The Message

The principal matters which President Coolidge discussed in his message to Congress are epitomized in the following extracts:

President Harding -- "The world knew his kindness and his humanity, his greatness and his character. He has left his mark upon history "

League of Nations--"Our country has definitely refused to adopt and ratify the covenant of the League of Nations. . . . The incident, so far as we are concerned, is closed."

World Court--"Pending before the Senate is a proposal that this Government give its support to the Permanent Court of International Justice. . . . The Court is merely a convenient instrument of adjustment to which we could go, but to which we could not be brought. ... I, therefore, commend it to the favorable consideration of the Senate with the proposed reservations clearly indicating our refusal to adhere to the League of Nations."

Russia--"Our Government offers no objection to the carrying on of commerce by our citizens with the people of Russia. Our Government does not propose, however, to enter into relations with another regime which refuses to recognize the sanctity of international obligations."

War Debts--"The current debt and interest due from foreign Governments, exclusive of the British debt of $4,600,000,000, is about $7,200,000,000. I do not favor the cancellation of this debt, but I see no objection to adjusting it in accordance with the principle adopted for the British debt.--

Budget System--"Our main problems are domestic problems. . . . Orderly retrenchment is bringing our expenses within our means. The origin of this has been the determination of the American people, the main support has been the courage of those in authority and the effective method has been the budget system. . . . This system is a law of the Congress. It represents your will. It must be maintained and ought to be strengthened by the example of your observance."

Tax Reduction--"It is possible . . . to make a large reduction in the taxes of the people. . . . This is treated at greater length in the budget message, and a proposed plan has been presented in detail in a statement by the Secretary of the Treasury, which has my unqualified approval. I specially commend a decrease on earned incomes and further abolition of admission, message and nuisance taxes. . . . Being opposed to war taxes in time of peace, I am not in favor of excess profits taxes. . . . For seven years the people have borne with uncomplaining courage the tremendous burden of national and local taxation. . . . Of all services which the Congress can render to the country, I have no hesitation in declaring this one to be paramount."

Tax-Exempt Securities--"Another reform which is urgent in our fiscal system is the abolition of the right to issue tax-exempt securities. The existing system not only permits a large amount of the wealth of the nation to escape its just burden, but acts as a continual stimulant to municipal extravagance."

Tariff Revision -- "The present tariff law has accomplished its two main objects. It has secured an abundant revenue and been productive of an abounding prosperity. . . . A constant revision of the tariff by the Congress is disturbing and harmful."

Shipping--"Our Government during the War acquired a large merchant fleet, which should be transferred as soon as possible to private ownership and operation under conditions which would secure two results : first, and of prime importance, adequate means for national defense; second, adequate service to American commerce. . . . We must have a merchant marine which meets these requirements, and we shall have to pay the cost of its service."

Railroad Rates--"The law requires that rates should be just and reasonable. . . . Unless the Government adheres to the rule of making a rate that will yield a fair return, it must abandon rate-making altogether."

Railroad Labor Board--"It has been a great help but is not altogether satisfactory to the public, the employees or the companies. If a substantial agreement can be reached among the groups interested there should be no hesitation in enacting such agreement into law. If it is not reached, the Labor Board may very well be left for the present to protect the public welfare."

Railroad Consolidation -- "Additional legislation is needed giving authority for voluntary consolidations, both regional and route, and providing Government machinery to aid and stimulate such action, always subject to the approval of the Interstate Commerce Commission. . . . Consolidation appears to be the only feasible method for the maintenance of an adequate system of transportation with an opportunity so to adjust freight rates as to meet such temporary conditions as now prevail in some agricultural sections."

Law Revision--"As no revision of the laws of the United States has been made since 1878, a commission or committee should be created to undertake this work."

Criminal Identification--"The administration of justice would be facilitated greatly by including in the Bureau of Investigation of the Department of Justice a division of criminal identification, where there would be collected this information which is now indispensable in the suppression of crime."

Prohibition--"A treaty is being negotiated with Great Britain with respect to the right of search of hovering vessels. To prevent smuggling, the Coast Guard should be greatly strengthened and a supply of swift power boats should be provided. The major sources of production should be rigidly regulated, and every effort should be made to suppress interstate traffic. With this action on the part of the national Government and the cooperation which is usually rendered by municipal and State authorities, Prohibition should be made effective."

Lynching--"The Congress ought to exercise all its powers of prevention and punishment against the hideous crime of lynching, of which the Negroes are by no means the sole sufferers, but for which they furnish a majority of the victims."

Civil Service--"There are nearly 550,000 persons in the executive civil service, drawing about $700,000,000 of yearly compensation. . . . The Civil Service Commission has recommended that postmasters at first, second and third class offices be classified. Such action, accompanied by a repeal of the four-year term of office, would undoubtedly be an improvement. I also recommend that the field force for Prohibition enforcement be brought within the classified civil service without covering in the present membership. The best method for selecting public servants is the merit system."

