State of the Union

Obedient to constitutional command, President Hoover last week sent by a messenger to the Capitol his second Message to Congress, his first routine Report on the State of the Union. Twelve thousand words long,* it was handed to clerks in the House and Senate who intoned it from the nation's rostra.

A President prepares his message with a view to guiding congressional action. At the end of a session, his legislative winnings and losings are measured in terms of his message. President Hoover's score in dealing with Congress will be largely based six months hence on these words:

Foreign Relations. "Our adherence to the International Court is, as now constituted, not the slightest step toward entry into the League of Nations. I shall direct that our signature be affixed to the protocol of adherence and shall submit it for the approval of the Senate."

National Defense. "We can well be deeply concerned at the growing expense. . . . From a defense point of view our forces should be proportioned to national need and should, to some extent, be modified by the prospects of peace. . . . I recommend that Congress give earnest consideration to the possibilities of prudent action. . . ."

Tax Reduction. "I recommend that the normal income tax rates be reduced 1%."

General Economic Situation. 'The long upward trend of fundamental progress gave rise to overoptimism as to profits, which translated itself into a wave of uncontrolled speculation in securities, resulting in the diversion of capital from business to the stockmarket and the inevitable crash. . . . We have reestablished confidence."

Agriculture. ". . . is improving."

Tariff. "I have been most anxious that the principle of the flexible tariff . . . should be preserved."*

Waterways & Flood Control. "I am recommending an increase in appropriations which should make available . . . from $25,000,000 to $30,000,000 per annum for the Mississippi system and thus bring it to early completion. . . . Conflict of opinion over the proposed floodway has led me to withhold construction upon this part of the Mississippi Flood Control Plan until it could again be reviewed by engineers for any further recommendation to Congress. . . ."

Post Office. "A revision of air mail rates . . . is necessary."

Railways. "Legislation to simplify and expedite consolidation methods and better protect public interest should be enacted. . . ."

Merchant Marine. "I appointed an interdepartmental committee ... to make a survey of policies in respect to mail contracts. ... A total of 40 new vessels will be required under the contracts proposed. . . . The capital cost will be approximately $250,000,000. . . ."

Banking. "The development of 'group' and 'chain' banking presents many new problems. The question naturally arises as to whether if allowed to expand these methods would dangerously concentrate control of credit . . . and seriously threaten one of the fundamentals of the American credit system. . . . It might be advantageous to create a joint commission of Congress and other federal officials to report. . . ."

Electrical Power Regulation. "The Federal Power Commission is now composed of three Cabinet officers. . . . I recommend that authority be given for the appointment of full-time commissioners to replace them. . . . The authority of the commission should be extended to certain phases of power regulation. About 90% of all power generation and distribution is intrastate. . . . There are cases, however, of interstate character beyond the jurisdiction of the states. . . ."

Radio Commission. "I recommend the reorganization of the Radio Commission into a permanent body. The requirement that the commissioners should be appointed from specific zones should be abolished."

Muscle Shoals. "Such parts of these plants as would be useful and revenues from the remainders should be dedicated for all time to the farmers of the U. S . I do not favor the operation by the government of either power or manufacturing business, except as an unavoidable byproduct. ... [I am led] to suggest that Congress create a special commission . . . with authority to complete some sort of contract. . . ."

Conservation. "Three important questions. . . . Conservation of our oil and gas resources . . . conservation due to overgrazing on public lands . . . our reclamation policy, ... I have appointed a commission."

Federal Prisons. "We need some new. . . ."

Immigration: "I have been opposed to the basis of the quotas now in force [national origins]. . . . We could find some more practical method. . . . I recommend . . . further study."

Reorganization. "Reorganization is a necessity of sound administration. . . . The presentation of any specific plan enlivens opposition from every official whose authority may be curtailed ... of citizens who are selfishly interested. ... All administrative activities should be placed in groups under singleheaded responsibility ... while quasi-legislative and quasi-judicial functions should be removed from, individual authority and assigned to boards and commissions. ... It is desirable that we first have experience with these groups in action before we create new departments. ... I can see no hope for sound reorganization unless Congress be willing to delegate its authority to the executive who should act upon approval of a joint committee of Congress."

Prohibition. "Enforcement is far from satisfactory. . . . There should be an immediate concentration of responsibility by transfer to the Department of Justice of the functions now lodged in the Prohibition unit in the Treasury. . . . Control of industrial alcohol and legalized beverages should remain in the Treasury. Provision should be made for relief of congestion in the Federal Courts. . . . There should be a codification of the laws relating to Prohibition. ... I would add to these recommendations the desirability of reorganizing the various services engaged in the prevention of smuggling into one Border Patrol under the Coast Guard. ... It is not to be expected that any criminal law will ever be fully enforced as long as criminals exist. . . . The District of Columbia should be the model of city law enforcement in the nation. Conditions here ... are far from perfect."

Law Enforcement. "It is the most serious issue before our people. . . . I have appointed a commission. . . . I am confident it will make a notable contribution." Major Hoover commissions now functioning--6; new Hoover commissions called for in his message--4.

*Since 1900 the shortest presidential message (8,000 words) was by Calvin Coolidge, the longest (34,980 words) by William Howard Taft. Average length: 15,000 words.

*The Senate voted to take from the President his present power to flex tariff rates 50% up or down.

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