the Nation's needs. The census of 1880 recorded a population of 50,000,000. In two decades more we may reasonably expect to count thrice that number. In the three decades ending in 1920 the country's freight by rail increased from 631,000,000 tons to 2,234,000,000 tons; that is to say, while our population was increasing, less than 70 per cent, the freight movement increased over 250 per cent. We have built 40 per cent of the world's railroad mileage, and yet find it inadequate to our present requirements. When we contemplate the inadequacy of to-day it is easy to believe that the next few decades will witness the paralysis of our transportation-using social scheme or a complete reorganization on some new basis. Mindful of the tremendous costs of betterments, extensions, and expansions, and mindful of the staggering debts of the world to-day, the difficulty is magnified. Here is a problem demanding wide vision and the avoidance of mere makeshifts. No matter what the errors of the past, no matter how we acclaimed construction and then condemned operations in the past, we have the transportation and the honest investment in the transportation which sped us on to what we are, and we face conditions which reflect its inadequacy to-day, its greater inadequacy to-morrow, and we contemplate transportation costs which much of the traffic can not and will not continue to pay. Manifestly, we have need to begin on plans to coordinate all transportation facilities. We should more effectively connect up our rail lines with our carriers by sea. We ought to reap some benefit from the hundreds of millions expended on inland waterways, proving our capacity to utilize as well as expend. We ought to turn the motor truck into a railway feeder and distributor instead of a destroying competitor. It would be folly to ignore that we live in a motor age. The motor car reflects our standard of living and gauges the speed of our present-day life. It long ago ran down Simple Living, and never halted to inquire about the prostrate figure which fell as its victim. With full recognition of motor-car transportation we must turn it to the most practical use. It can not supersede the railway lines, no matter how generously we afford it highways out of the Public Treasury. If freight traffic by motor were charged with its proper and proportionate share of highway construction, we should find much of it wasteful and more costly than like service by rail. Yet we have paralleled the railways, a most natural line of construction, and thereby taken away from the agency of expected service much of its profitable traffic, which the taxpayers have been providing the highways, whose cost of maintenance is not yet realized. The Federal Government has a right to inquire into the wisdom of this policy, because the National Treasury is contributing largely to this highway construction. Costly highways ought to be made to serve as feeders rather than competitors of the railroads, and the motor truck should become a coordinate factor in our great distributing system. This transportation problem can not be waived aside. The demand for lowered costs on farm products and basic materials can not be ignored. Rates horizontally increased, to meet increased wage outlays during the war inflation, are not easily reduced. When some very moderate wage reductions were effected last summer there was a 5 per cent horizontal reduction in rates. I sought at that time, in a very informal way, to have the railway managers go before the Interstate Commerce Commission and agree to a heavier reduction on farm products and coal and other basic commodities, and leave unchanged the freight tariffs which a very large portion of the traffic was able to bear. Neither the managers nor the commission tile suggestion, so we had the horizontal reduction saw fit to adopt too slight to be felt by the higher class cargoes and too little to benefit the heavy tonnage calling most loudly for relief. Railways are not to be expected to render the most essential service in our social organization without a air return on capital invested, but the Government has gone so far in the regulation of rates and rules of operation that it has the responsibility of pointing the way to the reduced freight costs so essential to our national welfare. Government operation does not afford the cure. It was Government operation which brought us to the very order of things against which we now rebel, and we are still liquidating the costs of that supreme folly. Surely the genius of the railway builders has not become extinct among the railway managers. New economies, new efficiencies in cooperation must be found. The fact that labor takes 50 to 60 per cent of total railway earnings makes limitations within which to effect economies very difficult, but the demand is no less insistent on that account. Clearly the managers are without that intercarrier, cooperative relationship so highly essential to the best and most economical operation. They could not function in harmony when the strike threatened the paralysis of all railway transportation. The relationship of tile service to public welfare, so intimately affected by State and Federal regulation, demands the effective correlation and a concerted drive to meet an insistent and justified public demand. The merger of lines into systems, a facilitated interchange of freight cars, the economic use of terminals, and the consolidation of facilities are suggested ways of economy and efficiency. I remind you that Congress provided a Joint Commission of Agricultural Inquiry which made an exhaustive investigation of car service and transportation, and unanimously recommended in its report of October 15, 1921, the pooling of freight cars under a central agency. This report well deserves your serious consideration. I think well of the central agency, which shall be a creation of the railways themselves, to provide, under the jurisdiction of the Interstate Commerce Commission, the means for financing equipment for carriers which are otherwise unable to provide their proportion of car equipment adequate to transportation needs. This same agency ought to point the way to every possible economy in maintained equipment and the necessary interchanges in railway commerce. In a previous address to the Congress I called to your attention the insufficiency of power to enforce the decisions of the Railroad Labor Board. Carriers have ignored its decisions, on the one hand, railway workmen have challenged its decisions by a strike, on the other hand. The intent of Congress to establish a tribunal to which railway labor and managers may appeal respecting questions of wages and working conditions can not be too strongly commended. It is vitally important that some such agency should be a guaranty against suspended operation. The public must be spared even the threat of discontinued service. Sponsoring the railroads as we do, it is an obligation that labor shall be assured the highest justice and every proper consideration of wage and working conditions, but it is an equal obligation to see that no concerted action in forcing demands shall deprive the public of the transportation service essential to its very existence. It is now impossible to safeguard public interest, because the decrees of the board are unenforceable against either employer or employee. The Labor Board itself is not so constituted as best to serve the public interest. With six partisan members on a board of nine, three partisans nominated by the employees and three by the railway managers, it is inevitable that the partisan viewpoint is maintained throughout hearings and in decisions handed down. Indeed, the few exceptions to a strictly partisan expression in decisions thus far rendered have been followed by accusations of betrayal of the partisan interests represented. Only the public group of three is free to function in unbiased decisions. Therefore the partisan membership may well be abolished, and decisions should be made by an impartial tribunal. I am well convinced that the functions of this tribunal could be much better carried on here in Washington. Even were it to be continued as a separate tribunal, there ought to be contact with the Interstate Commerce Commission, which has supreme authority in the rate making to which wage cost bears an indissoluble relationship Theoretically, a fair and living wage must be determined quite apart from the employer's earning capacity, but in practice, in the railway service, they are inseparable. The record of advanced rates to meet increased wages, both determined by the Government, is proof enough. The substitution of a labor division in the Interstate Commerce Commission made up from its membership, to hear and decide disputes relating to wages and working conditions which have failed of adjustment by proper committees created by the railways and their employees, offers a more effective plan. It need not be surprising that there is dissatisfaction over delayed hearings and decisions by the present board when every trivial dispute is carried to that tribunal. The law should require the railroads and their employees to institute means and methods to negotiate between themselves their constantly arising differences, limiting appeals to the Government tribunal to disputes of such character as are likely to affect the public welfare. This suggested substitution will involve a necessary increase in the membership of the commission, probably four, to constitute the labor division. If the suggestion appeals to the Congress, it will be well to specify that the labor division shall be constituted of representatives of the four rate-making territories, thereby assuring a tribunal conversant with the conditions which obtain in the different ratemaking sections of the country. I wish I could bring to you the precise recommendation for the prevention of strikes which threaten the welfare of the people and menace public safety. It is an impotent civilization and an inadequate government which lacks the genius and the courage to guard against such a menace to public welfare as we experienced last summer. You were aware of the Government's great concern and its futile attempt to aid in an adjustment. It will reveal the inexcusable obstinacy which was responsible for so much distress to the country to recall now that, though all disputes are not yet adjusted, the many settlements which have been made were on the terms which the Government proposed in mediation. Public interest demands that ample power shall be conferred upon the. labor tribunal, whether it is the present board or the suggested substitute, to require its rulings to be accepted by both parties to a disputed question. Let there be no confusion about the purpose of the suggested conferment of power to make decisions effective. There can be no denial of constitutional rights of either railway workmen or railway managers. No man can be denied his right to labor when and how he chooses, or cease to labor when he so elects, but, since the Government assumes to safeguard his interests while employed in an essential public service, the security of society -itself demands his retirement from the service shall not be so timed and related as to effect the destruction of that service. This vitally essential public transportation service, demanding so much of brain and brawn, so much for efficiency and security, ought to offer the most attractive working conditions and the highest of wages paid to workmen in any employment. In essentially every branch, from track repairer to the man at the locomotive throttle, the railroad worker is responsible for the safety of human lives and the care of vast property. His high responsibility might well rate high his pay within the limits the traffic will bear; but the same responsibility, plus governmental protection, may justly deny him and his associates a withdrawal from service without a warning or under circumstances which involve the paralysis of necessary transportation. We have assumed so great a responsibility in necessary regulation that we unconsciously have assumed the responsibility for maintained service; therefore the lawful power for the enforcement. of decisions is necessary to sustain the majesty of government and to administer to the public welfare. During its longer session the present Congress enacted a new tariff law. The protection of the American standards of living demanded the insurance it provides against the distorted conditions of world commerce The framers of the law made provision for a certain flexibility of customs duties, whereby it is possible to readjust them as developing conditions may require. The enactment has imposed a large responsibility upon the Executive, but that responsibility will be discharged with a broad mindfulness of the whole business situation. The provision itself admits either the possible fallibility of rates or their unsuitableness to changing conditions. I believe the grant of authority may be promptly and discreetly exercised, ever mindful of the intent and purpose to safeguard American industrial activity, and at the same time prevent the exploitation of the American consumer and keep open the paths of such liberal exchanges as do not endanger our own productivity. No one contemplates commercial aloofness nor any other aloofness contradictory to the best American traditions or loftiest human purposes. Our fortunate capacity for comparative self-containment affords the firm foundation on which to build for our own security, and a like foundation on which to build for a future of