Messages

Carefully spreading benevolent salve on old political sores, proposing no new important legislation, President Coolidge's message was read to both houses of Congress by the clerks. In reporting the health of the Republic, the message said; "It is impossible to characterize it other than one of general peace and prosperity. . . . In some quarters our diplomacy is vexed with difficult and as yet unsolved problems, but nowhere [the clerk paused] are we met with armed conflict."

For the farmers the President had fond words: "The whole question of agriculture needs more careful consideration. While the Government is not to be blamed for failure to perform the impossible, the agriculture regions are entitled to know that they have its constant solicitude and sympathy." If the farmers' desire for assistance is "matched by an equally sincere and candid consideration of the different remedies proposed, a sound measure of relief ought to result."

Concerning taxation, the President disapproved of permanent reduction and favored temporary relief in the form of refunds on 1927 payments.

He urged the development of the Mississippi River transportation system, but on the heated squabble between the St. Lawrence and the all-American routes to the Atlantic, he said he hoped it would be settled without local jealousies.

Other recommendation: place the merchant marine under a single responsible head and urge the people to ship in U. S. bottoms; develop the Philippines, economically and do not give them independence until they are better fitted; discharge War debt obligations rapidly; avoid competitive armaments; create a board to deal with radio problems; enact immediately supplementary legislation to enforce Prohibition.

The President's budget message asked Congress for appropriations of $4,014,571,124.60 to run the Government during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1928. This is only a slight increase over the 1927 figures, but a big leap from 1917 when citizens were first awed by "a billion dollar Congress."

"Interest," said the President, "is the largest single item of Government expenditure. We have had since the War an established program of debt reduction. This should not be disturbed."

Thus, President Coolidge announced the annual operating expenses of a "four billion dollar business," which now has an estimated Treasury surplus of $383,079,095.