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State of the Union Addresses of Calvin Coolidge

C >> Calvin Coolidge >> State of the Union Addresses of Calvin Coolidge




The practical application of economy to the resources of the country calls
for conservation. This does not mean that every resource should not be
developed to its full degree, but it means that none of them should be
wasted. We have a conservation board working on our oil problem. This is of
the utmost importance to the future well-being of our people in this age of
oil-burning engines and tile general application of gasoline to
transportation. The Secretary of the Interior should not be compelled to
lease oil lands of the Osage Indians when the market is depressed and the
future supply is in jeopardy.

While the area of lands remaining in public ownership is small, compared
with the vast area in private ownership, the natural resources of those in
public ownership are of immense present and future value. This is
particularly trite as to minerals and water power. The proper bureaus have
been classifying these resources to the end that they may be conserved.
Appropriate estimates are being submitted, in the Budget, for the further
prosecution of this important work. IMMIGRATION

The policy of restrictive immigration should be maintained. Authority
should be granted the Secretary of Labor to give immediate preference to
learned professions and experts essential to new industries. The reuniting
of families should be expedited. Our immigration and naturalization laws
might well be codified.

WAGE EARNER

In its economic life our country has rejected the long accepted law of a
limitation of the wage fund, which led to pessimism and despair because it
was the doctrine of perpetual poverty, and has substituted for it the
American conception that the only limit to profits and wages is production,
which is the doctrine of optimism and hope because it leads to prosperity.
Here and there the councils of labor are still darkened by the theory that
only by limiting individual production can there be any assurance of
permanent employment for increasing numbers, but in general, management and
wage earner alike have become emancipated from this doom and have entered a
new era in industrial thought which has unleashed the productive capacity
of the individual worker with an increasing scale of wages and profits, the
end of which is not yet. The application of this theory accounts for our
widening distribution of wealth. No discovery ever did more to increase the
happiness and prosperity of the people.

Since 1922 increasing production has increased wages in general 12.9 per
cent, while in certain selected trades they have run as high as 34.9 per
cent and 38 per cent. Even in the boot and shoe shops the increase is over
5 per cent and in woolen mills 8.4 per cent, although these industries have
not prospered like others. As the rise in living costs in this period is
negligible, these figures represent real wage increases.

The cause of constructive economy requires that the Government should
cooperate with private interests to eliminate the waste arising from
industrial accidents. This item, with all that has been done to reduce it,
still reaches enormous proportions with great suffering to the workman and
great loss to the country.

WOMEN AND CHILDREN

The Federal Government should continue its solicitous care for the
8,500,000 women wage earners and its efforts in behalf of public health,
which is reducing infant mortality and improving the 91odily and mental
condition of our citizens.

CIVIL SERVICE

The most marked change made in the civil service of the Government in the
past eight years relates to the increase in salaries. The Board of
Actuaries on the retirement act shows by its report, that July 1, 1921 the
average salary of the 330,047 employees subject to the act was J1,307,
while on June 30, 1927, the average salary of the corresponding, 405,263
was $1,969. This was an increase in six years of nearly 53 per cent. On top
of this was the generous increase made at the last session of the Congress
generally applicable to Federal employees and another bill increasing the
pay in certain branches of the Postal Service beyond the large increase
which was made three years ago. This raised the average level from $1,969
to $2,092, making an increase in seven years of over 63 per cent. While it
is well known that in the upper brackets the pay in the Federal

service is much smaller than in private employment, in the lower brackets,
ranging well up over $3,000, it is much higher. It is higher not only in
actual money paid, but in privileges granted, a vacation of 30 actual
working days, or 5 weeks each year, with additional time running in some
departments as high as 30 days for sick leave and the generous provisions
of the retirement act. No other body of public servants ever occupied such
a fortunate position. EDUCATION

Through the Bureau of Education of the Department of the Interior the
Federal Government, acting in an informative and advisory capacity, has
rendered valuable service. While this province be7crigspeculiarly to the
States, yet the promotion of education and efficiency in educational
methods is a general responsibility of the Federal Government. A survey of
negro colleges and universities in the United States has just been
completed l7y the Bureau of Education through funds provided by the
institutions themselves and through private sources. The present status of
negro higher education was determined and recommendations were made for its
advancement. This was one of the numerous cooperative undertakings of the
bureau. Following the invitation of the Association of Land Grant Colleges
and Universities, he Bureau of Education now has under way the survey of
agricultural colleges, authorized by Congress. The purpose of the survey is
to ascertain the accomplishments, the status, and the future objectives of
this type of educational training. It is now proposed to undertake a survey
of secondary schools, which educators insist is timely and essential.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS

We, have laid out a public building program for the District of Columbia
and the country at large runni110' into hundreds of millions of dollars.
Three important structures and one annex are already, under way and one
addition has been completed in the City of Washington. in the country sites
have been acquired, many buildings are in course of construction, and some
are already completed. Plans for all this work are being prepared in order
that it may be carried forward as rapidly as possible. This is the greatest
building program ever assumed by this Nation. It contemplates structures of
utility and of beauty. When it reaches completion the people will be well
served and the Federal city will be supplied with the most beautiful and
stately public buildings which adorn any capital in the world.