influence and importance in world commerce. Our trade expansion must come of capacity and of policies of righteousness and reasonableness in till our commercial relations. Let no one assume that our provision for maintained good fortune at home, and our unwillingness to assume the correction of all the ills of the world, means a reluctance to cooperate with other peoples or to assume every just obligation to promote human advancement anywhere in the world. War made its a creditor Nation. We did not seek an excess possession of the world's gold, and we have neither desire to profit Unduly by its possession nor permanently retain it. We do not seek to become an international dictator because of its power. The voice of the United States has a respectful hearing in international councils, because we have convinced the world that we have no selfish ends to serve, no old grievances to avenge, no territorial or other greed to satisfy. But the voice being beard is that of good counsel. not of dictation. It is the voice of sympathy and fraternity and helpfulness, seeking to assist but not assume for the United States burdens which nations must bear for themselves. We would rejoice to help rehabilitate currency systems and facilitate all commerce which does not drag us to the very levels of those we seek to lift up. While I have everlasting faith in our Republic, it would be folly, indeed, to blind ourselves to our problems at home. Abusing the hospitality of our shores are the advocates of revolution, finding their deluded followers among those who take on the habiliments of an American without knowing an American soul. There is the recrudescence of hyphenated Americanism which we thought to have been stamped out when we committed the Nation, life and soul, to the World War. There is a call to make the alien respect our institutions while he accepts our hospitality. There is need to magnify the American viewpoint to the alien who seeks a citizenship among us. There is need to magnify the national viewpoint to Americans throughout the land. More there is a demand for every living being in the United States to respect and abide by the laws of the Republic. Let men who are rending the moral fiber of the Republic through easy contempt for the prohibition law, because they think it restricts their personal liberty, remember that they set the example and breed a contempt for law which will ultimately destroy the Republic. Constitutional prohibition has been adopted by the Nation. It is the supreme law of the land. In plain speaking, there are conditions relating to its enforcement which savor of nation-wide scandal. It is the most demoralizing factor in our public life. Most of our people assumed that the adoption of the eighteenth amendment meant the elimination of the question from our politics. On the contrary, it has been so intensified as an issue that many voters are disposed to make all political decisions with reference to this single question. It is distracting the public mind and prejudicing the judgment of the electorate. The day is unlikely to come when the eighteenth amendment will be repealed. The fact may as well be recognized and our course adapted accordingly. If the statutory provisions for its enforcement are contrary to deliberate public opinion, which I do not believe the rigorous and literal enforcement will concentrate public attention on any requisite modification. Such a course, conforms with the law and saves the humiliation of the Government and the humiliation of our people before the world, and challenges the destructive forces engaged in widespread violation, official corruption and individual demoralization. The eighteenth amendment involves the concurrent authority of State and Federal Governments, for the enforcement of the policy it defines. A certain lack of definiteness, through division of responsibility is thus introduced. In order to bring about a full understanding of duties and responsibilities as thus distributed, I purpose to invite the governors of tile States and Territories, at an early opportunity, to a conference with the Federal Executive authority. Out of the full and free considerations which will thus be possible, it is confidently believed, will emerge a more adequate, comprehension of tile whole problem, and definite policies of National and State cooperation in administering the laws. There are pending bills for the registration of the alien who has come to our shores. I wish the passage of such an act might be expedited. Life amid American opportunities is worth the cost of registration if it is worth the seeking, and the Nation has the right to know who are citizens in the making or who live among us anti share our advantages while seeking to undermine our cherished institutions. This provision will enable us to guard against the abuses in immigration, checking the undesirable whose irregular Willing is his first violation of our laws. More, it will facilitate the needed Americanizing of those who mean to enroll as fellow citizens. Before enlarging the immigration quotas we had better provide registration for aliens, those now here or continually pressing for admission, and establish our examination boards abroad, to make sure of desirables only. By the examination abroad we could end the pathos at our ports, when men and women find our doors closed, after long voyages and wasted savings, because they are unfit for admission It would be kindlier and safer to tell them before they embark Our program of admission and treatment of immigrants is very intimately related to the educational policy of the Republic With illiteracy estimated at front two-tenths of 1 per cent to less than 2 per cent in 10 of the foremost nations of Europe it rivets our attention to it serious problem when we are reminded of a 6 per cent illiteracy in the United States. The figures are based on the test which defines an Illiterate as one having no schooling whatever. Remembering tile wide freedom of our public schools with compulsory attendance in many States in the Union, one is convinced that much of our excessive illiteracy comes to us from abroad, and the education of the immigrant becomes it requisite to his Americanization. It must be done if he is fittingly to exercise the duties as well as enjoy the privileges of American citizenship. Here is revealed tile Special field for Federal cooperation in furthering education From the very beginning public education has been left mainly in the hands of the States. So far as schooling youth is concerned the policy has been justified, because no responsibility can be so effective as that of tile local community alive to its task. I believe in the cooperation of the national authority to stimulate, encourage, and broaden tile Work of tile local authorities But it is the especial obligation of tile Federal Government to devise means and effectively assist in the education of the newcomer from foreign lands, so that the level of American education may be made the highest that is humanly possible. Closely related to this problem of education is the abolition of child labor. Twice Congress has attempted the correction of the evils incident to child employment. The decision of the Supreme Court has put this problem outside the proper domain of Federal regulation until the Constitution is so amended as to give the Congress indubitable authority. I recommend the submission of such an amendment. We have two schools of thought relating to amendment of the Constitution. One need not be committed to the belief that amendment is weakening the fundamental law, or that excessive amendment is essential to meet every ephemeral whim. We ought to amend to meet the demands of the people when sanctioned by deliberate public opinion. One year ago I suggested the submission of an amendment so that we may lawfully restrict the issues of tax exempt securities, and I renew that recommendation now. Tax-exempt securities are drying up the sources of Federal taxation and they are encouraging unproductive and extravagant expenditures by States and municipalities. There is more than the menace in mounting public debt, there is the dissipation of capital which should be made available to the needs of productive industry. The proposed amendment will place the State and Federal Governments and all political subdivisions on an exact equality, and will correct the growing menace of public borrowing, which if left unchecked may soon threaten the stability of our institutions. We are so vast and so varied in our national interests that scores of problems are pressing for attention. I must not risk the wearying of your patience with detailed reference. Reclamation and irrigation projects, where waste land may be made available for settlement and productivity, are worthy of your favorable consideration. When it is realized that we are consuming our timber four times as rapidly as we are growing it, we must encourage the greatest possible cooperation between the Federal Government, the various States, and the owners of forest lands, to the end that protection from fire shall be made more effective and replanting encouraged. The fuel problem is under study now by a very capable fact-finding commission, and any attempt to deal with the coal problem, of such deep concern to the entire Nation, must await the report of the commission. There are necessary studies of great problems which Congress might well initiate. The wide spread between production costs and prices which consumers pay concerns every citizen of the Republic. It contributes very largely to the unrest in "agriculture and must stand sponsor for much against which we inveigh in that familiar term--the high cost of living. No one doubts the excess is traceable to the levy of the middleman, but it would be unfair to charge him with all responsibility before we appraise what is exacted of him by our modernly complex life. We have attacked the problem on one side by the promotion of cooperative marketing, and we might well inquire into the benefits of cooperative buying. Admittedly, the consumer is much to blame himself, because of his prodigal expenditure and his exaction of service, but Government might well serve to point the way of narrowing the spread of price, especially between the production of food and its consumption. A superpower survey of the eastern industrial region has recently been completed, looking to unification of steam, water, and electric powers, and to a unified scheme of power distribution. The survey proved that vast economies in tonnage movement of freights, and in the efficiency of the railroads, would be effected if the superpower program were adopted. I am convinced that constructive measures calculated to promote such an industrial development--I am tempted to say, such an industrial revolution-would be well worthy the careful attention and fostering interest of the National Government. The proposed survey of a plan to draft all the resources of the Republic, human and material, for national defense may well have your approval. I commended such a program in case of future war, in the inaugural address. of March 4, 1921, and every experience in the adjustment and liquidation of war claims and the settlement of war obligations persuades me we ought to be prepared for such universal call to armed defense. I bring you no apprehension of war. The world is abhorrent of it, and our own relations are not only free from every threatening cloud, but we have contributed our larger influence toward making armed conflict less likely. Those who assume that we played our part in the World War and later took ourselves aloof and apart, unmindful of world obligations, give scant credit to the helpful part we assume in international relationships. Whether all nations signatory ratify all the treaties growing out of the Washington Conference on Limitation of Armament or some withhold approval, the underlying policy of limiting naval armament has the sanction of the larger naval powers, and naval competition is suspended. Of course, unanimous ratification is much to be desired. The four-power pact, which abolishes every probability of war on the Pacific, has brought new confidence in a maintained peace, and I can well believe it might be made a model for like assurances wherever in the world any common interests are concerned. We have had expressed the hostility of the American people to a supergovernment or to any commitment where either a council or an assembly of leagued powers may chart our course. Treaties of armed alliance can have no likelihood of American sanction, but we believe in respecting the rights of nations, in the value of conference and consultation, in the effectiveness of leaders of nations looking each other in the face ace before resorting to the arbitrament of arms. It has been our fortune both to preach and promote international understanding. The influence of the United States in bringing near the settlement of an ancient dispute between South American nations is added proof of the glow of peace in ample understanding. In Washington to-day are met the delegates of the Central American nations, gathered at the table of international understanding, to stabilize their Republics and remove every vestige of disagreement. They are met here by our invitation, not in our aloofness, and they accept our hospitality because they have faith in our unselfishness and believe in our helpfulness. Perhaps we are selfish in craving their confidence and friendship, but such a selfishness we proclaim to the world, regardless of hemisphere, or seas dividing. I would like the Congress and the people of the Nation to believe that in a firm and considerate way we are insistent on American rights wherever they may be questioned, and deny no rights of others in the assertion of our own. Moreover we are cognizant of the world's struggles for full readjustment and rehabilitation, and we have shirked no duty which comes of sympathy, or fraternity, or highest fellowship among nations. Every obligation consonant with American ideals and sanctioned under our form of government is willingly met. When we can not support we do not demand. Our constitutional limitations do not forbid the exercise of a moral influence, the measure of which is not less than the high purposes we have sought to serve. After all there is less difference about the part this great Republic shall play in furthering peace and advancing humanity than in the manner of playing it. We ask no one to assume responsibility for us; we assume no responsibility which others must bear for themselves, unless nationality is hopelessly swallowed up in internationalism.