Public Buildings--"Many of the Departments in Washington need better housing facilities. . . . While I do not favor at this time a general public building law, I believe it is now necessary ... to begin . . . by authorizing the erection of three or four buildings most urgently needed by an annual appropriation of $5,000,000."

Army and Navy--"For several years we have been decreasing the personnel of the Army and Navy and reducing their power to the danger point. Further reductions should not be made. . . . Additional planes are needed for the Army and additional submarines for the Navy. The defenses of Panama must be perfected."

Insular Possessions --"They are being administered according to law. That effort has the full support of the Administration. Such recommendations as may come from their people or their Governments should have the most considerate attention."

Education--"I do not favor the appropriations from the national Treasury to be expended directly on local education, but I do consider it a fundamental requirement of national activity which, accompanied by allied subjects of welfare, is worthy of a separate Department and a place in the Cabinet."

Child and Female Labor--"We ought to provide by Constitutional amendment and appropriate legislation, for a limitation of child labor,-- and, in all cases under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government, a minimum wage aw for women."

Immigration--"It is necessary to continue a policy of restricted immigration. It would be well to make such immigration of a selective nature, with some inspection at the source, and based either on a prior census or upon the record of naturalization. . . . We should find additional safety in a law requiring the immediate registration of all aliens."

Disabled Veterans--"No more important duty falls on the Government of the United States than the adequate care of its veterans. Those suffering disabilities incurred in the service must have sufficient hospital relief and compensation. Their dependents must be supported. Rehabilitation and vocational training must be completed. All of this service must be clean, must be prompt and effective, and it must be administered in a spirit of the broadest and deepest human sympathy."

A Soldier Bonus--"The American Legion will present to the Congress a legislative program too extensive for detailed discussion here. . . . The attitude of the Government towards these proposals should be one of generosity. But I do not favor the granting of a bonus."

Coal Problem--"The cost of coal has become unbearably high. . . . Those responsible for the conditions in this industry should undertake its reform and free it from any charge of profiteering. ... I do not favor Government ownership or operation of coal mines. . . . The supply of coal must be constant. In case of its prospective interruption, the President should have authority to appoint a commission empowered to deal with whatever emergency situation might arise."

Executive Reorganization--"A special joint committee has been appointed to work out a plan for reorganization of the different Departments and Bureaus of the Government. With the exception of the consolidation of the War and Navy Departments and some minor details, the plan has the general sanction of the President and the Cabinet. It is important that reorganization be enacted into law at the present session."

Farm Relief--"For the most part agriculture is successful, eleven staples having risen in value from about $5,300,000,000 two years ago to about $7,000,000,000 for the current year. . . . With his products not selling on a parity with the products of industry, every sound remedy that can be devised should be applied for the relief of the farmer. . . . No complicated scheme of relief, no plan for Government fixing of prices, no resort to the public Treasury will be of any permanent value in establishing agriculture. Simple and direct methods put into operation by the farmer himself are the only real sources of restoration. Indirectly the farmer must be relieved by a reduction of national and local taxation. He must be assisted by the reorganization of the freight rate structure, which could reduce charges on his production. To make this fully effective there ought to be railroad consolidations. Cheaper fertilizers must be provided. . . . Unless we can meet the world market at a profit, we must stop raising for export. Organization would help to reduce acreage."

Muscle Shoals--"The Government is undertaking to develop a great water power project known as Muscle Shoals, on which it has expended many million dollars. The work is still going on. Subject to the right to retake in time of war, I recommend that this property with a location for auxiliary steam plant and rights of way be sold. . . . The agriculture of the nation needs a greater supply and lower cost of fertilizer. ... If this main object be accomplished, the amount of money received for the property is not a primary or major consideration. . . . I, therefore, recommend that the Congress appoint a small joint committee to consider offers, conduct negotiations and report definite recommendations."

Irrigation and Reclamation--"Occupants of our reclamation projects are in financial difficulties, which in some cases are acute. Relief should be granted by definite authority of law empowering the Secretary of the Interior in his discretion to suspend, readjust and reassess all charges against water users. This whole question is being considered by experts. You will have the advantage of the facts and conclusions which they may develop. This situation, involving a Government investment of more than $135,000,000 and affecting more than 30,000 water-users, is serious."

Roads and Forests -- "Highways and reforestation should continue to have the interest and support of the Government."

--The British debt will be paid in full at the end of a maximum period of 62 years, payments to be made semiannually in cash or in U. S. Bonds (accepted by the U. S. at face value), interest at 3% and 3 1/2%.

-- Previous attempts at child legislation: 1) Jan. 17, 1917, defeated, declared unconstitutional; 2) June 3, 1918, passed, became a law in 1919, declared unconstitutional, May, 1922.