THE AMERICAN INDIAN

The administration of Indian affairs has been receiving intensive study for
several years. The Department of the Interior has been able to provide
better supervision of health, education, and industrial advancement of this
native race through additional funds provided by the Congress. The present
cooperative arrangement existing between the Bureau of Indian Affairs and
the Public Health Service should be extended. The Government's
responsibility to the American Indian has been acknowledged by annual
increases in appropria.l

tions to fulfill its obligations to them and to hasten the time when
Federal supervision of their affairs may be properly and safely terminated.
The movement in Congress and in some of the State legislatures for
extending responsibility in Indian affairs to States should be encouraged.
A complete participation by the Indian in our economic life is the end to
be desired.

THE NEGRO

For 65 years now our negro Population has been under the peculiar care and
solicitude of the National Government. The progress which they have made in
education and the professions, in wealth and in the arts of civilization,
affords one of the most remarkable incidents in this period of world
history. They have demonstrated their ability to partake of the advantages
of our institutions and to benefit by a free and more and more independent
existence. Whatever doubt there may have been of their capacity to assume,
the status granted to them by the Constitution of this Union is being
rapidly dissipated. Their cooperation in the life of the Nation is
constantly enlarging.

Exploiting the Negro problem for political ends is being abandoned and
their protection is being increased by those States in which their
percentage of population is largest. Every encouragement should be extended
for t le development of the race. The colored people have been the victims
of the crime of lynching, which has in late years somewhat decreased. Some
parts of the South already have wholesome laws for its restraint and
punishment. Their example might well be followed by other States, and by
such immediate remedial legislation as the Federal Government can extend
under the Constitution.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS

Under the guidance of Governor General Stimson the economic and political
conditions of the Philippine Islands have been raised to a standard never
before surpassed. The cooperation between his administration and the people
of the islands is complete and harmonious. It would be an advantage if
relief from double taxation could be granted by the Congress to our
citizens doing business in the islands.

PORTO RICO

Due to the terrific storm that swept Porto Rico last September, the people
of that island suffered large losses. The Red Cross and the War Department
went to their rescue. The property loss is being, retrieved. Sugar,
tobacco, citrus fruit, and coffee, all suffered damage. The first three can
largely look after themselves. The coffee growers will need some
assistance, which should be *extended strictly on a business basis, and
only after most careful investigation. The people of Porto Rico are not
asking for charity.

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

It is desirable that all the legal activities of the Government be
consolidated under the supervision of the Attorney General. In

1870 it was felt necessary to create the Department of Justice for this
purpose. During the intervening period, either through legislation creating
law officers or departmental action, additional legal positions not under
the supervision of the Attorney General have been provided until there are
now over 900. Such a condition is as harmful to the interest of the
Government now as it was in 1870, and should be corrected by appropriate
legislation.

SPECIAL GOVERNMENT COUNSEL

In order to prosecute the oil cases, I suggested and the Congress enacted a
law providing for the appointment of two special counsel. They have pursued
their work with signal ability, recovering all the leased lands besides
nearly $30,000,000 in money, and nearly $17,000,000 in other property. They
find themselves hampered by a statute, which the Attorney General construes
as applying to them, prohibiting their appearing for private clients before
any department. For this reason, one has been compelled to resign. No good
result is secured by the application of this rule to these counsel, and as
Mr. Roberts has consented to take reappointment if the rule is abrogated I
recommend the passage of an amendment to the law creating their office
exempting them from the general rule against taking other cases involving
the Government. PROHIBITION

The country has duly adopted the eighteenth amendment. Those who object to
it have the right to advocate its modification or repeal. Meantime) it is
binding upon the National and State Governments and all our inhabitants.
The Federal enforcement bureau is making every effort to prevent
violations, especially through smuggling, manufacture, and transportation,
and to prosecute generally all violations for which it can secure evidence.
It is bound to continue this policy. Under the terms of the Constitution,
however, the obligation is equally on the States to exercise the power
which they have through the executive, legislative. judicial, and police
branches of their governments in behalf of enforcement. The Federal
Government is doing and will continue to do all it can in this direction
and is entitled to7the active cooperation of the States. CONCLUSION

The country is in the midst of an era of prosperity more extensive and of
peace more permanent than it has ever before experienced. But, having
reached this position, we should not fail to comprehend that it can easily
be lost. It needs more effort for its support than the less exalted places
of the world. We shall not be permitted to take our case, but shall
continue to be required to spend our days in unremitting toil. The actions
of the Government must command the confidence of the country. Without this,
our prosperity would be lost. We must extend to other countries the largest
measure of generosity, moderation, and patience. In addition to dealing
justly, we can well afford to walk humbly.

The end of government is to keep open the opportunity for a more

abundant life. Peace and prosperity are not finalities; they are only
methods. It is too easy under their influence for a nation to become
selfish and degenerate. This test has come to the United States. Our
country has been provided with the resources with which it can enlarge its
intellectual, moral, and spiritual life. The issue is in the hands of the
people. Our faith in man and God is the justification for the belief in our
continuing success.

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