so many problems are calling for solution that a recital of all of them in the face of the known limitations of a short session of congress would seem to lack sincerity of purpose it is four years since the world war ended but the inevitable readjustment of the social and economic order is not more than barely begun there is no acceptance of conditions anywhere in the world in a very general way humanity harbors individual wishes to go on with compensation for production with requirements in expenditure in short everyone speaking broadly craves readjustment for everybody except himself while there can be no just and permanent readjustment except when all participate the civilization which measured its strength of genius and the power of science and the resources of industries in addition to testing the limits of man power and the endurance and heroism of men and women that same civilization is brought to its severest test in restoring a tranquil order and committing humanity to the stable ways of peace if the sober and deliberate appraisal of civilization makes it smee a inheritance then with patience and good courage it will be preserved there never again will be precisely the old order indeed i know of no one who thinks it to be desirable for out of the old order came the war itself and the new order established and made secure never will permit its recurrence it is no figure of speech to say we have come to the test of our civilization the world has been passing is today passing through of a great crisis the conduct of war itself is not more difficult than the solution of the problems which necessarily follow i am not speaking at this moment of the problem in its wider aspect of world rehabilitation or of international relationships the reference is to our own social financial and economic problems at home these things are not to be considered solely as problems apart from all international relationship but every nation must be able to carry on for itself else its international relationship will have scant importance doubtless our own people have emerged from the world war tumult less impaired than most belligerent powers probably we have made larger progress toward reconstruction surely we have been fortunate in diminishing unemployment and our industrial and business activities which are the lifeblood of our material existence have been restored as in no other reconstruction period of like length in the history of the world had we escaped the coal and railway strikes which had no excuse for their beginning and less justification for their delayed settlement we should have done infinitely better but labor was insistent on holding to the war heights and heedless forces of reaction sought the levels and both were wrong in the folly of conflict our progress was hindered and the heavy cost has not yet been fully estimated there can be neither adjustment nor the penalty of the failure to readjust in which all do not somehow participate the railway strike accentuated the difficulty of the american farmer the first distress of readjustment came to the farmer and it will not lie a readjustment fit to abide until he is relieved the distress brought to the farmer does not affect him alone agricultural ill fortune is a national ill fortune that of our population which produces the food of the republic and adds so largely to our export commerce must participate in the good fortunes of the nation else there is none worth retaining agriculture is a vital activity in our national life in it we had our beginning and its westward march with the star of the empire has reflected the growth of the republic it has its vicissitudes which no legislation will prevent its hardships for which no law can provide escape but the congress can make available to the farmer the financial facilities which have been built up under government aid and supervision for other commercial and industrial enterprises it may be done on the same solid fundamentals and make the vitally important agricultural industry more secure and it must be done this congress already has taken cognizance of the misfortune which precipitate deflation brought to american agriculture your measures of relief and the reduction of the federal reserve discount rate undoubtedly saved the country from widespread disaster the very proof of helpfulness already given is the strongest argument for the permanent establishment of widened credits heretofore temporarily extended through the war finance corporation the farm loan bureau which already has proven its usefulness through the federal land banks may well have its powers enlarged to provide ample farm production credits as well as enlarged land credits it is entirely practical to create a division in the federal land banks to deal with production credits with the limitations of time so adjusted to the farm turnover as the federal reserve system provides for the turnover in the manufacturing and mercantile world special provision must be made for production credits and the limit of land loans may be safely enlarged various measures are pending before you and the best judgment of congress ought to be expressed in a prompt enactment at the present session but american agriculture needs more than added credit facilities the credits will help to solve the pressing problems growing out of land values and the drastic deflation of three years ago but permanent and deserved agricultural good fortune depends on better and cheaper transportation here is an outstanding problem demanding the most rigorous consideration of the congress and the country it has to do with more than agriculture it provides the channel for the flow of the country commerce but the farmer is particularly hard hit his market so affected by the world consumption does not admit of the price adjustment to meet carrying charges in the last half of the year now closing the railways broken in carrying capacity because of motive power and rolling stock out of order though insistently declaring to the contrary embargoed his shipments or denied him cars when fortunate markets were calling too frequently transportation failed while perishable products were turning from possible profit to losses counted in tens of millions i know of no problem exceeding in importance this one of transportation in our complex and interdependent modern life transportation is essential to our very existence let us pass for the moment the menace in the possible paralysis of such service as we have and note the failure for whatever reason to expand our transportation to meet the nation needs the census of 1880 recorded a population of in two decades more we may reasonably expect to count thrice that number in the three decades ending in 1920 the country freight by rail increased from tons to tons that is to say while our population was increasing less than 70 per cent the freight movement increased over 250 per cent we have built 40 per cent of the world railroad mileage and yet find it inadequate to our present requirements when we contemplate the inadequacy of it is easy to believe that the next few decades will witness the paralysis of our social scheme or a complete reorganization on some new basis mindful of the tremendous costs of betterments extensions and expansions and mindful of the staggering debts of the world the difficulty is magnified here is a problem demanding wide vision and the avoidance of mere makeshifts no matter what the errors of the past no matter how we acclaimed construction and then condemned operations in the past we have the transportation and the honest investment in the transportation which sped us on to what we are and we face conditions which reflect its inadequacy its greater inadequacy and we contemplate transportation costs which much of the traffic can not and will not continue to pay manifestly we have need to begin on plans to coordinate all transportation facilities we should more effectively connect up our rail lines with our carriers by sea we ought to reap some benefit from the hundreds of millions expended on inland waterways proving our capacity to utilize as well as expend we ought to turn the motor truck into a railway feeder and distributor instead of a destroying competitor it would be folly to ignore that we live in a motor age the motor car reflects our standard of living and gauges the speed of our life it long ago ran down simple living and never halted to inquire about the prostrate figure which fell as its victim with full recognition of transportation we must turn it to the most practical use it can not supersede the railway lines no matter how generously we afford it highways out of the public treasury if freight traffic by motor were charged with its proper and proportionate share of highway construction we should find much of it wasteful and more costly than like service by rail yet we have paralleled the railways a most natural line of construction and thereby taken away from the agency of expected service much of its profitable traffic which the taxpayers have been providing the highways whose cost of maintenance is not yet realized the federal government has a right to inquire into the wisdom of this policy because the national treasury is contributing largely to this highway construction costly highways ought to be made to serve as feeders rather than competitors of the railroads and the motor truck should become a coordinate factor in our great distributing system this transportation problem can not be waived aside the demand for lowered costs on farm products and basic materials can not be ignored rates horizontally increased to meet increased wage outlays during the war inflation are not easily reduced when some very moderate wage reductions were effected last summer there was a 5 per cent horizontal reduction in rates i sought at that time in a very informal way to have the railway managers go before the interstate commerce commission and agree to a heavier reduction on farm products and coal and other basic commodities and leave unchanged the freight tariffs which a very large portion of the traffic was able to bear neither the managers nor the commission tile suggestion so we had the horizontal reduction saw fit to adopt too slight to be felt by the higher class cargoes and too little to benefit the heavy tonnage calling most loudly for relief railways are not to be expected to render the most essential service in our social organization without a air return on capital invested but the government has gone so far in the regulation of rates and rules of operation that it has the responsibility of pointing the way to the reduced freight costs so essential to our national welfare government operation does not afford the cure it was government operation which brought us to the very order of things against which we now rebel and we are still liquidating the costs of that supreme folly surely the genius of the railway builders has not become extinct among the railway managers new economies new efficiencies in cooperation must be found the fact that labor takes 50 to 60 per cent of total railway earnings makes limitations within which to effect economies very difficult but the demand is no less insistent on that account clearly the managers are without that intercarrier cooperative relationship so highly essential to the best and most economical operation they could not function in harmony when the strike threatened the paralysis of all railway transportation the relationship of tile service to public welfare so intimately affected by state and federal regulation demands the effective correlation and a concerted drive to meet an insistent and justified public demand the merger of lines into systems a facilitated interchange of freight cars the economic use of terminals and the consolidation of facilities are suggested ways of economy and efficiency i remind you that congress provided a joint commission of agricultural inquiry which made an exhaustive investigation of car service and transportation and unanimously recommended in its report of october 15 1921 the pooling of freight cars under a central agency this report well deserves your serious consideration i think well of the central agency which shall be a creation of the railways themselves to provide under the jurisdiction of the interstate commerce commission the means for financing equipment for carriers which are otherwise unable to provide their proportion of car equipment adequate to transportation needs this same agency ought to point the way to every possible economy in maintained equipment and the necessary interchanges in railway commerce in a previous address to the congress i called to your attention the insufficiency of power to enforce the decisions of the railroad labor board carriers have ignored its decisions on the one hand railway workmen have challenged its decisions by a strike on the other hand the intent of congress to establish a tribunal to which railway labor and managers may appeal respecting questions of wages and working conditions can not be too strongly commended it is vitally important that some such agency should be a guaranty against suspended operation the public must be spared even the threat of discontinued service sponsoring the railroads as we do it is an obligation that labor shall be assured the highest justice and every proper consideration of wage and working conditions but it is an equal obligation to see that no concerted action in forcing demands shall deprive the public of the transportation service essential to its very existence it is now impossible to safeguard public interest because the decrees of the board are unenforceable against either employer or employee the labor board itself is not so constituted as best to serve the public interest with six partisan members on a board of nine three partisans nominated by the employees and three by the railway managers it is inevitable that the partisan viewpoint is maintained throughout hearings and in decisions handed down indeed the few exceptions to a strictly partisan expression in decisions thus far rendered have been followed by accusations of betrayal of the partisan interests represented only the public group of three is free to function in unbiased decisions therefore the partisan membership may well be abolished and decisions should be made by an impartial tribunal i am well convinced that the functions of this tribunal could be much better carried on here in washington even were it to be continued as a separate tribunal there ought to be contact with the interstate commerce commission which has supreme authority in the rate making to which wage cost bears an indissoluble relationship theoretically a fair and living wage must be determined quite apart from the employer earning capacity but in practice in the railway service they are inseparable the record of advanced rates to meet increased wages both determined by the government is proof enough the substitution of a labor division in the interstate commerce commission made up from its membership to hear and decide disputes relating to wages and working conditions which have failed of adjustment by proper committees created by the railways and their employees offers a more effective plan it need not be surprising that there is dissatisfaction over delayed hearings and decisions by the present board when every trivial dispute is carried to that tribunal the law should require the railroads and their employees to institute means and methods to negotiate between themselves their constantly arising differences limiting appeals to the government tribunal to disputes of such character as are likely to affect the public welfare this suggested substitution will involve a necessary increase in the membership of the commission probably four to constitute the labor division if the suggestion appeals to the congress it will be well to specify that the labor division shall be constituted of representatives of the four territories thereby assuring a tribunal conversant with the conditions which obtain in the different ratemaking sections of the country i wish i could bring to you the precise recommendation for the prevention of strikes which threaten the welfare of the people and menace public safety it is an impotent civilization and an inadequate government which lacks the genius and the courage to guard against such a menace to public welfare as we experienced last summer you were aware of the government great concern and its futile attempt to aid in an adjustment it will reveal the inexcusable obstinacy which was responsible for so much distress to the country to recall now that though all disputes are not yet adjusted the many settlements which have been made were on the terms which the government proposed in mediation public interest demands that ample power shall be conferred upon the labor tribunal whether it is the present board or the suggested substitute to require its rulings to be accepted by both parties to a disputed question let there be no confusion about the purpose of the suggested conferment of power to make decisions effective there can be no denial of constitutional rights of either railway workmen or railway managers no man can be denied his right to labor when and how he chooses or cease to labor when he so elects but since the government assumes to safeguard his interests while employed in an essential public service the security of society demands his retirement from the service shall not be so timed and related as to effect the destruction of that service this vitally essential public transportation service demanding so much of brain and brawn so much for efficiency and security ought to offer the most attractive working conditions and the highest of wages paid to workmen in any employment in essentially every branch from track repairer to the man at the locomotive throttle the railroad worker is responsible for the safety of human lives and the care of vast property his high responsibility might well rate high his pay within the limits the traffic will bear but the same responsibility plus governmental protection may justly deny him and his associates a withdrawal from service without a warning or under circumstances which involve the paralysis of necessary transportation we have assumed so great a responsibility in necessary regulation that we unconsciously have assumed the responsibility for maintained service therefore the lawful power for the enforcement of decisions is necessary to sustain the majesty of government and to administer to the public welfare during its longer session the present congress enacted a new tariff law the protection of the american standards of living demanded the insurance it provides against the distorted conditions of world commerce the framers of the law made provision for a certain flexibility of customs duties whereby it is possible to readjust them as developing conditions may require the enactment has imposed a large responsibility upon the executive but that responsibility will be discharged with a broad mindfulness of the whole business situation the provision itself admits either the possible fallibility of rates or their unsuitableness to changing conditions i believe the grant of authority may be promptly and discreetly exercised ever mindful of the intent and purpose to safeguard american industrial activity and at the same time prevent the exploitation of the american consumer and keep open the paths of such liberal exchanges as do not endanger our own productivity no one contemplates commercial aloofness nor any other aloofness contradictory to the best american traditions or loftiest human purposes our fortunate capacity for comparative affords the firm foundation on which to build for our own security and a like foundation on which to build for a future of influence and importance in world commerce our trade expansion must come of capacity and of policies of righteousness and reasonableness in till our commercial relations let no one assume that our provision for maintained good fortune at home and our unwillingness to assume the correction of all the ills of the world means a reluctance to cooperate with other peoples or to assume every just obligation to promote human advancement anywhere in the world war made its a creditor nation we did not seek an excess possession of the world gold and we have neither desire to profit unduly by its possession nor permanently retain it we do not seek to become an international dictator because of its power the voice of the united states has a respectful hearing in international councils because we have convinced the world that we have no selfish ends to serve no old grievances to avenge no territorial or other greed to satisfy but the voice being beard is that of good counsel not of dictation it is the voice of sympathy and fraternity and helpfulness seeking to assist but not assume for the united states burdens which nations must bear for themselves we would rejoice to help rehabilitate currency systems and facilitate all commerce which does not drag us to the very levels of those we seek to lift up while i have everlasting faith in our republic it would be folly indeed to blind ourselves to our problems at home abusing the hospitality of our shores are the advocates of revolution finding their deluded followers among those who take on the habiliments of an american without knowing an american soul there is the recrudescence of hyphenated americanism which we thought to have been stamped out when we committed the nation life and soul to the world war there is a call to make the alien respect our institutions while he accepts our hospitality there is need to magnify the american viewpoint to the alien who seeks a citizenship among us there is need to magnify the national viewpoint to americans throughout the land more there is a demand for every living being in the united states to respect and abide by the laws of the republic let men who are rending the moral fiber of the republic through easy contempt for the prohibition law because they think it restricts their personal liberty remember that they set the example and breed a contempt for law which will ultimately destroy the republic constitutional prohibition has been adopted by the nation it is the supreme law of the land in plain speaking there are conditions relating to its enforcement which savor of scandal it is the most demoralizing factor in our public life most of our people assumed that the adoption of the eighteenth amendment meant the elimination of the question from our politics on the contrary it has been so intensified as an issue that many voters are disposed to make all political decisions with reference to this single question it is distracting the public mind and prejudicing the judgment of the electorate the day is unlikely to come when the eighteenth amendment will be repealed the fact may as well be recognized and our course adapted accordingly if the statutory provisions for its enforcement are contrary to deliberate public opinion which i do not believe the rigorous and literal enforcement will concentrate public attention on any requisite modification such a course conforms with the law and saves the humiliation of the government and the humiliation of our people before the world and challenges the destructive forces engaged in widespread violation official corruption and individual demoralization the eighteenth amendment involves the concurrent authority of state and federal governments for the enforcement of the policy it defines a certain lack of definiteness through division of responsibility is thus introduced in order to bring about a full understanding of duties and responsibilities as thus distributed i purpose to invite the governors of tile states and territories at an early opportunity to a conference with the federal executive authority out of the full and free considerations which will thus be possible it is confidently believed will emerge a more adequate comprehension of tile whole problem and definite policies of national and state cooperation in administering the laws there are pending bills for the registration of the alien who has come to our shores i wish the passage of such an act might be expedited life amid american opportunities is worth the cost of registration if it is worth the seeking and the nation has the right to know who are citizens in the making or who live among us anti share our advantages while seeking to undermine our cherished institutions this provision will enable us to guard against the abuses in immigration checking the undesirable whose irregular willing is his first violation of our laws more it will facilitate the needed americanizing of those who mean to enroll as fellow citizens before enlarging the immigration quotas we had better provide registration for aliens those now here or continually pressing for admission and establish our examination boards abroad to make sure of desirables only by the examination abroad we could end the pathos at our ports when men and women find our doors closed after long voyages and wasted savings because they are unfit for admission it would be kindlier and safer to tell them before they embark our program of admission and treatment of immigrants is very intimately related to the educational policy of the republic with illiteracy estimated at front of 1 per cent to less than 2 per cent in 10 of the foremost nations of europe it rivets our attention to it serious problem when we are reminded of a 6 per cent illiteracy in the united states the figures are based on the test which defines an illiterate as one having no schooling whatever remembering tile wide freedom of our public schools with compulsory attendance in many states in the union one is convinced that much of our excessive illiteracy comes to us from abroad and the education of the immigrant becomes it requisite to his americanization it must be done if he is fittingly to exercise the duties as well as enjoy the privileges of american citizenship here is revealed tile special field for federal cooperation in furthering education from the very beginning public education has been left mainly in the hands of the states so far as schooling youth is concerned the policy has been justified because no responsibility can be so effective as that of tile local community alive to its task i believe in the cooperation of the national authority to stimulate encourage and broaden tile work of tile local authorities but it is the especial obligation of tile federal government to devise means and effectively assist in the education of the newcomer from foreign lands so that the level of american education may be made the highest that is humanly possible closely related to this problem of education is the abolition of child labor twice congress has attempted the correction of the evils incident to child employment the decision of the supreme court has put this problem outside the proper domain of federal regulation until the constitution is so amended as to give the congress indubitable authority i recommend the submission of such an amendment we have two schools of thought relating to amendment of the constitution one need not be committed to the belief that amendment is weakening the fundamental law or that excessive amendment is essential to meet every ephemeral whim we ought to amend to meet the demands of the people when sanctioned by deliberate public opinion one year ago i suggested the submission of an amendment so that we may lawfully restrict the issues of tax exempt securities and i renew that recommendation now securities are drying up the sources of federal taxation and they are encouraging unproductive and extravagant expenditures by states and municipalities there is more than the menace in mounting public debt there is the dissipation of capital which should be made available to the needs of productive industry the proposed amendment will place the state and federal governments and all political subdivisions on an exact equality and will correct the growing menace of public borrowing which if left unchecked may soon threaten the stability of our institutions we are so vast and so varied in our national interests that scores of problems are pressing for attention i must not risk the wearying of your patience with detailed reference reclamation and irrigation projects where waste land may be made available for settlement and productivity are worthy of your favorable consideration when it is realized that we are consuming our timber four times as rapidly as we are growing it we must encourage the greatest possible cooperation between the federal government the various states and the owners of forest lands to the end that protection from fire shall be made more effective and replanting encouraged the fuel problem is under study now by a very capable commission and any attempt to deal with the coal problem of such deep concern to the entire nation must await the report of the commission there are necessary studies of great problems which congress might well initiate the wide spread between production costs and prices which consumers pay concerns every citizen of the republic it contributes very largely to the unrest in agriculture and must stand sponsor for much against which we inveigh in that familiar term the high cost of living no one doubts the excess is traceable to the levy of the middleman but it would be unfair to charge him with all responsibility before we appraise what is exacted of him by our modernly complex life we have attacked the problem on one side by the promotion of cooperative marketing and we might well inquire into the benefits of cooperative buying admittedly the consumer is much to blame himself because of his prodigal expenditure and his exaction of service but government might well serve to point the way of narrowing the spread of price especially between the production of food and its consumption a superpower survey of the eastern industrial region has recently been completed looking to unification of steam water and electric powers and to a unified scheme of power distribution the survey proved that vast economies in tonnage movement of freights and in the efficiency of the railroads would be effected if the superpower program were adopted i am convinced that constructive measures calculated to promote such an industrial development i am tempted to say such an industrial be well worthy the careful attention and fostering interest of the national government the proposed survey of a plan to draft all the resources of the republic human and material for national defense may well have your approval i commended such a program in case of future war in the inaugural address of march 4 1921 and every experience in the adjustment and liquidation of war claims and the settlement of war obligations persuades me we ought to be prepared for such universal call to armed defense i bring you no apprehension of war the world is abhorrent of it and our own relations are not only free from every threatening cloud but we have contributed our larger influence toward making armed conflict less likely those who assume that we played our part in the world war and later took ourselves aloof and apart unmindful of world obligations give scant credit to the helpful part we assume in international relationships whether all nations signatory ratify all the treaties growing out of the washington conference on limitation of armament or some withhold approval the underlying policy of limiting naval armament has the sanction of the larger naval powers and naval competition is suspended of course unanimous ratification is much to be desired the pact which abolishes every probability of war on the pacific has brought new confidence in a maintained peace and i can well believe it might be made a model for like assurances wherever in the world any common interests are concerned we have had expressed the hostility of the american people to a supergovernment or to any commitment where either a council or an assembly of leagued powers may chart our course treaties of armed alliance can have no likelihood of american sanction but we believe in respecting the rights of nations in the value of conference and consultation in the effectiveness of leaders of nations looking each other in the face ace before resorting to the arbitrament of arms it has been our fortune both to preach and promote international understanding the influence of the united states in bringing near the settlement of an ancient dispute between south american nations is added proof of the glow of peace in ample understanding in washington are met the delegates of the central american nations gathered at the table of international understanding to stabilize their republics and remove every vestige of disagreement they are met here by our invitation not in our aloofness and they accept our hospitality because they have faith in our unselfishness and believe in our helpfulness perhaps we are selfish in craving their confidence and friendship but such a selfishness we proclaim to the world regardless of hemisphere or seas dividing i would like the congress and the people of the nation to believe that in a firm and considerate way we are insistent on american rights wherever they may be questioned and deny no rights of others in the assertion of our own moreover we are cognizant of the world struggles for full readjustment and rehabilitation and we have shirked no duty which comes of sympathy or fraternity or highest fellowship among nations every obligation consonant with american ideals and sanctioned under our form of government is willingly met when we can not support we do not demand our constitutional limitations do not forbid the exercise of a moral influence the measure of which is not less than the high purposes we have sought to serve after all there is less difference about the part this great republic shall play in furthering peace and advancing humanity than in the manner of playing it we ask no one to assume responsibility for us we assume no responsibility which others must bear for themselves unless nationality is hopelessly swallowed up in internationalism
many problems calling solution recital face known limitations short session congress would seem lack sincerity purpose four years since world war ended inevitable readjustment social economic order barely begun acceptance conditions anywhere world general way humanity harbors individual wishes go compensation production requirements expenditure short everyone speaking broadly craves readjustment everybody except permanent readjustment except participate civilization measured strength genius power science resources industries addition testing limits man power endurance heroism men women civilization brought severest test restoring tranquil order committing humanity stable ways peace sober deliberate appraisal civilization makes smee inheritance patience good courage preserved never precisely old order indeed know one thinks desirable old order came war new order established made secure never permit recurrence figure speech say come test civilization world passing today passing great crisis conduct war difficult solution problems necessarily follow speaking moment problem wider aspect world rehabilitation international relationships reference social financial economic problems home things considered solely problems apart international relationship every nation must able carry else international relationship scant importance doubtless people emerged world war tumult less impaired belligerent powers probably made larger progress toward reconstruction surely fortunate diminishing unemployment industrial business activities lifeblood material existence restored reconstruction period like length history world escaped coal railway strikes excuse beginning less justification delayed settlement done infinitely better labor insistent holding war heights heedless forces reaction sought levels wrong folly conflict progress hindered heavy cost yet fully estimated neither adjustment penalty failure readjust somehow participate railway strike accentuated difficulty american farmer first distress readjustment came farmer lie readjustment fit abide relieved distress brought farmer affect alone agricultural ill fortune national ill fortune population produces food republic adds largely export commerce must participate good fortunes nation else none worth retaining agriculture vital activity national life beginning westward march star empire reflected growth republic vicissitudes legislation prevent hardships law provide escape congress make available farmer financial facilities built government aid supervision commercial industrial enterprises may done solid fundamentals make vitally important agricultural industry secure must done congress already taken cognizance misfortune precipitate deflation brought american agriculture measures relief reduction federal reserve discount rate undoubtedly saved country widespread disaster proof helpfulness already given strongest argument permanent establishment widened credits heretofore temporarily extended war finance corporation farm loan bureau already proven usefulness federal land banks may well powers enlarged provide ample farm production credits well enlarged land credits entirely practical create division federal land banks deal production credits limitations time adjusted farm turnover federal reserve system provides turnover manufacturing mercantile world special provision must made production credits limit land loans may safely enlarged various measures pending best judgment congress ought expressed prompt enactment present session american agriculture needs added credit facilities credits help solve pressing problems growing land values drastic deflation three years ago permanent deserved agricultural good fortune depends better cheaper transportation outstanding problem demanding rigorous consideration congress country agriculture provides channel flow country commerce farmer particularly hard hit market affected world consumption admit price adjustment meet carrying charges last half year closing railways broken carrying capacity motive power rolling stock order though insistently declaring contrary embargoed shipments denied cars fortunate markets calling frequently transportation failed perishable products turning possible profit losses counted tens millions know problem exceeding importance one transportation complex interdependent modern life transportation essential existence let us pass moment menace possible paralysis service note failure whatever reason expand transportation meet nation needs census 1880 recorded population two decades may reasonably expect count thrice number three decades ending 1920 country freight rail increased tons tons say population increasing less 70 per cent freight movement increased 250 per cent built 40 per cent world railroad mileage yet find inadequate present requirements contemplate inadequacy easy believe next decades witness paralysis social scheme complete reorganization new basis mindful tremendous costs betterments extensions expansions mindful staggering debts world difficulty magnified problem demanding wide vision avoidance mere makeshifts matter errors past matter acclaimed construction condemned operations past transportation honest investment transportation sped us face conditions reflect inadequacy greater inadequacy contemplate transportation costs much traffic continue pay manifestly need begin plans coordinate transportation facilities effectively connect rail lines carriers sea ought reap benefit hundreds millions expended inland waterways proving capacity utilize well expend ought turn motor truck railway feeder distributor instead destroying competitor would folly ignore live motor age motor car reflects standard living gauges speed life long ago ran simple living never halted inquire prostrate figure fell victim full recognition transportation must turn practical use supersede railway lines matter generously afford highways public treasury freight traffic motor charged proper proportionate share highway construction find much wasteful costly like service rail yet paralleled railways natural line construction thereby taken away agency expected service much profitable traffic taxpayers providing highways whose cost maintenance yet realized federal government right inquire wisdom policy national treasury contributing largely highway construction costly highways ought made serve feeders rather competitors railroads motor truck become coordinate factor great distributing system transportation problem waived aside demand lowered costs farm products basic materials ignored rates horizontally increased meet increased wage outlays war inflation easily reduced moderate wage reductions effected last summer 5 per cent horizontal reduction rates sought time informal way railway managers go interstate commerce commission agree heavier reduction farm products coal basic commodities leave unchanged freight tariffs large portion traffic able bear neither managers commission tile suggestion horizontal reduction saw fit adopt slight felt higher class cargoes little benefit heavy tonnage calling loudly relief railways expected render essential service social organization without air return capital invested government gone far regulation rates rules operation responsibility pointing way reduced freight costs essential national welfare government operation afford cure government operation brought us order things rebel still liquidating costs supreme folly surely genius railway builders become extinct among railway managers new economies new efficiencies cooperation must found fact labor takes 50 60 per cent total railway earnings makes limitations within effect economies difficult demand less insistent account clearly managers without intercarrier cooperative relationship highly essential best economical operation could function harmony strike threatened paralysis railway transportation relationship tile service public welfare intimately affected state federal regulation demands effective correlation concerted drive meet insistent justified public demand merger lines systems facilitated interchange freight cars economic use terminals consolidation facilities suggested ways economy efficiency remind congress provided joint commission agricultural inquiry made exhaustive investigation car service transportation unanimously recommended report october 15 1921 pooling freight cars central agency report well deserves serious consideration think well central agency shall creation railways provide jurisdiction interstate commerce commission means financing equipment carriers otherwise unable provide proportion car equipment adequate transportation needs agency ought point way every possible economy maintained equipment necessary interchanges railway commerce previous address congress called attention insufficiency power enforce decisions railroad labor board carriers ignored decisions one hand railway workmen challenged decisions strike hand intent congress establish tribunal railway labor managers may appeal respecting questions wages working conditions strongly commended vitally important agency guaranty suspended operation public must spared even threat discontinued service sponsoring railroads obligation labor shall assured highest justice every proper consideration wage working conditions equal obligation see concerted action forcing demands shall deprive public transportation service essential existence impossible safeguard public interest decrees board unenforceable either employer employee labor board constituted best serve public interest six partisan members board nine three partisans nominated employees three railway managers inevitable partisan viewpoint maintained throughout hearings decisions handed indeed exceptions strictly partisan expression decisions thus far rendered followed accusations betrayal partisan interests represented public group three free function unbiased decisions therefore partisan membership may well abolished decisions made impartial tribunal well convinced functions tribunal could much better carried washington even continued separate tribunal ought contact interstate commerce commission supreme authority rate making wage cost bears indissoluble relationship theoretically fair living wage must determined quite apart employer earning capacity practice railway service inseparable record advanced rates meet increased wages determined government proof enough substitution labor division interstate commerce commission made membership hear decide disputes relating wages working conditions failed adjustment proper committees created railways employees offers effective plan need surprising dissatisfaction delayed hearings decisions present board every trivial dispute carried tribunal law require railroads employees institute means methods negotiate constantly arising differences limiting appeals government tribunal disputes character likely affect public welfare suggested substitution involve necessary increase membership commission probably four constitute labor division suggestion appeals congress well specify labor division shall constituted representatives four territories thereby assuring tribunal conversant conditions obtain different ratemaking sections country wish could bring precise recommendation prevention strikes threaten welfare people menace public safety impotent civilization inadequate government lacks genius courage guard menace public welfare experienced last summer aware government great concern futile attempt aid adjustment reveal inexcusable obstinacy responsible much distress country recall though disputes yet adjusted many settlements made terms government proposed mediation public interest demands ample power shall conferred upon labor tribunal whether present board suggested substitute require rulings accepted parties disputed question let confusion purpose suggested conferment power make decisions effective denial constitutional rights either railway workmen railway managers man denied right labor chooses cease labor elects since government assumes safeguard interests employed essential public service security society demands retirement service shall timed related effect destruction service vitally essential public transportation service demanding much brain brawn much efficiency security ought offer attractive working conditions highest wages paid workmen employment essentially every branch track repairer man locomotive throttle railroad worker responsible safety human lives care vast property high responsibility might well rate high pay within limits traffic bear responsibility plus governmental protection may justly deny associates withdrawal service without warning circumstances involve paralysis necessary transportation assumed great responsibility necessary regulation unconsciously assumed responsibility maintained service therefore lawful power enforcement decisions necessary sustain majesty government administer public welfare longer session present congress enacted new tariff law protection american standards living demanded insurance provides distorted conditions world commerce framers law made provision certain flexibility customs duties whereby possible readjust developing conditions may require enactment imposed large responsibility upon executive responsibility discharged broad mindfulness whole business situation provision admits either possible fallibility rates unsuitableness changing conditions believe grant authority may promptly discreetly exercised ever mindful intent purpose safeguard american industrial activity time prevent exploitation american consumer keep open paths liberal exchanges endanger productivity one contemplates commercial aloofness aloofness contradictory best american traditions loftiest human purposes fortunate capacity comparative affords firm foundation build security like foundation build future influence importance world commerce trade expansion must come capacity policies righteousness reasonableness till commercial relations let one assume provision maintained good fortune home unwillingness assume correction ills world means reluctance cooperate peoples assume every obligation promote human advancement anywhere world war made creditor nation seek excess possession world gold neither desire profit unduly possession permanently retain seek become international dictator power voice united states respectful hearing international councils convinced world selfish ends serve old grievances avenge territorial greed satisfy voice beard good counsel dictation voice sympathy fraternity helpfulness seeking assist assume united states burdens nations must bear would rejoice help rehabilitate currency systems facilitate commerce drag us levels seek lift everlasting faith republic would folly indeed blind problems home abusing hospitality shores advocates revolution finding deluded followers among take habiliments american without knowing american soul recrudescence hyphenated americanism thought stamped committed nation life soul world war call make alien respect institutions accepts hospitality need magnify american viewpoint alien seeks citizenship among us need magnify national viewpoint americans throughout land demand every living united states respect abide laws republic let men rending moral fiber republic easy contempt prohibition law think restricts personal liberty remember set example breed contempt law ultimately destroy republic constitutional prohibition adopted nation supreme law land plain speaking conditions relating enforcement savor scandal demoralizing factor public life people assumed adoption eighteenth amendment meant elimination question politics contrary intensified issue many voters disposed make political decisions reference single question distracting public mind prejudicing judgment electorate day unlikely come eighteenth amendment repealed fact may well recognized course adapted accordingly statutory provisions enforcement contrary deliberate public opinion believe rigorous literal enforcement concentrate public attention requisite modification course conforms law saves humiliation government humiliation people world challenges destructive forces engaged widespread violation official corruption individual demoralization eighteenth amendment involves concurrent authority state federal governments enforcement policy defines certain lack definiteness division responsibility thus introduced order bring full understanding duties responsibilities thus distributed purpose invite governors tile states territories early opportunity conference federal executive authority full free considerations thus possible confidently believed emerge adequate comprehension tile whole problem definite policies national state cooperation administering laws pending bills registration alien come shores wish passage act might expedited life amid american opportunities worth cost registration worth seeking nation right know citizens making live among us anti share advantages seeking undermine cherished institutions provision enable us guard abuses immigration checking undesirable whose irregular willing first violation laws facilitate needed americanizing mean enroll fellow citizens enlarging immigration quotas better provide registration aliens continually pressing admission establish examination boards abroad make sure desirables examination abroad could end pathos ports men women find doors closed long voyages wasted savings unfit admission would kindlier safer tell embark program admission treatment immigrants intimately related educational policy republic illiteracy estimated front 1 per cent less 2 per cent 10 foremost nations europe rivets attention serious problem reminded 6 per cent illiteracy united states figures based test defines illiterate one schooling whatever remembering tile wide freedom public schools compulsory attendance many states union one convinced much excessive illiteracy comes us abroad education immigrant becomes requisite americanization must done fittingly exercise duties well enjoy privileges american citizenship revealed tile special field federal cooperation furthering education beginning public education left mainly hands states far schooling youth concerned policy justified responsibility effective tile local community alive task believe cooperation national authority stimulate encourage broaden tile work tile local authorities especial obligation tile federal government devise means effectively assist education newcomer foreign lands level american education may made highest humanly possible closely related problem education abolition child labor twice congress attempted correction evils incident child employment decision supreme court put problem outside proper domain federal regulation constitution amended give congress indubitable authority recommend submission amendment two schools thought relating amendment constitution one need committed belief amendment weakening fundamental law excessive amendment essential meet every ephemeral whim ought amend meet demands people sanctioned deliberate public opinion one year ago suggested submission amendment may lawfully restrict issues tax exempt securities renew recommendation securities drying sources federal taxation encouraging unproductive extravagant expenditures states municipalities menace mounting public debt dissipation capital made available needs productive industry proposed amendment place state federal governments political subdivisions exact equality correct growing menace public borrowing left unchecked may soon threaten stability institutions vast varied national interests scores problems pressing attention must risk wearying patience detailed reference reclamation irrigation projects waste land may made available settlement productivity worthy favorable consideration realized consuming timber four times rapidly growing must encourage greatest possible cooperation federal government various states owners forest lands end protection fire shall made effective replanting encouraged fuel problem study capable commission attempt deal coal problem deep concern entire nation must await report commission necessary studies great problems congress might well initiate wide spread production costs prices consumers pay concerns every citizen republic contributes largely unrest agriculture must stand sponsor much inveigh familiar term high cost living one doubts excess traceable levy middleman would unfair charge responsibility appraise exacted modernly complex life attacked problem one side promotion cooperative marketing might well inquire benefits cooperative buying admittedly consumer much blame prodigal expenditure exaction service government might well serve point way narrowing spread price especially production food consumption superpower survey eastern industrial region recently completed looking unification steam water electric powers unified scheme power distribution survey proved vast economies tonnage movement freights efficiency railroads would effected superpower program adopted convinced constructive measures calculated promote industrial development tempted say industrial well worthy careful attention fostering interest national government proposed survey plan draft resources republic human material national defense may well approval commended program case future war inaugural address march 4 1921 every experience adjustment liquidation war claims settlement war obligations persuades ought prepared universal call armed defense bring apprehension war world abhorrent relations free every threatening cloud contributed larger influence toward making armed conflict less likely assume played part world war later took aloof apart unmindful world obligations give scant credit helpful part assume international relationships whether nations signatory ratify treaties growing washington conference limitation armament withhold approval underlying policy limiting naval armament sanction larger naval powers naval competition suspended course unanimous ratification much desired pact abolishes every probability war pacific brought new confidence maintained peace well believe might made model like assurances wherever world common interests concerned expressed hostility american people supergovernment commitment either council assembly leagued powers may chart course treaties armed alliance likelihood american sanction believe respecting rights nations value conference consultation effectiveness leaders nations looking face ace resorting arbitrament arms fortune preach promote international understanding influence united states bringing near settlement ancient dispute south american nations added proof glow peace ample understanding washington met delegates central american nations gathered table international understanding stabilize republics remove every vestige disagreement met invitation aloofness accept hospitality faith unselfishness believe helpfulness perhaps selfish craving confidence friendship selfishness proclaim world regardless hemisphere seas dividing would like congress people nation believe firm considerate way insistent american rights wherever may questioned deny rights others assertion moreover cognizant world struggles full readjustment rehabilitation shirked duty comes sympathy fraternity highest fellowship among nations every obligation consonant american ideals sanctioned form government willingly met support demand constitutional limitations forbid exercise moral influence measure less high purposes sought serve less difference part great republic shall play furthering peace advancing humanity manner playing ask one assume responsibility us assume responsibility others must bear unless nationality hopelessly swallowed internationalism
many problem call solution recital face know limitation short session congress would seem lack sincerity purpose four year since world war end inevitable readjustment social economic order barely begin acceptance condition anywhere world general way humanity harbor individual wish go compensation production requirement expenditure short everyone speak broadly crave readjustment everybody except permanent readjustment except participate civilization measure strength genius power science resource industry addition test limit man power endurance heroism men woman civilization bring severe test restore tranquil order commit humanity stable way peace sober deliberate appraisal civilization make smee inheritance patience good courage preserve never precisely old order indeed know one think desirable old order come war new order establish make secure never permit recurrence figure speech say come test civilization world pass today pass great crisis conduct war difficult solution problem necessarily follow speak moment problem wider aspect world rehabilitation international relationship reference social financial economic problem home thing consider solely problem apart international relationship every nation must able carry else international relationship scant importance doubtless people emerge world war tumult less impaired belligerent power probably make large progress toward reconstruction surely fortunate diminish unemployment industrial business activity lifeblood material existence restore reconstruction period like length history world escape coal railway strike excuse begin less justification delay settlement do infinitely well labor insistent hold war height heedless force reaction seek level wrong folly conflict progress hinder heavy cost yet fully estimate neither adjustment penalty failure readjust somehow participate railway strike accentuate difficulty american farmer first distress readjustment come farmer lie readjustment fit abide relieve distress brought farmer affect alone agricultural ill fortune national ill fortune population produce food republic add largely export commerce must participate good fortune nation else none worth retain agriculture vital activity national life begin westward march star empire reflect growth republic vicissitude legislation prevent hardship law provide escape congress make available farmer financial facility build government aid supervision commercial industrial enterprise may do solid fundamental make vitally important agricultural industry secure must do congress already take cognizance misfortune precipitate deflation bring american agriculture measure relief reduction federal reserve discount rate undoubtedly save country widespread disaster proof helpfulness already give strong argument permanent establishment widen credit heretofore temporarily extend war finance corporation farm loan bureau already proven usefulness federal land bank may well power enlarge provide ample farm production credit well enlarged land credit entirely practical create division federal land bank deal production credit limitation time adjust farm turnover federal reserve system provide turnover manufacture mercantile world special provision must make production credit limit land loan may safely enlarge various measure pending best judgment congress ought express prompt enactment present session american agriculture need add credit facility credit help solve press problem grow land value drastic deflation three year ago permanent deserve agricultural good fortune depend well cheap transportation outstanding problem demand rigorous consideration congress country agriculture provide channel flow country commerce farmer particularly hard hit market affect world consumption admit price adjustment meet carrying charge last half year closing railways break carry capacity motive power roll stock order though insistently declare contrary embargoed shipment deny car fortunate market call frequently transportation fail perishable product turn possible profit loss count ten million know problem exceed importance one transportation complex interdependent modern life transportation essential existence let u pass moment menace possible paralysis service note failure whatever reason expand transportation meet nation need census 1880 record population two decade may reasonably expect count thrice number three decade end 1920 country freight rail increase ton ton say population increase less 70 per cent freight movement increase 250 per cent build 40 per cent world railroad mileage yet find inadequate present requirement contemplate inadequacy easy believe next decade witness paralysis social scheme complete reorganization new basis mindful tremendous cost betterment extension expansion mindful stagger debt world difficulty magnify problem demand wide vision avoidance mere makeshift matter error past matter acclaim construction condemn operation past transportation honest investment transportation speed u face condition reflect inadequacy great inadequacy contemplate transportation cost much traffic continue pay manifestly need begin plan coordinate transportation facility effectively connect rail line carrier sea ought reap benefit hundred million expend inland waterway prove capacity utilize well expend ought turn motor truck railway feeder distributor instead destroy competitor would folly ignore live motor age motor car reflect standard living gauge speed life long ago ran simple live never halt inquire prostrate figure fell victim full recognition transportation must turn practical use supersede railway line matter generously afford highway public treasury freight traffic motor charge proper proportionate share highway construction find much wasteful costly like service rail yet parallel railway natural line construction thereby take away agency expect service much profitable traffic taxpayer provide highway whose cost maintenance yet realize federal government right inquire wisdom policy national treasury contribute largely highway construction costly highway ought make serve feeder rather competitor railroad motor truck become coordinate factor great distributing system transportation problem waive aside demand lower cost farm product basic material ignore rate horizontally increased meet increase wage outlay war inflation easily reduce moderate wage reduction effect last summer 5 per cent horizontal reduction rate seek time informal way railway manager go interstate commerce commission agree heavy reduction farm product coal basic commodity leave unchanged freight tariff large portion traffic able bear neither manager commission tile suggestion horizontal reduction saw fit adopt slight felt high class cargo little benefit heavy tonnage call loudly relief railway expect render essential service social organization without air return capital invested government go far regulation rate rule operation responsibility point way reduced freight cost essential national welfare government operation afford cure government operation bring u order thing rebel still liquidate cost supreme folly surely genius railway builder become extinct among railway manager new economy new efficiency cooperation must find fact labor take 50 60 per cent total railway earnings make limitation within effect economy difficult demand less insistent account clearly manager without intercarrier cooperative relationship highly essential best economical operation could function harmony strike threaten paralysis railway transportation relationship tile service public welfare intimately affect state federal regulation demand effective correlation concert drive meet insistent justify public demand merger line system facilitate interchange freight car economic use terminal consolidation facility suggest way economy efficiency remind congress provide joint commission agricultural inquiry make exhaustive investigation car service transportation unanimously recommend report october 15 1921 pool freight car central agency report well deserve serious consideration think well central agency shall creation railway provide jurisdiction interstate commerce commission mean financing equipment carrier otherwise unable provide proportion car equipment adequate transportation need agency ought point way every possible economy maintain equipment necessary interchange railway commerce previous address congress call attention insufficiency power enforce decision railroad labor board carrier ignore decision one hand railway workman challenge decision strike hand intent congress establish tribunal railway labor manager may appeal respect question wage work condition strongly commend vitally important agency guaranty suspend operation public must spar even threat discontinue service sponsor railroad obligation labor shall assure high justice every proper consideration wage work condition equal obligation see concert action force demand shall deprive public transportation service essential existence impossible safeguard public interest decree board unenforceable either employer employee labor board constitute best serve public interest six partisan member board nine three partisan nominate employee three railway manager inevitable partisan viewpoint maintain throughout hearing decision hand indeed exception strictly partisan expression decision thus far rendered follow accusation betrayal partisan interest represent public group three free function unbiased decision therefore partisan membership may well abolish decision make impartial tribunal well convinced function tribunal could much well carry washington even continue separate tribunal ought contact interstate commerce commission supreme authority rate making wage cost bear indissoluble relationship theoretically fair living wage must determine quite apart employer earn capacity practice railway service inseparable record advance rate meet increased wage determine government proof enough substitution labor division interstate commerce commission make membership hear decide dispute relate wage work condition fail adjustment proper committee create railway employee offer effective plan need surprising dissatisfaction delay hearing decision present board every trivial dispute carry tribunal law require railroad employee institute mean method negotiate constantly arise difference limit appeal government tribunal dispute character likely affect public welfare suggest substitution involve necessary increase membership commission probably four constitute labor division suggestion appeal congress well specify labor division shall constitute representative four territory thereby assure tribunal conversant condition obtain different ratemaking section country wish could bring precise recommendation prevention strike threaten welfare people menace public safety impotent civilization inadequate government lack genius courage guard menace public welfare experience last summer aware government great concern futile attempt aid adjustment reveal inexcusable obstinacy responsible much distress country recall though dispute yet adjust many settlement make term government propose mediation public interest demand ample power shall confer upon labor tribunal whether present board suggest substitute require ruling accept party dispute question let confusion purpose suggest conferment power make decision effective denial constitutional right either railway workman railway manager man deny right labor chooses cease labor elect since government assume safeguard interest employ essential public service security society demand retirement service shall time related effect destruction service vitally essential public transportation service demand much brain brawn much efficiency security ought offer attractive work condition high wage pay workmen employment essentially every branch track repairer man locomotive throttle railroad worker responsible safety human live care vast property high responsibility might well rate high pay within limit traffic bear responsibility plus governmental protection may justly deny associate withdrawal service without warn circumstance involve paralysis necessary transportation assume great responsibility necessary regulation unconsciously assume responsibility maintain service therefore lawful power enforcement decision necessary sustain majesty government administer public welfare long session present congress enact new tariff law protection american standard live demanded insurance provide distort condition world commerce framer law make provision certain flexibility custom duty whereby possible readjust develop condition may require enactment impose large responsibility upon executive responsibility discharge broad mindfulness whole business situation provision admit either possible fallibility rate unsuitableness change condition believe grant authority may promptly discreetly exercise ever mindful intent purpose safeguard american industrial activity time prevent exploitation american consumer keep open path liberal exchange endanger productivity one contemplate commercial aloofness aloofness contradictory best american tradition lofty human purpose fortunate capacity comparative affords firm foundation build security like foundation build future influence importance world commerce trade expansion must come capacity policy righteousness reasonableness till commercial relation let one assume provision maintain good fortune home unwillingness assume correction ill world mean reluctance cooperate people assume every obligation promote human advancement anywhere world war make creditor nation seek excess possession world gold neither desire profit unduly possession permanently retain seek become international dictator power voice united state respectful hear international council convince world selfish end serve old grievance avenge territorial greed satisfy voice beard good counsel dictation voice sympathy fraternity helpfulness seek assist assume united state burden nation must bear would rejoice help rehabilitate currency system facilitate commerce drag u level seek lift everlasting faith republic would folly indeed blind problem home abuse hospitality shore advocate revolution find deluded follower among take habiliment american without know american soul recrudescence hyphenate americanism thought stamp committed nation life soul world war call make alien respect institution accept hospitality need magnify american viewpoint alien seek citizenship among u need magnify national viewpoint american throughout land demand every living united state respect abide law republic let men rend moral fiber republic easy contempt prohibition law think restrict personal liberty remember set example breed contempt law ultimately destroy republic constitutional prohibition adopt nation supreme law land plain speak condition relate enforcement savor scandal demoralize factor public life people assume adoption eighteenth amendment meant elimination question politics contrary intensify issue many voter dispose make political decision reference single question distract public mind prejudice judgment electorate day unlikely come eighteenth amendment repeal fact may well recognize course adapt accordingly statutory provision enforcement contrary deliberate public opinion believe rigorous literal enforcement concentrate public attention requisite modification course conforms law save humiliation government humiliation people world challenge destructive force engage widespread violation official corruption individual demoralization eighteenth amendment involve concurrent authority state federal government enforcement policy defines certain lack definiteness division responsibility thus introduce order bring full understanding duty responsibility thus distribute purpose invite governor tile state territory early opportunity conference federal executive authority full free consideration thus possible confidently believe emerge adequate comprehension tile whole problem definite policy national state cooperation administer law pending bill registration alien come shore wish passage act might expedite life amid american opportunity worth cost registration worth seek nation right know citizen make live among u anti share advantage seek undermine cherish institution provision enable u guard abuse immigration check undesirable whose irregular willing first violation law facilitate need americanize mean enroll fellow citizen enlarge immigration quota well provide registration alien continually press admission establish examination board abroad make sure desirables examination abroad could end pathos port men woman find door close long voyage waste saving unfit admission would kindlier safe tell embark program admission treatment immigrant intimately related educational policy republic illiteracy estimate front 1 per cent less 2 per cent 10 foremost nation europe rivet attention serious problem remind 6 per cent illiteracy united state figure base test defines illiterate one school whatever remember tile wide freedom public school compulsory attendance many state union one convince much excessive illiteracy come u abroad education immigrant become requisite americanization must do fittingly exercise duty well enjoy privilege american citizenship reveal tile special field federal cooperation further education begin public education leave mainly hand state far school youth concerned policy justify responsibility effective tile local community alive task believe cooperation national authority stimulate encourage broaden tile work tile local authority especial obligation tile federal government devise mean effectively assist education newcomer foreign land level american education may make high humanly possible closely related problem education abolition child labor twice congress attempted correction evil incident child employment decision supreme court put problem outside proper domain federal regulation constitution amend give congress indubitable authority recommend submission amendment two school think relate amendment constitution one need commit belief amendment weaken fundamental law excessive amendment essential meet every ephemeral whim ought amend meet demand people sanction deliberate public opinion one year ago suggest submission amendment may lawfully restrict issue tax exempt security renew recommendation security dry source federal taxation encourage unproductive extravagant expenditures state municipality menace mount public debt dissipation capital make available need productive industry propose amendment place state federal government political subdivision exact equality correct grow menace public borrowing leave unchecked may soon threaten stability institution vast varied national interest score problem press attention must risk weary patience detail reference reclamation irrigation project waste land may make available settlement productivity worthy favorable consideration realize consume timber four time rapidly grow must encourage great possible cooperation federal government various state owner forest land end protection fire shall make effective replant encourage fuel problem study capable commission attempt deal coal problem deep concern entire nation must await report commission necessary study great problem congress might well initiate wide spread production cost price consumer pay concern every citizen republic contribute largely unrest agriculture must stand sponsor much inveigh familiar term high cost live one doubts excess traceable levy middleman would unfair charge responsibility appraise exact modernly complex life attack problem one side promotion cooperative marketing might well inquire benefit cooperative buying admittedly consumer much blame prodigal expenditure exaction service government might well serve point way narrow spread price especially production food consumption superpower survey eastern industrial region recently complete look unification steam water electric power unify scheme power distribution survey prove vast economy tonnage movement freight efficiency railroad would effect superpower program adopt convinced constructive measure calculate promote industrial development tempt say industrial well worthy careful attention foster interest national government propose survey plan draft resource republic human material national defense may well approval commend program case future war inaugural address march 4 1921 every experience adjustment liquidation war claim settlement war obligation persuades ought prepare universal call arm defense bring apprehension war world abhorrent relation free every threatening cloud contribute large influence toward make armed conflict less likely assume play part world war later take aloof apart unmindful world obligation give scant credit helpful part assume international relationship whether nation signatory ratify treaty grow washington conference limitation armament withhold approval underlying policy limit naval armament sanction large naval power naval competition suspend course unanimous ratification much desire pact abolishes every probability war pacific bring new confidence maintain peace well believe might make model like assurance wherever world common interest concern expressed hostility american people supergovernment commitment either council assembly league power may chart course treaty arm alliance likelihood american sanction believe respect right nation value conference consultation effectiveness leader nation look face ace resort arbitrament arm fortune preach promote international understanding influence united state bring near settlement ancient dispute south american nation add proof glow peace ample understand washington meet delegate central american nation gather table international understanding stabilize republic remove every vestige disagreement meet invitation aloofness accept hospitality faith unselfishness believe helpfulness perhaps selfish crave confidence friendship selfishness proclaim world regardless hemisphere seas dividing would like congress people nation believe firm considerate way insistent american right wherever may question deny right others assertion moreover cognizant world struggle full readjustment rehabilitation shirk duty come sympathy fraternity high fellowship among nation every obligation consonant american ideal sanction form government willingly meet support demand constitutional limitation forbid exercise moral influence measure less high purpose seek serve less difference part great republic shall play further peace advance humanity manner play ask one assume responsibility u assume responsibility others must bear unless nationality hopelessly swallow internationalism